Ruthless Billionaire Husband

Chapter 4 — The Weight of Control

Lina awoke the next morning to the sound of the mansion’s clock chiming in the distance. The cold morning air seeped through the curtains, touching her skin like an unwelcome guest. She lay still, eyes wide open, her mind racing. She couldn’t remember when she had fallen asleep, only that the night had been filled with silence and tension. Demian’s presence beside her had kept her awake, but now, in the light of day, the reality of her situation was even clearer.

She slowly turned her head to see Demian standing near the window, his back to her, his posture rigid. The light from the early morning sun filtered through the glass, casting shadows across his frame. His dark, imposing figure seemed to fill the entire room. He didn’t acknowledge her, didn’t give any indication that he knew she was awake.

Lina sat up slowly, the sheets slipping from her body as she moved. She felt exposed, vulnerable, like a fragile bird in the hands of a predator. She tried to gather her thoughts, but the overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty kept her from focusing.

Her heart skipped a beat as Demian turned around, his gaze sharp and cold as he met her eyes. There was no warmth in his expression, no softness. His eyes were calculating, as if he were already measuring her in some way.

“Get dressed,” he said, his voice as flat as it had been the night before.

Lina opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. What could she say? She had no right to ask questions, no right to challenge him. All she could do was obey.

She moved to the wardrobe, the sound of the door creaking as she opened it. She pulled out a simple black dress, the kind that Demian had bought for her without asking her opinion. The fabric was expensive, and it felt heavy in her hands, a constant reminder of the life she had been thrust into. She dressed quickly, avoiding Demian’s gaze as much as possible.

When she finished, Demian nodded, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “You look acceptable,” he said, his tone detached. “Now, we begin your first lesson.”

Lina’s stomach churned at the words. What did he mean by “lesson”? She had no idea what Demian expected from her, but she knew it wouldn’t be anything good. She had learned that much already.

He motioned for her to follow him, and she did, her steps tentative as she followed him down the cold, sterile halls of the mansion. She felt like a ghost, moving silently through the corridors, trapped in a world that wasn’t hers. The heavy silence between them felt suffocating, each step amplifying the weight of her new reality.

Demian led her into a large, windowless room at the back of the house. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with legal documents, old family records, and weapons. It was clear that this room had been designed for business — and nothing else.

“Sit,” Demian ordered, pointing to a chair in front of a large desk.

Lina hesitated for a moment, her body stiff with apprehension, before she took a seat. Demian stood in front of her, his gaze never leaving her face. He crossed his arms over his chest, his posture as imposing as ever.

“This is your first lesson,” he began, his voice cold and businesslike. “You are here to serve me in every way. Your role is to be obedient, to follow my commands without question. You will never argue with me, never defy me. Do you understand?”

Lina nodded, her throat tight. She wanted to speak, wanted to tell him how wrong all of this felt, but she knew better than to open her mouth.

“You will be a reflection of my control. You will represent me, and your actions will reflect my power,” Demian continued, his voice steady and unwavering. “Your life now belongs to me. You will do whatever I ask, without hesitation, without complaint.”

His words felt like chains around her neck, tightening with each sentence. She could feel the weight of them, pressing down on her chest, suffocating her. This was her life now — to be nothing more than an extension of Demian’s will.

He stepped closer, looming over her, his cold eyes never leaving hers. “If you fail to follow my commands, if you defy me in any way, there will be consequences. You will learn, Lina, that your place is to serve. And if you forget that, I will remind you.”

Lina’s hands trembled in her lap as she fought to control the panic rising inside her. She had no escape, no way out of this. The reality of her situation hit her harder than ever. There was no room for resistance, no chance for her to have a voice.

Demian was in control. And she was powerless to change it.

“Do you understand?” he repeated, his voice sharp.

Lina swallowed hard, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. “Yes,” she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

Demian’s expression remained unchanged. “Good. Now, we begin.”

Demian's eyes never wavered as he watched Lina’s every move. His presence was like a force that filled the room, suffocating and overwhelming. He didn’t sit; he remained standing, towering over her as if awaiting something. He was waiting for her to show some weakness, to falter — but Lina couldn’t afford to give him that satisfaction. She couldn’t show him how afraid she truly was.

He finally moved, walking around her like a predator inspecting his prey. His steps were slow, deliberate. "You're here to learn, Lina. And you're going to learn fast," he said, his voice like ice. "I don't have time for mistakes. You don't get to decide what you will or won't do. You exist for one purpose only — to serve me. Do you understand that?"

Lina nodded stiffly, her throat tight as she swallowed back the lump that had formed. She wanted to speak, to tell him that this wasn’t right, that she didn’t want this, but she had no words. She didn’t even have the courage to look up at him. She was scared — scared of his cold, unyielding demeanor, scared of the power he held over her, scared of how easily he could break her.

“Good,” Demian said, his voice coldly approving. “Now, let’s see how well you follow orders.” He moved to the desk and pulled out a folder from one of the drawers. He placed it in front of her, the weight of it as heavy as the atmosphere in the room. "You will familiarize yourself with this," he said, his tone flat. “This is the beginning of your new role. This is everything you need to know about your responsibilities. Study it. You won’t get a second chance.”

Lina reached for the folder, her hands trembling as she opened it. Inside were contracts, documents that detailed various tasks, expectations, and rules she was expected to follow. It was a cold, impersonal list of her duties — all of them focused on Demian’s needs, his family’s business, his empire. There was nothing for her, nothing about what she wanted, about who she was. She was a tool. That’s all she would ever be.

As she flipped through the pages, Demian’s voice broke the silence. "The most important rule," he said, "is obedience. You will obey without question. If you fail, if you make a mistake, I will punish you. And I don't care how much you beg. It will be your fault, not mine."

Lina’s breath hitched at the cold finality in his tone. His words weren’t just commands; they were a warning. A warning that she would have no choice but to follow, or face the consequences.

"Now," Demian continued, taking a step closer to her, "let's see how well you absorb what you read. Tell me what you understand about your place here."

Lina froze. She had to speak. She had to respond. But what could she say? What could she possibly say to please him?

"I... I understand that my role is to serve you," she said quietly, the words tasting bitter in her mouth. "To obey without question."

Demian’s lips curled slightly, as though he was pleased with her answer, but there was no warmth in his gaze. “And if you fail, what happens then?”

Lina’s mind raced, but she already knew the answer. "You will punish me."

“Correct,” he said, his voice low. “Now, I want you to stand up.”

Lina hesitated but then obeyed, standing up from the chair. The moment she was on her feet, Demian’s hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. She gasped, the sudden pressure of his touch shocking her.

His eyes locked onto hers, cold and commanding. "I want you to understand this, Lina. You belong to me. Every part of you is mine to command. Your body, your time, your obedience. They all belong to me now. And if you try to defy me... I'll break you. I'll make sure you never forget your place."

Lina flinched at the intensity of his words. It was as if the air between them had thickened, making it hard to breathe. She couldn’t deny the fear that gripped her chest, the dread that curled in her stomach. She felt so small in his presence, so helpless.

Demian stepped back, releasing her wrist with a suddenness that left her disoriented. He surveyed her for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. "Get to work," he said. "Learn everything in that folder. I expect you to be ready for the next lesson tomorrow. Don’t disappoint me."

Lina nodded, her heart pounding. "Yes, Demian."

He gave her one last cold glance before turning and leaving the room, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. The silence that followed was deafening. Lina was left alone, her thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and helplessness.

She moved back to the desk, but the folder felt heavier than before. Every word she read seemed to remind her of just how trapped she was. She had no choice. No freedom. Demian’s control over her was absolute, and she could do nothing but obey.