Imprisoned in the CEO's Heart

Alea Jade, the eldest child of Larry Collins and Liza, was forced to marry an extremely wealthy CEO named Zeno Williams, who was known for being cold and arrogant. The marriage between Alea and Zeno happened at the request of Harris Williams, who wanted to fulfill his father's request for him to marry the child of his friend. However, at that time, their parents only had sons. Since long ago, the Williams family and the Collins extended family had been friends and supported each other. Currently, the Collins company was facing problems, and Larry Collins finally agreed to the marriage of his daughter Alea to Zeno Williams. At that time, Grandpa Stanley Williams's health was deteriorating, prompting both families to expedite the marriage between Alea and Zeno. Thus, the marriage took place when Alea was only eighteen years old and Zeno was twenty-five. The marriage happened so quickly that Zeno and Alea, who had not seen each other for a long time, were surprised, but they could not refuse the wishes of their extended families. Moreover, Alea's family business was experiencing difficulties and needed a substantial financial boost. Alea could not refuse even though she wanted to marry after finishing college, but for her father's sake, she eventually tried to become a good wife to Zeno. At the age of eighteen, Alea officially became the wife of Zeno Williams. Zeno, who was cold, seemed not to like Alea, so they entered into a one-year marriage contract. After one year, they would separate, and Zeno would go to Europe to continue his doctoral studies. Day by day, they always kept their distance to avoid getting too close. Especially since Zeno, who was meticulously tidy, was very different from Alea, who often placed things out of order. Since they were a married couple, they chose to live in an apartment so they could have freedom. Zeno would be busy with his work at the office, while Alea would be busy with her studies. Everything went smoothly until that tragedy occurred when their agreement was only one week away from ending. That day, Ale returned from campus around five in the afternoon. As usual, Alea would be busy washing clothes and tidying up the apartment to avoid Zeno's anger, who disliked a messy apartment. After that, she would cook for herself because Zeno would definitely not eat at the apartment. Zeno Williams was the primary heir to the Williams Group and was known for being very handsome, cold, and also cruel. Cruel was an apt description for Zeno because he always showed his arrogance to Alea. Alea was actually quite happy to marry Zeno because she could escape the mistreatment she is experiencing from her stepmother. One thing that made her feel she and Zeno shared the same fate was that they were both raised by stepmothers. All this time, Alea always felt annoyed and angry because of her stepmother's behavior, who constantly bothered her and even cut her allowance, forcing her to pack her own lunch for school because her pocket money was only enough for taxi fares. Even though her father gave her a substantial allowance, the same amount as her stepsister Sasha. "Before Zeno gets home, this house has to be spotless," said Alea. "But hopefully, he doesn't come home, sick of seeing that unbearably arrogant handsome statue, hehe..." Alea chuckled. Any woman who doesn't know Zeno Williams would surely say Zeno is their dream man. How could he not? Zeno has always excelled in both academic and non-academic fields, as shown by the array of awards in his room. Alea has to be careful entering Zeno's room because he doesn't like his things being touched. After tidying up the house and eating, Alea went into her room and immersed herself in her zombie film world. She really enjoys watching action films, and it's her go-to activity when she's not working on college assignments. She is currently in her second semester, and in a week, her marriage contract with Zeno will finally end. Alea has become accustomed to the luxury that Zeno has provided her. She'll have to forget about the credit cards, ATM, and this comfortable apartment. After divorcing Zeno Williams, Alea plans to move to another city so she can live independently and away from her two large families. Alea will not return to her father because she cannot bear to live with her wicked stepmother. Moreover, her status as a widow will surely become the talk of the family, and her extended family will be ashamed. Alea sighed in relief that she had remained pure until now because the contract agreement was that they would not interfere in each other's personal lives, let alone live as a real husband and wife. The clock read one in the morning, and Alea felt sleepy. She turned off her laptop and, feeling thirsty, stepped out of her room to the kitchen. Alea opened the fridge, grabbed a cold bottle of mineral water, and drank it in one gulp. Feeling relieved, she turned around and saw Zeno looking at her with a different gaze. Alea was, of course, nervous; she had never seen Zeno look at her as if he wanted to devour her. "Hmmm... Zeno just got home, huh?" Alea asked. Zeno stared at Alea without blinking, then pulled her in for a rough kiss, surprising Alea and causing her to slap Zeno's chest to make him let go. "Hmmpttt..." Zeno seemed unable to stop and devoured Alea's lips roughly. Alea slapped Zeno's cheek, causing him to break the kiss, then he picked her up and carried her into his room. "Let me go!" Alea screamed, but Zeno, overcome by passion, ignored Alea's plea. Alea could smell the strong scent of alcohol on Zeno's body. She was confused and couldn't believe that Zeno could become a drunkard and act harshly towards her. Zeno threw Alea onto his bed, making her entire body tremble with fear. Especially now, as Zeno unbuttoned his shirt one button at a time, staring at Alea with a serious gaze. Alea quickly stood up and stepped towards the door, but she couldn't overcome his strenght. Zeno pulled her back and embraced her, then roughly undressed Alea, causing her to scream again. "Let me go!" Alea screamed. Zeno didn't respond, and his cold lips kissed Alea harshly again. Zeno threw Alea's half-naked body down and continued to remove the rest of her clothes, causing her tears to fall. Zeno's body pinned her down, and she couldn't do anything at this moment. Her cries were heard, and she had to surrender her purity, which she had protected all this time, to a man who didn't love her. This man was indeed her husband, despite the contract they had signed after just completing their marriage vows. Zeno Williams broke the contract by touching her and taking the most valuable thing from her. Alea could only scream and cry because she was truly shattered at this moment. What else could she be proud of as a woman? She looked at the handsome face still asleep beside her. Alea stroked Zeno's hair while sobbing; she had fallen in love and was trapped in the charm of Zeno Williams. Zeno had imprisoned her heart by touching her and taking her heart. Her heart had now become frozen, as if it would never accept another man. The only way for her not to feel hurt anymore by Zeno's cold attitude towards her and the impending divorce was to leave. Before Zeno signed their divorce papers, before she truly became a widow, she thought it was better to leave with a broken heart. Alea would strive to be resilient and strong; she would not give up on her life. Alea hoped she would never meet Zeno Williams again. "Running away is my way to forget everything, and I don't need anything from you!" Alea said sadly. 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