Forced to Marry the Ruthless Billionaire

Chapter 5 You're late

Aria’s POV

The gates of Liam’s villa opened slowly, I felt sad as we drove closer. I sat quietly in the back, leaning backwards, I gripped my fingers tightly in my lap. It didn’t even occur to me how hard I was gripping them until I felt pain on my knuckles.

The car moved forward, carrying me into a situation I knew I could never break free from.

The villa felt so quiet , making everything feel more suffocating and colder. I knew that I wasn’t stepping into my matrimonial home, i was stepping into my torment.

A prison hidden behind wealth and elegance.

The car stopped, but my heart didn’t stop racing. Before I could put myself together, the car was opened by a maid. “Madam,” she said softly, with her head down.

Madam. The word “Madam” felt strange and heavy on my shoulders, like a title compelled on me cos even in my father’s house, my stepmother never allowed the maids to accord me with respect.

I stepped out slowly, my heels echoing off the ground.Everything in the villa felt perfect, too perfect. But it lacked warmth. “Mr. Liam is waiting inside,” the maid said softly. Of course he was. The inside of the house gave off a cold vibe. I straightened my back. If this place was my cage, I would stand tall inside it.

“ You’re welcome, Madam.”

An older woman stepped forward. “I’m Darlene, the housekeeper.”

I smiled at her. She wanted to say something more when I heard a soft sound echoing through the hall, the turning of wheels.

The room went quiet. I looked up. Liam in his wheelchair, looking down at me. His gaze wasn’t welcoming. It wasn’t warm. It felt like ownership.

“You’re late, did you go to bid your boyfriend or should i call him your ex good bye?” he said mockingly. I frowned. “I see nothing wrong in meeting the people that matter in my life, husband.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them, all I wanted to do was to annoy him. I could see the shock on the housekeeper's face, but Liam didn’t react. He simply stared at me, his expression was unreadable. “Darlene, you may go,” he smiled at her. The housekeeper vanished immediately, leaving just the two of us.

“Come with me.” My heels sounded off on the tiles as I followed him to a room. He stopped in front of one. “This is your room.” Your room. Not ours. I stepped inside. The room given to me was so big, perfectly decorated, elegant, and expensive, only Sophia has that expensive decor in Carter mansion but it could even be compared to this. But it didn’t feel like mine. It felt like I didn't belong there.

“You will stay here,” Liam said coldly. “You are not allowed into my room unless I permit otherwise…” “I still remember the rules," cutting his words short. He stared coldly at me before leaving. I stood there for a moment before letting out a breath. “So this is my life now…” I whispered, smiling bitterly at myself.

The sudden vibration of my phone brought my mind back. Nicole’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey,” I answered tiredly. “Aria!” she exclaimed. “Are you okay? Are you safe?!”

“I’m alive,” “That’s not even funny. They really forced you into this?” I could tell how angry she was. “I swear, Sophia has gone too far,” she continued. “And her mother?

Don’t let them get away with this, why do you always allow them to have control over you.”

I lay down on my bed. “It’s already done, Nicole. There’s nothing I can do, this is my fate.”

“Watch me,” she snapped, then softened. “You’ve always handled things alone, but not this time.” Her voice turned colder. “One day they're going to pay for causing you pain all these years, including your father for backing them up. I felt extremely happy that someone out there believes in me and is willing to help me.

“Nicole..don’t do anything stupid.” She chuckled softly. “I won’t. I just want you to live a happy life.” “Nicole, you don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine.” I said softly . I couldn't bring myself to tell her that my stepmother got something on me. “I’ll visit you soon,” she added. “I want to make sure you are being treated nicely… and also see the man who thinks he owns you.” I gripped tightly on my phone. “Make sure to take care of yourself, everything is going to be okay.” “I will,” I answered.

The call had ended but I kept staring at my phone, Nicole's words still ringing in my mind.

I’ll deal with them. But I couldn't express how I felt at that moment .