CHAPTER 12
1229 Words
—Madeline—
He tossed his shirt on the floor and pulled me into his arms.
A chill slithered down my spine.
I should be happy, shouldn't I? My husband was finally reaching out on our honeymoon.
He nuzzled my neck, hands trailing down my back. I turned my face before he could kiss me.
“God. You smell so good, cara.”
Terror and guilt collided in my chest.
I should want him. He was my lawfully wedded husband, and it was only right that I fulfill my duty as his wife.
Yet my stomach churned.
His touches felt like a thousand roaches crawling on my skin. I swallowed a scream and glanced at the door.
All my life I had never wished for someone to barge in.
“Androa,” I cried.
“Yes, baby. Are you feeling this too?”
No, I wasn't feeling anything. I wanted to disappear.
Androa stepped back and unzipped his trousers, eyes dark and hungry as they swept over me. As if I was some meal he couldn't wait to devour.
“Remove your clothes.”
“What?”
“Remove your clothes and get on the bed, cara.”
My gaze flicked to the furniture. Wasn't that what I wanted last night when I doused myself with perfume?
I had wanted him to come over. To look at me with this same hunger and make love to me. That was before I found him buried deep inside his mistress.
“I–I'm not feeling well.”
He stroked his c**k. “I would be gentle with you.” He angled his head toward the bed. “Get in. Now.”
His phone rang in his pocket.
“Aren't you going to take your call?”
“F*ck whoever that's calling. I want to spend time with my wife. Now get in. Spread those legs. I want to see that little cunt of yours.”
The phone resumed ringing.
Stopped.
Began to ring again.
“At least check who's calling.”
He groaned and reached inside his pocket. I noticed his shoulders sag.
“Elisa.”
He glanced at me as if searching for a reaction. I gave him none. He exhaled and swiped the screen.
“Hello.”
“Where are you, Androa?” Her voice sounded feeble.
“I'm busy right now.”
“P-lease come over quickly. I'm having a fever.”
He didn't hesitate. He grabbed his shirt from the floor and zipped his trousers.
“Get some sleep, cara. We’ll continue this later,” he said, and shut the door after him.
Waves of relief washed over me before twisting into something bitter.
I had been saved. Not cherished.
Hadn’t Elisa used the same excuse I gave?
He ignored mine… yet went running the second she called. It was clear as daylight he only cared about his mistress.
I grabbed my coat and made my way to the rooftop. I was desperate for solitude and some fresh air.
An hour passed.
I stood by the rails and stared at the night sky. That was when I smelled it— that familiar expensive cologne.
“Hello, Little Bird.”
I almost jumped out of my skin.
My eyes flicked to the east wing of the rooftop and saw him seated on the lounge, a glass of whiskey in hand.
“What are you doing here?”
He stood and approached me, steps lithe like a predator.
How could someone appear so calm and lethal at the same time?
“I was here before you.” He stopped in front of me. “So I should be asking you. Why are you not in bed?”
“It's none of your business.”
He chuckled— a dark, velvety sound that sent heat skittering down my core. How could something so twisted sound so appealing?
“Okay. If you insist.” He lifted his hand. “Or were you missing me?”
My cheeks colored.
“Please. Don't flatter yourself.”
He stepped closer until there was no space between us. His fingers brushed my chin, voice dropping to a whisper.
“Am I, Little Bird?”
The air turned heavy.
It was funny how I came here for fresh air only to find myself suffocating, trapped in his orbit again.
I closed my eyes and swallowed.
“You need to stop what you're doing, Dominic.”
His fingers tightened around my jaw.
“What am I doing?”
“You keep forgetting I'm your father's wife.”
“You're mine, Little Bird.”
He leaned closer until his lips hovered over mine.
My heart thumped behind my ribcage.
I willed myself to step back but my body betrayed me. Again. I should shove him away, run as fast as my legs could carry me.
Yet I didn't.
I stood on the rooftop, under the moonlight, the wind howling around us— lost in the eyes of my stepson.
“How old are you?”
His fingers slacked around my jaw and tightened again.
“Twenty-nine. Would be thirty in a few weeks. Why?”
“Why were men bowing to you instead of your father?”
“Pardon?”
I met his gaze.
“I saw everything. The cars. The men. They bowed to you instead of Androa.”
He let go of my face. Then sipped his drink and stepped away, his shoes clicking on the floor.
It felt like my senses snapped back.
“It was you, wasn't it? The spy at the tea house.”
“What are you hiding?”
“Nothing.” He paused. “My family is into luxury and those men were business partners. You should know that.”
“True. But I also think there's more than meets the eye.”
“Like what?”
I took a step closer to him, my voice low. “It looked nothing like the corporate world.”
He searched my gaze, amusement flickering in his eyes. It was just a game to him. A push and pull to see who breaks first.
“It’s been a long day.” He grabbed his jacket on the chair. “Goodnight.”
That was the last time I saw Dominic.
He was absent from the breakfast table the next morning. After everything that happened last night, he had the nerve to avoid me.
I forced myself to eat, while enduring another of Elisa's theatrics.
Androa cleared his throat. “You're going to the tailor's this morning.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
He shot a glance at Elisa. “She's not feeling well. I'm taking her to the hospital, but I've assigned a driver to take you to the tailor's.”
Elisa touched her chest. “Don't feel jealous, Madeline.”
My hand clamped around the fork. I didn't give her the satisfaction of a glance.
“A quiet morning at the tailor’s sounds divine.” I met Androa's gaze. “Thanks very much for the driver.”
He didn't say another word. Just pushed back his chair and guided Elisa out the room. Through the window, I watched Androa escort Elisa into the convoy before the vehicles sped out of the estate gates.
I stared at Dominic's chair.
Where was he?
Gone on a secret business trip?
Why was I missing him already?
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