Three

Alkira

After dragging myself out of bed around six a.m., I went for an early morning run to clear my head. The last three weeks have been a disaster! I feel like I’m drowning. Zane treats me as if I’m his property.

All he does is boss me around and bark orders every chance he gets. It’s not like I can do anything—the contract clearly states that I should respect him and do exactly as he says. Whenever I try to do something nice for him, all he does is get mad. I’ve never met someone more rude and self-centered. I haven’t been out of the house since we got married. Today was the first time. I just couldn’t stay there and drown any longer.

When I got back to the house, Zane was, as usual, busy talking on his phone. He had on a grey business suit. The moment his eyes landed on me, he hung up and approached.

“I’m going to work today. Don’t call or text me. I don’t care if you’re dying. “Don’t call me,” he said, pushing me out of his way. I rolled my eyes at him and walked into the house.

“I’ll get you a cup of tea, Mrs. Johns—I mean, Alkira,” Jasmin said as she moved toward the kitchen.

“Thank you, Jasmin. I’ll take a quick shower, and then I’ll help you clean.”

I ran upstairs, showered quickly, and then came back down. I sat at the table and sipped my tea. I was so bored. Sitting here every day scrolling through I*******m or watching N*****x was becoming unbearable. God, it’s depressing. I seriously need to talk to slug face about letting me work. That’s one of his many nicknames. You’d be surprised how many terrible names you can come up with just by being around him for a few seconds.

But it’s not like I can actually work. My contract with Zane’s mother strictly forbids it. I feel like a prisoner to all of this. Well, technically, I am. After I finished eating, I stood up to take my plate to the kitchen when I noticed a container of food on the table.

“Whose is this? ” I asked, turning to Jasmin.

“Oh, Mr. Johnstone left it there, Ma’am.”

“I’ll take it to him! ”

“Are you sure about that? I don’t want him to get angry with you,” she said in a concerned tone.

“Don’t worry, Jas. Slugface will be fine.”

“Slug face? ” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded and smiled. “That’s his new name.” I took my cup to the kitchen, then left for Zane’s office. Don’t ask me why I made that stupid decision. Maybe I’m just dumb, nosy, or desperately craving a reason to get out of the house.

I rushed upstairs, freshened up, and then headed out. Maybe after dropping this off, I could meet up with my brother. It’s been a while since we talked. Truth is, I’ve been avoiding his calls.

---

Zane

I walked out of my meeting and into my office. Finally, a moment of peace. That wife of mine is making my life hell. She’s just like all the women I’ve slept with—money-hungry. She even went as far as convincing my mother to force this marriage. Another gold digger. Hmph. When I’m done with her, she’ll regret the day she begged my mother to marry me. I’ll turn her life upside down and break her into pieces. She will be irreparable.

My thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. No one calls me on this line but my PA.

“What now? ” I barked.

“Your wife is here, sir,” she replied.

I clenched my fists. Speak of the devil. Is she trying to annoy me? The more I tell her to stay away, the more she forces herself into my life.

“Send her in,” I ordered.

In less than a minute, the door opened, and she walked in. My eyes widened. She was wearing a short, strapless pink dress that showed off her legs. It clung to her body, highlighting her curves. I couldn’t help but notice how sexy she looked—but I forced the thought away.

I stood and walked toward her.

“What are you doing here? And what are you wearing? ”

“I… I came to give you your breakfast.”

“What are you wearing? ”

“It’s called a dress.”

“Don’t mess with me, woman! ”

“You can’t tell me what to wear, Zane.”

“You’re my wife, and I can tell you what to wear. I am the head of the house—practically your boss! Do you know how many men will look at you like this? It’s not appropriate! No wife of mine should look like a stripper! ”

“What do you care if men look at me? We don’t even sleep in the same bed.”

“Listen to me, and listen carefully. I—”

“Just shut up,” she snapped, shoving the container of food into my hand. “I won’t let you treat me like a fool. I had enough of that growing up.” She muttered under her breath, “You think you’re better than me because you’re rich? ”

“I am better than you. In every way.”

“Oh, shut up, slug face.”

“What did you just call me? ”

“I wasn’t born twice to repeat myself twice.”

I stepped closer and grabbed her chin.

“This is not a game you want to play, wife. I suggest you be respectful and keep your mouth shut. Just remember—you’re living in my house, off my money.”

“Whatever.” She turned and walked out.

A few minutes later, I left my office too. On my way to the elevator, I overheard three men in the corner whispering.

“She’s really hot,” one of them said.

“Yeah, and those legs… Boss is lucky to have her. The things I would do if she were mine—”

“What are you talking about? ” I interrupted. They spun around, their faces pale.

“N-nothing, boss. Just work-related stuff.”

“My wife is work-related stuff? ” I glared.

They shook their heads quickly.

“Keep her name out of your mouths,” I warned as I walked off. The last thing I need is my workers fantasizing about her.

---

Alkira

I put on my shades as I stepped off the bus. I was meeting my brother, Schuyler, for lunch. My legs shook slightly as I walked into the restaurant. I spotted him at a table and pulled out a chair.

“Bro.”

“I sent you so many messages these past weeks, but you ignored them.”

“I’m sorry. Things have been… awful.”

“You should never have agreed to marry him, sis.”

“I know, I know. But you know the situation. I had to.”

“I’ll try to get you out of this contract. I promise.”

“Ugh, I feel like I’m losing my mind living with him. By the way, how’s Mother? ”

“Losing her mind about you not sending her money since you got married.”

“That’s all she cares about.”

“Well, I’ll be moving out tonight. I’m done with her. And you should be too.”

I shrugged and looked away. “Maybe she can change.”

“I doubt that.”

As I opened my mouth to respond, Schuyler cut me off. “Don’t look now, but Zane is walking this way.”

By the time I turned, he was already behind me. He leaned down, kissed my cheek, and pulled out a chair.

“Well, well. A family reunion. Planning ways to steal my money, are we? ”

“Leave us alone, Zane…”

“Yeah, maybe next time, wife.”

“Talk to my sister like that again and I’ll make your face unrecognizable,” Schuyler threatened.

Zane chuckled and leaned forward.

“Oh, I’d love to see that. You know, I prayed your slut sister would violate the contract so I could be done with this marriage. But no—because I’m going to break her and send her back to you in pieces. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my wife home. I had to come all the way here because she decided to take the bus. This world you’re living in—it’s not the same as what you’re used to.”

He stretched out his hand for me to take. “Come, wife. Smile for the camera.”