Chapter Two

I woke up the next morning, still lying in Aiden's bed, with bruises all over my body.

It ached all over. My sex area, my b**bs, my ass, my nipples, they all were in so much pain, reeling from the events of last night..

Damn it! This crazy maniac b**tard dealt seriously with me.

Such a beast!

As I slowly sat up in bed, I saw him standing by the light of the window with just his pants on.

He was radiating in every way. His broad shoulders and toned abs were evident as ever, rippling beneath his skin as he moved.

A valid testament of his rigorous workout routine.

If only Aiden hadn't become like this, he would have been the true definition of a perfect man for any woman, giving his looks and all.

They had once captivated me. But now, they only serve to mask the monster that lurked beneath.

He turned to pick up his shirt from the bed, and I noticed the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes, a hint that he was pleased with himself for having asserted and worked his dominance over me.

He tried paving my hair backward, but I declined, shaking immensely.

I could see the disappointment wrapped all over his face, but who cares?

"You're awake." He said, his deep voice low and husky.

"I'll take you for breakfast." He strode over to the bed, his long legs eating all the distance.

He scooped me up in his arms like a baby, and sat me at the dining table.

It was laden with a spread of Chicago's finest cuisine. Steamy plates of Italian beef sandwiches, classy hot dogs and slices of deep-dish pizza.

Each one was perfectly crafted to tempt my taste buds, but I had no appetite.

My stomach was already churning with anxiety as Aiden sat me down at the table.

"Come on." Aiden said, implying that I should open my mouth as he raised a spoonful of food. I shook my head and kept a straight face, not touching or eating anything.

"I know you're still mad at me, but you have to eat something." He said, his voice laced with concern.

I remained adamant, my anger and fear simmering just below the surface.

He made another attempt to feed me, but I declined yet again.

Immediately, he got pissed and threw his spoon at chef Francois, who was standing by.

"Make some new dishes until she's ready to eat something." He barked.

Poor chef!

He faced me yet again and gave a sly smirk.

Just as he was about uttering another damn word, his phone rang.

"I have to take this call, I'll be right back." Aiden said, standing up and leaving me alone, as i just remained numb and seated.

Well, I guess much wasn't expected from me.

Last night was hell!

*

"Caitlin, come out here!" Someone screamed from outside.

I knew that voice all too well.

It was my stepmother. She was back again.

I got up and walked outside, as fast as my legs could carry me.

Two of Aiden's bodyguards were trying hard to stop her, but she was adamant, dragging herself like a crazy person with her innocent daughter standing beside her.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you block me? Get out of my way!" She yelled at the men as soon as she saw me.

"Why are you here?" I asked frustratingly.

"Sorry, Caitlin. I failed to stop my mom from coming here. I'll take her to leave now." Sophia responded instead, with guilt washing over her face.

Ma'am Victoria resisted her grip in the most dramatic way.

"I'm not leaving. She's your sister, but is she so stingy even when she's lucky to marry a rich, nice husband."

Sophia kept on looking at me, her eyes filled with apology. "Cait, mom didn't mean that. Please don't mind her."

"I don't even care", I said. My voice cold and detached. "She isn't my biological mom, anyway."

"But Sophia is your sister, you bitch!" She screamed.

"Since your damned dad got paralyzed, he hasn't given me a penny. You should make it up to me as his daughter."

I felt a urge of anger at her words.

"I'll take care of my sister, but I won't give you any penny. The last time I gave Soph money for her living expenses, you took it to gamble."

"So what?" She snarled.. "As long as your dad isn't dead, I'm still your stepmom. You have to take care of me."

Just as I was about to leave, Aiden walked towards us in a grand style, a bit dramatic though.

He spread his hand across my shoulders and pointed one of his unlimited bank cards at ma'am Victoria.

"I can give you some money". He said to her, with a voice dripping with condescension.

Her eyes lit up in greed as she stretched forth her hand to take the card.

"Aww.. you're so generous." She cooed.

Aiden's bodyguards immediately went and gripped her by the arm.

"Hey, what are you doing?." She yelled at them, struggling to break free.

Aiden walked up to her, raising her chin in his hand.

"My wife has said she won't give you money. What I give you is compensation for breaking your hands."

"Please spare me." She cried out.

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on Aiden. He was enjoying this, I could tell. He was enjoying the power and control he had over my family.

"Will you dare harass my wife again?" He ferociously questioned.

Ma'am Victoria shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

"I won't dare to do it again, I won't. Please spare me." She begged, her voice shaking with fear.

Aiden's expression didn't change, but he nodded curtly.

"Get lost!" He barked, and in an instant,they were out of sight.

He turned to me, his expression softening.

"Let's go back inside".

He held my shoulders and took me back to the dinning table, where chef Francois was waiting with a new set of dishes.

*

"Ma'am, the new dishes are ready"

Aiden rested his hands on my shoulders, his fingers tracing the curve of my neck.

"Come on, don't starve yourself. You need to eat" he whispered and leaned in close, scooping a spoon in my hand.

"Go get the gift I prepared for my wife," he said to the chef.

"Mr Gallagher is such a nice husband." I overheard chef Francois say to herself, grinning from ear to ear as she hurriedly stepped out.

What was the use of his gift? I was beyond consolation, anyway.

I was trapped in a nightmare, I didn't know how to wake up from it.

Having brought up the issue of a gift made me remember things I had wanted to forget about him.

How devilish, heartless and wicked he was.

I still remember vividly his last encounter with Dominic…

Flashback

I sat in the cozy tea shop, sipping my coffee and chatting with Dominic, my friend from university. He had come to see me and to hand over a certificate I had won in an art show.

"Congrats, Caitlin, you won the award!" He exclaimed, handing me the certificate.

I beamed with pride, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me.

As I took the certificate from him, I accidentally spilled the little coffee I had left in my cup on my hands.

"Oh no, I'm so clumsy!" I cried, trying to wipe the coffee off with a napkin.

Dominic laughed and took a tissue from the dispenser on the table.

"Let me help you" he said, gently wiping the coffee off my hands. "You're still so careless." He teased, smiling at me.

Just then, the door to the tea shop burst open, and Aiden walked in, flanked by his usual entourage of bodyguards.

His eyes scanned the room, locking onto me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

He strode over to our table, his long legs eating up the distance, and loomed over us, his presence commanding attention.

It seemed just like a scene in a western movie.

"You've been out for so long, honey. I'm here to pick you up."

He reached out and plucked me from my seat, holding me close to his chest.

I felt a surge of fear as he signaled his bodyguards, and they bundled Dominic away, dragging him out of the tea shop.

As we left the shop, I tried to explain to Aiden that Dominic was just an old friend, that he had only come to deliver the award certificate.

But Aiden just smiled.

"We'll talk about this at home." He ruffled

As soon as we arrived at our mansion, Aiden turned to me and pinned me against the wall, his expression cold and calculating.

"So, you were with him today."

I shook my head, trying to defend myself.

"We've nothing special, Aiden. He's just my old friend."

Aidan gave me a peck on my forehead and just smiled.

"I trust you. Have a seat".

He gestured to the couch, and I sat down slowly, my heart racing with fear.

As I sat there, his personal bodyguard handed him a small wooden box.

Aiden turned to me, a smile spreading across his face. "I've got you a gift."

I took the box from him, my hands shaking with fear.

I opened the box and saw something that made my blood run cold.

Inside the box was Dominic's finger, severed from his hand.

I screamed, throwing the box away from me.

My hands were shaking, and I couldn't utter a word.

"He used these fingers to touch you today." Aiden growled, his eyes blazing with anger.

I continued to shake in fear.

He then rushed over and sat close to me, seeing the way I was shaking immersely. He hugged me tightly.

"Don't be afraid, honey. He whispered. "Don't be afraid. It's his fault. He paid for his sin."