1. BRUISED BY LOVE

ARIA

“Bring me the files now. I cannot afford to lose this contract because of your lazy attitude!” My husband, Rowan, roared down the phone at me.

“But Rowan, I asked you if you needed the files this morning and you said no.” I cried out, stunned by his accusatory tone towards me.

“So now you think you can question me? You're useless and ugly, the least you can do is be obedient. Bring me those files now or you'll regret it!” He snapped before hanging up.

I knew Rowan meant his every word. He had become derogatory and angry at me the last three months. I knew it was because he had a big deal stressing him, so I didn't blame him.

I hurried out of the house, but the heavens opened and rain poured down on me in torrents as I moved from bus to bus in order to get him the file.

Rowan Zane was one of the richest men in Luxenburg, and yet he never bought me a car. He claimed I was too stupid to drive one, and would probably kill someone on the road.

I passed the security booth on my way and heard them whispering.

“What does she want here?” The man sounded disgusted.

“She is so plain, her face gives me nightmares!” His partner agreed.

I felt pricked with pain at their harsh words, but I put my face down and walked away.

I knocked on Rowan's door when I reached his office, opening the door without waiting for an answer.

I stepped in and at once, whispers spread through. I felt my face flush from embarrassment as Rowan’s eyes fell on me and widened with dismay. His hard jaw clenched angrily.

“Aria?” He snarled as though he could not believe his own eyes. “Why are you looking like a drenched sewer rat?”

I was flustered and could barely lift my head. Water dripped from my hair and clothes onto his expensive Persian rugs.

I lifted the waterproof duffel containing his files. “You ordered me to bring this.” I felt tears pour from my eyes, as the spotlight centered on me.

Why was I always finding myself in these situations? Rowan hated it when I embarrassed him but somehow I was always doing that.

“Why did boss Rowan marry such a woman?”

“She's even useless to give him even a child.”

“Can you imagine how plain her child will look? No child please.”

Rowan glared at me. “Get out of my office.”

When I didn't step out fast enough, Rowan hurried to me and clasped his arm around my neck, pressing until I couldn't breath.

“This is the last time I wish to see your scarred face in my office! Understand? Do you have to humiliate me at every chance?! I curse the day I married you.”

I had been scarred while trying to save his life, but Rowan believed it was my adopted sister, Zara, who was responsible. He had always loved Zara more.

My husband was never tired of humiliating me, but this was the first time he was doing so in public.

I looked into his regal face. Even twisted in anger, Rowan was like a god with his broad shoulder, blond hair and green eyes.

My heart slammed against my chest as I looked away hurriedly, breathing raggedly, my vision swimming as I was about to faint. “I'll leave now, please can you drop me off? It's raining.”

Rowan shoved me to the floor. “You can go back the way you came, was I the one who brought you here?” He snapped before walking back to his meeting.

I turned and went home, my neck hurting from where he had clasped his arm. For five years, I had been married to this man, and it was both the most joyous and miserable years of my life.

Joyous, because I had always been in love with Rowan, and being his wife was the fulfillment of all my longing.

Miserable because Rowan immediately fell in love with my sister upon meeting her the first time I brought him home to meet my family.

I fell asleep on the bed as I got home, after crying into the sheets. I was rudely woken by cold water drenching me and a burning slap on my face.

“So you dared fall asleep without serving my dinner?”

I jumped out of bed, confused and in pain and disbelief. I looked at the time and it was 2am! I had slept for over eight hours and forgot to make Rowan's dinner.

“I'm sorry, please I'll make your dinner now!” I begged, tears filling my eyes.

Rowan's cold and frigid eyes met mine. “No need. I'll have you for dinner instead.”

He ripped my clothes off me and pushed me onto the bed. Before I could blink, he pushed his heavy cock inside me as I screamed in pain.

It wasn't that I didn't want my husband, but I was not wet at all because he did not give any foreplay.

Instead, he rammed himself inside me again and again. My body was on fire as he tore through me. He slammed harder until he took his pleasure and fell onto my body, groaning.

He kissed my cheeks softly. “Ah, Aria, you always feel so good. I guess you have a good vagina to make up for that stupid face of yours.”

He fell asleep while I curled into myself, crying silent tears. I loved Rowan, but his deviousness was becoming too much.

The next morning, I was up early. I made him breakfast exactly how he liked it and laid it out on the table.

Rowan had barely tasted the food when he turned icy, spitting the tea all over the table. “Are you trying to kill me?” He yelled in my face.

“What's wrong?” I asked, shrinking into my chair, worried that he would hit me again. I could barely walk from the pain that he had inflicted on me yesterday.

“What's wrong? I'll show you what's wrong.”

Without warning, Rowan stood, picked up the steaming cup of tea and poured it over my head.