2. OUT IN THE COLD AND IN THE RAIN

ARIA

I shrieked, clutching my head as the hot tea burned my scalp. Rowan poured out the entire cup, his face lacking any emotion.

“Next time you serve me this terrible food, I'll make sure you starve for wasting my money.” He spoke coldly before leaving for the office.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to cry as I forced myself up and got rid of the remainder of the food.

I didn't go to the hospital even though my scalp burnt and swelled during the day, giving me a pounding headache.

I had never reported Rowan's abuse.

The last time I tried, my step-mother had hissed. “So not only do you steal your sister's husband, now you want to paint him black?”

I didn't bother again after that. I tied my hair and went to the studio I worked at. I was a videographer for my company, but it barely paid me enough.

I was in a meeting when Rowan called suddenly. “Where are you?” He asked calmly.

I excused myself and hurriedly left the meeting. When Rowan sounded calm, something was very wrong. “I am at work.”

He chuckled. “You call that waste of time a job? Get home now, I have something better for you.”

I left work during my lunch break and hurried home.

When I reached the house, Rowan handed me some money at once. “My friends are coming to celebrate the new deal I just closed. Cook some food. And try not to poison anyone.”

“But Rowan, I have to go back to work.” I pleaded. My heart sank when I saw the cross look on his face.

“Don't you dare question me, make the food. And try to look presentable for my guests tonight.” His eyes flashed disdainfully as he walked out.

I went to the market, and made the food for him, my vision swimming as the pounding pain in my head doubled.

Rowan worked directly under his father at Zane Corp. He was the oldest child and would become CEO at his father's death, so I expected his guests would be only the most elite people in town.

I barely finished making the food when the kitchen door slammed open and Rowan stepped in. He was already dressed in a suit, looking like a male model from a magazine cover.

“Is the food ready?” He asked as he strode towards the kitchen.

I nodded. Rowan opened all the dishes and tasted them, then smiled at me indulgently. “Good. I am pleased with you. At least you're not stupid to ruin this dinner.”

I gave a tired nod, too afraid to speak.

He looked me over. “Change your dress. You look like a maid.”

I turned to leave but paused at the doorway. “Can I invite the housekeeper to help me serve? I’m not feeling too well…”

Rowan’s face darkened. “So you want to be a queen now, sitting while others serve?” He moved closer. “You’re already useless as a wife. Be useful as a maid at least.”

I looked down, my face burning with shame at his harsh words. I’m sorry.”

He didn’t reply, but scoffed and walked away as the doorbell rang.

I went to change quickly and returned just as the guests entered. Four men and three women. They were all Rowan's friends and they all looked glamorous, well-dressed, and arrogant. Each one was from a top family in Luxenburg.

“Rowan!” Dimitri clapped him on the back. “Congrats on the deal!”

Rowan grinned. “Thank you. Come in. Dinner’s ready.”

They filled the living room like they owned it. Laughter, cologne, and judgment filled the air. I stood to the side, head lowered.

“Is that your wife?” one of the women asked, her voice dripping with disdain.

No one knew that Rowan and I were married. He had always kept our marriage under wraps especially after the accident that left the scar on my face.

Rowan shrugged. “Yeah.”

They exchanged looks. “She’s...quiet plain.” His friend, Travis said, smirking.

“She’s just here to serve,” Rowan replied smoothly. “Nothing more.”

I served soup first. My hands shook but I tried to be fast. I went from one guest to another, keeping my head down as they whispered.

“Can you imagine? She’s nothing compared to Zara.”

“Zara’s so much better. And beautiful. She actually fits in.”

Dimitri raised his glass. “Speaking of Zara, where is she?”

Rowan smiled faintly, eager to speak about the woman he loved. “She had to travel. But she’ll be back in two days.”

There were murmurs of excitement.

“Good. We miss her.”

I tried not to react as I poured wine into their glasses. Rowan didn’t defend me. He laughed along with his friends.

I brought the dessert out. It was a red velvet cake and vanilla custard. I moved from one end of the table to the other.

Then Dimitri stood and shoved me as I got too close to him. He didn't try to apologize because it was deliberate.

The tray fell from my hands, and thick custard splashed up onto Dimitri’s expensive white suit.

Dimitri stood eyes blazing. “Do you know how much this suit costs? Even if I sold you, you would not fetch enough to buy it, you miserable thing!”

“I…I’m sorry,” I stammered, my voice thick with fear.

I knew Rowan’s anger would be even more bitter than Dimitri's, even though Dimitri had been the one who shoved me.

He didn’t give me time to explain. He grabbed the empty glass plate from the table and hurled it at me.

I screamed and ducked. The plate hit the wall behind me, shattering into pieces.

Rowan stood, lips curling. “I warned you not to ruin my dinner, and look what you’ve done.”

I backed away, trembling. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Get out,” he growled as he grabbed my arm and pushed me toward the door. “You want to embarrass me? Fine, do it outside in the cold.”

“Please, Rowan, I’m sorry. Don’t…” I fought him, kicking and scratching, but he lifted me into his shoulder and threw me out into the night.

It was cold, and the wind cut into my sides sharply. Rain clouds had gathered again.

“Please let me back in,” I whispered, holding his leg as he tried to step back.

He looked down at me, disgusted as he kicked me away from him. “You’re so pathetic, Aria. Sometimes I wonder why I was cursed with you.”

Then he slammed the door.

I beat my fists against it. “Rowan! Please! It’s cold!”

There was no reply from him, and I cursed the day I gave my life to save him from his burning car, after all he had been on his way to see Zara.

I crouched by the steps, hugging myself tightly as the wind howled around me.

The last thing I heard was laughter inside before everything faded and I blacked out from the cold.