CHAPTER 5

Caroline

We hard only arrived at the outdoors birthday party, Alexander had gone to get some refreshments for us. While my eyes were searching for peter and Cerene, even though my mind constantly drifted to Mrs Harrington.

Then I heard a huge commotion coming from the gardens.

I heard Peter's angry voice from the near distance, I bolt straight towards the noise. Only to see my idiot husband landing a punch on Alexander.

“Peter, what the hell are you doing?!” My scream cut through the garden as Peter’s fist connected with Alex’s jaw.

Alex staggered back, blood was already staining his lip, while guests gasped and Cerene let out a pitiful whimper, clutching her chest in fright.

I tried to reach for Alex, but Peter was faster. His hand clamped around my arm like a vice, dragging me away from the lights and music into the dimly lit side hallway of the venue. I could hear Alex's voice from a distance calling after me, but some guards pounced on him.

“Peter, stop! You’re hurting me!” I gasped, my voice shaking as I struggled against his grip.

He didn’t say a word until we were alone. Then he spun me around and pinned me against the cool wall, his body pressing close, trapping me completely.

His breath was hot on my face, eyes blazing with anger.

“Have you forgotten that you’re still married to me, Caro?” he growled, voice low and rough.

I stared up at him, tears burning my eyes as everything I had buried came rushing back. He still had the guts to call me Caro...How pathetic.

“Forgotten?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “How could I forget when you’ve spent years showing me exactly how little I matter? You left me screaming in labor, Peter. You chose her again and again while I lost our baby.”

Peter’s jaw tightened, his hands braced on either side of my head.

“You don’t get it. Cerene was dying. But you… you came in here with that man...and you're here lying about the baby!”

A bitter laugh escaped me, mixed with a sob. I felt fresh tears slipped down my cheeks.

“It doesn't matter who I show up in public with anymore. While I was still recovering from burying our son alone? I stood in the rain with those tiny flowers, Peter. Alone. Because you were too busy kissing her and playing hero.”

His forehead dropped closer to mine, “You’re still my wife,” he said harshly, though his voice wavered. “I won’t let anyone take what’s mine, and quit cursing our son with that death talk.”

“Yours?” I pushed weakly against his chest, my body trembling. “When have I ever felt like I belonged to you? I’ve been invisible for so long, sacrificing everything while you chose Cerene. I can’t do this anymore.”

Peter’s breath hitched. His grip on the wall tightened as he looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“You think I’m just going to let you walk away?” he murmured, voice dropping dangerously low.

I met his gaze through my tears, heart aching.

“Watch me,” I whispered defiantly through my tears, my voice barely holding together.

Peter’s eyes darkened, I could see the possessiveness flashing across his face.

Before I could push him away, he cupped my chin roughly with one hand and crashed his lips against mine in a bruising, desperate kiss.

It wasn’t gentle or loving ....it was an angry kiss.

I gasped against his mouth, my hands flying up to his chest as I struggled, hitting him weakly, my fists pounding against the hard muscle there.

“Stop… Peter, stop!” I mumbled between the forceful press of his lips, twisting my head away, but he was too strong.

His body pinned me tighter to the wall, one hand gripping my waist while the other tangled in my hair, holding me in place.

No matter how hard I pushed, he didn’t budge, his kiss deepening as if he could claim back everything he had thrown away.

Peter finally pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against mine, breathing heavily, his eyes stormy with emotions I couldn’t fully read. His grip on me remained very tight.

“You’re mine, Caro,” he rasped, voice thick and rough. “No matter what you think you’ve become with that boy. You’re still my wife. So behave and stay away from other men.”

I stared up at him, chest heaving, lips tingling from the rough kiss, my heart was shattering all over again.

“Being your wife feels like the worst punishment of my life!” I spat on his face.