Chapter Four

Charlotte fell on the floor hitting her head on the wall.

He slammed the door behind her.

“You filthy slut!”

Bruce's voice was loud and aggressive; one would think he was under the influence of alcohol.

Charlotte held her face looking at him.

“What—”

“You didn’t come home!” he roared.

“You didn’t call!” he continued.

“You didn’t call me either,” Charlotte replied.

His face darkened.

“Why the hell would I call you?” he snapped. “You’re the one who left.”

She stared at him.

“You could’ve texted,” she said, sobbing quietly.

“Texted? I had to cook for myself,” he said. “Do you know that? I had to cook.”

Charlotte stared at him confused, as she had just misheard him.

“You’re angry because you had to cook?”

He stepped closer.

“Where were you?” he demanded.

“At work.”

“You closed by midnight.”

Her throat tightened.

“Where were you, Charlotte?” he repeated, his voice sounding more dangerous.

She looked away.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

“WHO IS HE?” Bruce shouted.

“There is no he,” she snapped back

Bruce laughed.

“You really think I’m stupid?”

“Seriously Charlotte you take me for a big fool.”

He lifted her up, moving closer.

His hand gripped her chin harshly, forcing her to look at him as he pinned her to the wall.

“You think you can embarrass me?”

Tears burned her eyes

“You smell different.”

“Me–”

“Who did you sleep with?” he asked.

She pushed him away. “Get off me.”

“You didn’t even check on me,” she said crying uncontrollably. “You didn’t call. You didn’t text.”

“You’re lucky I even keep you here,” he muttered.

“Well, that's because I work hard to pay the rent, while all you do is drink, gamble and lay your filthy hands on me.” She followed up screaming.

Bruce picked up the TV remote and turned up the volume so the neighbours wouldn’t hear, loosening his belt as he said, …“I am going to deal with you and leave a scar on your body you will regret ever opening your mouth to speak.”

“Bruce please I am sorry, I don’t know what came over me, it was a slip of the tongue.” She said crying and begging Bruce for forgiveness.

whether it was a slip of the tongue or not. I am going to leave a scar on your body, so that next time I confront you, you keep your filthy mouth shut.”

“Bruce please–, I promise this won't repeat itself again. Please Bruce, I am begging you, I will be your slave, I will do anything you ask of me, but please spare me, I am already too stressed to carry a scar.” Charlotte wept as she kept on begging Bruce for mercy.

“I am going to ask three more times and if you don’t open your mouth and tell me who f**ked you last night, I am going to be your worst nightmare and you will regret ever crossing paths with me,” Bruce said.

She closed her eyes as he started.

“Who is he?”

“Who is he?” He said for the second time.

Jace walked into his room furious, he was still thinking about his father requesting that he get married when his phone rang.

It was Malory calling.

He stared at the call before he finally answered.

“What?!” he said.

What was that, Jace? Do you have any idea what you looked like up there? They tore you apart.”

“Is this why you called?” He replied clearly not in the mood.

“I had to watch you get dragged across national television,” she snapped. “Cocaine? Distribution of heroin? Failing football captain? Do you enjoy humiliating me?”

“I didn’t invite the press circus,” he said. “Someone paid them.”

“Oh, don’t start with conspiracy theories,” Malory cut in. “You clearly gave them leverage.”

“My father wants me married.”

There was a pause.

“Married to who?” she asked.

“To someone suitable,” he replied. “Within a week.”

“You’re joking.”

“No.”

“You’re actually serious,” she whispered.

“He thinks it’ll stabilize the company. Rebuild the brand. ‘Responsible heir.’” He made air quotes she couldn’t see. “Apparently a wife photographs well.”

“And what about me?” she demanded.

“You’ll still be you,” he said.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one that matters.”

“You expect me to do what? Clap while you marry somebody?”

“It won’t be real.”

“That’s not the point!”

“It is,” he said calmly. “That's entirely the point.”

“This is strategic and temporary. The board and investors need reassurance. My father needs obedience.”

“And what do I need?” Malory shot back.

“You need to trust me.”

“Trust you while you slide a ring on another woman’s finger?”

“It won’t mean anything.”

“It will mean a lot to her.”

“Then she shouldn’t mistake the contract for affection.”

“And this girl,” she said carefully. “She knows what she’s signing up for?”

“She’ll know enough.”

Malory. “So you’re buying compliance.”

“I’m buying my spot as the heir.”

“And if she falls for you?”

“She won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I won’t give her anything to fall for.”

“You would make her miserable,” she said.

“Yes.”

“I’m not replacing you,” he said.

“Good,” she replied quickly. “Because I’m not disappearing.”

“And if she questions it?” Malory added.

“She won’t.”

“And if she does?”

His voice dropped, “She’ll regret it.”

“That’s the Jace I know.”

“She’ll get the ring. The house and the media appearances,” he said. “You get everything else.”

“And you won’t fall for her?” Malory asked.

“I don’t fall,” he said.

“Good,” she murmured. “Because if I have to watch you kiss another woman in public, I need to know she means nothing.”

“She won’t,” he said again.

“And this marriage? For the media, for your father, for the empire, and for us?” she pressed.

“For control,” he finally said.

“Then give her hell.”

“Oh, I intend to.”

“You won’t let her get comfortable?”

“No.”

“You won’t let her think she’s replacing me?”

“Never.”

“Good,” she whispered. “Because I won’t share you.”

“You won’t have to.”

And for the last time, Bruce lifted the belt above his head “Who is he?!”

And just before the belt landed, she opened her eyes and the sound of applause echoed from the television.

Charlotte’s eyes shifted past his shoulder as she spotted Jace on the TV. She pointed.

“That's him!”