A Promise To Regret

Lucia.

"Lucia!" Christian's voice rang out, slicing through the silence of the house like a knife.

My heart raced as I heard the the familiar echo of his shoes on the marble floor approaching my room. My cheeks still burned from his hand, throbbing painfully where his fist had landed.

“Yes, Christian?” I answered, my voice barely above a whisper as I pulled the blanket tighter around me, trying to appear as meek and obedient as possible.

He strode into the bedroom, eyes fiery, fists clenched at his sides. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

“I… I just… I…” My voice cracked. I avoided his gaze, pretending to busy myself with the sheets.

“So you went to see your father,” he spat out. “After I explicitly told you not to. Did you think I wouldn't find out? After I said to stay put, to stay with me, to play your role! And yet, you still disobeyed me. Explain that.”

“I just…” My throat tightened and I swallowed hard. “I needed to… see him just for a moment. I wasn’t thinking–”

“You weren’t thinking?” He cut me off, stepping closer until his shadow fell over me. “Do you know what could have happened out there? Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you could have caused? You think this is just about you being free to go see your father? No, Lucia. This is about me, my image, my control. And yet, you throw it all away like you don’t care.”

“I didn’t mean to upset you.” My voice trembled, almost pleading. “I was just… worried about him. That’s all.”

He laughed, a cruel, sharp sound that made me flinch. “Worried? Worry is cute in children, Lucia. Worry in a grown woman who’s supposed to be my wife? It’s pathetic. And dangerous.”

“I...I didn’t–”

“You didn’t what?” His fists clenched tighter. “You didn’t listen? You didn’t obey? You didn’t care that I told you to stay put?”

“I’m sorry.” I lowered my gaze, tired of trying to explain. The tears still pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall completely.

Christian leaned in closer, his face inches from mine and his voice dropped. “You better remember this, Lucia. We are almost at the end of our little arrangement, almost at the end of this… marriage. But if you cross me again, if you even so much as have a thought about stepping out of line one more time…” His hand hovered near my cheek. “…you will never, ever leave. Not until I decide it’s time.”

“Yes, Christian.” I whispered, nodding quickly but still keeping my eyes lowered.

He straightened, then began pacing around the room with his voice rising again. “And don’t think for a second that you can get close to that boy.”

He jerked his hand toward the direction of the door and I froze. “Hunter. Don’t think for a second that you can play your little games with him. That boy is mine to control. Not yours, do you understand me?”

"But I haven’t… I haven’t done anything with him.” My voice was soft but steady, though my chest heaved with anxiety.

“Have you thought about it, though?” He snarled, stepping closer. “Do you want to be a whore, Lucia? Do you want to start fucking around with my son? Because I swear, if I catch you, I’ll ruin you. I will destroy you.”

“No! Of course not!” I said, shaking my head, gripping the blanket to keep from trembling. “I haven’t… I don’t… I would never–”

Christian’s laughter cut me off, low and dangerous. “Oh, is that why your eyes keep wandering to him, why you get flustered when he’s around, why you can’t stop thinking about him?”

“That’s not true!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “I’m married to you! I don’t think about him! I, I just…” My voice trailed off, a sob hanging in my throat.

He circled me slowly, his voice low and sharp. “You lie so well, Lucia. But don’t bother. I can see it in your eyes. I can feel it when you try to hide it. You want him. You’re curious. You’re tempted. But let me make one thing clear.” His hand jabbed the air near my shoulder. “This is still my house, my rules, and you are still my wife. And if you even try to cross me with him, even in thought, you’ll regret it. I promise you that.”

“I won’t, Christian.” I whispered. “I promise.”

He leaned down until his nose brushed mine. “Do you understand what I’m saying? Your father’s fate is still… in my hands. Everything he’s going to get, everything that’s left for him after this, it’s mine to decide. And you, you’ll keep to your role, won’t you?”

“Yes, I will.” I bowed my head, swallowing hard and trying to control the fear and rage curling in my chest. I didn’t dare look at him with this fury.

“Good,” he said, straightening. “Because if you don’t…” He shook his head slowly. “God help you if you step out of line again. I’ve been far too patient with your little games, Lucia, far too patient.”

I nodded quickly. “Yes, Christian. I understand.”

His hand grazed my cheek again, soft but threatening, like a reminder that he could crush me if he wanted. Then, without a word, he turned and left the room, his footsteps disappearing faintly down the hall and leaving me shaking and crying quietly on the bed.

I clutched my face, feeling the sting of his hand against my cheek, the anger, humiliation, and frustration burning inside me.

I hated him, and I hated myself more for letting him have this hold over me, but even in the midst of that, thoughts of Hunter creeped into head.