34. Slap

Issac gently lay her down on the bed. She was unconscious. Her lips slightly parted as she took in shallow breaths. Her lashes and cheeks were still wet with her tears. Innessa looked pale. 

He gently covered her body with the sheets and wiped her tears before dropping a soft kiss on her temple. 

He never wanted to see her in this state, but she left him no choice. 

Issac pulled back as he walked to the windows and locked them properly before he stepped out of the room and locked the door behind him. 

He headed down the stairs, where one of Victor's men was already escorting the trembling priest out of there. 

Victor faced him with a slight frown on his forehead. Victor was always calm and cheerful around him, but at the moment, he seemed displeased. 

"What?" Issac asked, frowning at the look Victor was giving him. 

"This forced marriage wasn't needed," Victor said after a long pause, and Issac's jaw ticked. 

"And why do you think that?" 

"Didn't you see how she was trembling? I think a little fear would've locked her with you forever," Victor said, making Issac roll his eyes. 

"You think I haven't done that already? I did that. I did everything to keep her by my side. I even apologized. She gave me hope, but then she fled and just disappeared. The fact that she could leave me so easily messed me up. I can't stand that thought. I don't want to hurt her as well. This was the best option I had," Issac said in a serious tone as Victor sighed, shaking his head. 

"You could've kept her in your house forever. Locked up." Victor suggested, causing Issac to scowl at him. 

"That's a bit twisted. I didn't want to snatch her freedom. I just want her to be mine," Issac said, but Victor made a disapproving face. 

"Don't you want to hide her from the world? To keep her safe and caged as your most prized possession?" Victor asked with vacant eyes, which slightly put off Issac. 

"Mate, you're f*cked up," Issac muttered. 

"Says the guy who forcefully married a girl," Victor mocked. 

"It's better than things you're suggesting," Issac countered as Victor shrugged his shoulders casually. 

"I think these are more useful strategies," Victor said. 

"Psycho pakhan," Issac grumbled, making Victor frown at him. 

"Don't insult me," Victor warned, making Issac scoff at him. Not taking him seriously at all. 

"Whatever," Issac sighed as Victor swiveled to leave. 

"Don't hurt her. She's a good girl." Victor said loud enough for him to hear. 

"Thank f*ck you have sanity in you," Issac said loudly as Victor chuckled throatily. 

"Congratulations," Victor said on his way out as Issac sighed. 

Walking to the hall, he sat on the sofa staring at the marriage contract. He went through them again before placing them in the envelope and putting them in a safe place. 

Issac sat there resting his back on the sofa as he tossed his head back and closed his eyes, sighing deeply. 

He didn't want to do this to her, but Innessa left him no choice. This was the only way through which he could bind her to himself. Despite everything, he felt a certain amount of peace knowing she couldn't leave him anymore. Maybe he has become a sadist because of her, but one thing was certain: he would never let her go, no matter what. 

Issac fell asleep on the sofa. He woke up with a sudden noise from the upper floor. Glancing outside, he realized he had slept for a couple of hours. It was evening now. 

Pulling to his feet, he headed into the kitchen. He had the staff cook food in the morning. Issac heated the food and set the plates on the tray as he headed to his room. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside the room only to find her curled up in the corner of the room, hugging her knees to her chest and hiding her face behind her arms. 

Issac kicked the door close. Placing the tray on the coffee table, he walked over to her. 

He stood near her delicate feet as she pulled her feet back. 

Issac tried not to smile at her delicate gesture. Crouching down to his hunches, he gently touched her head, only for her to flinch away from his touch as she plastered her back against the wall, scooting away from him. 

"Innessa," he whispered her name softly, only to hear her sniffling. 

His brows furrowed as he grabbed her head, forcing her face up, and was shunned to silence, seeing her red nose and teary eyes. 

"Why are you crying?" He asked only for her to smack his hands away, glaring at him with those red, teary eyes. 

Issac remained calm. "Freshen up and let's have dinner," he said, but her eyes teared up again as she jerked her face away. Shrinking in on herself to look even smaller. 

"Innessa," he said softly, but she hid her face in her arms, making him sigh. 

Issac thought for a second before he leaned forward and scooped her up in his arms. 

She stiffened before she began to struggle with wide eyes, shoving at his shoulders to let go of her, but he quietly stood up and stepped into the restroom. 

He made her stand in front of the basin and stood beside her, resting his hand on the basin on either side of her hips, caging her in. 

Innessa tensed seeing their reflection in the mirror. He was so huge, looming like a mountain behind her, while she looked so small and frail. Tears streaming down her cheeks, her hair a mess. 

She looked disheveled. 

"Freshen up," he said, grabbing a new toothbrush from the cabinet and handing it to her. 

Innessa wanted to scream at him that she wouldn't do anything that he wanted, but she knew better than to do that. 

She tried to bottle up her emotions and quickly freshen up. Issac pulled away from her as he stepped back, giving her space because she listened to him. Once she was done, he held out a towel for her, but she just walked past him into the room. 

"Come here," he said, taking his seat on the couch. 

"I want to go back to my sister," she said calmly, her voice wavering a little because of all the crying. 

She noticed how his eyes darkened, and her heart quivered in her chest. 

"You've done what you wanted. Let me go now," Innessa sounded so strong, though she was breaking apart. 

"Come here and have your dinner," he said, completely dismissing what she wanted from him. 

When she didn't say anything, he looked up at her only to find her sitting in the corner of the bed with slumped shoulders. 

"Innessa," There was a gentle warning in his voice. 

"I'm not hungry," She whispered. 

Innessa was so scared of him. That was the only reason she was listening to him, answering him, and doing what he asked of her. But there was so much she could force herself to do. 

Her heart was bleeding because of what he had done to her. How could he be so cruel if he claimed to love her so much? 

Issac took a deep breath. He didn't want to get mad at her. He knew whatever happened was too much for her, but he also knew that she had fainted in the morning, so she had to eat something. 

"Just a few bites. The pasta smells delicious," he said, removing the lid of the plate, but Innessa wasn't looking at him. 

She sat there on the bed with slumped shoulders. Her eyes stared at the wall ahead. 

He could never understand why she was being defiant when he was being nice. She becomes docile when threatened, and he doesn't want to do that, but she wouldn't leave him any choice. 

"Innessa," he called again, but she sat there immobile, not responding at all. 

"If you want me to forcefully feed you, then I surely can. Choice is yours, either eat by yourself, or I'll feed you my way," he rumbled lowly and noticed how she clutched her hands tightly together. A couple of seconds passed as she pulled herself to her feet and ambled to the couch. 

She sat in the far corner as he placed a plate full of delicious-looking pasta in front of her and a glass of water. 

Innessa drank some water, but even swallowing water was immensely difficult for her. 

She took a little amount of pasta on the spoon and took a bite. The girl took her time swallowing that small bite. There was a huge ball of emotions clogged in her throat. She wanted to cry at her misery, but she had no choice but to shove down the food. 

Innessa barely took two more bites before her body gave up on her, and she dashed into the restroom. Throwing up the food she just consumed. 

She rinsed her mouth and brushed her teeth before splashing cold water on her face. Innessa held the basin firmly to keep herself standing as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked exhausted. Her eyes were dull as if they had lost all the joy. 

Innessa felt her heart constrict in her chest at her state. She felt bad for herself. Bitter tears gathered in her eyes as she noticed Issac coming to stand behind her. He gently pulled her hair back and rubbed her back to soothe her, but it only irked her. 

She jerked away from him. Innessa turned around and glared daggers at him. "Don't show me your fake sympathy after ruining me like this," she gritted and shoved him away before walking outside. 

Issac's jaw clenched as he threw his head back. Took in a sharp breath and walked right after her. 

Grabbing her arm, he gently stopped her in the middle of the room and turned her around to face him. 

"If you hadn't left me, nothing would've happened," he said curtly. Innessa jerked her arm out of his grasp roughly, not caring that she might hurt herself. 

She had no strength in her body, but the pain in her chest was making her feel enraged. 

"I can do whatever I want, Issac! I wasn't your girlfriend! You were forcing me, and I didn't want to do anything with you!" She screamed at him, poking her finger at his chest. 

A cruel smirk teased his lips as he glared back at her. "And look at you now. You're my wife. You can't leave me anymore," he mused, causing her heart to quiver in despair. He was mocking her. The way he said wife, it felt like a restraint around her neck. 

"I will divorce you! I don't believe in this marriage. You forced me at gunpoint!" She yelled, and his eyes lit up as he let out a throaty chuckle. 

Her stomach dipped at that evil look in his eyes. It felt like she never knew this man. 

"My wife, you forgot to read the clauses of our marriage contract. Let me enlighten you with one," he mused in that deep voice, taking a step closer. 

Innessa's fingers trembled in fear, but it took everything in her to stay rooted to her spot. 

"If you want to divorce me, then you'll have to pay me 50 million. Think you can do that? Then sure, go ahead, hand over the money, and I'll let you go," he smirked. 

Her heart crumbled into millions of little pieces at his words. She felt chained. A new set of tears brimmed in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks as she watched him speechless. 

The pain was so much, and the way he smirked in triumph, she was utterly shattered and outraged. Innessa raised her hand, and there was a loud smacking noise that echoed around them. 

Issac's head tilted to the side with the impact of the slap. 

Innessa realized what she had done in the heat of the moment and the way the muscle in his jaw feathered. She stepped back. Issac poked his tongue in his cheek before his void cold eyes set on her. 

A chill of fear zapped down her spine. Without another thought, Innessa dashed out of the room and scrambled down the stairs. To her utter relief, the front door was unlocked, and she dashed out of the mansion into the beach. 

Her heart was thumping in her ears. She was terrified. She quickly tried to run to the front of the mansion, but Isaac stood in front of her, blocking her way. She took a couple of steps back as the clouds rumbled. 

Innessa tried to run to the other side so she could go to the front of the mansion, but Issac blocked her way again. He was fast and ruthless. 

His jaw was set firmly, and his eyes were ablaze. At that moment, she felt like he'd kill her. 

"There's no escape for you, Innessa. Come here," he boomed, pointing his finger at the ground in front of him. 

She shook her head as more tears streamed down. She took two steps back when she felt the first drop of rain. The clouds rumbled wildly as rain poured down on them hard and strong, drenching them on the spot. 

"There's no way out for you," he said, prowling towards her like a predator forcing her to step back just to maintain the distance between them. 

Her feet touched the water as it moved ahead of her before rushing back with force, taking the sand beneath her feet along with the wave. 

Innessa kept shaking her head. Her tears washed away with rain as she kept stepping back, not caring that the water had reached her knees. 

"Stop right there. Don't make me hurt you," he growled, and that was the last straw. 

Innessa turned around and began to run into the water with all the strength she had. She didn't know how to swim. She was scared of Issac more than dying. Not only that, she even slapped him. What if he raised his hand on her? Seeing his massive frame and strength and knowing that he was a fighter, his one slap would kill her. No one was there to save her. She didn't even want to imagine what he'd do to her. 

The water was reaching her chest, and the current of the waves was so strong, along with the heavy downpour, that she couldn't keep her balance, and her foot slipped. 

Her eyes widened as she drowned in the water. Innessa tried to get her balance back, but the waves were so wild that she was being pulled away. She struggled frantically, and just when she thought she'd die, a strong hand grasped her arm, and she was yanked to a hard chest. 

Issac hugged her as he swam out enough for him to stand on his feet, and he quickly pulled her above the surface of the water. 

Innessa coughed and breathed heavily. She was clutching him so tightly, hugging him as she wheezed for breath while he swam to the shore. 

She was shivering and clinging to him for her dear life. She could taste the saltiness in her mouth because of the seawater. Her eyes were burning as tears kept pouring out. Issac was having difficulty swimming with her to the shore, but he succeeded in doing so. 

He stepped out of the water while holding her in his arms as she breathed heavily. Innessa quickly pulled away from him to run, but Issac had had enough of her. 

Grabbing her elbow, he roughly jerked her to him as she was slammed against his chest. His free hand grabbed her waist, harshly pulling her flush to his chest. 

Grabbing a fistful of her hair, he dived down. Taking her lips in a hot, searing kiss. It wasn't just a normal kiss. It was a punishment. His fingers dug into her waist so roughly, promising to leave a bruise. 

He was kissing her savagely. Innessa tried to break the kiss. She was already breathless because of drowning, and now he was stealing the last of her breath. 

She shoved and punched at his chest, trying to break the kiss, but it was of no use. He was built like a mountain, not moving at all. Her hands hurt because of all the punching; his solid muscles were so hard. Her strength was nothing compared to his. He could easily kill her if he wanted to, and she'd be dead the next second. 

He licked her lips for entrance, but she kept her lips sealed tightly. 

Issac let out a growl, tugging at her hair enough and jerking her body savagely for her lips to part as she gasped. Taking advantage, he slid his tongue into her mouth, kissing her passionately. 

His tongue caressed hers, devouring her mouth as if he had been deprived of her for ages. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, dominating her with ease. Her head was to the sky, and he was hovering over her like a feral beast in a rut. 

Her struggles began to fade away as her hands dropped to her side. Her legs gave out on her, and she was on the verge of passing out when he finally decided to break the kiss. 

Issac pulled back and watched her breathing heavily. Her pink, parted lips were swollen, eyes closed, and she was completely wet as rain poured down on them hard and fast. 

She slowly opened her eyes only to find his gaze fixed on her lips. The deep hunger in his cognac eyes had her heart shivering in her chest as the hair at the nape of her neck stood up. 

Innessa tried to pull away from him, but he hauled her over his shoulder with ease, earning a shriek from her as he began to march to the mansion. 

Innessa struggled and screamed her lungs out for help, but no one came to her aid. Issac wasn't saying a word, and it was rattling her heart in fright. 

He barged inside the mansion and strode up the stairs before marching into his room. Kicking the door closed, he locked it, and instead of letting her go, he walked into the ensuite bathroom and made her stand in the shower stall. 

Innessa tried to leave, but he blocked her way and stepped inside as well, closing the door behind him. She stepped back so as not to touch him, and at the same time, he turned on the shower, drenching them again. This time the water was warm. She gasped, staring at him as his wet hair covered his forehead. 

His jaw was clenched, and he looked furious. She watched as he took off his shirt. Her heart trembled as she again tried to leave, but he blocked her way, tossing his shirt aside. Innessa plastered her back against the wall, hugging herself. She kept her gaze lowered, and she was trembling, not knowing what to do. 

She was blank and terrified. 

Issac grabbed her jaw tightly, causing her lips to pucker out, his fingers digging roughly into her fluffy cheeks as he forced her head up to meet his eyes. 

"I won't even let death snatch you from me!" He growled lowly, causing her to shiver in fear at his deep, cold voice and deranged eyes. 

Before she could utter a word, he pounced on her like a savage beast, claiming her lips with unadulterated lust and need.