38. Tattoo

"Hey, what's up with you both? Why do you guys look depressed as f*ck?" Scarlett asked both Darla and Innessa as the three of them were heading to the academy.

"I couldn't sleep because I was excited about the new semester," Darla said, but her voice didn't match her excitement, and Innessa remained quiet.

"Shall we go to the arcade for fun after classes tomorrow?" Scarlett suggested. Both of her friends looked off as if something was bothering them. She wanted to cheer them up.

"I'll go," Innessa said, and Darla also agreed to go with them.

"I'll ask Elena to join us," Innessa said, and Scarlett passed her an approving smile.

Upon arriving at the academy, they headed to their respective departments.

Innessa had three classes with Elena today, and she was glad she had her friend close by.

Elena kept talking about her vacations and how she had so much fun with her cousins back in the town, while Innessa was completely zoned out. She hadn't seen Issac for the past three days, ever since he dropped her off at the dormitory.

She had joined her part-time job at the cafe, and Jasper was more than happy for her return. She surely got a good morning and good night text from Issac and nothing else. She didn't reply to his texts, but she saw them just so he wouldn't lose his mind and come hunting for her.

Today was the first day of their new semester. Oddly enough, the more time passed without knowing the whereabouts of Isaac, the more she felt anxious. She didn't know why it felt like he was plotting something sinister behind her back. Just like the way he forcefully married her in that mansion.

Though she hadn't done anything in particular to trigger him. But still, she couldn't shake the fear of what he might be up to. Apart from that, she was also worried that Issac might tell everyone that they were married. She didn't believe in this threat of a marriage, nor did she want anyone to know about this. But she didn't have a say in it.

It felt like her life source was planted in Issac's hands, and he was controlling her as if he were a God and she was nothing more than a puppet in his claws. After everything he had done to her, she firmly believed that the man he portrayed himself to be when she first met him was nothing more than a mirage to lure her into his destructive world of darkness.

The more she pondered on what would become of her life, the more she felt depressed and a loss of hope.

Issac was rich. He had a gun; he threatened the priest. He blackmailed her. He was an underground boxer. What were the odds that anything could go against him when he was so out of reach of justice? There was no way out for her.

This thought alone brought so much sorrow and misery to the point she wanted to hurt Issac for hurting her and destroying her life.

He didn't have any idea how hard she worked to get into this prestigious academy. To secure this gold scholarship. Because of him, she couldn't even focus on her studies properly. Her mind was completely consumed by her dark future, where she couldn't see anything except a miserable life.

Innessa had tried so hard to think positively. To not give in to the negative thoughts, but nothing was distracting her from the ruination of her life. She just found herself zoning out most of the time. It was scary and depressing. Scarlett has noticed it too, and even now, as Elena was talking, Innessa was zoned out.

Her life was so sweet and simple. She was so happy a couple of months ago. Flying to this new country with so many dreams and joys, now she had nothing but darkness cocooning her.

Issac was killing her slowly. He didn't realize it now, but maybe he'll realize it when there'll be nothing left to mend anymore.

"Innessa, you're zoning out again." Elena held her arm, jerking her a little to bring her back to reality.

Innessa blinked rapidly, apologizing to her as the professor stepped into the class and began the lecture.

She faintly noted down the points, but she couldn't even fully focus like she used to. The girl felt like she was deteriorating from within, and no one could even see it.

After the class, Elena had a different schedule for the last two classes, so she left after they discussed their arcade hangout tomorrow.

Innessa took her second class and stepped out of the class in the end when almost everyone had left.

Her pace was slow. It was like she was in slow motion, doing almost everything. She stepped out of the class while putting her books in the bag when she bumped into a hard chest. She stumbled back and didn't look up.

"I'm sorry," Her voice was so soft and small as she stepped aside to let the person walk by, but when they didn't, she quietly tried to walk past him when he blocked her way, and she took a whiff of a rich Cologne mixed with leather and smoke; she was all too familiar with that scent.

Her body stiffened, and her feet felt like heavy bricks refusing to move.

She inhaled sharply when he gently grabbed her chin between his fingers and thumb and raised her head, making her look at him.

Their eyes met.

Dark cognac brown eyes peered into ice blue hues as they gazed at each other.

"What's wrong?" His voice was gentle and soft, and his brows furrowed when he felt her skin hot where his fingers touched her chin. He placed the back of his fingers on her neck and then her forehead, feeling her temperature.

"You have got a fever," he said, his voice etched with worry, but she knew so damn well it was all an act and nothing else.

"I'm fine," She whispered and stepped aside to leave, but he blocked her way again.

"Like hell, you're fine. Here, hold this," he said, shoving her iced latte in her hand.

She stared at the drink with furrowed brows when, in one swift move, he carried her in his arms in a bridal style, earning a gasp from her. They were in the middle of the corridor with so many students around them, and everyone was gaping at Issac because they knew who he was and he wasn't supposed to be in her department, and the fact that he was carrying her like that in front of everyone.

"Put me down," she struggled to get off as she thrashed her legs, but he tossed her up in the air slightly before catching her again, making her gasp.

"You're not well, Innessa. We need to go to the hospital," he said, hurrying out of her department.

She could feel so many eyes on them, and then her eyes met with Archie's, who was scowling at them. Embarrassed, she hid her face in Issac's chest and wished that no one could see them or that she'd just disappear.

She felt dizzy. Her head was buzzing as she held the iced latte firmly. The way he was carrying her so effortlessly made her angry. She wanted to hit him. Kick him and run away, but she couldn't do anything.

"Pull out my car keys from my back pocket," he said as she shook her head, refusing to do what he wanted.

He tsked and gently placed her on the trunk lid of his car. He quickly opened the passenger's door and hurried back to her, only to find her jumping down the trunk lid and falling on her fours, spilling all the iced latte on the floor.

Her knees and palms throbbed as a few of the sharp pebbles scraped her skin.

Issac cursed under his breath as he quickly crouched near her, helping her only to find her eyes brimming with tears.

She was staring at her palms, which had scratches and slight bleeding, and her trousers were turning red at her knees.

"It's alright, precious. I'm so sorry," he said gently, picking her up in his arms again as he made her sit on the passenger's seat and put her seatbelt on for her.

"I'll buy you another iced latte, please don't cry," he rasped, tossing her bag in the back seat and closing the door. He got in the driver's seat, took out a small first aid kit from the car, and applied ointment to her palms. He gently pulled her trousers up, cleaned her knees off the blood, and applied ointment. He folded her trousers at her lower thighs so the cloth wouldn't touch her skin. While treating her wounds, his heart was f*cking aching so much.

Innessa didn't say a word, and while he was temporarily treating her, she stopped crying. Her eyes were fixed on the new tattoo on his right hand, which wasn't there before. The tattoo was fresh as it was slightly red and swollen, but the words embedded with the ink in the space between his thumb and index finger had her blood turning cold in her veins.

YOUR THROAT HERE...

All of a sudden, she recalled all the times he had dominantly grabbed her throat. At that time, his eyes were focused on his hand on her throat. A cold shudder ran down her spine as she tried to stick closer to the door.

She hoped from the bottom of her heart that the meaning of his tattoo wasn't as sinister as she was thinking it to be.

The girl rested the back of her hands on her thighs, her palms facing up as she stared out of the windows silently. Streaks of dried tears were evident on her cheeks.

Issac sped down the road as he called the doctor to be at the place. He sent the doctor his address.

He drove the car into a posh area and pulled it into the underground parking of one of the highest glass buildings.

Parking the car, he stepped out and carried her in his arms to the elevator that would take him directly to his destination.

Innessa faintly noticed the numbers on the buttons on the escalator, and the button he had pressed was 51.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked in her dizzy state.

"Home," he said as she tried to remain strong and conscious, but she felt like melting in his warmth. She hated herself for feeling like this, but in that faint second, she made her heart believe that the one who was holding her was her old Issac. The one whom she fell in love with, and just the thought eased her soul, and she succumbed to darkness.

Innessa felt her whole body aching and burning. Opening her eyes was a difficult task at hand, but she forced her eyelids to move and opened her eyes.

She was surrounded by darkness. It took her a few minutes to adjust her vision to the darkness. "Where am I?" She whispered to herself; her throat was croaked.

She could feel heat radiating off her body. The girl sat up on the comfy bed, she was covered in a blanket, and she took it off only to realize that she was in an oversized shirt that smelled just like Issac.

Innessa recalled being with him in the elevator, and then she passed out. Thankfully, she was still wearing her undergarments underneath the shirt. She instinctively touched her knees and palms to feel the bandage around them.

What happened after she passed out? She clutched the shirt tightly in a fist. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her, but it was still not acceptable that he changed her clothes. Why was he hell-bent on doing things that hurt her?

Despite having no strength, the girl strode out of the bed; her legs were trembling, and she could barely stand, but she made her way out of the room.

Her brows furrowed when she saw a huge glass wall, and she could see clouds from there. She thought she was seeing things as she hobbled to the glass wall, only to gasp at seeing the skyscrapers. And she was in one of them. The darkness was cocooning the city, but the sparkle of lights made the city look ethereal.

She had her bandaged palms resting on the glass wall as she gaped at the beautiful scene. It looked breathtaking. Her eyes darted to the sky and the moon, and the stars felt so close, illuminating the dark, inky sky.

"Innessa," that deep baritone voice had her flinching as the sparkle of her eyes faded away and the awe of the scenery disappeared for her. She lowered her gaze and stepped away from the glass.

The girl didn't turn around as she instinctively tried to pull down her shirt, only for it to slip down, revealing one of her shoulders. She could feel his heated gaze on her skin as she kept her gaze lowered.

"W... Where are my clothes?" She asked in a small voice. Her hair cascaded down her back, and a few of the rogue strands curtained her face.

"I didn't change your clothes. The lady doctor did. You shouldn't be out of bed, Innessa. You need to rest," he said, stepping closer to her, but she stepped back, making him pause in his place as he fisted his hand on his sides, inhaling deeply to remain calm.

"I'll rest at my place. I want to go," she said, hugging herself.

"This is your home, Innessa. Don't worry, I'll bring your stuff here. Just rest for now, okay-"

"What?" She asked in a confused tone, her ice-blue eyes now staring at him.

"I said you need to rest-"

"This is not my home," she said, emphasizing each word, and he nodded calmly, poking his tongue in his cheek.

"I know. But I've bought this place for us. Our home. I was setting this place up for us for the last three days. I wanted to surprise you, but I didn't realize that I was neglecting you and you weren't well. I'm sorry," he said, stepping closer as he gently cupped her cheek.

She pulled away from his touch. "I want to leave," she said firmly, glaring at him. Her cheeks and neck were red because of the burning fever. She couldn't even open her eyes fully.

"This is your home, precious. Don't you like my surprise?"

"I don't. I will not live here with you. Let me go. You've done enough. What more do you want from me? I'm done, Issac! Leave me alone, or I'll lose my mind!" She yelled the last part, causing her voice to echo in the hall as his features darkened.

"You're not well, Innessa. Don't make me hurt you. Go and rest," his voice was dark and cold, but she didn't listen to him.

She hobbled to the main door so she could leave on her own, but before she could grab the doorknob. Issac grabbed her arm and turned her around, forcing her to face him. His hold was harsh on her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked coldly.

She jerked her arm out of his grasp rather harshly, almost stumbling back as she glared at him.

"Dormitory," she said and tried to open the door again, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her to him, causing her to crash against his chest. He glared down at her, and before she could step away, he snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her flush to his chest, earning a startled gasp from her.

"You're not going anywhere, Innessa. This is our home. You're my wife. You'll live with me. Don't make me angry-"

"I'm not your wife, and I won't live with you. Stop forcing me to do things against my will! Stop it!" She screamed, roughly shoving at his chest with her bandaged palms, which ached, but she didn't care.

Issac didn't budge. Grabbing her wrists, he twisted her hands behind her back, causing her chest to arch into him as she gasped loudly. She struggled, but her strength was nothing compared to his.

"Why are you hell-bent on bringing out the worst side in me?" He growled, but she didn't flinch back. She glared back at him with equal fervor as tears of rage and helplessness brimmed in her eyes. Her chin wobbled.

"Because that's what you truly are," she gritted, and his eyes visibly darkened at her words. His hold on her wrists tightened to such an extent that she cried out in pain; it felt like he'd crush her bones.

"Stop! You're hurting me!" She cried out as he loosened his hold, but his vicious gaze was piercing through her soul.

"You've no idea of the true monster I could be, Innessa. Don't make me show you how heartless I could be," he husked in a low, ominous tone, causing fearful shudders to zap down her spine.

"No," She whispered, shaking. In one swift move, he picked her up in his arms in a bridal style and began to storm towards his room. Panic struck her as worst-case scenarios raked her mind, and she began to thrash in his hold.

"Put me down!" She screamed in his ear, making him wince away, grunting as he held her tightly, restraining her movements.

Stepping inside, he closed the door and gently laid her on the bed, but before he could pull back, she scrambled out of the bed, glaring at him with teary eyes and red, feverish cheeks.

He didn't say a word as he stomped over to her. He grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked it off his head in one swift move.

Her eyes widened, and raw terror gripped her soul as she tried to make a run for the door. But he was strong like a beast as he easily grabbed her, wrapping his arm around her waist. He picked her up in his arms and tossed her on the bed, causing her body to bounce on it twice, and he pounced on her like a vicious, hungry wolf.

"No!" She screamed, shoving at his naked chest with her tiny fists, but she was vulnerable and fragile in front of the beast hovering over her.

With ease, he grabbed her wrists and slammed them on the bed on either side of her head, causing her heart to lurch to her mouth.

"No, please-" She closed her eyes shut and braced herself as he nuzzled his face in her neck, giving open-mouth kisses as his teeth grazed her pulsing vein.

"Stop!" She screamed when his teeth sank into her soft flesh, and he bit her.