Three

Chapter Three

Her pov 

By the time I returned home, my husband was already there.

He was sitting in the living room, looking unusually pleased with himself. His jacket was draped over the couch, and he had a glass of wine in his hand.

The moment he noticed me, he smiled. “There’s my beautiful wife.”

I forced a smile and walked closer. “You’re back early.”

“Of course. I have a lot to do now that I’m the new Alpha.” He placed his glass on the table and reached for my hand. “But don’t worry, darling. Things are going to be different from now on. I’m going to make sure you have everything you want. You won’t have to struggle with anything again.”

I nodded, trying to look pleased. “That’s good.”

He studied my face briefly before asking, “Where have you been? I called earlier, but you weren’t around.”

“I went to see the lawyer.”

His expression immediately changed. “The lawyer?”

I nodded. “About my inheritance. I’ve signed the documents, just as you wanted. Everything is ready now. All that’s left is your signature.”

His smile widened. “You’ve done it?”

“Yes.”

I reached into my bag and brought out the envelope.

He practically snatched it from my hand. “Let me see.”

I watched as he removed the papers. He barely glanced at the first few pages before reaching for the pen on the table.

He signed his name on the designated line.

For a moment, I thought I had succeeded.

He was about to hand the document back when his eyes caught something at the bottom of the last page.

He stopped.

I watched his expression change as he brought the paper closer. “What is this?”

I swallowed. “What?”

He turned the document towards me, pointing at the details beneath the lawyer’s signature. “Look at this registration number.”

I stared at it, pretending not to understand. “What about it?”

“Do you know what you’re giving me?” He picked up his phone and compared the number with something on the screen. “This law firm was struck off the official register two years ago. Its registration number is no longer valid.”

My stomach tightened.

He slowly lowered his phone. “Where did you get this?”

“From the lawyer.”

“Which lawyer?”

“The one I told you I was going to see.”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t play games with me, Kora” 

“I’m not playing any games.”

He stood up, holding the document. “You’re telling me you went to a lawyer, signed these papers, and didn’t bother checking anything?”

“I trusted him. How was I supposed to know?”

He threw the document onto the table. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

Before I could say anything, he grabbed me by the neck and shoved me backwards.

My back hit the wall. “Are you trying to cheat me?” he demanded.

I grabbed his wrist, struggling to free myself. “No! Please, you’re hurting me!”

“Then tell me what you’re trying to do!”

“I don’t know anything about the registration number! The lawyer prepared everything. I only went there to sign the documents!”

He stared at me, his grip tightening for another second. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not!” My voice shook. “Why would I do that? I’ve already done everything you asked me to do.”

He finally released me.

I immediately stepped away, rubbing my neck as I struggled to catch my breath.

He stood there, staring at me.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

Then, just as suddenly as his anger had appeared, it disappeared.

He sighed and ran a hand over his face. “Darling, I’m sorry.”

I looked at him without responding.

“I shouldn’t have done that. I just don’t understand why the lawyer would prepare something like this. We are so close to getting everything settled, and now there’s another problem.”

He walked towards me, but I instinctively moved back.

He noticed.

“Come on. I’m not going to hurt you.”

I lowered my eyes.

“I’m sorry.” He said, touching my shoulder  shoulder. “. Just go back to the lawyer tomorrow and get the correct documents. I don’t want any more mistakes. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“Good. And please, don’t let him waste your time. We need to get this done as soon as possible.”

“I will.”

I picked up my bag and turned towards the stairs.

“Darling.”

I stopped. “I’m really sorry about what happened.”

I forced myself to turn around. “It’s fine.”

He smiled faintly. “Go and rest.”

I nodded before finally walking away.

The moment I entered my bedroom, I closed the door and leaned against it.

My hands were trembling.

I slowly raised one hand to my neck. The place where he had grabbed me was already painful.

I walked towards the mirror.

There were red marks around my neck.

I stared at my reflection, unable to believe that the same man who had just promised to give me everything could hurt me so easily.

And all because I had refused to hand over what belonged to me.

I took a deep breath.

He had almost caught me.

For a moment, I had genuinely thought he would discover everything. But I had managed to get through it.

I needed to be more careful.

He was becoming impatient, and that meant I had less time than I thought.

I touched my neck once more before lowering my hand.

Enjoy your position while you can.

Enjoy everything you think you’ve taken from me.

I wasn’t going to let him have my inheritance and  I wasn’t going to let him get away with what he had done to me, not  this time.