3: Bruised Diamond

The chair scraped across the marble floor as the waiter struggled with its weight, hurrying to place it between Grandma Selene and Vivi.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Julien Raines, everyone except me as I tried not to look, but my curiosity tugged at me.

He was a few inches taller than Alexander, broader too with an ease to him, a deliberate arrogance in the way he leaned back in the chair as though the table belonged to him as much as it did to the rest of us.

Beside me, Alex’s hand curled into a tight fist, his knuckles turning white, as the anger rolled off him in waves.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Eleanor snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the chatter around us.

Julien smirked, swirling the champagne flute the waiter had just placed before him. “And yet. . .here I am.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve embarrassed this family enough.”

“Embarrassed?” Julien arched a brow. “What’s embarrassing is pretending like I don’t exist.”

Grandma Selene tried to ease the storm, her hand brushing Julien’s arm. “Julien, dear, perhaps tonight isn’t the—”

But Eleanor cut her off. “Don’t smother him, Mother. He doesn’t belong here.”

Julien’s smile widened. “Oh, but the president seemed to think otherwise when he put my name on the guest list.”

Jameson Sterling cleared his throat, attempting to shift the mood. “Let’s not do this here. Tonight is about celebration.”

But Eleanor wasn’t finished. “You are not a Sterling, don’t you ever forget that.”

Julien leaned closer, his voice low and biting. “Trust me, Eleanor, I never will.”

A soft voice spoke through a microphone, as the presenters went on stage to announce the winners, awarding Sterling Biotech Group for Innovator of the Year.

A sounding applause rang across the hall as the family stood to receive their award. I moved to rise with them, but Eleanor’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist.

“You,” she hissed, “Stay seated. Only members of the Sterling Group can go up.”

“But—” I stammered, confusion clouding my mind. “I’m—”

“You heard her,” Alex muttered, tugging my arm down before striding off.

I sat frozen as they made their way to the stage, exchanging handshakes with the governor and posing for a photo with the president himself.

Alex stood in the center with Eleanor smiling radiantly at his side, Jameson on the other side was proud of his family, Vivi was completely bored, and Grandma Selene was radiant with grace.

As for Julien. . .he stood at the far end, his posture casual, his smirk directed straight at me.

Our eyes met across the room, and my breath caught. I quickly tore my gaze away, wondering what sort of foul game he was playing.

When they returned, Alex’s jaw was locked tight and he didn’t speak to me, he didn’t even look my way.

The party stretched late into the night as music from a live band floated through the villa, couples twirled across the dance floor, with laughter from every corner.

I remained at the table, quiet and unsure of my place. “Excuse me, I need some air.” I stood up and walked toward an exit that led to the poolside.

The evening breeze stilled my breath as I looked into the blue pool of water which reflected the twilight sky, embracing every bit of its serenity.

“Amara?” I heard my name and turned around to see a young man in a black patterned suit, approaching me with a warm smile. “It’s me, Samuel. We were in the same economics class at college.”

I knitted my brows in deep thought before the recognition hit me. “Oh—Sam!” I ambled closer to him, returning his genuine smile.

“You look incredible.” He said, his delicate gaze scanning me with admiration. “I mean, people have been talking about Mrs. Sterling, but seeing you up close…” He shook his head with a grin.

“Thank you, Sam. I could say the same thing about you.”

“You disappeared right after graduation, and we all wondered where you went.”

I laughed nervously, playing with the diamond jewelry on my neck. “Life happened, I guess.”

“It suits you.” He said softly, aligning the necklace properly. “But I have to admit, I never thought—”

His sentence cut off as a sharp blow to the jaw sent him to the ground, his head missing the concrete edge of the pool by inches.

Alex.

Before I could react, Alex grabbed Samuel by the lapels of his tuxedo and connected his fist with Sam’s ribs, the crack echoing louder than the music.

Sam stumbled backward, crashing against a pillar.

“Alex, stop!” I cried, reaching for him but he had gone into a rage I’d never seen before.

He lunged at Sam again, grabbed his collar, and punched him repeatedly until fresh blood broke out of his face.

“Alex, you’re going to kill him!” I tried to pry my husband off Sam but he shoved me like I was nothing.

With terrifying strength, he dragged Sam across the floor, lifting him effortlessly before tossing his body into the pool.

I ran forward and reached the pool’s edge. “Sam!” I tried to grab his hand, but Alex yanked me back so hard my arm buckled in pain.

“You want to embarrass me?!” His voice was low and seething, his breath hot against my face as he pulled me toward the parking lot.

“No—I was just—”

“Talking to another man!” His eyes blazed, wild and dark. “And he dared to touch you?!”

He shoved me into the limousine so hard I hit my shoulder against the seat, my chest heaving with fear as he climbed in after me.

“You’re my wife!” He slapped me across the cheek then wrapped his hands around my throat, squeezing the air out of my windpipe.

“Alex—please!” My voice broke, tears spilling at the corner of my eyes as I clawed at his fingers.

God, please don't let Alex kill me.

“You’re mine,” He snarled. “Do you understand me? Mine. No man can look at you, no man can touch you.”

Mama, please help me.

His pressure tightened and my vision went blurry, my head going light as oxygen drained out my brain.

Please, I don't want to die.

I gasped, choking on death as my nails scraped uselessly at his hand. The darkness began to close in, my hands going limp to my side and he finally let go.

I collapsed against the seat, coughing and clutching my neck, the taste of metal and salt in my mouth.

Alex didn’t look at me or say another word. He simply pushed open the door and stepped out, leaving me semi-unconscious in the limo while I trembled like a withered leaf, hanging on for life.

Mr. Richards, our driver, stood outside the limo, his eyes widening as he saw me, but he said nothing until Alex disappeared into the villa again.

“Do you need to see a doctor, ma’am?” He climbed into the limousine door, his voice hesitant.

I shook my head, forcing the words past my raw throat. “No, please. . .take me home.”

He nodded, offering me a small bottle of water. “Have a sip, ma’am.”

My hands shook as I clutched it, pressing the bottle to my lips and taking a long sip, my dazed eyes staring at the roof of the vehicle.

My tears obscured the jeweled lights of the villa as the limo pulled away from the parking lot and drove out the gates.

For the first time since I said “I do,” my body bore proof of what I refused to believe.

Alexander Sterling had hit me and I didn’t know if I would survive the next time.