Chapter 7: Arriving Hell

Caroline's POV

Anderson’s smile widened, his gaze flicking to me, “Maybe later,” he said. “We have a meeting to get to.”

But Solana’s hands moved down Anderson’s chest, her fingers brushing his belt before slipping lower.

She started stroking him through his pants, a bold, shameless move that made my skin crawl.

My stomach twisted into a tight, nauseous knot.

I wanted to yell, to tell her to stop, to claw my way out of this car and run, but I couldn’t.

I pressed my lips together and turned my head, pretending I was deaf, blind, anywhere but here.

Then Anderson’s voice cut in, “Not now, Solana,” he said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her hand away. “It’ll ruin my suit, and you know how my mother is. She’s not someone to mess with.”

His tone was firm, like he was scolding a child.

I blinked, stealing a glance. Solana froze, her hand hovering midair before she yanked it back, crossing her arms with a scoff.

She stared at him, her lips pursed, but she didn’t argue.

Anderson adjusted his tie, and his belt.

For once, Solana’s usual drama seems muted.

It came as a big surprise to me, they were both afraid of his mother.

Anderson, with all his alpha confidence and endless resources, and Solana, with her sharp tongue and sharper cruelty, were scared. If they feared her, what hope did I have?

My throat went dry, a cold shiver went down my spine.

I’d already been anxious about this meeting, but now it looked more like a criminal appearing before a judge with no lawyer.

“Hey, bitch,” Solana snapped, leaning toward me. Her voice overshadowed my thoughts. “You better act well. Anderson’s mom is the most powerful woman in this city. If she even smells a lie, you’re done. Jail. No one’s coming to save you.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I kept my eyes fixed ahead, refusing to meet her gaze.

Fear coiled inside me, but I wouldn’t let her see it. She thrived on weakness, so I refuse to panic. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

She leaned closer, her breath hot against my ear. “And I’m sure you know what’ll happen if you think of playing smart with Anderson."

I stayed silent, I kept my expression neutral, but inside me was a storm, fear crashing against anger, disgust boiling with desperation.

I wanted to shun her away, to scream that I didn’t want any of this, that I wasn’t some pawn in their sick game.

But I couldn’t. My family’s survival depended on me keeping my mouth shut and my head down, at least for now.

Solana’s eyes narrowed, her lips parting to spit more venom, but Anderson interrupted. “Let her be, Solana,” he said, “She’s got enough on her plate already.”

I blinked, startled. Was that… kindness? From him?

I stole a glance at Anderson, but his face gave nothing away.

Solana scowled, slumping back in her seat with a muttered curse, but she didn’t push it.

The car went quiet, and I stared out the window, watching as our vehicle drove past other cars, but my mind was elsewhere.

Solana’s earlier words creeped back into my mind: If she suspects lies or deceit, she’ll throw you in jail, and no one will be able to rescue you.

The whole reason I was here was to lie, to convince Anderson’s mother I loved him, that this marriage wasn’t a contract cooked up to save my family from ruin. But if she caught me, I’d rot in a cell. And if I told the truth, Anderson would make sure my family lost everything.

I was trapped, pinned between two impossible choices, and neither would let me walk away free.

The car jolted to a stop, snapping me back to reality.

Anderson let out a long, heavy sigh, like he was trying to exhale the weight pressing on him. “We’re here,” he said.

Solana turned to me, her lips curling into a grin that matched the one from my dream.

 “Time to meet your fate, bitch,” she said,

A chill ran through me, but I forced my eyes away from her.

She clicked the door open and stepped out.

 Anderson followed, but not before glancing back at me.

His eyes lingered, searching my face for fear, maybe, or weakness.

I didn’t let him find it. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I can do this,” I muttered under my breath. “Just one year. One year of this contract marriage, and I’m out of this maze.”

I opened my door and stepped out, shutting it behind me with a thud.

It was still early in the morning, so the air was cool, but the sky was heavy with clouds, like it was waiting for me to be judged before falling.

In front of me was Anderson’s mother’s mansion.

It was twice the size of Anderson's house, the fences were built with marbles, the house painted in white, and large rose windows.

I saw other people I assumed were family members entering the mansion, their faces looked sober, and their steps hurried, like they were walking into a church and didn't want to disturb the angels.

But then something I saw made my heart skip a beat.

I saw four men being hauled outside by armed, muscular men.

 They were crying and begging, but the men dragged them mercilessly, beating them.

 One of the captives sobbed, “Please, we didn’t mean it!” as his knees scraped the gravel.

 Another captive swung wildly, trying to break free, only to take a brutal punch to his face that sent him unconscious.

I swallowed hard, a wave of nausea washing over me. “What’s going on?” I asked, shifting my gaze to Anderson, my voice trembling despite my efforts to hide it.

He glanced at the scene, “I recognize these men from the company,” he said, “Perhaps they have tried to cheat my mum.”

Before I could respond, another young, sassy lady who’d overheard us talking cut in as she walked past, walking like her mother owned the building.

 “Those men will never see the sunlight until they die,” she said, her lips curling into a smirk.

My heartbeat raced, pounding in my ears. What kind of woman was my mother-in-law?