Skye’s world blurred, and her pulse thundered in her ears as she was slammed down to the cold, unforgiving floor.
Her skull screamed with pain as the back of her head collided with the hard surface, sending sharp waves of dizziness through her body. Her hair—her long, thick hair—was being yanked so hard it felt like her scalp might tear off. She opened her mouth, a guttural scream of rage and fear escaping her lips, but it was cut short as her breath hitched. “Shut up,” a voice growled, deep and menacing. The sound of it made her blood run cold. Andrew. “Andrew, what the hell are you doing here? Let go of my hair, please!” Her voice was shaky, filled with terror and disbelief. She twisted under him, but his grip was unyielding, his fingers like iron around her hair, forcing her head back. He chuckled, the sound low and twisted, vibrating in the space around them. The laugh was like a slap to her face, mocking, full of cruelty. “You thought you could leave me, huh?” he said, his voice as venomous as a serpent's hiss. His breath was hot against her neck as he leaned in, his lips grazing the sensitive skin behind her ear, sending a shudder through her spine. She froze, every instinct in her body screaming to run, but her body was paralyzed under his weight. “You thought you could just run off?” he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. “Don’t you remember? Your location is always on. That’s how I found you.” Skye's stomach turned as his words sank in, like poison spreading through her veins. She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, dragging her head back painfully, forcing her to look at him. His hand moved from her hair to her face, holding her there, eyes glinting with a sick satisfaction. “I told myself I was going to marry you,” he sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “So you think you can leave me? No, Sky, that’s not how it works.” Skye’s chest tightened. The man before her was no longer the one she thought she knew. This wasn’t love. This was something darker. “You’re a monster,” she spat, trying to claw at his hand, but it was no use. He was too strong. Andrew’s eyes gleamed with malice as he looked her up and down, scanning her body with a gaze that felt like it was burning her skin. “God, you look hot,” he muttered, his eyes flickering over her, lingering on her chest, on the curve of her waist, before lowering to her hips. “You’ve always been hot, Sky. You know that?” Before she could even register what was happening, his hand was on her ass, squeezing it roughly, like he owned her. The force of it made her gasp in shock and disgust. “Don’t touch me!” she snarled, trying to shove him off, but his grip on her was too tight. “Let go!” But Andrew didn’t listen. He simply smirked, his lips curling into a grin that made her stomach churn. “You can scream all you want. You’re not going anywhere. You’re mine, Sky. I told you that.” His hand slid under her shirt, brushing against her skin as he stroked her side. “I always get what I want. Always.” Skye’s breathing hitched as he leaned closer, his face hovering over hers, the proximity suffocating. She could feel the heat of his breath on her skin, could smell the faint hint of alcohol in his exhale. He was drunk, or maybe just deranged. She didn’t care. “You’re insane,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath as she struggled beneath him, her body trembling with the weight of it all. “You’re a fucking psycho.” Andrew’s grip on her tightened again, his fingers digging into her skin as he dragged her up, her body jerking against him. “Oh, I’m the psycho?” he sneered, his lips pulling back in a twisted grin. “Then why the hell are you still here, huh? If I’m a psycho, why aren’t you running away?” He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear, his breath hot and foul. “You can’t leave me, Sky. I own you. I own every inch of you.” “Please, stop,” she begged, her voice breaking as tears filled her eyes. “Let me go. Just let me go. I swear, I’ll do anything.” His laughter was dark, cruel. He inhaled deeply, like he was savoring the scent of her, before muttering under his breath, “You know, I’ve always wanted you. Always wanted to fuck you. But you think I just want to take you like that? Nah. You’re gonna beg for me, Sky. Beg for me to fuck you. And when I’m done with you, you’ll realize how wrong you were to leave me.” “Stop,” she gasped, her body trembling with fear and disgust. “I’ll never beg you for anything. I’ll never be yours.” Andrew’s expression turned cold, calculating. “Then maybe you’ll beg me here,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. He grabbed her waist, jerking her forward so their bodies collided. He could feel the resistance in her, the way her body stiffened, but it only fueled his twisted pleasure. “I could take you right here, right now, Sky. Right here, on the floor. You think I won’t?” Her heart raced, pounding in her chest. She could feel every inch of him pressing against her, his hands everywhere, his lips against her skin. She recoiled in disgust, but she knew he wasn’t going to stop. She was trapped, stuck in this nightmare, and the man she thought she knew was gone—replaced by something much darker, much more terrifying. “Please, Andrew. I’ll do whatever you want. Just let me go,” she cried out, desperation clawing at her voice, but he didn’t care. He was too far gone. “No,” he growled. “You don’t get to walk away. You’re going to stay with me. You’re going to be mine, Sky. Forever.” He moved on top of her with urgency, his body pressing down, trapping her beneath his weight. His hand slid under her dress, roughly cupping her breast, fingers digging in with a possessiveness that made her stomach twist. He groaned as he felt the warmth of her skin, the sound thick with hunger. “Oh, fuck, baby. Your titties are so soft! I wanna fucking suck them!” he muttered, his voice rough, as though the words barely formed through his desperation as he pressed her titties. “Please, don’t make me do this. Just let me go—don’t do this, Andrew… please.” But Andrew didn’t hear her. He was too far gone. His face twisted in a dark, grimace of determination. “ No! I want to fuck you here! On this dirty floor as a slut that you are! I'd fuck you the way I fucked your sister till you bleed!” he snapped, the word harsh as he pushed harder against her, fingers digging into her chest, as if marking her, making her his. “I’ll never let you go. You’re mine. Do you hear me? Mine.” The way his fingers tightened, pressing down, it felt suffocating. She gasped, trying to push him away, but his grip was like iron. Slowly, he moved his other hand down, sliding it to the strap of her dress, pulling it down agonizingly slowly, his eyes never leaving hers as he saw the fear in them. He smiled, a twisted, satisfied smile, before leaning down, his breath hot against her ear. “Please,” she whimpered, trembling. “Don’t do this… don’t…” But before he could go down to her pussy and touch her, there was a sudden, blinding pain— fist collided with the side of his head, the sound of it a sickening crack as Andrew crumpled beneath the force. His body fell like a ragdoll, limp and lifeless, his breath shallow as he collapsed to the floor, the air knocked out of him.His eyes, hooded and unreadable, were pinned on her like she was something to be studied, dissected, and devoured all at once. Sky could feel it-his gaze-a slow caress over her skin, setting off a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.She tilted her head back, gripping the stem of her wine glass a little tighter than necessary, as if it was the only thing tethering her to reality. "How did you meet my brother?"Such a simple inquiry. Innocent, even. But it wasn't.Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming in shallow waves as she stared at the words scrawled in the chest. It should have been easy to answer, but the truth held too many jagged edges. She wasn't ready to open up. Not to Elijah. Not to a man she barely knew-a man she had literally spewed her drink on hours ago.But there was something about him. Something that pulled at her in a way she couldn't quite name.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.Elijah, meanwhile, had not st
Skye's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in fast, uneven gasps as she clutched Elijah's hand, her fingers squeezing him like a lifeline. The thrill of their escape still coursed through her veins, adrenaline pumping wildly, making her skin feel electric."I can't believe we escaped the guards!" she burst out, her voice breathless yet laced with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Elijah, on the other hand, stood beside her, a slow, knowing smirk curling his lips as he observed her reaction. He was calm-too calm, like this was just another night for him. His dark, hooded eyes studied her intently, flickering with amusement as he leaned against the nearest wall, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The contrast between them was stark-Skye, wild with exhilaration, and Elijah, exuding an almost predatory ease."Did you see my face when I thought the guards would catch us?" she stammered between her laughter, wiping
Xavier paced like a caged beast, his movements restless, agitated. His fingers repeatedly tangled in his dark hair, first smoothing it back, then gripping at the strands as though the act would steady his rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth in an effort to contain the storm brewing within him. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.His sharp blue eyes-cold and calculating-remained locked on the restroom door. What the fuck was taking her so long? His gut twisted with unease, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that only served to further stoke his fury. She wouldn't dare try anything stupid... would she? The thought made his chest tighten.He wanted to storm in there, to slam the door open and drag her out if necessary. But Xavier knew better. That wouldn't be the smart move. He needed to keep his composure-or at least what was left of it. He ran a hand down his face, exhal
Skye reached the restroom, shoving the door open with trembling hands. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled toward the sink, clutching its edge for support. She met her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, her mascara smudged from the tears she hadn't even realized were falling. Her carefully arranged hair now hung in disarray, framing her tear-streaked cheeks.The quiet sobs she had been holding back finally broke free, shaking her body as she leaned over the sink. "This was supposed to be my day," she whispered bitterly to herself, her voice breaking. "My wedding day."Skye leaned against the restroom sink, her body trembling as her sobs quieted. She wiped at her face, smearing the tears that had already ruined her carefully applied makeup. All she wanted was to leave this nightmare behind, to slip out of her wedding gown and crawl into bed, where the weight of Xavier's fury and the humiliating scene from the ballroom couldn't reach her. Her exhaustion pressed down
She took a deep breath, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to center herself. Not here. Not now. If they wanted her to break, they would have to try harder. Skye was no stranger to being underestimated, and she wasn't about to let them win-not tonight, not ever.Her gaze wandered back to Xavier, who was watching her from across the room. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing blue eyes bore into her like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Had he heard any of it? Did he even care? She doubted it.Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one fluid motion. She welcomed the burn as the liquid slid down her throat, using it as fuel to fortify her crumbling walls. If this was her new reality, then so be it.But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to be a passive pawn in their cruel games. They wanted a fight? She'd give them a fight. She tilted her head back, the fifth glass of champagne slipping past her
"She's stunning," one woman admitted begrudgingly, but her compliment was overshadowed by venom. "But can you believe she's marrying Xavier Colleen? "What could she possibly see in him?""Oh, come on," another chimed in, leaning closer to her gossip partner. "You haven't heard the real story? She left her fiancé-someone just as rich, if not richer-for him. I mean, Xavier is a catch, sure, but everyone knows how he treats his women. Rumor has it, she couldn't resist his... well, you know." She giggled, her tone dripping with malice. "Bet she's addicted to him already."The words stabbed at Skye like needles, but she didn't falter. Her jaw clenched imperceptibly, and she kept her gaze locked forward, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react. Let them talk. Let them have their pathetic little gossip. She was no stranger to it-her life had been a spectacle ever since she agreed to this arrangement. But the raw, personal nature of their whispers still burned. How the he