Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – The Promise of Hatred

“What’s going on? Did you two fight?” his assistant asked before he could reply.

“We’ve never been on good terms. Did you find out who she is?” he asked impatiently.

“Yes, partially. She’s the younger half-sister of your ex, an illegitimate daughter of her father. She’s 23, but I couldn’t dig up much more so quickly. I’ll continue the investigation tomorrow. It seems she only recently joined the Blonsoom family, and that made me think maybe she’s being forced into the agreement.”

“That’s not it at all… she came chasing a life of luxury, backed by the idea that I was just a disabled man who couldn’t do anything to her. What does she think? That a man in a wheelchair is as vulnerable as a vegetable?” he asked sharply, while his assistant lowered his head.

“Sir… if you don’t mind, why don’t we investigate more before any punishment? Maybe we’re mistaken about her.”

“Do your job. I’m going to her now—she can’t stay in that room,” he warned with a mysterious tone.

While Andrews made his way to the room, Aurora was wondering why there was a child’s room there—it didn’t seem like something that fit that sinister man at all.

“Dear wife?” Andrews teased, making her tremble when she saw him opening the door. “You should be careful where you walk into. How dare you?” he asked in a dangerous tone.

“I didn’t mean to... please...” she murmured as he approached. She then managed to slip past him and ran out of the room.

“Well now… want to play cat and mouse in my territory?” he murmured to himself with a dark smile.

Aurora ran through the dark corridor, her heart pounding in her chest. Every step was a desperate attempt to escape the suffocating presence of Andrews.

She reached the bedroom door and tried to open it, but before she could grab the handle, he caught up with her.

Andrews grabbed her wrist, yanking her back roughly.

“Where do you think you’re going, dear wife?” His voice was sharp as ice.

“Let go of me!” Aurora screamed, struggling to break free. “You’re a monster!”

Andrews’ eyes gleamed in the darkness.

“A monster? You’re only realizing that now?”

He pushed her against the wall, his shadow looming over her, sending a cold shiver down her spine.

“I had no idea who you were. I only agreed to come because my sister said you were a pathetic man with no self-respect who looked even more pitiful for agreeing to marry someone like me. But you’re even worse than she said. I’ll never… never accept you as my husband!” she spat, her chest heaving with anger. “I’ll never love you!”

Andrews laughed.

The sound was low, threatening, as if he was entertained by her outburst.

“Good.” He stepped back, now with his hands in his pockets, analyzing her with disdain while she shrank in embarrassment from the revealing nightgown.

Aurora blinked, confused.

“What…?”

His gaze darkened as he leaned his face close to hers.

“Because I also swear I’ll never treat you like a wife—only as a woman who sold herself. I will never desire you. I will never allow even the tiniest spark of feeling between us.”

Aurora’s chest tightened, but before she could say anything, he continued:

“You’ll be my prisoner, Aurora. Nothing more than that.”

She felt despair rising within her.

“You’re sick!” she cried out, tears burning down her face.

Andrews gave a crooked smile.

“And you’re my wife now. You should’ve walked away when you saw me, but you chose to sign your name, selling yourself to trick me. That’s why you’ll be my trophy wife and serve me as such—as a woman who sold herself.”

Fury exploded inside her. Without thinking, she raised her hand and slapped him hard.

The sound of the slap echoed through the corridor.

“You’ll never lay a hand on me!” she declared.

Andrews’ face turned with the impact, but when he looked back at her, his eyes were filled with rage.

“You…” His voice came out low and threatening.

Aurora took a step back, suddenly regretful. She saw the shadow of fury darken his gaze. She felt the danger—but it was already too late.

With a quick motion, Andrews grabbed her arm and dragged her back into the room.

“Let go! Let me go now!” she struggled, but he was much stronger.

“You want to challenge me? Then learn what happens when you challenge a Westwood.”

He pushed her into the room and, before she could run to the door, he locked it.

Aurora ran to the door, desperately pulling at the handle.

“Andrews! Open this door!” On the other side, she only heard a low laugh.

“Welcome to your new life, dear wife.” Those were his last words, and then, the sound of silence.

Aurora banged on the door, screamed, begged, but he didn’t return.

He really locked her in there.

At the end of the hallway, Andrews’ assistant watched everything, apprehensive.

“Deactivate the room. Order the staff to only open it with my permission,” he instructed his assistant, who stood still, watching his boss leave the room with a serious expression, his eyes fixed on the newly locked door.

“What do you plan to do now?” the assistant asked, his voice neutral. “If you want to keep pretending to be disabled, you’ll have to be careful with this girl.”

Andrews rubbed his face, massaging his jaw where Aurora had hit him.

“I already have a plan.”

The assistant observed his boss for a long moment before nodding.

“I’ll take care of security. I’ll make sure no one contacts her. For now, let’s go. I want to do one more thing.”

Aurora thought he would open the door when he got tired, but it was taking too long. The next day, in the room, completely alone in silence, there was no food, no water.

At first, she tried knocking on the door, calling for someone, but no one responded.

Then, she began to cry, feeling the hunger mix with the desperation. Her knees were weak, her mouth dry, her head throbbed.

By the third day, she didn’t have the strength to get up. Did Andrews really want her to die there? Lying on the bed, eyes wide open, she just stared at the ceiling, numb from exhaustion and fear.

Was this how she was going to die?

Then, she heard the sound of the key turning in the lock.

The door opened.

A silhouette entered, and Aurora blinked a few times, trying to focus her vision.

“My God… what has he done to you? That reckless boy!” The raspy voice of the lady filled Aurora’s ears, followed by a soft touch on her face. “Heavens, hold on tight, I’ll take care of you now.” she reassured, as some staff members entered carrying trays.

The second housekeeper helped Aurora eat and then took care of her like a mother would. She didn’t know this woman, but the navy blue suit suggested she might be the housekeeper of the house. But who was the other indifferent woman?

And for the first time in days, Aurora felt like someone was there to help her inside that place.