Hazel's POV
I scrolled through the pictures, and she had been right. These were recent—proof that Liam had indeed been cheating on me, and all her accusations weren't unfounded. My heart felt like it had been split in two, but I handed her phone back, too drained to argue and too ashamed to lift my chin and deny the truth.
Liam had taken a potion to break the mate bond, and apparently, he had done so before bringing me back under his control. No, I needed confirmation from him first. I deserved the truth—why he had lied, why he had pretended, and why he went to such lengths just to win me back.
I stepped away from her, scanning the crowd for him, but he was nowhere in sight. I had no choice but to wait until the celebration ended, hoping I could speak to him then. But in that moment, I wasn't in the mood for anything—not even the festivities. I strode back to my room, long and deliberate steps carrying my frustration.
Once inside, I closed the door and leaned against it, trying to calm the rapid beating of my heart. Everything felt unreal, like I was trapped in a nightmare. My pulse thundered in my ears as I attempted to compose myself. I knew it wasn't right to abandon the hall while the bouquet ceremony was still going on—people might look for me, and being called names was the least of what I wanted.
Steeling myself, I reopened the door and returned to the hall. From a distance, I spotted Skyler, laughing and drinking while chatting casually with a small group. She looked carefree and innocent, but I could see through the false mask she wore so effortlessly.
I waited until the banquet ended, finally spotting Liam exiting the hall. I hurried after him, but someone bumped into me, and I lost sight of him. Panic rose in my chest as I looked around frantically, only to realize he was gone. I searched the area briefly before asking a guard.
"Where did the alpha go?" I inquired.
He frowned slightly. "He went to his room, Your Grace," he said with a small bow before walking away. I made my way straight to his room and knocked gently.
After a moment, the door opened, revealing Liam. He greeted me with a lazy, convincingly charming smile.
"What are you doing here so late? I thought you had retired for the night," he said, arching a brow.
"I need to talk to you about something. Right after, I'll handle the rest," I replied. His frown deepened as he seemed to weigh his patience before stepping aside to let me in.
"What's going on? What do you want to talk about?" he asked, his tone impatient, arms crossed, brows furrowed.
"I ran into Skyler today at the bouquet, and when I asked her why she came, she showed me…" I trailed off, the images on her phone flooding my mind.
"What about them? Wait—why are we having this conversation now? I just want to go to bed, Hazel, and I suggest you do the same," he said, rubbing his upper arm.
I instantly distanced myself, and he noticed. His frown deepened, frustration etching his features. "What's wrong with you?" he finally demanded.
"They were intimate pictures… of you and her. How could you do this to me, Liam? I thought you had changed, that you truly loved me—but I was wrong. I feel… worthless," I whispered, my voice breaking.
His jaw tightened, anger flashing in his eyes—the same way he once looked at me with tender smiles and adoring gazes. Now, those eyes were knives. A shiver ran down my spine as he snorted derisively.
"You know, you've always been useless. No need to act surprised. At least now you understand how I've been tolerating your stupidity. How could the goddess give me someone so unworthy, naive, and hopeless as my mate? I deserve better," he slurred.
"Do you think I'm happy being your mate? All I've ever received in this cursed marriage are insults and pain. I apologize for ever having a shred of hope in you," I shot back, fists clenched in anger.
I gasped in shock when a loud slap landed across my face. My cheek stung in pain and my hand instinctively covered my red cheek, looking at him in utter shock.
"What did you just say?" He inquired with a flaring nose. I tried to reach for the door immediately, but it was already too late. In a blink, I found myself curled up on his bed and he was right on top of me. He placed me between his legs and his hand grasped my throat as he choked me. "I said repeat yourself, you ungrateful fool!" He spat.
I found it had to breathe, and my throat burned while I struggled beneath him. He slapped me across the face again, then his first landed on my stomach. I shrieked in pain, screaming on the top of my lungs, but no sound came out. His hand tightened against my throat, and soon his punches landed on my face.
The pain was so unbearable that I just wanted it to stop at all costs. I pleaded earnestly, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. My hair hung on my face, soaked with my tears and sweat.
He finally pulled away and looked at me coldly. I was happy, thinking the pain was finally over, when he started unbuckling his belt. My eyes widened when I saw him wrapped the other end of the belt around his hand. He raised the strong leather belt up and the leather touched my skin.
I screamed in pain and more followed until I became tired. My throat felt tired and my screams raspy. He stopped after a while, looking at me with those fierce eyes.
Blood seeping from my wounds, soaking my clothes. I struggled to stand up from the bed, my legs wobble as I turned painstakingly to look at him.
"I can't continue anymore," I said, but my voice was almost inaudible. "I'm tired, and it's clear you don't love me, so let's just end this. Let's put an end to this misery and go our separate ways. I suggest we break this forced relationship, setting ourselves free. Please, just reject me as your mate and end this." I said pleadingly.
He narrowed his gaze sharply at me, causing me to take a step back, feeling small under his scorching gaze. He suddenly held the root of my hair and yanked me closer quickly.
"You want me to let you go?" He slowly tipped his head to the side. "No! I'd rather kill you than watch you leave," he said harshly.