As I stirred awake, I blinked my eyes open, feeling the sting of soreness ripple through every inch of my body.
It was as though my very muscles had been put through a rigorous workout, and now they were rebelling against me.
Glancing around, I noted the void beside me, Killian was already gone.
Lately, it seemed as if he had taken the liberty to use me as he pleased, exploiting my presence for his own satisfaction.
It felt deeply unsettling, as if I were merely an object meant to fulfill his desires rather than a person with my own thoughts and needs.
It wasn't always like this. There was a time when Killian treated me with respect, or at least with a semblance of decency.
But that was before everything changed, before My parents had pushed me into this twisted game.
I couldn't shake the memory of Mum's words, dripping with a chilling threat:
"...You have to cover for your father and ensure Killian signs off half his inheritance to your name, or I will expose your little secret."
The weight of her ultimatum pressed down on me like a heavy stone, suffocating any sense of freedom I once had.
For a long time, I had looked up to my dad, despite the ways he sometimes treated me with inconsideration.
Deep down, I believed there was goodness in him. Yet, the moment I learned of his betrayal, the world I knew fractured.
My family's dynamic shifted into something unrecognizable.
After that unexpected event shattered my life, I felt like a stranger in my own home, surrounded by people whose affections had turned cold and distant.
After dragging myself out of bed and into the bathroom for a much-needed shower, I dressed in my gym clothes, preparing for a brief escape into the villa's gym.
The familiar environment of weights and cardio machines served as my sanctuary,
a place where I could push my physical limits and forget, even if just for a moment, the chaos of my life.
After a couple of hours of working out, I made my way to the garden, hoping the fresh air would clear my mind.
I couldn't afford to take any risks.
After a year trapped in this forced marriage, I had plotted my escape, a one-way flight to Asia where I envisioned a life filled with peace, understanding, and genuine love.
Somewhere far away from Killian and the dark legacy of my family's actions. With that in mind,
I had also been discreetly taking contraceptive pills, determined to prevent the possibility of becoming pregnant with my enemy's child.
The last thing I wanted was to tie my future to a life marred by bitterness and animosity.
Killian harbored disdain for me simply because I was a Michaelson, and I was unjustly paying for the sins of my parents.
As I lingered in my thoughts, reminiscing about the misery of the past few months, a familiar voice broke through my reverie.
Hab, one of the guards assigned to keep an eye on me, approached with a casual confidence.
Although he often presented as gruff and stoic, I could see glimpses of kindness in his demeanor.
"We've got a visitor," he informed me, a hint of curiosity in his tone.
"Who?" I raised an eyebrow, confusion washing over me as I trailed behind him towards the villa.
When I entered the living room, my heart sank at the sight that greeted me.
Vanessa lounged comfortably in one of the plush armchairs, engaged in animated conversation with a stunning blonde.
They exuded a sense of entitlement that instantly set my teeth on edge.
"Are you sure we're not crossing any boundaries? You know how private Killian is and how he dislikes anyone meddling in his affairs," the blonde said, her voice dripping with a false sweetness.
"Oh, Juliana, relax," Vanessa replied with an airy wave of her hand.
"Killian is my son. He'll do whatever I ask of him. Believe me, that little bitch is no match for you."
At those words, a fire ignited within me. "Excuse me, who are you calling a bitch?" I interjected, my eyebrows shooting up in disbelief.
With unmistakable pride, Vanessa introduced the blonde.
"This is Juliana Washington, heiress to the Washington empire and Killian's fiancé. She's back to claim her rightful position as his wife."
I let out a humorless chuckle and settled onto the sofa, crossing my legs defiantly.
"Vanessa, you seem to think you're playing chess here, but honestly, Juliana's presence is just a waste of time. Killian is already married," I reminded her, injecting as much sarcasm into my tone as I could muster.
"Are you even wife material? Just look at how you're dressed, everything about you screams disapproval, just like your manners," Juliana scoffed, clearly not appreciating my interference.
"Listen up," I shot back, my patience running thin.
"I don't have time for your nonsense. Take your princess act and beat it, you're in my space now, and I don't want you here."
I've never been one to allow myself to be bullied, though being controlled by Killian is another issue entirely.
But Vanessa? Oh, absolutely not; especially after catching a glimpse of how manipulative and cunning she could be.
"Oh really? And who do you think you're talking to that way?" Juliana sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.
"You're classless and worthless, not even worth a fraction of what she owns. So, I suggest you watch your mouth."
I couldn't help but scoff at her presumptuousness.
"And as for you, I'm nothing like you. I won't be worn down or controlled like some sort of character in a video game crafted by your twisted minds."
"What? How dare you?" Jealousy twisted Juliana's features as she raised her hand, preparing to slap me.
I was already strategizing how to respond, eager to show her what I was made of, when a commanding voice echoed through the room.
"Stop!" Killian bellowed as he entered, each purposeful step demanding respect and attention.
"Killian," the blonde called sweetly, hurrying over to wrap her arms around him in a display that made me feel sick.
As his fiery gaze landed on me, raw anger and veiled passion coursed through his expression.
The menacing spark in his eyes made my heart race with fear.
How could I find a way to make him understand that I was not some possession he could claim, but a woman with her own identity and ambitions?