I spend the night in a random room, not wanting to witness that state of his. A lot of things were left in my mind but the most mystifying thing was,

What does he mean by I am his?

Was he referring to our contract? Or there's something else?

I was lost in thoughts and before I knew it, The dawn fell upon the sky. I closed my eyes and remained like that for a while. Lost in the murk present between us which cleared up only for a short-lived moment, a lot of unwanted things came to my mind and stirred it drastically.

Taking a deep breath, I walked out and went to my room and took a relaxing bath to relax both my burning mind and body. I walked out and wore a casual red shirt and black jeans and went to have breakfast.

I saw Christian in his usual dominant form there. It's better if we don't remember about last night. Without acknowledging his presence, I took my usual seat. He looked at me for a second and asked,

"Why didn't you come to the room?" For a second as my heart skipped a beat, I thought that he remembered what happened, still, I decided to play cool,

"I have no intention of sleeping with a drunkard," I said with venom. He narrowed his eyes at me but didn't say a word. He sighed and looked down, "Did... I did something.. last night?" He asked hesitantly.

"I don't know. I left you where you were." I coldly said giving him the same look as my words. His eyes flicker with a glint of hurt in them for a second but I don't give a fuck about it.

The breakfast was served and I took my pill.

"What's that for?" He asked.

"For birth control," I said monotonously. He stared at me with a shocked and bewildered expression. "Why? You can't possibly survive here without any kind of love." He asked.

"I don't want my child to be unloved," I said showing the hate.

"I never said that I wouldn't love our child." He snarled. I didn't expect him to say that. "Still, I don't want it," I muttered.

"It's your choice but remember I'll love my child with all my heart," he said earnestly and I rolled my eyes off of him, like hell he would.

Soon, the breakfast was served and we began to eat in silence.

He stood up and said, "Get ready. I am taking you to your mother's place." I looked at him innocently as my heart began to beat fast. I truly wanted to go. He walked to me and put his hands on the armrest of the chair, giving a lethal look. "But remember, If you tell her anything about us..." He moved to my neck, my heart skipped a beat in dread. He grazed his lips over my skin and continued in a husky voice, "I won't hold back." I gave him a hesitant nod. He pulled away, "Go and get ready. You are going home for the first time after marriage. Make sure to look good." I quickly stood up and left without saying another word.

I changed my dress and wore a black lacy frock along with a matching necklace. I applied makeup and formed a smile, trying to keep my calm and look good.

I was smiling because I am going to meet Mother. I walked down. He looked at me with his usual bored look. I am just so enthusiastic about going but his stare made me uncomfortable. We sat in the car and my smile never left my face. I felt him looking at me from time to time but I continued to look out of the window because I don't want him to ruin my happiness.

We reached the mansion as I ran out and shouted,

"MOTHER!" Upon hearing my voice, Mother came and I pulled her into a tight hug.

"I missed you so much!" I almost cried, not wanting to leave her arms. I slowly pulled away as both of our eyes were filled with tears. I missed her warmth, I felt protected. I never want to go away from her. Mother wiped her tears and smiled widely. I looked at her for a second and hugged her again and began to cry.

This time not because I missed her but at the agony, I felt in all this month. The feeling of humiliation he made me go through at the party I can never forget, it's breaking my soul.

I continued to cry at my misery, Mother rubbed my back and looked at me. I looked at her with my teary gaze, she then lifted her gaze and glared at Christian, who was looking down in... shame? And then his words struck me and I immediately said, "I missed you." She didn't respond. Shit.

"Mother.," I called her as she turned her attention towards me and smiled again.

"I'll..take my leave," Christian said vaguely and was about to leave but Mother smiled,

"Wait, Christian, At least have a coffee with me." He looked at her for a second and nodded. I looked down because I don't want that guy to be here any longer and my little show of ravage could bring whole new devastation. He stood beside me and Mother left to make coffee. He was about to turn at me but I took a step back, "I didn't mean to, Christian. I just missed her." I said hurriedly in fear. His eyes observed my scared form as he said, "Go to your Mother." And I went after Mother.

I put my vexed form at serene and smiled as I entered the kitchen. Mother smiled and said, "You look so graceful love." I smiled sheepishly and sat on the counter. Mother chuckled as I looked at her making coffee.

"Christian will take a coffee with milk and a lot of sugar," I said casually. Mother stopped and looked at me with wide eyes as if she didn't expect me to say that. I tilted my head and asked, "What happened?" She shook her head and said, "Nothing... I didn't expect you... to know."

"I was all alone in that nightmare, what can I do?" I said and realized what I said. Why the hell am I digging my own grave? I have to choose my words cautiously.

"Nightmare?" She turned her attention to me. No... No... No.

"Did something happen?" She asked, concerned. I shook my head no. Even though I want to tell her how much he has degraded me and I can't do a thing because I agreed for this but this time he went too far and I can't tell her because of the terror running in my veins.

"You know why we got married. There's no need for you to be worried. It's just fine." I said calmly but my heart is raging inside me.

"You sure?" She asked. I smiled softly and nodded. "Everything is fine. Christian doesn't force himself upon me." It was half-truth. He forced himself just at the party but at home, he was always soothing and concerned about my comfort.

She shrugged her shoulders and began to make coffee. After making it, we walked out and sat. I sat farthest away from Christian and ignored his presence. I solely focused on my mother. I tried to convince Mother that we are fine. I hope she will buy my words.

"Can you put these in the kitchen and yeah, Get me my phone, it's in my room, Sophie." I nodded and asked Stacy to show me the mother's room as I left with her.

I put the cups in the kitchen and got her phone. I remembered I also left my phone in the kitchen as I left to take it but I heard voices from inside,

"Tell me, why is my daughter so devastated?" I heard my mother's voice. No. Don't. My steps froze to the ground when I heard it. It sends shivers down my spine to think what Christian will do when we will go home.

"You promised you'll take care of her and why the hell did you comply with the contract?" Promised? Knowing mother she must have asked him to take care of me and comply on contract, what are they talking about? Guess what mother, he broke that promise as well as your daughter.

"You know. why... I..." He trailed off. And the devil was nervous. Absurd.

"I don't need any justification. I want to know the reason why you gave her that much anguish." Mother sternly said. I don't know what took over me as I felt like Mother was wrong. She can't talk to him like this. He gave us a house, money and paid for Eugene's expense. it. We know that our relationship isn't based on love. I walked inside saying with my eyes narrowed to correct Mother and to save myself from his wrath,

"We are at his house. We can't demand answers from him and it seems like you forgot what fact our relationship is based upon, Mother. Besides, I have told you we are doing fine." I said monotonously.

My words shocked both of them as they looked at me in disbelief but I stood there devoid.

"It's not love. But, it's not lust either. Remember this Sophie." Mother said and walked out. A dumbfounded expression formed on my face. I looked at Christian and rolled off my eyes and was about to leave,

"Why do you say something like that?" His voice sounded angry.

"Because that's true and you are the one who doesn't want me to tell my Mother so I did what you told me," I replied and went after Mother as he left for work too.

I saw Mother and walked towards her and called her softly. "Mother..." She hummed in response as I look at her apologetically, "I am sorry, talking to you like that but what I said is true." She smiled and hugged me. "Oh, dear, Don't strain yourself." I smiled and hugged her back.

"By the way, what did you mean about what you said earlier?" I asked. Her smile faded. She stared at me for a while and opened her mouth to say something but closed it soon after. "Mother..?" I called.

"Your marriage's worth is more than you think." She said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. What is she hiding? She sighed and was about to open her mouth again as I shook off this thought and stopped her from giving a lecture, "I get it, you don't have to tell me." I smiled as she smirked.

The rest of the day went so good. It felt so great talking to her again. I saw her after a month, I longed for her affection and now I have it, I don't want to lose it but I know that my sweet moment is ending and I am going towards those gates of hell. All that glee and blithe ended when Christian came to take me.

"Take care, love." Mother kissed my forehead.

"You too.," I said softly and left with the devil.

The drive was silent and the absence of sound crushed me like always and as usual, he broke that silence with his deep voice which is even more unbearable than the silence.

"Sophie..." I hummed in response.

"You don't have to confine yourself in the mansion. If you want to go out or meet your Mother, do it." He said assuring me. I hummed again. He looked at me but my gaze was fixed on outside the window.

We stopped at the entrance of the mansion.

"Sophie, here you go." He said, giving me my credit card. I kept looking at him waiting for him to continue, "It's your credit card. It is linked with my account, there's no need for you to stay reserved."

"I don't need it. Provide me food and shelter, that's enough for me." I coldly said and was about to leave but he held my wrist. My heart skipped a beat as my breath hitched by his touch, A shiver anticipated with fright went down my spine. He noticed the distress he caused me just by a mere touch of him as he pulled his hand away and said,

"Please, take it not as per contract but as my wife." He said- almost pleaded. A hollow smile was formed on my lips as I replied, "A toy can never be considered as your wife." I said the bitter reality and walked out.

I went to our room and freshened myself. I took a deep breath and leaned on the wall waiting for him to come and torment me like always. He entered the room and went to the bathroom. He walked out with water dripping from his hairs making him enthralling and he with nothing but a trouser and a towel around his neck even more enticing. I quickly averted my gaze trying not to look at his godly form. Looking at him like that always made me feel ashamed. I felt his gaze upon me as my heart skipped a beat. He took a step towards me and held me captive by his intense stare. My legs turned weak as I didn't dare to look at him. He stopped in front of me and kept looking at me.

The image of us at the party flashed through my mind when I begged him to stop but he didn't as he was so lost in defiling me.

Tears brimmed in my eyes remembering that horrendous day and the thought of being depraved made me immerse in dread even more.

I was trembling violently. He put his hand over my shoulder and I let out a squeak and took a step back. I am far too terrified. He broke me miserably. I want to yell that I can't do this anymore but my lips can do anything but to pant in his pernicious presence.

He tentatively put his other hand over my shoulder too as I shut my eyes and tears began to fall from my eyes.

"Calm.. down Sophie. I.. won't do anything." He said softly. I can never calm down in your presence! I shut my eyes more tightly and clenched my hands tightly as I involuntarily stopped my breath. I was so petrified that I forgot to open my mouth and breath as I felt my heartbeat becoming slow letting me fall deeper into the abyss. But I know that would be much better than this torture.

Once you elicit terrors in one's heart, they are almost impossible to remove ever again because a tiny mistake in redemption can leave the person shattered...