Christian POV:-

I felt bad looking at Sophie. I know she was always in despair since the moment we got married but now, I want to obliterate that despair. Even though I can't give her love. But, I don't want to give her hate either. She had enough, I don't want to hurt her anymore. But, I know after what I did, she can never love me. I don't even want her to love me; I just don't want her to be scared of me. I want to redeem my mistakes. I want to start my life anew with her. Not with a contract but as husband and wife. Maybe, we both can find salvation like this. I wanted to remove the bad memories from her mind now but I know it's not possible... after what I did.

I made a wrong choice as I put my hand over her shoulder to calm her but she was far too terrified to relax in my presence.

I felt my heart heavy when tears rolled down her cheeks, I feel so guilty for doing this to her. I continued rubbing her shoulder, trying to soothe her but I noticed that she stopped her breath. A sudden dread took over me as I called her,

"Sophie... Sophie... Sophie!" She didn't answer and remained like this. I shook her hard as my body lost its strength. What have I done? Just how much I broke her? I continued to shake her and she finally suddenly came to her senses as she fell on the ground, coughing badly. My tense form hugged her as she was taking deep breaths.

"You idiot, why did you stop your breath?!" I panted. It took her some time to register what happened and when she did I felt her tears soaking my bare chest as she pushed me away and began to cry loudly. I lost my strength and the urge to beg for forgiveness rose in me but I know my acts were unforgivable. I felt so repentant."Sophie..." I called her softly but her loud sobs concealed my voice. Between her thundering cries of destruction, my calls of repentance become inaudible. I brought my trembling hand close to her but then I realized my touch caused all this as I pulled my hand back. I couldn't bear to look at her like this. I still can't believe that I did something like this. I was so lost in my apprehensions and hate that I not only pushed her away but shattered her.

I stood up and grabbed the duvet. My touch or my words will only make the matter worse. She was quivering and crying. I wrapped the duvet around her shaking form and looked at her for a second.

I want to tell her that I will never hurt her again. That from now on I'll protect her dignity. I'll never touch her. That I want to release us from this agony and find redemption in it but I know these words will be good as a lie to her and nothing can fix her right now.

"Sophie... I.. don't want to.. scare you.. anymore.." I hesitantly yet cautiously chose my words and left her alone with those loud cries of despair.

I went to a random room and tried to sleep but I couldn't, not when I am filled with such crimes, they are even more sinful than those. I stare at the ceiling thinking...

If I never got married to Merlin, if I never loved her. If I offered myself to her in the first place. Only if I keep my promise and marry Sophie like I was supposed to. Only if I told her everything and didn't make this marriage of ours a contract. Only if I didn't get that lost to make her hate me... Only if... There's no use talking like that now. I am filled with nothing but remorse now...

I can still hear her cries, calling me to stop but my cold form never took any pity upon her. Her tears didn't affect me, her cries were ignored by me. Her husband, who was supposed to protect her virtue, made her defile. I want to give myself the worst punishment ever for this. I don't deserve her. How can I do this to her?... Just how heartless I have become?

These thoughts filled my mind as I found myself losing in that darkness...

I am in my office but my mind is somewhere else.

"Sir!" I was dragged out from my thoughts as I saw Henley frowning at me.

"What?" I asked as she sighed,

"I am asking for those approval papers from the government for our new Charity trust."

"Oh, that, it's..." I looked around to find that file but it wasn't here. "At my home..." I completed my sentence.

"Are you alright sir? You seemed so lost these days?" She asked. "I'm fine. I'll send the driver to get it."

"The meeting is in an hour. Can't someone from your house come? Maybe your wife?" She suggested. I shivered when I heard it. I really doubt that she'll agree to come here. "I'll see about it. You may leave." She smiled and left. What should I do? I took a deep breath and called Sophie.

"Hello." I heard her scared voice. God Damn it! Even on the phone, she is scared! Good job you idiot!

"Sophie, I need your help," I said as she hummed in response. "Yes?"

"In my study, there's a green file with a tag of approval on it. Can you bring it here?"

"Okay, I'll send it by the driver." She said. I felt bad, I want her to come but... leave it. "Thanks," I said as I cut the call.

Sophie POV:-

I don't know what to say about Christian, now not only his eyes but his actions show penitence and compassion. I want to believe badly that he won't hurt me anymore but I can't bring myself to. I just want liberation from this. I was to be released from this suffering.

When you broke me that miserably, how can you expect me to relax in your presence or even forgive you?

I sighed as I went to his studies and took the file he asked me to get for him.

"Samuel, can you send this file to Christian's office?" I asked.

"I am afraid no, Ma'am, Peter is not here.' He said.

"What about Josh?" I asked about the other driver.

"He is at Sir's office." I nodded.

"I'll gladly do it but I have my work here. But, I can drop you off." He suggested. I thought about it for a second.

"Okay," I said. Seems like I've got no choice.

I felt so nervous about it. I used to see his building from outside, I never thought that I'd ever entered the Elvis Empire. With my freezing hand, I walked inside. I walked towards the reception, "Yes? How may I help you?" The receptionist asked with a smile.

"I am here to deliver this file to Christian," I said. Her mouth gaped when I called her boss by his name. "And you might be?" She asked.

"Sir Christian's wife." Another voice came, I turned and saw his rude assistant, this time smiling at me. I pass her a faint smile.

"Please don't stand here. Come with me." She offered as I nodded and followed her. We were in the lift as she said,

"Ma'am, I am sorry for my earlier rude behaviour." She asked looking down. I flashed a smile and said, "It's alright." She smiled brightly.

We walked out. Since, I have worked in Amber One, so that high building didn't intimidate me but its workers do, especially their boss; Christian.

Henley knocked as his deep voice came, "Come in."

She opened the door and motioned me to come in. I walked in as Christian was shocked to see me.

"Sir, The meeting is in 10 minutes." She said as she left me alone with him.

I timidly hand him the file, "Here you go." I said feebly. "Thanks." He smiled. Maybe this is the first time, he smiled at me. I looked away and was about to leave but he said,

"Sophie, can you wait, I'll finish my meeting and then we can go home together. Please." He said desperately. He knows that I'll refuse. I looked at him for a second and then took a seat. His smile grew wider as he stood up, "Thanks, I'll be back." He said as he left, leaving me alone here. I don't know why I stayed.

I was looking around. The room was quite big, well that was expected. I looked around. I walked towards the window and looked out of it. Even Amber One wasn't that big. I was looking out and got so lost in thoughts.

Why did he become that sweet? Did he regret doing that? No, I agreed for this and that's how our marriage was supposed to be. I allowed him to defile me then why do I feel scared and disgusted by his touch? Why is it unbearable when we both agree it's nothing but lust?

Filled with unwanted thought, I saw the sun setting. The crepuscular sight made a smile crept upon my lips. Remembering how I used to sit under the twilight filled with little but silly dreams.

"It feels good to sit under the twilight filled with little but silly dreams, isn't it?" I heard Christian's voice. He spoke those exact words that crossed my mind. I turned and looked at him. I met his gaze for a second then, looked down.

"Let's go..." I said faintly. He nodded as he was about to take some files from his desk but didn't, just took his office bag and opened the door for me. I walked out as he closed the door behind him.

We walked towards the lift. It was already filled with lots of people. I stood in the corner as far away from him as possible because of the cramped place. He also stood on the other corner as I hugged my sides and didn't meet his gaze.

I felt a hand on my waist and turned to see a person smirking at me. I narrowed my eyes as the urge to let out all the hatred building inside me at him. I tried to move away but his hand cascaded down. My consternated form wanted to get away from this guy. Before I could do something about the bastard, Christian held his collar first- gaining everyone's attention. My eyes widened as he growled at him,

"Touch my wife or even try to look at her and Consider yourself dead and that goes for all of you!" He threatened not him but everyone else too. My heart skipped a beat by his possessiveness. My breath caught up in my throat by his demeanour. I slowly raised my gaze and met him.

"Also, Tell this to every employee. Got it?" He scowled, scaring everyone in the lift.

"Y-Yes S-sir, I-I am s-sorry, Ma'am." The guy said in dread as the door opened and Christian took my hand and dragged me out with him. I looked at his back for a second. His touch was protective. For the first time, I felt secure in his presence. As if nothing can harm me.

'Yeah right, nothing but him.' My mind scolded me and the millisecond of insurance faded away...

I bit my lips and looked at him. Even though he was just holding my hand but it was possessive. We walked out of the lobby as everyone looked at us. I didn't feel ashamed this time when he took me out with my hands in his. I wonder why?

We walked out as he turned his attention to me. I kept looking at him with an innocent and baffled look. He looked down and abruptly let go of my hand, "I am sorry for this and for... holding your hand.." He said the last part to himself but I heard it and kept looking down.

"Take me home..." I whispered in a croaked voice. He gave me a sorrowful look as he opened the door of his BMW for me.

The drive was silent as always. As we were going, he stopped at a garden. I looked at him bewildered but he got out, so do I, "Why are we here?" I asked. He turned his head to me and smiled, "It's admirable how you survived living in that hell." "That's what I signed for," I whispered.

"A reprieve from dread isn't bad once in a while." He said with a gentle smile. I looked at him. Why is he being that nice? Was it because of last night, because I didn't let him touch me and he wants to lower my fears just to fulfil his desires? I shivered at the thought and looked at him coldly, "I can never relax in your presence, take me home."

"You don't have to acknowledge my presence. Do whatever you want. I'll sit somewhere away from you. Meet me at the entrance at six, then we will leave." He suggested. Feeling alarmed, I look at the garden. I really want to go.

"Fine.." I said and walked in leaving him behind.

I walked around receiving a heavenly feeling of solace around me. I closed my eyes as the cold breeze wrapped around me giving me glee. I continued to walk around, receiving a great feeling of gratification. I was so lost in that reprieve, I forgot about the time.

I was swinging on a swing and smiling widely.

"There you are!" I heard a voice and saw Christian panting. My smile faded when I looked at him in fright, thinking he might not be angry for making him wait. I quickly stood and moved back, "Christian. I am sorry. I forgot about the time." I said breathlessly.

His worried eyes blinked and flickered with compassion. "Sophie... It's alright." He tried to assure me. "Sit..." he motioned me to sit back on the ground. "Aren't we going back?" I asked.

"It's alright. Wait here, I'll be back." He said as he left. I swallowed the lump in my throat and sat down and looked at the ground devoid of any emotions. After a few moments, he came back. "Here you go." He offered me a chocolate ice-cream. I looked away not wanting to take it. "I know you love it. Take it." He grinned as I hesitantly took it. He leaned on the pole as I was sitting on the swing. Why is he being so nice?

"I never told you that I love it," I said and looked at him.

"You know me, don't you? What are you hiding from me?" I asked desperately. I don't want to stay in the dark. I deserve to know.

He looked at me for a second and came to me. I cringe when he bends in front of me.

"Look Sophie, Yes, I know everything about you ever since your childhood... I couldn't tell you how and why... for now. But, Can you wait? I promise I'll tell you when the time will come." He tried to reassure me but I shuddered when he said he knows everything. Swallowing hard, I gave him a tentative nod.

He smiled wide and stood up. "Come, let's go back," he said as we went back home.

He is being so nice for the past few days, if he is trying to compensate for that horrific night, then he's wrong. I will never forgive him. My shattered form, filled with dread is beyond any redemption...

My heart is broken like glass, it's shards are pricking my soul, bleeding it to death...