After crying my heart out, I walked out and saw Christian sitting on the bed rubbing his temples. At this time, I felt immense loathe and abhor for him. I stood in front of him and gave him a detestable look. My heart skipped a beat just thinking about the consequences of my words. Mentally preparing myself for the worst, I said with venom,

"Do you remember, the day Eugene woke up, I said I wanted to talk to you?" He looked up at me as he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You know what I wanted to say?" I said as a tear fell from my eye. He kept looking at me with his distress eyes as I said that staring deep into his murk eyes with resentment,

"I want liberation. An eternal reprieve from this hell." I snarled as it took him some seconds to register what I was saying. Once, he comprehends my words, his eyes widened as he stood up and it feels like the intimidation which was hidden for the past weeks burst out with much force. My heart feels like it's gonna leap out of my chest as I looked at his eyes that are beyond angry now.

"You know what are you saying?" He said calmly but his voice was saying, 'take back what you said or else...'

I stood still despite the fact that my life is giving up on me. He took a step closer as he put his hands in his pocket and looked at me with his dire gaze,

"You truly want me to break my promise, don't you?" He hissed.

"That promise doesn't have any meaning to you in the first place." I hissed back which is a very bad choice- like my life.

"Okay... then let me help you recall what I said when we first met." He said with his piercing gaze that made me deprived of energy. He took a step closer as my feet glued to the floor and no matter how much I want to run away, I can't. Lost in the overwhelming presence before me I remained motionless.

"Once this started, you are stuck." he quoted his exact words that made me submerge in frights. I began to pant in terror as his hands were clenching and unclenching and I see he was trying to refrain himself. I don't know what took over me as I fueled his anger more,

"I don't want to live with a guy like you! I hate you!" I shouted as he stopped. My breath, his wrath, everything. This alarms me that what I have done is to take his rage to a whole new level. My body began to quiver as the terror in my eyes became visible.

He looked away for a second but the other second I was pinned harshly to the wall as I squeaked in pain. He held my arm tightly as I whimpered in pain, his grip was so tight it felt like it could stop the flow of blood. Tears blurred my vision as he moved close to my face and I turned my head to my side not wanting his face close to mine,

"You know I can easily draw out those terrors that are running through your veins." He whispered vehemently as tears rolled down my cheeks. I lost myself in apprehensions as I realized that I am stuck and he won't free me that easily. Upon seeing my tears his grip tightens as I let out another shriek in pain.

"If something like this ever came upon your lips..." He whispered on my neck as a shiver went down my spine in terror. I let out a convulsed gasp to calm my horror-struck form but to no avail because I am lost in his apparitions.

He put my hands over my head as he held it with one hand while his other hand gripped my jaws forcefully as he made me look at him. Tears continued to fall as my body was shuddering in dread. I continued to let out a loud gasp of fright when he moved closer and whispered on my lips, completing his sentence,

"I'll make sure that nothing but my name echo through these halls... " I shut my eyes as his grip tightened causing me to whimper more.

"It hurts!" I screeched which caused him to come back to his senses as he immediately took a step back. I fall on the ground holding my wrists as they hurt a lot.

He ran his hand through his raven locks, "DAMN IT SOPHIE!" He yelled as he kicked the table causing the vase to fall on the ground terrifying me as I almost screamed in dread. He began to pace around the room as I sat in the corner crying. He walked towards my crying mess form as I curled like a ball,

"Stop crying." He breathes out but my petrified form didn't comply to him which cause him to growl,

"I SAID STOP CRYING!" he shouted. I startled, this is the first time he shouted at me like this. I put my hand over my mouth to muffle my cries as he continued to look at me with that intense furious look. He took a deep breath as he bends to my level. Tears were falling but the sound was muffled by my hand.

"You. Can't. leave. Me."He ordered as my powerless form gave him a nod. He moved his hand to my mouth and removed my hand as my breath hitched. He continued to look at me with his unfathomable gaze but the remorse and hurt were clear in his eyes. He exhaled his anger and looked at me with dejection. His eyes scanned my horrified form and he knew he broke his promise. Eventually, his anger disappeared thin into the air and penitence took over,

"I am sorry... Just don't leave me ... I don't want to be alone again." He spoke hoarsely, looking away as he stood up and began to move back. The shards of glass pricked his foot but he didn't flinch as he paced around the room with his bloodied foot for about a minute and then left without saying another word leaving me alone in the room with the traces of blood and a heavy heart. He was so distressed, he was refraining himself to hurt me. I hid my face in my knees as I began to sob again.

Just what is our relation?

When there's no love why are you refraining yourself? When our relationship is based upon lust, then why aren't we going in any intercourse? When I don't love you then why do I feel hurt by looking at you like this? Why do you feel hurt by me being hurt?

As these thoughts filled my mind, mother's words echoed in my mind,

He needs you

I grit my teeth in frustration. Just what turns my life has taken?...

Christian POV:-

That woman is driving me insane with her tears. What does she want? At first, she defended me in front of everyone, shocking me to no extent. I never thought that she'll choose me over her brother. Instead of taking her brother's side, she took mine. And after that, she became angry with me that filled me with the guilt of breaking her heart again. Her words broke my heart and when I came to the room she suddenly asked for a divorce. Just what the hell is wrong with her?

And once again, lost in anger and the inner demon of mine, I scared her. I was trying so hard to remove those apprehensions and once again I evoked them.

Once again, she was crawling beneath my feet like a vulnerable being. Just how much it shattered my heart. Her place is not there. I don't want her to be like that. I broke my promise, I doubt that she'll ever trust me again. She provoked me to become what I am not. I didn't mean to hurt her intentionally.

Even if I don't love her but that doesn't give me the right to treat her like trash. She'll be lost in frights now. Maybe, I should ask for forgiveness in the morning when her fears might be lowered or perhaps, I shouldn't show her my face for a while but then she'll be scared to see me.

I covered my face with my hands as I continued to curse myself.

As I was loathing myself, I heard the creaking sound of the door being opened. I remained still thinking who might be here but the sweet floral scent was enough for me to know that it's Sophie.

I removed my hand from my face and looked at her, "What are you doing here?"I asked her but she ignored me as she sat on the ground and held my foot. I quickly pulled my foot back as I asked,

"What are you doing?" What happened to her? Why is she holding my foot? A smirk crept upon her lips as she sneered,

"I didn't know that you were a masochist." She mocked me using my words as I saw blood coming out from my foot. When did that happen? It must have been from that vase I broke earlier, I didn't pay attention to it.

"I'm not." I also used her words.

"I think you are. Your face tells you are not even aware of the fact that it's present." She taunted.

"I think I deserve it," I said looking at her with a sad smile.

"You do." She said as she took a hold of my foot.

I continued to look at her as she applied an antiseptic to my foot and then applied bandage. I continued to look at her. A glint of hurt in her eyes by looking at my blood made my heart ached. Her eyes always shine with devotion and even she is not aware of that fact. I don't know what she considers it maybe obligation but to me it's devotion. As I was looking at her captivating eyes, I got so lost in them. Were they always that compelling?

"I know I am beautiful. Stop staring." She once again taunts me as I lowered my gaze.

"I.. am sorry... I didn't mean-" She cut me off,

"It's alright. Forget what happened." I looked at her in disbelief as her gaze remained void. "Don't leave me.. Sophie... I don't want to be alone." I whispered in dolour, looking down. She took a pause and spoke after taking a deep breath, "I won't... for now." My heart clenched but I remained silent. At least she is staying.

She tied a knot on the bandage and looked at me with her cold gaze, "First, You tell me why didn't you tell me Eugene knows everything?" She asked. I looked away, "Your brother said not to tell you."

"What exactly did you tell him?" She asked again.

"I told him that we had a contract marriage. That she did it just to save you. This and that.." Her eyes narrowed as she threw a nearby pillow at me, "You..." She hissed.

"I told you. I'm sorry!" I said putting my hand in the air prevented myself from any further assault.

She growled as she laid to the side and crossed her arms at her chest.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"I am preparing for a trip to the moon. Of course, I am sleeping!" She turned.

"You can sleep in your room." She sat up as she smirked, "Can you even walk?"

"I can. I came here from that room."

"Oh, is that so? Then go and turn off the lights." She said. "Yes, watch it," I said and when I put my foot on the ground a sudden pain shot through my foot. I looked at her who was looking at me with a smug look.

"Okay, I can't walk," I said in defeat and she smiled victoriously as she stood up and turned off the lights and come back to lay with me.

A darkness fell upon the room which caused an intense dread to take over me. The curtain was covered and Sophie even turned off the zero bulb as the pitch darkness fell upon the room. I shudder, I was about to hold Sophie but stopped midway. I felt her sitting up and standing up leaving me alone. But thankfully she removed the curtains as moonlight ignited the room a little. I have fixed a bulb outside the window of our room so that our room won't be gloomy, that's why I don't like being in other rooms.

I deeply thanked Sophie for removing curtains. She laid back again as I finally drifted to sleep in peace...

The next morning I woke up and saw Sophie sitting on the chair looking ready. I sat up as I looked at her,

"Morning.." I said yawning. She chuckled and replied, "Good morning sleepy boy." I smiled and was about to stand but Sophie rushed to my side and helped me to stand. I looked at her as my heart skipped a beat.

She helped me to go to the bathroom. I freshened myself but didn't take a shower. I walked out as she helped me to walk again,

"It's alright." I said but she pouted, "No, it's not." I sighed as it's impossible to argue with her. We went to our room as I said, "Can you take out my suit? I need to go to the office." I said as she shook her head 'no'. I raised my eyebrow at her,

"We're going to see a doctor check your foot and I have told Henley that you are not coming to work." She said swinging her legs.

"Why?! You know I got work to do." I said exasperated but she just mimicked me, "I got work to do." I glared at her but she was not paying attention.

"Should I bring your breakfast here?" She asked as I sighed and nodded. She smiled and left. I laid on the bed as I stared at the ceiling. Last night, Just last night.. just forget it...

She came with the tray of food for breakfast as she put it on the bed,

"I will also take my breakfast here." She smiled as I sat up and we began to eat,

"Your appointment is at 4 pm. Until then, stay in that room, I'll go to the grocery shop and buy chocolates for you and ice-cream for me. I know you like chocolate." A smirk appeared on the corner of her lips when she said, "When did you..?" She never ceases to amaze me.

"When you know everything about me, knowing little things about you isn't much of a deal for me." She said proudly.

"By the way, I want to know how much do you know about me tell me the name of my favourite flower?"

"Sunflower."

"My favourite place to hang out?"

"Parks."

"My favourite colour?"

"Violet."

"My first crush?"

"Jacob from Twilight." Her mouth gaped.

"Amazing!" She exclaimed as I smirked.

"See."

"Sophie, listen.," I called her. She was awestruck but hummed in response,

"You.. are sold to me... " I said as her eyes widened when she looked at me in disbelief. She looked at me as if she didn't comprehend what I have said,

"But.. the reason for me marrying you is..." I took a deep breath as she was lost in obscurity. "My mother... loved you a lot... She always wanted me to marry you. It was her dying wish that I marry you..."

"That's all I can tell you... for now.." I said looking away. My words hit her like a truck as if she was being crushed by the weight of my words.

"No... Christian.. Tell me everything. After telling me this. Don't leave me in that dark anymore." She said in a low voice as she held my shirt and I kept looking away, "I don't have enough courage.." I whisper. Her trembling form produces a vague sound.

"Please.." She pleads as I didn't meet her gaze.

"Did he sell me?" She asked with hate as I gave her a nod. I heard her mumbling 'bastard' but she then let go of my shirt as she said, "Who is your mother?" I remained silent again because if I told her name to her she'll be devastated.

"Please can you wait? I just need to muster some courage to tell you everything." I asked. She bit her lips and closed her eyes. "Okay.." She breathed. She slowly looked at me and asked, "The reason for our marriage was that promise, you never had any interest in satisfaction, don't you?" I nodded. "Then why did you use me like this?" She asked as a tear released from her eye.

"If I suddenly come to your home saying I want to fulfil the promise of marrying you. Will you accept?"I asked. She bit her lips and stopped her tears as I felt disheartened.

"Even mother knows all this. Your marriage is worth more than you think. I think I understand what you meant mother." She whispered to herself. I know this is too much for her to bear that's why I can't tell her everything. She looked at me as tears glimmer her cheeks,

"What am I Christian? A thing sold to you? An object used to fulfill promises? A toy to satisfy your lust? Tell me, what am I?!" She cried as she burst into tears. I have seen her tears but I don't know why. This time, I felt like she needs a shoulder to cry on as I moved close to her wrapped my arms around her pulling her into a hug as she held my shirt and began to cry out loud,

"What the hell am I?!" She cried as her tears soaked my shirt but I don't mind. I rubbed her back as she continued to sob. I pity her, she is so fragile.

"Do I have a life on my own!?" She cried again. I felt bad for her. The sound of her sobs made me feel like I am burning on a raging fire. If she comes to know who suggested to me to marry her like this, she'll be in despair forever. I can never tell her that her own mother told me to marry her like this. She can't bear it.

I continued to soothe her. The sound of her cries filled my heart with grief. I shifted a little and pulled her close. I wiped her tears as her sobs caused chaos in my mind. We slowly pulled away as I felt heartbroken looking at her like this. I wiped her tears with my thumb as my other hand went from her back to her hair.

I don't know what took over me as my heart began to race as I lost myself in mesmerizing her features and pulled her into a kiss. She was shocked as she didn't move a bit. A spark, for the first time, traveled through me when my lips made contact with her delicate ones. I felt like my lips were attached to hers as if they were made for them. A sudden feeling of adoring emerged from me but before it could take over me, I gained control over myself.

She remained motionless as I slowly pulled away, "Please don't cry. Your cries hurt me. It's unbearable.." I said panting, hiding the urge to pull her into a kiss again. My face was so close to hers as she looked at me with her teary gaze. Her lips were trembling as she looked down, "I am not a thing.." She said and I realized what I have done as my throat dried.

"Kiss me whenever you want, reject me whenever you want." She whispered as she pushed me away. I felt so embarrassed.

"Stop toying with my feelings Christian!" She shouted as she began to wipe her tears that kept rolling down her cheeks.

"I-I am s-sorry Sophie, I didn't want to... I.. d-don't know w-what took over me. P-Please f-forgive me.." I stuttered as I looked away awkwardly. Her words hit me like an arrow. Reject me whenever you want.

I clench my hand in a tight grip as I didn't meet her gaze, feeling ashamed.

"Please... stop it.." She cried. Mustering some courage I looked at her said,

"I swear I am not playing with your feelings. I have given you nothing but tears. I just want to put a halt to those tears, they are taking my life out of me. It hurts me whenever I see you like this. Please forgive me, Sophie. I don't want you to cry anymore" I said earnestly. She sniffed as she wiped her tears and looked at me. She dug her fingers in her palm, seems like she is calming herself down or probably she was refraining herself from something.

A silence fell upon us. I kept looking at her with the corner of my eye. She took a deep breath and said, "I am going to the grocery shop. Have you eaten?" She asked looking away.

"I have," I said, turning my head away from her. She picked the tray, "I'll be back." She said as she left. Leaving me alone...

I looked at my bandaged foot. When her eyes become that attractive? When that sympathy of mine turned into that in-depth emotion I deny from the bottom of my heart?

Before these feelings grew stronger, I had to eradicate them, but this time not by shattering her but rather avoiding her. It will be best for both of us. Your heart held nothing but loathing for me and it will be better if nothing but hate resides in your eyes.

Even if I get support by having you in my life. Even if I was saved from solitude but I.. am sorry. I can't. I can't. I don't want you to leave me. If I love you, you'll hate me even more and eventually leave me. You have only talked about leaving me, I am sure one day, you will leave me without leaving a trace as I'll be thrown deeper in the darkness that's why. I'll let that toxic feeling kill me slowly rather than dying by your love...