Emma's heart sank when he entered the room.

Occupying the bed, she didn't know what to do? How to react? Should she stay or scramble away? Run or hide from his wrath?

What was left anyway?

Emma fisted the bed sheet when he entered suddenly. His eyes impassive , his face stone cold and then he stiffened . .as if just realizing he couldn't be alone in his room anymore.

With bated breath, she saw his eyes shift to her figure and instantly his eyes filled up with unkempt hostility and volatile rage!

He slammed the door shut!

Making her jump!

As he stalked towards the bed, his hard chest raising up an down. The exhilaration getting to him. He was on her head in the blink of an eye.

Watching her occupying his bed , clutching at his bed sheet . . Maximus clenched his fists. Every breath seemed to draw in fire , hate and. .an emotion he couldn't seem to get rid of .

"Just the thought of sharing the same air as you is beyond disgusting . " His low voice ripped her heart into shreds.

"Pat yourself on your back. You got what you wanted, Emma." His snide remark had her getting off the bed.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yeah. Why the heck do you need a p-"

Maximus cut the call.

Something was wrong with him.

He should feel angry! Betrayed! His soul should be on fire! He should think about ruining the world but no. .all he felt was a deadly calm.

The calm before a storm.

He knew what he had to do.

××××××××××

Pacing in her room, Emma tried not to hyperventilate. She kept giving the shut door wary glances like a fire breathing dragon could rip across it anytime.

May be she should slap a chair under the bolt. .

Nodding absently, she went towards the chair while trying to manage her gorgeous gown and just had her hand wrapped around the handle when-

The door flew open!

Startling her , her heart went cold but as her eyes found the intruder. . She almost collapsed with relief. Her shoulders relaxed and she left the chair alone.

"Maximus. ." She breathed out.

His jaw taut, his eyes sweeped over her in one fiery manner making her feel safe. .and somewhat hot.

The perspiration on her neck didn't lie.

"Emma." He bit out her name in a careless manner not at all making sense to her.

Taking a handful of her stupid gown , she walked towards him . . wanting to be as close to him as possible . He was his comfortable corner in this world.

To see him, it calmed her. Cured her.

Seeing her come at him, he didn't try to erase the distance between them.

"How much do you want me?" He asked suddenly, making her halt in motion.

"What. ."

"How much do you want me?" He repeated, more like sneered.

Emma swallowed. "Love can't be calculated."

His dark eyebrow shot up. "Love? You love me?" Maximus smirked as if he found her funny.

What was the point of denying it?

"I do." Emma answered bravely.

He shut his eyes and took in a deep breath, clenching and unclenching his fists.

"Maximus. .what's wrong-"

He didn't give her a chance as he swopped in on her like an eagle. His hand wrapped around her wrist-his long fingers digging into her skin-branding it red-while Emma tried to make sense of what was happening.

"Let go!" She struggled against his hold and he watched her struggle . . seeing her beautiful face morphed into disbelief. . seeing her lashes flutter frightfully. .an inch of space between their bodies that he wanted to eat up and yet he couldn't. .

An image flashed in his head and his grip tightened around her wrist.

"You're hurting me!"

"Good. That's the plan , sweetheart."

With that he turned around and stalked towards the door.

Dragging an unwilling Emma behind.

×××××××××

He had her stuffed in the car forcefully.

Emma tried to ask him , beg him but all she got was a stoic silence and a loathing gaze that cracked at her heart.

Rubbing her wrist, her eyes filled up with unshed tears as she tried to recall what had happened? What had she done to win his cold behavior?

The car sped on the road in the middle of the night. The dark sceneries blurring away. .she had no idea where he was taking her.

"Cry all you want. It won't change your DNA."

Her glossy eyes shot up to his side profile. Stubbornly, he was staring ahead at the road . .not at all bothered by her sniffing. Or silent cries.

"What's that suppose to mean?" She asked , wiping her cheek with the back of her hand.

"Not everything has a meaning. Not every question has an answer."

To Emma his voice seemed strange and then it hit her. He was talking like he didn't know her.

Like he didn't kiss her into oblivion.

"Maximus. .why. .why are you doing this?" Her voice broke at the end.

He glanced at her.

Seeing the hurt in her eyes did something to his heart but he didn't give a shit.

"You deserve it."

Emma opened her mouth when he slammed the brakes. She would have bashed her head again the dashboard if it weren't for the seat belt keeping her in place.

Maximus slipped out of the car and she watched his dark figure approach her side.

Opening the door -

Their eyes collided with each other . Reminding each other of all the sweet moments they had spend together- his mouth slanted into a harsh line as if getting a reminder of an unpleasant memory.

He snatched at her arm and pulled her out of the car! Emma winced at his vice like grip but he didn't let her so much as breath because he started to walk.

Dragging her behind.

Even in the dead of the night Emma could recall this place. An old chapel she had seen Diana in.

What was he going to do to her?!

In a chapel?!

Climbing the stairs , Emma nearly toppled over-clutching the back of his shirt with her free hand!

He didn't respond.

He kept going. Taking determined steps ahead.

As they entered the old building, Emma stopped struggling for what lay ahead . . .she could never have imagined it in her wildest dreams!

Miles.

A priest.

Some papers.

She had stopped in her tracks but Maximus pulled at her hand , forcing her to follow him.

"Come on guys, I gotta go home." The priest grumbled.

"Sign them up." Miles pushed a stack of papers under Maximus's nose while looking for a pen in his pants's pocket. "Damn it! It was right here-There!" He got the pen out and with a stone face . .

Maximus let go of her hand only to sign the papers.

Just as he finished , his eyes cut through her . .and he forced her to sign the legal documents.

"Congratulations, you guys!" Miles exclaimed, pushing up his glasses.

The priest rolled his eyes and started to chant everything holy.

". .you may now kiss the bride." The priest said in a monotone voice.

Her heart in shambles and her mind in disbelief, she looked at him-her husband?!

Her husband closing the distance between them in one stride . Not at all giving her a chance to prepare herself as he descended on her! Smashing his mouth against hers in a ruthless manner!

Punishing her with a kiss!

××××××××××××