Chapter 12 Record It
Charles never used to smoke around me. Now, it seemed like he was always lighting up. Guessed the habit was stronger than I thought.
He’d always been good at controlling his emotions and desires, so how did he hold back from smoking? I couldn’t help but wonder.
He lounged back in the driver’s seat, a cigarette dangling from his fingers as his other hand rested idly on the wheel.
His gaze was fixed ahead, his entire posture the picture of relaxed control. He then blew out a slow stream of smoke. The whole scene was strangely captivating.
I was still lost in my own thoughts when his cold voice cut through the silence. “Get out.”
My heart dropped. I stared at him, confused.
He didn’t even look my way, his expression still frosty. “Who said you could get in? Out.”
Honestly, I was shocked. I really thought he’d stayed behind for me. I even thought the cigarette was just an excuse. After all, he could smoke and drive at the same time.
I didn’t argue. I moved to open the door, but before I could, he suddenly grabbed me and pulled me back. The force threw me against the seat, leaving me dazed.
Then he was leaning in, his scent wrapping around me. His kiss was rough, aggressive, tinged with the faint taste of tobacco.
My lips stung from the pressure, and I instinctively tried to push him away.
He finally broke away, his eyes cold and sharp. “It seems like my warnings and punishment mean nothing to you. No wonder you’re always grinning, asking when I’ll be back. Just so you can sneak out and see Ethan.”
“That’s not it,” I protested. “I didn’t come out to see him.”
Charles let out a cold laugh. “But you still saw him, didn’t you?”
Touché. My explanation sounded weak even to myself. So I shut my mouth and said nothing.
Charles suddenly grabbed my chin, his grip so tight it hurt. The move brought back a sharp memory of our wedding night.
I’d done the same to him, full of rage and resentment. I’d squeezed hard and sneered, “Your face isn’t bad, but how could you ever compare to Ethan? If it weren’t for your scheming, I’d never have married you.”
Back then, he just stared back at me with those dark, unreadable eyes.
I’d snapped, “Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out.”
No wonder Bella said I treated him terribly. Looking back, I really was too harsh.
So now, when Charles dug his fingers into my chin, I didn’t fight back. I just let him hold me there.
“Anna,” he said, his voice low and tense, “do you really like Ethan that much?”
“No,” I answered calmly, ignoring the ache in my jaw.
He let out a cold laugh. “No? Then why do you keep running to him? Why were you calling his name in your sleep?”
My eyes widened. I hardly ever dream of Ethan. “Me? That’s impossible. Stop making things up!”
He smirked, a mocking glint in his eyes. “Next time, I’ll record it for you. How’s that?”
I shut my mouth immediately. There was no point arguing with him.
My head was spinning. If he was so obsessed with his ex, why did he care about my dreams? His whole deal was humiliating me, so why did my feelings even matter?
And talking to him was a dead end. No matter how many times I swore I was over Ethan, he just wouldn’t listen.
His expression darkened, as if he’d remembered something bitter. His stare grew colder, sharper. It sent a chill straight down my spine. His grip was so tight I thought my jaw might crack.
“Let me go,” I choked out. “I’ll get out. I won’t ride with you.”
But he didn’t release me. Instead, he leaned closer, his voice a low snarl. “If Ethan had been around back then, would you have really gone to him? Would you have asked him to pay off your family’s debt and been with him?”
Successfully unlocked!
“No,” I said instantly. Whether it was true or not, that was the only power it could give.
I thought maybe that would satisfy him and he’d finally let go. But his eyes only narrowed as he shouted, “Do you really think he likes you? He only got close to you because-”
“Stop it,” I cut him off, frustration boiling over.
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Chapter 12 Record It
Ethan whispered that Charles had a lover and could never want me. And then Charles implied Ethan’s interest wasn’t real. Was I really so unworthy of being loved? Did I only exist to be used?
Charles stared at me, fierce and unblinking, before a slow, chilling laugh escaped him. He finally released my chin and leaned back, lighting another cigarette. The cold smile never left his lips.
“So,” he said, exhaling smoke. “You’re upset because I said he didn’t really like you?”
“It’s not that,” I insisted, sitting up straighter. “Don’t worry. I won’t betray you before our arrangement is over.”
“And after it ends?” he pressed, voice dangerously soft. “Then you’ll betray me?”
“I won’t.”
“Who would believe that?”
I sighed in frustration. “Fine, whatever. Anyway, once we’re done, what I do won’t be any of your business. It’s not like it would be betrayal.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. What if he decided to never let me go because of this? Stupid. I wasn’t thinking. I was just angry.
Charles’s eyes narrowed slowly, glinting with something cold and dangerous.
I quickly pushed the car door open. “I’ll take a cab. I won’t bother you.”
This time, he didn’t try to stop me. He remained perfectly still, a faint but threatening smile on his face. It was a look that promised this wasn’t over, like a cat that knew the mouse could never truly get away.
A shiver ran through me. I turned and hurried toward the roadside, arm raised to hail the first taxi I could find.
I didn’t breathe easily until I was safely inside the taxi and watched Charles’s car finally drive away. I let out a soft sigh. He could be absolutely terrifying.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.
Where could I go? Home? But Charles was clearly in a foul mood. If he went back too, I’d be walking right into the lion’s den. Better to let him cool off first. Maybe I should visit my parents.
Just as I was thinking it, my mom called. I answered, and her tearful voice immediately filled the line.
My heart dropped. “Mom? What’s wrong?”
“Annie, you have to come home right now,” she sobbed. “Something terrible has happened.”
Charles had set my parents up in a nice house in an upscale neighborhood. I rushed over, and the moment I stepped inside, I heard my mother crying. My chest tightened.
“Annie.” She hurried over, grabbing my hands, her face streaked with tears. “What are we going to do?”
“What happened?” I asked, my voice tense. “Tell me.”
Still crying, she led me into the bedroom.
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