BOUND BY BETRAYAL

Chapter Twenty-three

Ashley's POV:

Tears welled up in my eyes as I sank onto the sofa, gazing out the window. Every inch of my body throbbed with pain as if my bones were shattered. It was unbearable to move as if I were being scorched by the flames of hell.

I knew deep down that I had to reclaim the company for my father, but how could I possibly do it while trapped under the same roof with a monster?

Lost in my thoughts, the door swung open, revealing Damien. He nonchalantly lit a cigarette, and as the smoke filled the room, I couldn't help but cough, feeling suffocated by the scent. But it seemed like my reaction only fueled his determination, as he continued to puff away, mocking my discomfort.

Using my right hand, I suddenly covered my nose, desperately trying to escape the pungent smoke. Damien didn't even spare me a glance, his attention was fixated on that picture. Strangely, anger and pain coursed through my veins, growing stronger as I watched him, lost in thought as he attentively stared at the image of the woman on the wall.

I wonder who this woman is to him. Who in her right senses will ever settle down with a monster?

"Get up!"

Suddenly, his loud tone made me flinch, and I quickly jumped off the sofa. I couldn't find the words to say, so I just kept staring into those captivating silver eyes that have haunted me since I first saw his photo in the media.

"What's your name?" He asked, his gaze still resting on those frames. His question was like a striking blow to the face, he didn't even know my goddamn name.

"How can you not know the name of your wife, that's ill?"  For unknown reasons, tears welled up in my eyes as I spoke, my voice trembling.

I parted my lips to say another thing when I was instantly greeted by Damien's large hand on my neck and just like a flash I was quickly smashed against the wall. I could feel his grip tightening around my throat, his other hand holding my waist. The sparks were quick, but this wasn't right. He leaned forward so that our noses were barely touching, and his breath on my lips sent chills down my spine.

What is wrong with me? I suddenly felt hot or could I say the room instantly became steamy for me and I couldn't think straight.

As Damien's lips brushed against my cheeks and reached my ears, his words dripped with venom as he questioned my assumption of being his wife. "What gives you the impression that you're my wife?"The emphasis he placed on the word "wife" made it clear that he had no intention of acknowledging our marriage.

Immediately, our eyes locked, and Damien's cold gaze pierced through me. His lips hovered over mine as he uttered hurtful words, "I can never have a slut as a wife, you were married under a condition," It was a painful reminder of his disdain towards me.

I felt a surge of pain in my eyes as Damien's words spilled from his lips as if they held no weight or meaning. "I am... I am not a slut, and I can never be one," I whispered, feeling like my chest was collapsing. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I mustered the strength to speak up, refusing to let his hurtful words get to me.

"The photos and videos in the media say otherwise," My heart sank as Damien's deadly grin spread across his lips. The weight of his words crushed me, and I suddenly went silent, tears streaming down my face. How could they believe it if I ever told them that I was not the woman in the video?

"How irresponsible could you be! Marrying a slut because of your selfish interest…… the whole world knows that we are married?" I mocked through teary eyes, my voice trembling with hurt and anger.

However, Damien's mocking words seemed to get stuck in his throat, and his face showed a mix of shock and confusion. He clearly wasn't expecting such a strong comeback from me.
"You……!!!" He roared, his eyes turning pernicious. But he paused, his glare fixed on me.

"Why did you stop?" My trembling lips moved faster than I would have liked, as I listened to the fast beating of my heart.

        His hold on me tightened harder. "Come on, what are you still waiting for? Beat me, kill me!!" I yelled, tears rolling down my face.

"Fuck…… no, this is impossible," he murmured to himself but I heard him. His gaze hardened coldly and he choked me deeper into the wall. "What the hell are you doing?" He asked, his intense gaze locked onto mine as if he were searching for something that had him confused.

Whatever that is going on through those evil minds of his is none of my problem. I could feel the air slowly leaving me and suddenly my hand squeezed his, ignoring the strange sparks and the undeniable attraction to lean against his bare chest. I placed my hand against his, my nails digging into his skin, "Hmmm………let me go!" I cried out through clenched teeth.

Confusedly, he suddenly let go of me and roughly tossed me to the bed as if I weighed nothing. His gaze shifted from contemplation to a cold, deathly stare directed at me.

"You will be going to a party with me tonight," he suddenly announced, "You better behave and don't act stupid," he warned and turned to leave.

I wanted to yell at him but my eyes couldn't help but to ogle at his well-defined muscles. I didn't know what was wrong with me; I thought I was supposed to hate him and not find him attractive.

Remembering his evil-doing, I managed to force my eyes away from his bare skin. Hurling a death stare toward him, "So you can finally humiliate me in front of the whole world and show them how worthless I am to you," I shook my head, stubbornly. "I have had enough, since I am not your wife I don't think it is necessary to go anywhere with you and besides you can go with her," I pointed at the wall.

He stopped and his gaze turned hazardous as he slowly followed the direction of my hand which stopped directly at the image on the wall.

Slowly turning his murderous gaze back to me, his eyes filled with anger and hostility. "Don't be mistaken little slut, everything is not about you. Going there still doesn't make you worthy to be addressed as my wife," strangely, his words hurt me more than I expected, but I pushed back the tears, refusing to let them fall.

"I won't be attending," I managed to keep my emotions out of my voice as Damien stared at me expressionless.

"You have no choice, you will be attending," he growled.

"Then I would see you try," I don't know where this bravery suddenly popped out from but one thing for sure is that I am frustrated and I want him to be as frustrated as I am.

Though I know that my sudden anger can lead to my doom_  I should never have played with fire but right now there is no going back.

His gaze narrowed on me, and he took a conscious step toward me. Part of me wanted to run away and shrink in fear, but before I could make any attempt to scramble away, something unexpected happened. He stopped in front of me and grabbed me, pulling me out of the bed so that we were now standing inches away from each other......

"Don't test my patience, slut, in as much I am tempted to end you right now but I will act like nothing happened because you will be valuable tonight," I inhaled his scent sharply, and a throaty sound slipped out of my lips involuntarily.

Snapping back to my senses I was left speechless, causing Damien's eyes to darken, he forcefully pulled me closer. I couldn't maintain his stern gaze, feeling weak in his presence. Electric sparks seemed to ignite on my skin, and my body grew uncomfortably hot. And I know he knows what he is doing, he is irresistible despite his dark aura.

Nonetheless, Damien quickly released his grip and harshly pushed me back to the bed. "If you value this peanut you called life, then you better not keep me waiting this night or you will leave me with no other option than to crush them into pieces," he threatened, before ruthlessly storming out of the room.

***What do you think about this chapter? Do you think it was necessary for Ashley to have challenged Damien knowing how deadly he could be…….. Though it seems like she feels something strange around him. What do you think was stopping Damien from ending her right now? Hmmm..... I think we will have to find out as time goes on.