His eyes narrow and flash dangerously for a brief moment before he throws the coat onto the bed. Without warning, he grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the door.
I resist, planting my feet firmly, but he doesn’t exert more force. Instead, he steps closer, coils an arm around my waist, and forces me forward.
Like this, I have no choice—either I walk on my own, or he’ll carry me without risking me falling.
As we reach the doorway, I blurt out in defeat, “Fine, fine. Let me put it on. I’ll come with you.”
Without a word, he picks up the coat again and holds it out for me. I slip it on, tying the belt tightly around my waist. As we leave, his hand clamps around mine, gripping it firmly as if he’s afraid I might try to run.
When we sit side by side in the backseat of the car, I ignore the unpleasant presence of Rafael and the driver in the front. I reach for Tony’s hand. “Look, Tony, if this is about what I said the other night… I’m sorry, okay?”
He keeps his gaze fixed forward, but the corner of his mouth curls upward.
“But you have to admit, you said some pretty awful things to me too. Please, Tony,” I press on.
This time, I squeeze his hand tighter, and he finally turns his head toward me.
He doesn’t speak; he just looks at me. That tiny bit of attention gives me the nerve to continue.
“Look, we never really got the chance to know each other. Our relationship started off wrong from the very beginning. Let’s give ourselves a chance. Let’s get to know each other, for our baby’s sake.”
With his thumb, he strokes the skin of my hand that’s trapped in his, and for a fleeting moment, a weak flicker of warmth kindles inside me.
His tone is friendly, but his words are far from it. “You’re right. You clearly don’t know me, or you’d understand how steep the price for your out-of-line remarks can be. And I agree with your other point, sweetheart. Tonight, I’ll give you a chance to figure out who you’re dealing with. Let’s call tonight the beginning of a real relationship.”
Cold settles deep in my chest. How can someone hold onto a grudge so tightly?
I pull my hand away, realizing that whatever twisted script he’s written for me, I have to play the part. I don’t have a choice.
Deep down, I try to reassure myself that he wouldn’t harm me because of the baby. But even that thought can’t offer much comfort.
The drive to our destination feels endless, dragging on forever. Finally, the car stops in front of a lavish two-story villa surrounded by a sprawling garden.
The car pulls up directly in front of the grand, glittering mansion. Even with the doors closed, the thumping bass of music is impossible to miss.
Tony opens the door for me like some perfect gentleman and helps me out. His fake politeness only makes him seem like more of a natural-born psychopath.
A servant by the door greets Tony and steps aside for us. I haven’t even stepped inside before the pounding rhythm of the music slams into my chest and skull.
I cast one last desperate glance at Tony, silently pleading for him to change his mind. But the pressure of his hand on my lower back extinguishes the faint flicker of hope, and I step into the dimly lit mansion.
Though I’ve never been to a nightclub before, I imagine this is exactly what one looks like.
Bodies packed tight on the dance floor, grinding against each other under flashing blue and red lights.
A young woman approaches me, wearing nothing but a bikini. She’s tall, with a flawless figure, and her toothy smile glows in the low light, making her white teeth gleam.
Cheerfully, she asks me for my coat, but I refuse to part with my armor. Tony’s hand settles on my stomach as he unties the belt.
I have no desire to let go of my protective shield, but starting a scene here, embarrassing Tony in front of these people, doesn’t seem wise either.
Reluctantly, I shrug off the coat and hand it to the model-like girl. Tony takes my hand again, trapping it in his, and leads me straight into the middle of the crowd.
My nerves are shot. I can barely look around. My stomach churns, and acid rises to my throat. Thank God the lights are dim enough no one can really see me.
The air is thick with the smell of wine and cigarettes. As I focus, I can make out the wet sound of kisses beneath the pounding beat of the music.
We stop by a table laden with various drinks and snacks. Tony picks up a glass and hands it to me. I take it, bringing it to my nose to sniff.
