Page 137 of Maddening Fixation

His voice dropped into a dangerous growl, thick with loathing.

“This isn’t a marriage. It’s your goddamn punishment. A contract I’m forced to suffer through for two years. Until those two years are over, you’ll obey my every word without question. Defy me even once... and I’ll break you so savagely you’ll wish I’d just killed you instead.”

My stomach plummeted.

Ice-cold terror flooded my veins as I stared at him, my chest heaving with shallow, panicked breaths.

This man hated me with every cell in his body—resented my very existence, my blood, the forced ring on my finger.

His eyes promised he meant every word.

If I pushed him, he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy me slowly and painfully.

My hands trembled at my sides as I fought the overwhelming urge to step back, to run, to disappear.

But I knew there was nowhere to hide. I was trapped with a monster.

Yarina rose from the sofa and drifted to Romeo’s side as though she belonged there.

Folding her arms, she lifted her chin with quiet satisfaction.

I looked directly at Romeo. “This marriage may be a contract, but I refuse to be a prisoner in it. I won’t beg for your attention, your affection, or your approval. You can keep all three.”

My gaze shifted to Yarina.

“But don’t expect me to put my life on hold while the two of you play house. So if, one day, I make choices that don’t sit well with either of you, don’t expect me to apologize. And don’t you dare complain.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned toward the hallway.

I had to leave.

Before my composure slipped. Before either of them saw the cracks beneath it—before the fear choking me became visible.

“Dare to walk away from me?” Romeo’s voice sliced through the silence like a blade, low, lethal, and dripping with icy contempt.

“Take another step and I’ll ensure you beg for death before this night is over. I’ll drag you back by that pretty hair and snap your bones one by one until you fully grasp how much I resent being chained to you.”

“You’ll scream for mercy that will never fucking come—because your pain is the only thing that makes this forced marriage tolerable for me.”

I froze mid-step, my heart slamming violently against my ribs.

My legs trembled, threatening to give out as cold sweat prickled across my skin.

This wasn’t just anger — it was the promise of prolonged, sadistic suffering from a man who already despised me with every breath he took.

One more move and he would unleash hell.

I could feel his eyes burning into my back like branding irons, waiting — almost hoping — I would defy him so he could unleash the monster I knew lived inside him.

My legs felt rooted to the floor, terror coiling tight in my chest.

Slowly, I heard him unlock his phone. A few taps. The soft click of a message sent.

Then silence.

I frowned but didn’t dare turn around.

Before I could find the courage to speak, the front door swung open.