As I enter the dimly lit, dirty space, I call out in a shaky voice "H-hello?" I was told Kendrick would be in here. Suddenly, an arm wraps tightly around my neck, pulling me backward. 'What the!-' I freeze, the tip of a sharp blade grazing my bare neck.
"Who the hell are you?" A baritone voice, punctuated by a low growl, echoes, sending chills down my spine. I raise my hands in surrender, gulping.
"I won't ask again" his grip tightens. My brows crease, my eyes screwed shut, how the hell am I supposed to speak when you're choking me??
"K-Kendrick?" I manage to call out but silence greets me. What have I gotten myself into? Marriage with a mentally unstable man? He'll kill me before five years is up. "I'm Elodie….your wife"
The last of my sentence hangs in the air like a challenge. As if in shock, I feel his arm loosen and I inhale sharply while coughing, hot tears threatening to fall from my eyes.
"M-my wife?" I hear him stutter and turn to face him. My eyes widen and a quiet gasp escapes my lips.
The Kendrick Holland I know as the formidable business magnate is different from the one standing raggedy before me.
The man who was capable of ruling entities, reducing syndicates, and making even the mayor succumb to his wishes is now hiding away in this dark space, eaten by depression and slowly being forgotten by the public.
Was two years enough to cause this much change?
Oh Lord!, I scrunch up my face, he's reeking of alcohol! Has he even had a bath in all the two years?
I give him a once-over; his clothes are tattered, his hair is messy, and his left palm is…bleeding??. My gaze, filled with pity, meets his confused expression. "I don't know you," he says and narrows his eyes on me "You're not my wife, you're lying"
I smile, a small pitiful smile. I never imagined I'd been getting into such a marriage. I always thought that Kristen—My ex-boyfriend—and I would tie the knot. Too bad he hates me forever now for choosing my father's health over our relationship.
It's too late for regrets now, I've signed the contract and am now officially married to Kendrick Holland, the madman of the Holland family.
Still smiling, I take Kendrick's bloody hand, "Of course I'm your wife" I slowly retrieve the pocketknife and lead him to the disarrayed bed. "I know you don't remember but we signed some papers to seal our marriage so we're married now"
He's sitting on the bed and I'm crouching. His puzzled expression is somewhat cute. I wrap his wounded hand in a bandage and sigh. All I need to do is bear a son for this man in five years, then I'm free.
I'll do it! I'll do it for my father.
"You're my wife?" I look up at Kendrick, his head is tilted. I nod at him with an acknowledging smile.
"Do you love me?" He asks. My eyes widen at his sudden question and I feel a pang in my heart. Is it okay to lie to this man? Why has he asked this?
I place my hand on his. Stuttering, I answer, "Of course I do, Kendrick, I…love you." Uncertainty hits the back of my throat.
I stare at him, why isn't he saying anything? Suddenly, the numb look in his eyes turns to rage. He grabs my hair violently, forcing me to tilt backward as I stare into his dangerous gaze with fear and shock.
"Elodie, was it?" His tone is frightening and cold. My face contorts in fear and my pupils dilate. I wince as he pulls my hair further back, leaning in, his breaths minutes away from my face. "I hate liars"
My eyes widen, What? Before I utter a word, he stands, pulling my hair up. My eyes turn glossy with tears as I try to pry out of his firm grip. "It hurts! Let go!"
He doesn't listen. He slams me against the wall, my back colliding with a sickening thud. A sharp gasp escapes my lips.
Without hesitation, he grabs my throat, his fingers tightening my airway "Only Charlotte can love me!" he yells angrily.
Charlotte? Who is Charlotte? "K-kendrick" I stifle a whimper. I can barely see him through my tear-filled vision, and I must be hallucinating because I'm seeing someone standing by the door.
I can feel the veins popping up from my temples. Shit! I might die.
No, I can't afford to, Father is waiting for me. I reach out over Kendrick's shoulder. "H..help," I whisper hoarsely. Kendrick wraps both his hands around my neck tightly, gritting as he squeezes the life out of me.
"K..Kendrick, please…stop!" I muffle, my fingers digging into his flesh as I try to force his hands away. I can't breathe, I'm struggling to keep my eyelids open.
Through my teary eyes, I see the silhouette standing at the door come closer. The person stabs Kendrick's neck with a syringe and I feel his hands loosen.
My knees buckle and I collapse, coughing and greedily gasping for air. The last thing I hear is Kendrick's body colliding with the cold floor, before succumbing to the darkness that clouds my eyes.
With a sharp gasp, I jerk up. Disorientation hits me as I search my body hastily. Hah! I'm alive! An uncanny smile spreads across my face.
Wait, what happened to Kendrick? I analyze my surroundings; I'm in a luxurious bedroom, sitting on a king-sized bed, and the windows are wide open.
My brows crease, where am I?
"Oh, you're awake?" A man enters the room and I stare at him speechless. His athletic, tall build is similar to that of Kendrick's but this man looks much healthier.
He catches me staring and chuckles softly. I averted my eyes immediately, and my cheeks flushed.
"How are you feeling?" He sits on the bed.
I feel my insides twitch, he's staring at me with a tender gaze that makes my cheeks burn harder. I nod at him in response and subconsciously lift my hand to my neck…..it still hurts, to be honest.
I think back to Kendrick's words and frown slightly. Who was he talking about? Who is Charlotte?
"Oh! Where am I manners?" The man's voice catches my attention. "You must be confused as to who I am"
"I know who you are," I answer almost immediately, prompting him to raise his brows. "You're Luke Holland, Kendrick's stepbrother" aka my savior.
Luke chuckles "That's right. Grandfather just informed me about your arrival, Miss Elodie Rykard. I'm glad I rushed down here"
"Yeah," I mutter. Kendrick's grandfather, Eugene Holland; a retired militant, the man who offered me the marriage contract personally.
"Don't worry about my brother; I used a sedative on him, so he won't be causing any more harm," Luke assures me with a smile.
I nod at him, contemplating whether or not I should ask about Charlotte. Maybe it's best if I don't pry.
Luke's phone rings out loud, shattering the growing awkwardness. With regrettable eyes, he says, "Sorry, I need to take this," and he leaves.
Sighing, I lean back. Having been so near death, it hits differently.
"Brother Luke?" At the sound of the feminine voice, I look at the door.
Impulsively, a smile appears on my face. She walks in, puzzled by my presence in her brother's room.
Now that I think about it, it must seem weird to her. I get down to greet her, a pleasant smile on my face. She is the eighteen-year-old Zoey Holland, Kendrick's younger stepsister.
"What are you doing here?" She asks
I smile, "I'm Elodie Ry-" My words are cut short as she strikes my left cheek suddenly.