Chapter 6

JANICE

The ride to Diego’s house was silent, tense, and suffocating. He didn’t say a word to me, and I didn’t dare break the silence. I sat stiffly in the car, staring out the window, my hands clenched tightly in my lap. The weight of everything—my marriage to a stranger, Jason’s betrayal, Maddison’s smug face, Diego’s infidelity, the slap I got, Sophia’s cruel words—crushed me, leaving no space for any other emotion but dread.

When the car finally stopped, I exhaled shakily, not even realizing I had been holding my breath. I stepped out, and for a moment, I was struck by the sheer size and beauty of Diego’s home. It wasn’t just a house; it was a mansion, with its towering columns and vast gardens. But I couldn’t even marvel at it. My anxiety overshadowed everything.

Diego strode up the grand steps without looking back, his long strides making it clear I was to follow him. His silence was unnerving, and I swallowed hard, feeling like I was being dragged into something I had no control over.

Inside, the house was just as grand—if not more so. Crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, the floors gleamed under the soft lights, and expensive art adorned the walls. But Diego didn’t stop to show me around. Instead, he gestured sharply to a maid who had appeared as if on cue.

“Take her to the room,” he said coldly, his deep voice echoing in the grand foyer.

The maid nodded and motioned for me to follow her. Diego didn’t spare me another glance before disappearing down a hallway, leaving me standing there like an unwanted guest.

“Come, ma’am,” the maid said softly.

I followed her up a winding staircase, my feet heavy with reluctance. She led me down a hallway and stopped at a large door. “This is Mr. Rodrigues’s room,” she said, opening the door. “It is now yours as well. Please settle in. I’ve prepared a bath for you, and I’ll bring some herbal tea shortly.”

“Herbal tea? What for?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

The maid hesitated, and the faintest flicker of discomfort crossed her face. That was all it took for me to understand. The tea wasn’t meant for relaxation—it was meant to prepare me for… tonight.

My stomach twisted in fear, and I could feel the blood drain from my face. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice trembling slightly.

Was Diego that rough? I didn’t want to find that out myself. 

She gave me a small nod before leaving, and I stepped into the room cautiously, shutting the door behind me.

The room was massive, with a king-sized bed dominating the space and dark, rich furniture that added to its intimidating elegance. I walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, my hands shaking. My thoughts raced. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t just pretend to be okay with all of this—marrying Diego, sharing a room with him, and certainly not consummating this marriage.

I stood up, pacing the room as I tried to calm my nerves. No. I would talk to him. He had to understand that this was all happening too fast, that I needed time. I just needed to find the courage to face him.

Minutes later, the door opened, and Diego stepped in. The air in the room shifted instantly, growing heavy and charged. His presence was overwhelming, dominating the space without effort. He shut the door behind him and turned to face me, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Diego,” I began, my voice trembling slightly. “We need to talk.”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “About what?”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “About… this arrangement. I don’t think I can share a room with you right now. I need time to adjust to all of this. And about consummating the marriage…” My voice faltered, but I pressed on. “I’m not ready.”

Diego’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he crossed the room in just a few strides. “Time to adjust?” he said coldly. “Not ready? Do you think this is a game, Janice?”

I flinched at his tone but forced myself to stand firm. “This isn’t a game,” I said, my voice shaking. “It’s my life, Diego. I just need—” 

“You need to understand something,” he interrupted, his voice low and sharp. “You are my wife now. That means you will fulfill your duties as my wife. No arguments, no excuses.”

“Duties?” I echoed, my anger flaring. “You dare talk to me about duties Diego! You fucking cheated on me in our own wedding reception. You won’t stick to your own duties as a husband and you want me to perform mine? You are sorely mistaken I tell you!”

He let out a dark, humorless laugh. “You are my fucking possession. You are like a piece of furniture to me. I saw you. I wanted you and I got you! I own you, you don’t own me!”

The way he said it made my skin crawl, and I couldn’t hold back my frustration. “You’re unbelievable,” I snapped. “I’m a person, Diego, not a possession!”

I turned to walk away, needing to put distance between us, but he grabbed my arm, spinning me around with alarming force. “Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded, his voice a dangerous growl.

“Let go of me!” I protested, trying to pull free, but his grip only tightened.

“You don’t walk away from me,” he said coldly. “Not ever.”

“Diego, you’re hurting me!”

He ignored my words, his gaze burning into mine as he pushed me back against the wall. “Take off your clothes,” he ordered, his voice dark and commanding.

My eyes widened in shock. “What? No!”

His expression hardened, his patience clearly gone. “Don’t test me, Janice.”

“I said no!” I shouted, tears stinging my eyes.

Diego’s face twisted in anger, and before I could react, he grabbed the delicate fabric of my gown and ripped it with ease. The sound of tearing fabric echoed in the room as he pinned my hands above my head, his body pressed against mine.

I froze, my heart racing wildly. “Diego, stop,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

But his grip didn’t loosen, and his cold eyes bore into mine. “You’ll learn to obey me, Janice,” he said, his voice dripping with authority. “You belong to me now, and I will not tolerate defiance.”

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled against him, but his hold was unrelenting. I felt utterly powerless, trapped in a situation I couldn’t escape.

“Diego marriage is about love! Consummating a marriage is something sacred. It involves heartfelt connection and love, but you don’t own my heart,” I snapped. “You don’t own my love. And you never will. I don’t love you, Diego, and I never will!”

“Is that so?” he murmured. His voice dropped lower, rougher. “You think I’ll let that little defiance of yours stand? Think again.”

Before I could protest, he abruptly cut me short.

“Let me make something clear, wife,” he growled. “You are mine. The only name your lips will ever call out is mine. The only man you’ll ever think about is me. I’ll break that little ego of yours until you understand that you belong to me and no one else.”

I let our little whimpers, my bravado shattered.

Diego finally released me, stepping back with a calmness that sent chills down my spine. “Get ready for bed,” he said, his tone icy. “I won’t repeat myself.”

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving me trembling and alone. I slid down to the floor, my hands shaking as I tried to steady my breathing.

For the first time in my life, I felt completely and utterly frightened.