Chapter 7

Emily

I have stayed in my room for the longest time. Cedric had sent the maid to bring food but there was nothing that was digestible to me after hearing the news. The nightmare only grew worse because I was held here against my will. I thought of how I was ambushed at the hospital only to be a wife to the coldest man on earth.

I could switch places with a homeless person who lives on the streets of Paris. I might as well faked my death or lived as a barista. Whoever might hear my story would only have one word for me. Whore. Even if I was far from that. It wasn't something that I wanted to place myself in this condition and not having Cedric support my decision only makes things worse for me.

I tried to be okay with the decision I had made but I kept seeing the truth in what he wanted. Or what the contract had said.

I shook my head immediately, as I stated in my misery. Sleeping and waking up drenched in tears. The maid had come in again.

“Sir had instructed we give you your breakfast.” The sweet maid thinned her lips as she tried to carry out his instructions.

“I am not hungry. You can go feed that to your boss.” She was shocked, still. She sighed, trying to come closer but I only shuffled to the edge of the bed.

“You need to eat ma'am. It has been days and you haven't eaten anything. It is not good for you.” I turned my head looking ahead from the transparent window. I saw myself through the glass. With my sunken eyes and dry mouth, I was scared even to myself.

“If your boss told you to tell me that. Tell him, I am not interested.” I couldn't trust anyone in this house. Everyone who worked closely with the man only had ill intentions for me. All of my words would go directly to him, I wasn't so stupid to let him destroy my life just because he didn't want to own to his responsibilities.

She sighed. Leaving the food behind before exiting my presence. Trying to find my footing, the door was barged open; Cedric was standing at the entrance with that glare in his eyes. His eyes scanned my rather messy room, I tried to stand, “Ah!” I held on to the desk as soon as I could, but my legs felt shaky on the cold ground. I tried to move another step, his hands snaked around my waist. His amber eyes dug through the depths of my soul, staring deep. “You are only going to hurt yourself more when you pull a stunt like this.” My eyes focused on his wet lips as he spoke.

I wanted what happened before to happen again, my body craved it more. It throbbed just by his warm touch and his dirty eyes undressing me even before I gave myself freely to him. I blinked shaking off those erotic thoughts that sent me to the darker places. I folded myself off his hands, disgusted by his statement.

“I don't care what you think.”

“I am not here to exchange words with you. Get dressed; my assistant will come to pick you up by the hour. Behave yourself and don't try anything stupid.” He left the room before I could object.

“Shit!” I scolded myself. Now, I had no choice but to do as he had said. I didn't even know who he was entrusting me to and everything felt so fuzzy. With my weak knees and tired bones, I managed to freshen up. I dressed in a black jean and a tank top with brown hoodie. I put on some flats. I didn't have the chance to ask where he was taking me, but something in my gut knew it wasn't good.

After several contemplations, I managed to get out of the room. I walked through the hallway to the living room, and I saw him. A good-looking guy, sitting with his legs crossed, scrolling through his phone. He was the calmer version of Cedric; I found it hard to believe that this good-looking guy was his assistant.

His eyes looked up to me. “My, my.” He smirked, narrowing his eyes at me. “Well, your husband said you are indeed something. Do I have to be watchful over your attitude towards me today?” I scrutinized him, confused about what he was talking about.

“I am lost. Cedric told me his assistant would be taking me somewhere.”

He rolled his eyes. “I am Claude. His assistant had to rush back to the office but you are stuck with me. Please, I would like to have a smooth day with you. Can I trust that you will consider that?”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Whatever!” He ushered me to the car. Helping me to enter the car, I glared at him as he was about to place his hands on me. He retreated immediately. “Where the hell are you taking me to?”

He gave a small smile. “You'd see.” He kept scrolling on the phone ignoring me. The car moved, a smooth ride to a destination that was unknown to me. I had a bad feeling about being in the car with his strange man who was more French than he'd realised.

The car stopped at the location. I couldn't see through the tinted glass until I came down.

I was horrified looking at the building from where I was standing. I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me what I was doing here. “Cedric said he had told you what needed to be done, and you have to behave yourself throughout the process.”

I faked confusion. “I am still lost.” I prayed in my heart that my instinct was wrong about what he truly meant by his statement.

“You want to tell me you do not know why you are here?” He tilted his head, I kept a straight face still. “Fine, since you want to feign ignorance.”

“You and your boss dragged me out here.” I managed to form words through the fear.

“You have an appointment with the doctor to remove the baby inside you. Is that clear for you?”

My heart thumped faster than usual. I scanned the area for an escape plan but I was stuck beside this huge man. Walking beside him to ruin my life.

Tears flowed down my cheeks, praying for an intervention.