Chapter 5 Sacrifice

Lyra's POV

After what had happened last night, I went out to meet Brent. I told him everything- including the hickey and the red lipstick marks I saw on my husband's neck.

Eww...using the word 'husband' sounded cringe, I'd rather use Salvatore, thanks.

So, Salvatore,

That motherfucker left me all alone last night to go sleep with another woman on our first night. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't jealous, I didn't wish it was me he slept with, and I did not-not even for a second wish he was here by my side last night.

The marriage was more like a deal and nothing more, but then, if he'd wanted to cheat, he could have at least waited until maybe after a week of our wedding? Y'know, I deserved some respect as his wife.

Was there any sense in what I just said? I doubt it.

Brent already told me everything, Salvatore was once a man whore-He still was. Old habits die hard, so I shouldn't expect anything.

Not like I was.

I sighed heavily as I knotted my hair neatly into a ponytail. I had classes and the first would be starting in just a few minutes. I'd rather not get late, and that too because of some dick who wouldn't add any value to my life as long as we lived under the same roof.

My room door flung open and of course it was Salvatore. I glanced at his brooding figure that stood at the doorway for a while, then proceeded to where all my school stuff was neatly arranged in a tote bag that laid on my bed, pretending there was no single soul beside me in the room.

Well, was there? Absolutely not!

"And where do you think you're going?" Salvatore asked with knotted brows, but instead of giving him an answer, I hung my bag in shoulders then walked to the door where he stood.

"Excuse me, you're obstructing my way," I said calmly.

"I just asked you a question, where do you think you're going?"

"Do I need to answer that, huh? Where does it look like I'm going?" I asked back.

"You don't answer my question with a question, princess," his voice was low and creepily menacing, it made my skin crawl. "Now, for the last time, where are you off to ?"

Hold up, wasn't this man too good-looking, too educated to be daft? I mean, any sane person would see me dressed the way I am- in a pair of baggy pants and hoodie, a tote bag clung on my shoulder then textbooks placed neatly between my forearms and notice I was heading for school.

"I'm heading to school, mister. SCHOOL!" I bit out, annoyed.

"I thought the first rule stated in that paper was; you shouldn't go anywhere without my permission"

"And I thought I told you those shitty rules weren't for me?" I frowned deeply at him.

Because he got married to me to pay off the debt we owe, he thought he'd bought me? What happened to the word 'freedom'? He married me, he didn't buy me. I wasn't some slave or some prisoner who he expects to succumb to some rules on paper.

Lyra would never!

"you're effortlessly trying to break the second rule out of the three and trust me, there will be consequences. Our union is nothing more than an alliance. A contract. And you don't expect me to tolerate your babyish behavior like some so called 'loving husband' would."

He paused, staring straight into my eyes.

"I. Do. Not. Love. You. And don't think I ever will. You're nothing more than trade by barter. So know your place."

Those words pierced through my heart like a dagger.

No. It wasn't because I was expecting anything from him or this union because I already knew this was going to be some sort of rollercoaster ride of a loveless marriage.

I knew my life would no longer be the same the moment I said 'I do' back at the church and I was willing... I was willing to sacrifice absolutely anything just to see my family alive.

But it never occured to me that that decision would cost me my freedom. It never crossed my mind that my life was going to be controlled by three ruled printed on paper.

I never knew my education would be the first thing at stake.

I shot my eyes dragging in a ragged breath. I shouldn't be weak. Never. Because that would make him treat me shittier.

"Look, I've thought about it and I honestly don't remember breaking any rule. I haven't. So, can you please excuse me? I've got classes to attend" I pleaded with my hands clasped, and he just stared at me like I hadn't spoken.

Then he stretched out a shopping bag, just like last night when he'd stretched out the envelope. I wondered what was in the bag this time around.

He waited for me to take the bag from his hand, but I didn't, instead, I just stared at it with furrowed brows. He forcefully took my hand and placed the bag's handle in my palm, then Said,

"Get ready, we'll be heading out in a few hours" without saying another word or waiting for my reply, he left.

Placing my bag and books on the bed, I emptied the contents of the shopping in the bed. It was a straight, body hugging, silky

mini dress with a thin spaghetti strap.

Then a shoebox with 'Christian Louboutin' boldly written on the top.

Wait a fucking second! Christian Louboutin?! That's one of the most luxurious shoe brands. I opened the box and took out the shiny black heels. My eyes scanned the shoe size.... How the devil did this man find out the size of the shoe I wear?

But then, he didn't expect me to wear something as tight as this gown and this heels to wherever it was we were going, right? Heaven I don't wear tight clothes and I've never fancied heels.

I sighed once more then, took my bag and book, then walked to the door and twisted the knob, but the door didn't open.

I twisted the knob once. Twice. Then vigorously, but the door still didn't open.

Did.... Did that fucker lock me in the room to prevent me from going out?