Ash's pov ;
The sound of the door opening jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Elijah and his lawyer enter the room.
I stayed seated, keeping my face impassive despite the nervousness bubbling in my stomach. I watched as Elijah sat across from me, his cold gaze piercing deep into my soul.
"So," his voice tinged with an arrogance that set my teeth on edge. His lips quivered into a smile that made me feel chills. "Have you come to a decision, my dear little actor?"
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. This was not a decision but an ultimatum, I reminded myself. I couldn't back down now that I was actually facing it, not when so much was at stake.
If it were within my power, I would never marry him again, not in this life or another.
"Before I give my answer, I want you to grant me three requests." My voice was surprisingly steady, but I could feel my hands trembling, the slight shake betraying my inner turmoil.
Elijah raised an eyebrow, a look of amusement crossing his face. It seemed he wasn't interested in whatever I had to say and just seeking pleasure from my sorry self.
"You are in no position to bargain," He reminded me calmly.
I kept my gaze level, ignoring the anxiety churning in my stomach. "My answer depends on these three conditions," I said firmly, trying to hide the quiver in my voice.
His eyes flashed with irritation but also curiosity. He leaned back in his chair, studying me carefully for a few seconds. "You have five minutes."
I took a deep breath, hoping against hope that my plan would work. "First, I want you to release all the evidence of the charges against me. I want this whole case dropped. I want you to make a public statement clearing my name and a public apology from Samantha saying that she did it to frame me because she was jealous of my popularity."
His mouth twitched slightly yet he stayed calm. He didn't say anything, but I could see the wheels turning in his mind, the slight narrowing of his eyes, the way his nostrils flared ever so slightly. His jaw tightened, and I could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.
"Second," I continued when he didn't question anything, my voice grew stronger with each word, "I want you to return the company to Noah. It was never yours to begin with, and you have no right to keep it from him."
His lips curled into a sneer at this demand. He glanced at his lawyer, who simply shrugged with a nonchalant air.
"And third," I said, taking another deep breath. My heart was racing, and my palms were sweaty on this demand. I swallowed, feeling a lump in my throat that threatened to choke me.
"I want you to tell me the truth."
His brow quickly furrowed in confusion. He looked at me, his gaze searching, piercing through me as if trying to read my very soul.
"What do you mean?" he asked, his voice dripping with suspicion.
"Why did you frame me for fraud? Why are you trying to ruin my life? What revenge are you talking about?"
His face darkened and the hair on my skin stood by the menacing look in his eyes. They were devoid of any warmth and bore into mine with a cold and unrelenting intensity.
"Three months. Right after three months, you'll find out."
I could feel the blood draining from my face, a cold chill running down my spine, and my stomach lurched with a sickening dread. Three months...I couldn't survive in this hellhole for three months.
His eyes gleamed with a twisted satisfaction after noticing the tremble in my eyes, his mouth twisting into a cruel smile that made my skin crawl.
Oh, was he enjoying this? To the point where I found myself wanting to hide from him. And I hold enough of my own darkness to get scared of him. So, to be feeling terrified of him, I have got myself entangled with a psycho.
"Fine, I agree to all three conditions of yours," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but my body was still tense with anxiety. The thought of spending another minute in this hellhole around him filled me with dread, my breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps.
"Now, care to listen to my demands?" He tilted his head, the cruel glint in his eyes growing stronger and more malevolent.
"Go on," I said, trying to keep my voice serene, though my heart pounded so loudly I feared he could hear it.
"First," he began in his cold and authoritative voice. "As you already know, my first demand is that you marry me."
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, bile rising in my throat.
"Second," he continued. "You can't demand a divorce or run away unless I want it."
"Third," he paused, the corner of his lips quaking into a smirk that made me shift uncomfortably in my seat. "I want full ownership over your body. Your ass, cock, balls, and even your tongue are mine to use. You can never offer your body to someone else, never flirt or date anyone. All your time will be spent thinking about my pleasure. You'll be nothing but a toy to satisfy my needs, and I'll use you three times a week, on days of my choosing."
I gaped at him, shock and rage coursing through me like wildfire. My face reddened with the sting of his insult and the humiliation of his words. I felt sickened, but I didn't dare protest. I didn't want to give him any more satisfaction than he was already getting.
He looked at me with a predatory hunger causing me to blink at him in disbelief and unease. Noticing my reaction, his smirk widened, feeding off my discomfort.
Every muscle in my body was taut, trembling with the effort of keeping myself composed and holding myself back from removing that stupid smirk from his face.
"Fourth. You are not allowed to contact your lover, Noah."
"He's not my lover for fuck's sake!" I retorted, finally losing it.
"Doesn't matter," he scoffed, ignoring my outburst. "You are not allowed to talk to him, text him, or even look at him. If you do, the deal is off."
I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white as I fought the urge to punch him. My breath came in rapid, shallow bursts. "This is absurd and stupid!" I muttered through gritted teeth, my jaw aching from the tension.
"You better get used to it, darling," he mocked.
"Fuck you, Elijah!" I slammed my hands on the table, the loud bang echoing in the room as I tried to calm my racing heart. "Fuck you and your fucking demands. You can go to hell!"
He only laughed, the bastard actually while my whole body trembled with fury.
"So, you're not accepting the deal? That's too bad," he said, feigning disappointment. "I should leave then—"
"Sit back, you asshole," I snarled, my voice a growl of barely contained rage. I couldn't take it anymore. I took a few deep breaths, my chest heaving as I struggled to regain control, feeling the heat of my anger simmer just beneath the surface, ready to explode at any moment.
This jerk is taking advantage of everything he could possibly do to humiliate me.
"You're not going anywhere until we settle the deal. I agree with every demand of yours except the last one. Noah is my best friend, the only person left in this world who's close to me. Please don't take him away from me," My heart ached, but I pleaded in hopes he would listen.
My eyes watered, and his face blurred for a moment before coming back into focus again as I blinked the tears. Surprisingly, his expression was calm this time—no hatred, no contentment, just calm as he gazed at me for a long time.
"P-Please," I stared back at him, the sound of our breathing seemed too loud in the quiet room.
"Do you really love him?"
I was taken aback by his question. "What? No, it's not that kind of love. I adore him as a friend, I owe him so much."
He nodded, his expression thoughtful, but there was no hint of emotion in his voice. "Alright, but you can't meet him without my permission. And if I find out you're having an affair with him behind my back, I won't do anything to you but make sure he gets fucked up. Do you understand?"
"Yes," I said, feeling relieved somehow. At least he was willing to give in to one condition.
"Then the deal is settled," he grinned widely, malicious delight shining in his eyes. He pushed the contract papers toward me. "Sign here."
My hand trembled as I signed the papers, the pen feeling like a lead weight in my hand. Each stroke felt like a final nail in the coffin of my freedom.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Business? Yeah. Again, this marriage is also a business for him.
But no matter what I feel now, the deal is sealed.