We boarded the jet back home again. Henry had drunk some alcohol with Mat and Roka, so the driver was waiting for us on the other end.
Henry had slept, or so I saw, as he covered his eyes with a black eye mask when he was on the jet and in the car.
Demilia and the rest had already left, as it was already late in the evening by the time we came back. I therefore checked whether the chef had prepared supper.
The chefs were diligent; all the food that was prepared and stored in the warm food package.
"Henry, the food is ready. Come and eat," I called. Henry had immediately used the nearby sofa as a bed. I guess the journey must have been exhausting. I also felt some fatigue, yet I hadn't drunk anything.
"I don't want to move; bring it here," Henry said.
I guessed he was completely exhausted. I arranged the food properly before carrying it to where Henry was.
I placed it on a nearby table before I lightly tapped his hand. "It's here," I said.
"Bring me a bottle of liquor and wine from the bar cabinet," Henry said.
"But you just finished drinking; it's not good to drink this much, is it?" I inquired.
"Can you just bring what I told you to bring? I don't want to listen to your lectures," Henry raised his voice as he commanded.
I was slightly taken aback. I stood up and went towards the bar before bringing a liquor bottle and wine, together with the respective glasses.Demilia had already taught me all the house rules, so I now knew which cups, plates, and utensils were for each purpose, respectively.
"I bought them," I said as I placed them on the table.
Henry finally took off his eye mask and sat upright on the couch. "Come sit beside me," Henry said.
I obediently sat beside him. Henry then proceeded to open the bottle of liquor and poured its contents into the liquor glass.
"Now drink," Henry said as he passed me the glass. I shook my head in refusal; I just didn't want to drink liquor. I never have and didn't feel the need to.
Henry smiled before he tightly held my cheeks and forcefully poured the whole glass's contents into my mouth. Immediately, I felt sharp pain and an uncomfortable sensation in my neck. I tried patting his hands away in protest to no avail. Tears immediately poured out of my eyes.
"Who do you think you are? Are you better than anyone who drinks? You are just dirt," Henry calmly said as he placed the glass on the table and repeated his actions of pouring the liquor into the cup.
"Smiling at other men outside like a whore, did you think that Barron would be enchanted by you? Now drink," Henry said as he passed me the glass.
I didn't want to, but Henry's smiling face scared me to the core, so I took the glass shakily.
I heard Henry chuckle. "I have a story to tell you while we are at it," he said.
"My father isn't the one who chose you; I was," Henry said.
I was suddenly confused. When the wedding agreement was finalized, Henry told me that his father might have liked me, hence why he chose me. What was he saying?
"You didn't believe what I told you, right?" Henry rhetorically asked as he laughed.
"I once loved someone-shocker, right? The two of you seemed to have the same characteristics. Your shy and innocent face; she was traditional too. However, within a few days of this marriage, I discovered that you are nothing alike," Henry said.
I was lost for words, so I was just an insignificant stand-in. I was so angry that I couldn't even react. Suddenly, I felt like a clown.
No wonder I was able to marry into such a grand family. Those people online were indeed correct; I was just a country bumpkin. Who did I think I was? I immediately drank the liquor in two glasses-bottoms up.
"If I knew this would make you drink, I would have done it earlier at the party," Henry said, laughing.
"Why didn't you just marry her?" I suddenly said.
"You are in no condition to ask or even know. Remember, I now own you and your family. One wrong move, and your father returns the kidney he got," Henry said with a smile. I really hated his smile now!
The difference between you and her, however, can be revealed. You are, how to put it, locally traditional? She was the essence of tradition and grace, with a touch of purity that I can't put into words. One couldn't look her in the eyes for too long," Henry elaborated.
"I don't want to know all about that! Shut up!" I angrily shouted. I guess the liquor gave me confidence.
I felt a loud slap land on my left cheek, connecting with my ear. Pain immediately penetrated my skin, and a ringing sound was heard in my ears. I held my face in pain and distress.
"You dirty scum of a whore can also tell me what to do?" Henry said in a low but frightening voice.
Henry then pulled me by my hair as he led me towards the elevator that led to our bedroom if one didn't want to use the stairs.
"You even dared to call yourself the madam of this house; are you worthy?" Henry added.
I cried, screamed, and begged him to stop as immense pain shot through my body.
"Those servants were right, by the way; your status is less than that of any servant in this house. At what education level did you stop? Elementary? No wonder your thinking is less than a mustard seed. You actually had the guts to yell at me in my own house!" Henry said. The elevator finally arrived, and the doors opened. Henry immediately threw me onto the corridor floor as he removed the belt from his trousers.
"I will give you grace; no cameras are installed here, so no security servants will see what happened tonight," Henry said.
I immediately saw his reaction of wanting to use his belt on me, so I quickly stood up and attempted to run. However, he was faster than me, so he immediately pulled back my hair.
"You are so traditional, right? Didn't your parents teach you not to raise your voice at your husband, huh?" Henry asked as he immediately connected his belt to my back.
I had never felt so much pain in my life. Henry repeated this action many times that I lost count. Finally, I couldn't take the pain anymore. The last thing I remember was Henry's calm eyes watching me; it was as if my entire existence didn't matter to him.