Rivana's jaw dropped in shock. First time? He must be really kidding with her! She stumbled backward as Azrael kept advancing in slow, deliberate strides. Yes, the contract stated they had to fulfill all the marital conditions, but it was just too soon.
Much to her horror, Rivana's foot caught on the edge of the bed as she took another shaky step back, and she yelped, tumbling onto the mattress. She quickly pushed herself up, only to find Azrael's towering form looming over her. Her eyes gawked his upper body again. Heck! He was even hotter up close!
Panic seized Rivana, and she glanced sideways, ready to bolt. But Azrael seemed to read her every thought. His hand came down on the bed beside her, blocking her path. Desperately, Rivana turned the other way, only for him to lift his knee and place it beside her, trapping her completely.
Heat flooded her cheeks and she instinctively drew her thighs closer, trying not to touch his knee, her eyes lowering in defeat.
With a smirk, Azrael tilted her chin up, his touch sending a tremor down her spine. Her gaze met his midnight-dark eyes, glinting with an unmistakable devilish gleam. As he leaned even closer, their lips almost a kiss away, Rivana squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself, her nerves taut with anticipation. Why, oh why, was she excited?
But instead of feeling his lips, Rivana felt him move close to her ear. Her breath hitched as his warm breath grazed her skin.
"Don't worry, baby girl. I won't touch you…" Azrael murmured, his husky voice low and teasing, "Not until you beg me to."
Rivana's eyes fluttered open, his words setting her entire body on fire. Their eyes met again, and the smirk on his lips told her he knew exactly what he'd done to her.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Azrael straightened, his eyes softening with satisfaction. Ruffling her hair, he smiled warmly, "Rest well, baby girl. You had a tough day."
Rivana glared at his back as he turned away, her heart still racing erratically. He was so mean! She thought, gritting her teeth, frustrated yet flustered.
Azrael walked over to the wardrobe and picked up a T-shirt. "We're visiting Hugon Mansion tomorrow," he announced, pulling it over his head.
"W-why?" Rivana asked, confusion mingling with a strange sense of dread, recalling all the torture she went through there in her two years of marriage.
Azrael turned back, adjusting his tee, he replied, "My grandmother is eager to see us. And everyone else, too."
A mischievous glint danced in his eyes, bringing a small smile to Rivana's face. She could already picture the sour faces that would greet her—especially Viktor's, who would hate to welcome her as a sister-in-law.
"Okay!" Rivana replied, beaming with excitement. She crawled up on the bed and lay down. "Good night."
Azrael watched her with a faint smile, catching a glimpse of Rivana from their childhood. "Good night," he replied before quietly leaving the room.
Outside, Callum practically glued his ear to the door, worried. As Azrael opened the door, Callum stumbled back, caught red-handed.
With a frown, Azrael growled, "What the heck are you doing here?"
"Oh, you know… just ready in case I had to call the cops and report sexual harassment." Callum shrugged, sounding genuinely serious.
Azrael's expression darkened. "Then report yourself, pervert," he replied. "For eavesdropping on a married couple's privacy."
Callum scoffed and muttered a string of curses as Azrael walked past him. He regretted helping him get the marriage certificate overnight!
---
The next day, Rivana slowly got out of the car as they arrived at the Hugon mansion.
"Here," Callum, who had driven her, handed her a candy. "It'll help with the nerves," he said with a smile.
"Thank you," Rivana accepted with a soft smile. She unwrapped the candy and ate it, letting the sweetness ease her stress. Just then, Azrael arrived in another car, having handled urgent matters back in Draxton.
Azrael looked at his watch, which showed it was past seven in the evening. "Let's go," he said.
Rivana took a deep breath and stepped inside with him. The head butler quickly approached to greet them.
"Madam wants to speak with you alone first, Young Master," Greeta announced, making Rivana's nerves spike again.
Azrael glanced at her. "I will be back soon. Wait right here."
Rivana nodded. But the moment he disappeared down the corridor, someone grabbed her arm, pulling her into a shadowed corner of the hall.
"Leave me!" Rivana hissed, her eyes widening as she realized it was Viktor.
Viktor pressed her to the wall, blocking her escape. "Riv! Are you okay?" he whispered, moving closer and trying to hug her. "I've been so worried about you."
Revulsion crawled up Rivana's spine, and she immediately shoved him away.
Viktor staggered back, confusion clouding his expression. Seeing the anger in her eyes, he sighed softly. "I know you're upset, but don't fall for Azrael's manipulation, Riv."
Seeing that she was still hurt, Viktor continued, "He is a bastard, Riv. He is using you to get back to me."
Rivana scoffed in disbelief. His skin was sure thicker than an elephant's! Her mind flashed with memories of his lies, the betrayal still raw. "If he is a bastard, then what should I call you?" She asked, crossing her arms.
Viktor sighed again. Looking at her, he confessed, "I was drunk and mistook Ruby for you, Riv. It's not my fault you two look so alike."
Rivana clenched her fists, the urge to slap him taking over. But the thought of touching him again swirled disgust in her gut.
"So, you will go around fucking everyone who resembles me?" When Viktor fell silent, Rivana continued, "I sacrificed so much for you, Viktor. And you can't even accept and apologize for cheating on me?"
"Then what should I have done, Rivana?" Viktor glowered, his frustration breaking free. Gritting his teeth, he snapped, "You were playing saint and would sleep with me only after our marriage. I needed to blow off some steam!"
Rivana gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to spit at him. Strangely, her mind filled with Azrael's words from last night. Even though they were married, he had respected her boundaries. But this man…
'Don't compare that gem to this jerk,' the voice in her mind scolded, and Rivana couldn't agree more.
"Come on, Riv!" Viktor starting again. He stepped closer, reaching for her hand. "Stop making a fuss. You know I love you, right?"
Rivana moved back, and before she could react, someone suddenly smacked Viktor hard on the back of the head, causing him to yelp.
Viktor whirled around in shock. "Who the fu—" His voice cut off finding Azrael behind him.
Rivana snorted out loud at his reaction, watching Viktor's face turn pale. She quickly moved to stand beside her husband.
"Your mom seemed too busy seducing my father that she forgot to teach you manners," Azrael murmured, clicking his tongue in disappointment.
Fixing his steely gaze on Viktor, he continued, "Is this how you talk to your sister-in-law, little brother?"
Viktor's jaw tightened, but his scowl deepened when Azrael placed a hand on Rivana's waist and pulled her close to him.
Rivana's heart skipped a beat at the contact, but she kept a poker face.
"Come on, apologize to her quickly," Azrael ordered, holding his wife firmly.
When Viktor didn't respond, Azrael's eyes darkened, and his voice dropped lower. "Apologize to your sister-in-law, Viktor. Now."