Hello, everyone. I am so sorry for making you wait this long for the next chapter. Life got in the way, but the last few chapters will be published within the next few days. β€
Thank you so much for your patience and I hope the story was worth the wait. This chapter contains violence, so if this is a trigger of any kind, I do apologise.
Reach out if you have any feedback
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My hands were sweating.
Lips trembling.
My heart was racing in my chest.
An erratic, inconsistent pounding that did nothing to calm the fear and dread that was rushing through me.
I tried to inhale deeply, but my lungs weren't having it. My breathing came in short, frantic bursts. I was too agitated to do anything but sit in my plane seat and panic, fiddling anxiously with the hem of my designer dress.
I glanced up suddenly when the flight attendant leaned in to repeat her question, her brows knitting together in concern. She placed a warm, comforting hand on my shoulder and asked, "Mrs. Hudson, are you alright?"
Absently, I nodded. I forced a small smile, hoping that would ease her concern enough to leave me alone. "I'm fine, Annie. Thank you."
"Perhaps a drink? Your usual?"
The idea of alcohol made my stomach turn, and I swallowed to fight off the wave of nausea. I shook my head frantically, then whispered, "How much further until we take off? Aren't we supposed to have left by now?"
A smile, eerily polite and pitying.
"Last minute change of plans, ma'am. Mr. Hudson asked that we hold the plane," she explained.
My heart stopped beating for a full moment, my head spinning furiously. My vision blurred at the edges until I was forced to press my knuckles to my eyes, fighting off the tears of fear and frustration.
"Mrs. Hudson-"
I rose from my seat, pushing Annie out of the way and hurrying towards the exit on wobbly knees. Before I could make it off the plane, I spotted a convoy of black, nondescript vehicles fast approaching. For a second, I considered running out onto the tarmac and making a run for it. I chewed on my lip, calculating the distance from the bottom of the stairs to freedom.
But then what? I would be caught in seconds, and Edward's men would drag me back to the plane kicking and screaming. I'd simply be delaying the inevitable. I would have to face my husband sooner or later anyway.
I took a few steps back, closed my eyes and balled my hands into fists at my sides. I drew a deep breath, forcing my heart to slow to a steady pace. Calmer now, I opened my eyes and turned on my heel, hurrying towards the back of the plane. I heard the doors of the SUVs slam shut, and marched into the bedroom where I quietly closed the door. I used the few moments I had left to make myself presentable, brushing my hands down my front to straighten the cotton of my white, A-line dress.
Voices, low and muffled through the bedroom door. I pushed off the wood and walked across the room to the mirror, sitting down in front of the vanity. I reached for my cosmetics bag, removed several products to tidy myself up before I had to answer for my actions. But how the fuck was I supposed to hide the terror and sorrow that shone in my eyes? Or cover the sweat on my brow, the quivering of my lip? I couldn't-
The door opened, my husband walking into the room with his usual arrogance and superiority. I watched his reflection as he closed the door behind him, his gaze roaming over me casually. The moment was so familiar that I completely forgot that we were in a private plane and not back in our bedroom in Miami. Our eyes locked in the mirror as he approached, his jaw clenching with each step taken.
Finally, his hands rested on my shoulders as they always did, the fingers digging into my skin as he began kneading the tension away, his touch unnervingly gentle.
"Hello, wife. Sleep well?"
I lower my contour sponge slowly, willing my hand not to shake and give away how terrified I actually was. My expression is carefully blank as I nod, then I force myself to smile before replying, "Yes, very. And you?"
He says nothing.
He just stands there and watches me with narrowed eyes, his breath quickening with every silent second that passes.
And then...
"I did, actually. I was reliving this memory of you and your best friend, Aurora - remember her? - fucking while I watched. The best memory I have of you, I think, but that was cut short when I received a call this morning. Apparently - and get this - Aldine is missing. Can you believe it?"
I parted my lips slightly, my eyes widening with carefully practised innocence.
An act. But a damn convincing one.
Such a pity that shit wasn't going to cut it this time. I could feel his rage despite his casual tone and I knew it was only a matter of time before he completely lost his shit.
Again.
"Goodness me, I cannot. Do you know what happened?"
As if pleased that I'd asked that particular question, he bent over slightly so he could glare at me through the mirror. His smile stretched across his face, and then he turned to look directly at me.
"I was hoping you would tell me, pet." The air between us suddenly crackled with electrifying tension, thickened by his diabolical rage and his biting tone. "After all, you were with him all night. Screwing and screaming like a bunch of fevered animals well into the night. Why, if I'd known how wild and passionate you could be, responding to pain and degradation like a ravenous little slut, I wouldn't have bothered stepping out on you."
I turned away, unable to look him in the eye. Unable to bear his unflinching glare. But he reached for my jaw, his fingers digging into both cheeks painfully and pulled until I was forced to look at his reflection once more. Despite the sudden violence, my expression gave nothing away. I almost seemed unbothered by the rage burning in his eyes, uncaring.
"There is no need for unkind words, Edward."
"Come now. This is no time for delicate sensibilities, wife. I thought this kind of talk turned you on. After all, you responded with such passion when he-"
I pulled away, bracing for the pain of his hold, wincing when his fingers dug into my skin before finally pulling free. I marched across the room, hurrying towards the door so I could escape him. But it's locked, and the key clatters loudly on the vanity as he tosses it carelessly on the wood. I froze, my hands tightening on the handle as I braced myself for what was about to happen.
"After he defiled you with his cock, you encouraged him to carve his fucking name in your flesh like a brand. You let him stake his claim on what belongs to me, and then... You killed him. Stabbed him, plunging the blade of the knife into his chest and back with unexpected precision."
I turned around, my movements ever graceful and calm. My hands loose at my sides, I took a deep breath and replied, "You told me to keep him busy."
"Exactly! I never said you should kill him! Why did you do it?" he demanded, his voice rising.
I remained silent, refusing to respond to his fury. But it only riles him up even more, his eyes darkening with a manic anger that even I have never witnessed before.