Chapter 178: Panic

It froze her mind for a second, realizing how fast life changes.

With these new changes, she would have new responsibilities and expectations associated

with her.

This man was now the epicenter of her life.

The only family she had in this world.

She was supposed to love him, respect him, and fulfill her duty towards him.

But... one question had bothered her since she had accepted this marriage proposal.

What about his duties?

What about her rights?

Would he give her freedom?

Or would he still resort to his old ways?

Would she be the epicenter of his life?

Would his life revolve around just her?

What about his responsibilities toward her?

He did not have the duty of just providing for her. Her emotional needs were also one of his

many duties.

Would he respect her?

Would he... would he love her?

Her thoughts were broken when his fingers slowly began to take the pins off her hair, which

bound the veil on her head. Slowly, the veil was off, and he placed it away before proceeding

to remove the pins from her hair, loosening her curled strands.

It was a source of relief for her as there was a certain area on her head that hurt. Removing

the pins made the blood gush through that area, relieving her pain instantly.

Next, he slowly removed her jewelry—her necklace, earrings, bracelet, and rings, but not

the engagement ring.

Sheharzaad watched intently and fearfully as he removed the rings from her fingers, silently

praying he wouldn’t remove the engagement ring. She remembered the last time he took it

away and didn’t want a repeat of the consequences that followed.

She breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t.

She stared at the engagement ring for a moment. Sometimes, she felt the ring was laughing

at her because this ring had more rights over her body than she did. Despite wanting to take

it off her hand, she couldn't muster enough courage to touch it, even when she was in a

secluded area where he wasn’t watching her. She felt he would somehow know if she took it

off. More than that, it felt like the ring guaranteed her safety.

She thought Sheharyaar was pleased with her as long as he kept this ring on her finger. If he

took it away, it would signify that her status as his wife was over, and she would be reduced

to the status of a mistress. To her, being his wife was better, more respectable. Becoming his

mistress would mean her identity would be restricted to pleasing his desires, being

available to him at all times, and she would have no claim over her own body. It would

belong solely to him. She vividly remembered the day he gave her two options: either to

become his wife or his mistress. When he had initially denied her the chance to be his wife,

she knew what her heart felt that day.

She considered herself fortunate now to be his wife, not his mistress. She was grateful he

had not taken the ring off her finger.

He made her stand and positioned himself behind her before wrapping his arms around her

and nuzzling his face into her neck. He closed his eyes, feeling utter tranquility and peace.

Her lips parted to take deep breaths as she slowly moved her hair from her neck, turning

her locks to one side, giving him full access.

He placed a kiss near the base of her neck before turning her around in a flash, making her

face him.

Her head bowed, and his hand snaked to her chin as he wrung his fingers around her neck.

His lips drifted toward hers the next second.

It was then she knew her fear was coming true.

And this kiss was just the start of the end of this night.

Her breathing grew harsh as he captured her lips in an ardent kiss, pulling her closer as he

walked toward the bed, nibbling on her lips. Her back was now against the bed, and with

one sudden push, she landed on the mattress, and he followed her.

Her brain ceased functioning.

Yet her heart beat wildly.

Anxiety rose to her throat.

She suddenly felt as if she were experiencing sleep paralysis.

She struggled to move her hands and push him away, but the teachings ingrained in her

mind in that cell didn’t let her.

Her brain replayed images of that night.

The memories hit her hard.

Tears welled in her throat, threatening to escape. She couldn’t move a muscle.

A sob formed in her throat and was finally propelled out of her mouth, her body jerking

with the sound.

This caught his attention, and he suddenly stopped, realization dawning on him. He pulled

back, frowning at her.

Silent tears flowed from her eyes, disappearing into her hair.

As soon as she saw his frown, she startled and immediately sat up, pulling herself away

from him. She wrapped her arms around her knees, her body raking with silent sobs and

tremors, her cheeks drenched with tears. Small sniffles and sobs echoed in the room.

He stood up from the bed and crossed over to her side. Sheharzaad stood as well. As he

approached, she began to step away.

One step after another.

"Stop," he uttered, taking a step closer, but she didn’t until her back hit the wall.

She was shaking now. Her face was turning white. She couldn't understand where did her

breath go? She was trying to suck in air but as if someone had put a hinderance in her

throat. No air passed thriugh her throat to her lungs. She was trying hard to breath. But she

couldn't. In that moment, breathing wasn't something she wanted. Rather she wanted to be

away from him. As far as possible. So she won't have the repeat of that night.

“Sheharzaad,” he said.

“Sheharzaad.”

His voice from that night rang in her ears.

She shivered, a fog clouding her mind.