Chapter 47 Chapter 47
I tried not to look in the mirror while I showered because every inch of my body reminded me of the previous night.
But it was almost impossible.
Because, Lucien made sure that one wall of the bathroom was fully covered with the mirror.
He was doing everything on purpose to break my spirit.
As I stripped away the remains of my pride and stepped into the steam, the hot water hit my skin like a thousand needles. I let out a sharp hiss, my hands flying to the marble wall for support. The water ran over my hips, my stomach, and the hollow of my throat, stinging the marks he had left behind.
It felt like he hadn't used me, he had tried to overwrite my very DNA with his touch.
Holding my tears back I tried to wash away the feeling of his hands and the way my own body had betrayed me but I couldn't.
After the shower, I wrapped myself in the bathrobe and came out into the room. There I found a huge wardrobe.
Lucien always plans things ahead.
I am sure I will find something inside it.
With a sense of hope, I pulled the handle and was surprised to my core.
It had all my old clothes. My favourite oversized hoodies, the floral sundresses I used to wear when we would walk through the park before the world turned black.
Has he preserved them like a museum?
And what bothered me was the smell of the perfume which took me five years back.
I swallowed hard.
It was his favourite perfume. It used to make him dizzy with want. He always wanted me to wear it.
After I left him, I stopped using that perfume forever.
Inhaling a sharp breath I pulled out a pair of jeans and a top that could hide most of my skin.
I quickly put on the clothes and was looking for a comb when I found one side of the wardrobe full of short silk slips, sheer lace robes, and heels.
That bastard!
I slammed the door shut and ran my fingers through my hair.
I need to meet Aurora. She must be missing me.
My whole body was still aching but the desire to meet my daughter was more than anything else.
Coming out of the room, I went directly down towards her room but the sound of a soft giggle drew me towards the sun-drenched dining room.
My heart soared at the sound of Aurora’s voice, but it plummeted the moment I saw who she was with.
Lucien.
"Mommy!" Aurora shrieked with joy, her eyes lighting up as she saw me.
She jumped off her chair and came running to me. I sat down to pull her into my arms. She buried her face in my neck and I instantly felt relieved.
She was safe. That was all that mattered.
Slowly she pulled back and instantly her tiny eyebrows drew in confusion.
"Mommy, how did you get so many owies?"
My fingers reached out to my neck. The cloth couldn't hide it properly and Aurora's eyes are too sharp to let go of anything.
I glare at Lucien who was chewing on his breakfast watching us like an entertainment. When our gaze met his smirk widened.
I literally wanted to throw hot coffee on his face.
"Mommy had a very long night of work" Lucien said from behind. "But don't worry princess, she will be fine, soon"
Aurora looked around at Lucien. The back of my eyes burned.
"Mommy is that hurting?" She asked with a small pout on her lips. Her eyes instantly glisten with tears.
"No baby" I kissed her forehead "mommy is fine. It's just a scratch. Mommy can fight the world to make sure you are safe and happy"
She smiled which instantly curved my lips too.
"Come mommy, let's have breakfast. You look tired"
Aurura sat beside Lucien and I sat beside her.
"From tomorrow, be on time" Lucien muttered to himself but I know it was meant for me.
Lazily, he spread jam on his toast. He looked so fresh as if he had the best sleep last night.
"Have a bite of this, strawberry" Lucien offered his toast to Aurora "This jam is imported, you will love it"
Her eyes lit up as she opened her mouth and took the bite he offered.
"Umm..." She licked her lips "It's yummy"
Her head turned to me.
"Mumma, you also taste it"
I hesitated but Lucien smoothly lifted the toast towards me.
Of course, he wanted to be a good man in front of Aurora.
"Eat, Cynthia," he murmured, "You need your strength for later."
I glared at him.
Aurora looked up at me with hopeful eyes. Whenever she eats something good, she wants me to taste it as well.
I didn't want to but for the sake of my daughter, I had a bite. It was nothing in comparison to what I had endured the whole night for her.
"Yummy..." Aurora chirped and danced on my behalf.
I smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Mr. Stranger, taste it..." Aurora offered a bite from her plate to Lucien and he accepted it with his whole heart.
She always shares her food.
"Mommy!" she turned back to me and gave me a bite, too. I took a small nibble and fed her with my hands.
"Mr. Stranger, too" she said with her mouth full of food.
Lucien's eyes brightened with anticipation. He leaned back, watching me with utmost amusement, waiting to see if I would actually serve him. I didn't move. I didn't want my hands anywhere near his mouth.
"Mumma... bad habit," Aurora said, her little lips forming a small pout.
I sighed and looked down at the table. My eyes drifted to the small bowl of chili powder sitting right beside my hand. A dark idea began to grow in my mind.
Lucien can't tolerate spice.
I picked up a piece of toasted sourdough, spread a thick layer of cream cheese on it, and then, hiding my movements from Aurora, I dipped the corners into the chilli.
Lucien's eyes narrowed at me when I lifted the toast to his mouth. He looked at the toast, then at Aurora’s expectant, joyful face.
He was trapped.
If he refused, Aurora would ask why. If he spat it out, he’d look weak.
So he leaned down and took the entire piece, licking my fingers with the tip of his tongue, purposely.
His jaw clenched the moment, chilli spread on his tongue. A faint flush of red began to creep up his neck, and a single bead of sweat formed at his temple when he swallowed it down.
I hadn't shown any stinginess in the amount of chili I used; I wanted him to burn.
"Is it yummy?" Aurora asked, leaning in.
"It’s... unforgettable," he managed to rasp, his voice sounding like he had swallowed crushed glass. "I will make sure your mumma, gets the taste of it too"
His heated gaze turned to me. He was holding the table so tight that his knuckles turned white.
Finally, he checked his gold watch and stood behind Aurora who was now busy having the toast jam.
He leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Wear the green silk dress tonight," he breathed. His hot, spicy breath fanned my skin, sending a jolt of terror through me. "I want to see how the color looks against the marks I am going to add tonight."
A violent shiver ran down my body.
He kissed the top of Aurora's head, gave me one last, burning look before walking out of the house like a normal, gentle, human being.