Chapter 20 VIOLENT DAMIEN.
Chapter 20 VIOLENT DAMIEN.
Isabel's POV.
I had gotten ready for the gala. Dressed in my red long halter gown , walking beside Adrian. Every smile was a lie I had to sell. I could feel Damien’s eyes somewhere in the crowd, watching me perform. That feeling—the knowledge that I was his to mess with made me tense and unable to walk without forcing myself to breathe.
Adrian was talking loudly to a man and his wife, who were very important business partners. He was selling them stability, saying how strong his marriage was. His hand rested on my waist, sealing off the lie.
Just then, Adrian's mother decided joined us. She looked flashy in that gold suit of her.
"Mr.Albert" she said smoothly. "My dear Isabel is here to remind everyone how strong the Sterling family unit is. We are all rooting for her."
She paused, turning her gaze on me. "Though I do wish she would put more focus into the important things. Some girls manage to bring value to the family quickly. It's a shame Isabel hasn't been able to produce any results. Really, she is just good for nothing"
The words were spoken like a sweet compliment, but they hit me like a solid, painful blow. Good for nothing, she said.
I looked at her. The shame I felt for Damien, the terror, and the guilt I carried for Adrian—it all broke free in a single, desperate rush of anger.
"I disagree, Mother," I said. My voice was loud and perfectly clear. "My value is in the alliance I brought to this family. The problems my father had are gone. I have done my duty. I think you should focus on the business deals that are actually bringing in money."
Her face froze as her eyes went wide with shock.
She was used to me being foldable. Used to me nodding and taking their insults with a smile on my face.
Perhaps Damien might have broken me.
Adrian’s arm dropped from my waist. He started to laugh, a high, fake sound that sounded wrong. He was trying to pretend it was a joke.
"Oh, Mother, Isabel is just being playful!" Adrian said quickly, turning to Mr. Albert "She's just stressed about the Gala menu. Isabel, apologize to Mother and the Albert's. We don't want any drama tonight."
He tried to smile at me, a desperate signal to play along.
I didn't move. I looked at him, seeing only the weak man who was more afraid of his mother's opinion than he was of my pain.
"I will not apologize," I said clearly.
Adrian’s fake smile died. His usual playful expression dropped and before me was a stranger I didn’t recognize.
"You will apologize," he ground out, his voice a low, frightening hiss.
“No, I won’t”
He laughed again, this one as fake as the first. “It seems something is wrong with my wife today. I apologize in her place.”
They could only nod, still staring at me.
“We understand, my wife gets that way sometimes.” Mr Albert laughed. Falling for his excuse.
I tried to say something but Adrain reached out and grabbed my left wrist. His fingers clamped down hard, digging into my bone.
"Now, we are leaving," he hissed, pulling hard.
“Enjoy the party” he smilled, dragging me roughly away from the couples. I stumbled, the grip on my wrist a burning vice. He didn't care who saw. He pulled me through the crowd, toward the dark corridor.
He shoved me into a small, cold room and slammed the door shut.
He didn't turn on the light. He stood over me, breathing hard, his hand was still crushing my wrist.
“What is up with you? Why the rebellion?”
“Rebelion? Is that what you call this?” I scoffed.
“What else is it?”
“Your mother insulted me! She called me good for nothing and you stood there saying nothing. How dare you call this rebellious?!”
“You were supposed to endure it” he shouted, his voice shaking with fury. "You have no right to speak! You are here to look pretty and be quiet! Do you understand your place?"
“Adrain, let go of me. You are hurting me” I whispered, the words weak.
Realizing I probably shouldn’t have said anything.
"You deserved it!" he yelled back, shaking my arm hard. "You will not embarrasse me. You will be obedient! Do you hear me?"
I closed my eyes, tears finally coming from the raw pain in my arm. I could only stand still and wait for his rage to end.
“Let go of me” I whimpered, pain and fear making me vulnerable.
I was afraid he would hit me but the door open again, revealing the bright light of the corridor. Standing in the light, completely still, was Damien.
He looked straight past Adrian’s and only at me.
“Adrian,” Damien said. His voice was quiet, but Adrian's turning his head.
“We are just having an argument, nothing serious”
Nothing serious? It was infact serious. Who knew the extent his rage would have reached as Damien not come.
I sniffed.
Damien stepped into the room. He didn't rush. He walked right up to us.
“Let go of her hand, Adrian,” he ordered.
Adrian hesitated, his hand still tight on my wrist.
“We are still talking, D.”
Damien said nothing else. He simply put his hand over Adrian’s hand.
Then, with pressure, Damien forced Adrian’s fingers open, and his hand flew off my wrist. The sudden relief was almost as shocking as the pain.
Damien held my wrist gently. He moved the silk sleeve aside and looked at the deep red circle Adrian’s fingers had made. It looked ugly and was clear on my skin.
Damien’s jaw tightened. The blood drained from his face, leaving his skin pale. The look in his eyes was terrible and it was directed at Adrain.
“How could you do this to her?” Damien asked, his voice a barely contained fury
Adrian stepped back, probably realizing how far he had let his anger go.“I—I didn’t mean…”
Damien swung his fist before he could finish that statement.
The sound of the punch was sickening.
Adrian groaned. “What was that—“
And Damien swung his fist again, this time harder than the last.
Damien stood over him, breathing hard. He looked down at his own fist, then back at Adrian's bleeding face .
And I knew with. certernity that he hadn't saved me. He had punished someone for touching his property.
I stood against the wall, paralyzed by the fact that Damien had hurt his brother, my husband for unintentionally hurting me.
My sweet terrible, violent owner.