Chapter 36 36

Chapter 36 36
Nora’s POV

As I sat on the bed perplexed, he pounded on the door again, making me jump.

“I know you’re in there and I know you can hear me loud and clear. Open this door or I’ll break it down just like last time. Don't think locking me out is going to save you,” he said.

I knew he meant every word he was saying because he didn’t hesitate to break the door down the last time. When he pounded on the door impatiently again, I knew I had to open it for him. This wasn't how I imagined it would be! I had been so happy with the idea of pissing him off that I didn't take a moment to properly prepare myself for the confrontation.

Fear pooled in the pit of my stomach as I moved to open the door. He rolled in his wheelchair immediately and I backed away. When I took a look at his face, I got scared. He looked so angry that the veins in his neck were popping. Did I go too far?

"Do you think this is a game?" he asked, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair so hard his knuckles turned white. "You want to piss me off so badly that you’d turn my sanctuary into a circus?"

"I didn’t do it," I lied, my voice trembling.

“Don’t you fucking lie to me! No one would dare pull a stunt like that unless they have a death wish! Do you? Have you been in contact with your ex?”

My eyes widened. How did he know about Silas so fast? Had he been monitoring me?

“I’m sorry, but you’ve left me no other option. All I want is for you to let me go, is that too much to ask? Just let me go!” I breathed, summoning a bit of courage.

Julian tilted his head, a cold, predatory smile spreading across his face. "You want out of this marriage. But I think you haven't realized yet that you are property of this house until I say otherwise."

“I am not. I am no one’s property and I want you to let me go!” I said with a confidence I couldn’t feel. His words were so cold that I could feel goosebumps on my skin.

“Your stupid family sold you to me without even blinking an eye. Your father’s greed is so irritating that it’s hard to watch. I own every fiber of your being and it will stay that way until I say otherwise!”

Pain exploded in my chest at his painful reminder. Perhaps I moved too far? Maybe invading his personal space was over the line.

“I am sorry,” I breathed as I pushed my tears away.

“Too late. Being sorry isn’t going to turn my room from being a circus,” he said, his cold voice vibrating through the room.

He took out his phone and began dialing a number.

"Julian? What are you doing?" I asked, alarmed. Who was he going to call?

"If you hate this house so much, I’ll help you get used to it," he said, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. The person on the other end of the phone answered and he began to talk, his gaze never leaving mine. I swallowed hard.

"Marcus? Send two guards to the north wing immediately. My wife needs to be escorted to the cellar suites for a 'reflection period.' Now."

My blood ran cold. What cellar suites? Was he trying to lock me up? Judging by the cold look on his face, I knew he was up to no good.

“What the hell are you doing? What are you planning to do with me?” I asked, taking a step further from him.
“You will see. I think you’ve suddenly developed the mentality that your opinion matters in my house. I am going to change that as soon as possible by locking you away until you choose to act like an adult.”

"You can't do that," I whispered, backing away. “You can’t lock me up.” The mere thought of being in isolation brought back memories I didn’t want to remember. It brought back terrible thoughts I have tried so hard to suppress. I wasn’t going back to that dark hole inside my head.

"I can do whatever I want in my own home, Nora. And since you’re so fond of bright colors..." He leaned forward, the shadows sculpting his face and making him look even meaner. "The guards will be here in about sixty seconds. I’d start running if I were you. Because if they catch you, I’m not letting you out until that ex of yours is a distant memory."

I became instantly paralyzed by fear as I looked around the room that suddenly felt like it was closing in on me. No! He cannot lock me in, no! I would go mad!

He watched me with calculative, cold eyes as he waited for me to act. He was giving me a head start because he liked the thought of me trying to escape his claws. He probably would bet I couldn’t get away. Suddenly, I became fueled by the thought of running from his reach. He wanted to see me run in fear but no. I was running to get away from him for good.

Without thinking, I bolted out of the door and began running, but then I stopped to take a moment to think. The guards would be coming from the sitting room straight to my wing. If I tried to run directly down, they would simply seize me. That was what Julian wanted. He thinks I am a naive little girl, but I am a lot smarter.

I heard footsteps begin to approach and I didn’t wait to find out who was coming. I changed directions immediately and bolted towards Julian’s wing. That way, I could run downstairs without bumping into any guards. With my new plan, I switched hallways immediately and ran to Julian’s wing. Just like I had anticipated, nobody was here. I didn’t have time to celebrate my little victory; I bolted for the stairs and ran downstairs.

I took off towards the living room and just then, some guards were rushing down the stairs in search of me. They missed me! They called for me to stop, but I was already at the door. Pulling it open, I ran outside and headed straight for the woods because running on the road would only make them catch me faster.

I would rather die than have Julian lock me up. After being tortured by my family several times and being locked away for days as a form of punishment, I knew just how hard it was to remain sane. Going back there would completely break me. And the worst part? It was exactly what Julian wanted. He would love to see me break down and lose my very self.

I heard the guards calling out to me, asking me to stop immediately, but I didn't stop. I didn’t even dare to turn and look at them. As I was swallowed by the bushes, only then did I dare to breathe.