"I swear, I'll make you pay for everything you did to me!"
My voice cracks from screaming, but I don't care. My fists are clenched, my chest rising and falling as I glare at him.
His face shifts, expression hardening like stone. "Finally," he says, voice low & venomous. He lets go of my wrist with a slow, mocking smile.
"That's the first intelligent thing to come out of your mouth." He begins a slow clap, cruel & sarcastic.
"You want revenge? Then do it! Come on, kill me."
He spreads his arms wide like he's inviting me to take the first blow.
"I won't stop you. Let's see what you have got in you."
"You are a monster," I spit, voice shaking with fury and disbelief.
"I know. But I'm your monster now. Your husband. The one man who's life is tied to yours... by hatred, by blood, by fate & destiny."
His thumb brushes a tear off my cheek, lingering far too long.
I jerk away. From him. Heart pounding. Then I run. My legs are shaking. The torn dress tangling around me, as I flee down the cold unforgiving road. Blood trails from the cut in my bare foot, each step agony. My lungs burn, my vision spins. But I don't stop.
I won't stop.
"Run, little butterfly!" His voice rings out, amused. "Makes me work for it!"
Then, to his men: "Don't follow. I'll handle her myself."
--------
I don't know how long I've been running when he appears again, like a phantom from the shadow. My legs buckle and I stumble back, gasping, my body shaking. His eyes roam over me - my torn dress, my bloodied foot, the fear I can't hide.
"My poor little wildfire..." he says, almost tenderly.
I stagger a step back, but my body won't listen anymore. I'm too tired. Too broken. My lips tremble as I glare at him, defiant through my tears.
"Stay away from me!" I rasp, voice hoarse.
He moves like a predator, slow and sure, ignoring my words.
"Come here, little wife."
He closes the distance and reaches for me - I slap at his hands, weakly.
I lashed out with my leg, trying to kick him - scream, fight if you touch me again.
"I'll ruin your future! I will kick so hard you'll never be able to have kids!"
He blocks my kick easily, catching my leg - a dangerous protectiveness.
He pulls me closer, pressing my injured foot against his chest.
"Like I can see why I chose you. You're like a woman who bit back."
His voice makes taming them so much more satisfying," he murmurs, his lips brushing my foot as he kisses the blood-stained skin.
"What are you doing?" I asked sharply, eyes narrowing, still breathless from my failed escape.
"Checking if you really kicked my future kids away,"
he said with a dark chuckle. He's dangerously close to my stomach. His smile drops the moment he saw my expression - murderous, terrified and completely done.
He hesitated.
---