"Mrs. Romanov." His voice was ice. "That’s what you’ll call her from now on."
Ignat clutched his bleeding nose. "Got it. Got it, sir."
He prefers that everyone calls me by his last name, a constant reminder that I belong solely to him. No other man could ever dare use my own name.
I managed to stand, my legs slightly trembling as I was still unable to stand properly, but at least I could move. I walked up to him with all my strength and held his solid, muscular arm. "Let him go!"
His gaze dropped to my hand on his arm before flicking up to meet mine, finally giving me his attention. I was leaning on him with my whole body since I didn’t have the strength to stand on my own.
Would he push me away?
"I'll just take my leave," Ignat cut in quickly, his voice tight with fear.
"If you take a step, I'll have my men shoot you dead!" Gleb snapped, turning on him sharply. "You touched her! You fucking touched her!" His voice thundered through the hall.
I could tell he wanted to do more, maybe break another bone but he was holding back. Because of me? I realized my grip on his arm was the only thing restraining him.
"I'll never touch her again, I swear," Ignat pleaded, his voice shaking.
"No." Gleb’s voice was ice. "I'll take your right hand as compensation."
What? My breath caught in my throat. "Don’t you dare hurt him!" I pulled on Gleb’s arm, but he refused to glance at me. Desperate, I forced myself in front of him, blocking his path. "Please..."
"Get out of my sight!" he roared. His jaw was tight, veins standing out along his forehead.
"No," I insisted, fear gripping me tighter than my own weak legs. I didn’t know my husband was a complete psychopath.
Then my legs gave out. But before the floor could catch me, he did.
Swiftly. Effortlessly.
To my shock, he lifted me like I weighed nothing and threw me over his shoulder.
"Stay here," he ordered Ignat.
I knew Ignat wouldn’t dare move. Gleb’s men were everywhere, but I couldn’t let him go through with this.
When we reached the master bedroom, he set me down gently on the bed, but I grabbed onto his shirt, refusing to let go.
"You hate me... so why act like you care?" My voice was breathless, raw. "You vanished a day after our wedding without a word. You never even reached out. You didn’t care if I died of loneliness in this place. Yet here you are, acting like I belong to you." I lifted my chin.
His face remained frozen, unreadable. Then, in a voice colder than death, he said, "I still fucking hate you."
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, absorbing the pain of his words. Then I opened them, my voice sharp, "Then stop acting like you own me."
His eyes flashed. "No." His tone was razor-sharp. "No matter how I feel about you, you are my wife! You carry my last name! You are mine!" His fist clenched as he leaned down, his breath warm against my face. "No one touches you but me.”
A violent shudder ran through me at his words. I didn’t understand this man.
I had a million questions, but right now, I only cared about one thing.
"What do I need to do for you to let Ignat go?"
His expression darkened. "You don’t get to feel anything for another man."
"Not like that! He’s my tutor, I..."
“I don’t fucking care!” His voice boomed, his breathing sharp. “He touched what’s mine, and he will pay!”
