Chapter 57

🌷Stella’s POV...

A dull headache throbbed in my skull as my heavy eyelids fluttered open. The ceiling of my room came into view. Did I fall asleep? I groggily sat up, trying to grasp what was happening.

Chris was there, sitting beside me, his face etched with worry. The sight of him made my stomach twist in disgust. And then it all came back- why my eyes felt swollen, why my chest ached. Because of him. Because this bastard did something inhumane.

He held a glass of water to my lips. My eyes narrowed. Poison. I slapped the glass away, sending it crashing onto the floor. “Stay the fuck away from me.”

His jaw clenched, hands turning into fists. Oh, he was angry? But I didn’t give a damn.

Taking a deep breath, he caged me in with both hands on either side of my body, forcing me to look at him. His presence was suffocating. His aura screamed danger.

“Look at me,” he ordered, voice low and commanding.

I refused. I simply shut my eyes. He could force me to stay, to listen, but he could not make me look at him. These were my damn eyes, not his.

“Stella, open your fucking eyes.”

“I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see your disgusting face.” My voice was cold, dripping with hatred. “I hate...”

Before I could finish, his lips crashed onto mine.

I froze.

While keeping his lips pressed against mine, he whispered, “Never say that, baby.”

Rage exploded inside me. I shoved him away with all my strength and, without thinking, I punched him right across that smug fucking face. His head snapped to the side, a bruise already forming.

Fucking asshole. He deserve it.

But he laughed, like a maniac.

If I know him better, I should run.

I darted for the door. My fingers fumbled at the lock, but—what the fuck? The lock had been moved upwards. I jumped, trying to reach it, but it was high. If I were 6' I could reach it.

“You asshole!” I shouted, turning back to him. “You changed the lock on purpose! Let me the fuck out!”

He was already behind me. Before I could react, he caged me against the door, pressing his body against mine. His hand tilted my chin up, forcing me to look at him and another caging my waist.

“You’re not leaving this room,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my cheek.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, so now you’re keeping me caged? What’s next, huh? Chains? A fucking collar? But of course, what else can I expect from a monster who only cares about his ego?” My voice dripped with venom. “Let me tell you something, you stubborn asshole I will leave, and there’s not a damn thing you can do to stop me. And then your egotist ass will burn with fire. Fuck off or else I'll fuck you.”

Chris smirked. “You talk a lot of shit, baby.” He leaned in closer. “But I only remember one thing from all that.” His breath ghosted over my ear. “You said you’d fuck me. Please do it.”

I screamed in frustration and aimed a kick at his crotch. He dodged, bastard had fast reflexes, more than pumpkin and shoved me down onto the floor. But where's pumpkin? I'll ask later.

“Ouch, you motherfucker—”

Chris towered over me. “Don’t ever try that again, baby. I know all your little tricks.” He straightened up and gestured towards the bathroom. “Go freshen up. It’s dinner time.”

I scoffed. “Like hell I’m eating. I know you poisoned the food.”

He smirked. “Dumbass, if I wanted to kill you, I could’ve done it while you were sleeping.”

Fuck. He had a point.

Gritting my teeth, I stomped to the bathroom, slamming the door behind me. After taking a quick shower and changing, I walked out, only to find Chris sprawled on my bed, watching me like he had every right to be there.

I crossed my arms. “Alright, Mr. Shameless. Who changed my clothes?” My voice was sharp with accusation. “Because if you took advantage of an unconscious girl, your morals are doomed, your desires are burning, you horny lunatic bastard.”

He chuckled. “I saw that coming. That’s why I asked Ava to do it.”

I huffed. “That’s the only decent thing you’ve done in your shitty life.”

Chris grinned. “No, baby. The best thing I did was fall in love with you.” His eyes darkened. “And marry you.”

I glared. “Forcefully.”

He shrugged. “But you accepted my proposal afterward.”

“I was blind back then. Now I see your true colors.” My voice dripped with disgust. “Now either you leave, or let me stay in another room. I don’t want to see your shitty face all day.”

Chris grabbed my waist, pulling me close. “You’re staying here. With me. On this bed. Forever.”

I shoved his hands away. “I’d rather sleep on a fucking pile of garbage.”

His eyes glinted with amusement. “That’s a little mean, baby.”

Before I could protest, he grabbed me and carried me out to the dining room. Liam, MJ, Nick, and Ava were already there.

I frowned. “Do they know?” My voice trembled. “Were they in on this too?”

Chris’s voice was cold. “Everyone. Rooms. Now.”

Without a word, they picked up their plates and left.

My stomach dropped. Were they ignoring me? Or was it because of this asshole?

I screamed again, my voice sharp with anger. "I WILL NOT EAT!"

Chris ignored my tantrum like the arrogant bastard he was and shoved me down into a chair. The second his hand left me, I stood right back up. I wasn’t going to sit here and pretend everything was fine.

His jaw twitched, his patience thinning, but he calmly placed a plate of food in front of me.

I grabbed it and, without hesitation, threw it on the floor. The loud crash of the plate breaking sent satisfaction through me. "I said I’m not eating this fucking food with you!"

Chris’s expression darkened. He didn’t say anything for a moment, just reached for another plate and placed it in front of me. His voice was eerily calm. "Do this one more time, and—"

I didn’t even let him finish. I knocked that plate off the table, too, scattering food everywhere. "And what, huh? What the fuck are you gonna do?"

Chris turned to me, his tone softer, controlled. "Stella. Eat."

I scoffed. "Why do you care?"

Chris inhaled deeply, trying to keep his anger in check. "You didn’t eat lunch either. Just eat."

"I’d rather starve."

His gaze darkened. "You’re being a brat."

"And you’re being a controlling psycho. I want to go to my parents." I shot back.

Chris didn’t react immediately. Instead, he said, "After dinner, you can meet your parents."

That made me pause. "What?"

"They’re here," he said flatly.

My stomach dropped. "You brought them here?" My voice turned sharp. "What did you do to them again?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "I didn’t do anything."

"I don’t believe you," I hissed. "I want to see them. Now."

"After dinner."

I turned to leave, but before I could take a step, Chris grabbed me and yanked me back.

"You’re not going anywhere," he said, his voice dangerously low.

I glared at him, fury burning in my chest. "You don’t get to decide what I do, you fucking monster."

Chris’s grip on me tightened. "They will hurt you, Stella."

I let out a bitter laugh. "They can never hurt. They are just a little mean with me."

His eyes flashed with something unreadable and he plainly said "They might kill you. They don't care about you."

Tears streamed down my face as I struggled against his grip. "Let me go! Even if they kill me, it’s none of your damn business! And it's better to die than living with a fake person like you. I trusted you and you hurt my own family. I can't stand you. I want divorce."

I yanked at his hand, twisting and pushing, but he didn’t budge. Instead...

A sharp slap met my cheek.

For a moment, everything burned. My skin stung before it went completely numb. My breath hitched as I stumbled, my legs almost giving out beneath me.

Chris caught me.

With one hand, he rubbed my cheek while with the other, he held me upright, as if slapping me wasn’t enough—he had to make sure I didn’t fall and my cheek didn't hurt.

My vision blurred with more fresh tears, my heart twisting in sheer hatred, my entire body shook as realization set in.

Chris didn’t love me. If he did, how the hell could he justify slapping me?

This was all an act. He was tolerating me until his mission was complete. He never cared. Never loved me. Nobody loved me.

I hated him. I hated him with everything in me.

He pulled me closer, his grip firm. His voice was low, threatening. "Don’t you dare say that again."

I flinched, but he wasn’t done. His next words sent a shiver down my spine.

"If I even suspect that those bastards plan to hurt you or kill you, I’ll kill them without hesitation. And you can sit here and cry about it all day, I'll take care of you. And regarding divorce, don't ever test my patience or else I'll make sure you don't even remember it's spelling the rest is taking it from me."

A sob tore from my throat, my entire body trembling and me still a crying mess.

Chris exhaled, then walked to a chair and sat down. His hand tapped against his thigh. "Come here."

I blinked. Was he crazy?

Did he actually think I’d sit on his lap after everything?

"Not happening," I spat, cleaning my tears with palm.

His expression darkened. Without another word, he grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. Before I could even process it, I was on his lap, locked in place by his arm wrapped effortlessly around my waist.

I squirmed, pushing against him, but it was pointless.

"Stay still, sweetheart." he ordered.

I swallowed hard. There was no point in fighting now—I had no energy left.

Chris reached for a tissue and gently wiped my tears. The audacity this bastard have. He was the one who made me cry, and now he was acting like he cared?

I hated him.

He then picked up a glass of water and brought it to my lips, "Drink it, baby."

I hesitated for a second before realizing how dry my throat was. Reluctantly, I drank, finishing the glass in seconds.

Chris placed the glass down and grabbed a plate of food, holding out a spoonful to me.

Am I a kid?

I eyed it with suspicion, but my stomach betrayed me, growling in protest. I took a bite, chewing slowly, resentment burning with every swallow.

Then, he did his act , but I didn't find it romantic. Ewww.

With the same spoon, he took a bite himself.

I froze. "That’s my spoon."

Chris didn’t even acknowledge me. He just ate and then simply held out another spoonful, waiting for me to eat.

I scowled. "Take another one for yourself."

He ignored me completely.

My eyes flickered up to his, and—oh. That glare, screaming just eat or another slap is coming.

Yeah, I was eating. No arguments.

I took the bite, fuming in silence.

Once we finished, I pushed myself off his lap. This time, he let me go.

Without sparing him another glance, I stormed to my room, slamming the door behind me.