Candice POV:-
After seeing Tyler stole my ability to think or comprehend anything embedding a fright I have never sensed before in his presence.
“Ty-” I tried calling but he slapped my hand away.
“I heard enough.”
His vehement words evoked a fear from within, the thought of what he has done only to make me his, send chills to my bones, it was giving me a very bad omen to think what he was planning.
His demeanor is terrifying me, how possessive he is about me, making me stiff in horror, wrapped around his anger and the zeal which is ignorant to me yet has the intensity to stir my mind.
Tyler is scaring me. His actions, his words, his possessiveness… everything.
We walked out and he was acting as if nothing happened while my mind was lingering on our conversation.
He wouldn’t let me go, not now or ever. The guilt aside, the passion won’t let it happen.
I don’t know what he has done for me but it’s unnerving.
I stood beside Nicolas and asked, “Are you alright?” I asked.
He smiled and patted my head, “Of course.”
“I am glad you are okay.”
I hugged him, not letting him go with my heart beating abnormally by the sharp gaze of Tyler fixed upon me.
I don’t think Tyler has told Nicolas about him being a Mafia- Dark Lord himself. My whole being stiffened when the realization of the person in front of me.
The most feared man, the ruthless mafia leader, disquiet and hurt me as he is none other than my husband.
“We are leaving tomorrow.” My breath stopped when Tyler said it.
Nicolas wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close while I continued to hug him and in that time Greta came.
“Why so early? Candice came after such a long time, at least, staying for a few days. Peter will miss you.” She said, holding Peter.
“Tyler-” He cut me off.
“Candice, didn’t you want to go to Sophie's baby shower?” He asked, still looking at me with a warning gaze which increased the pace of my heartbeat.
“I.. I..” I couldn’t speak.
“You should go, Candice.” Nicolas said, pulling away and ruffling my hair.
“Why?” I timidly asked.
“You left without telling Tyler, he was so worried about you.” Nicolas told me, taking a seat.
“Careful… dear.” Greta said, concerned about his condition.
“I cannot even accompany you in this condition and he was so desperate. You should sort your matter first.” Nicolas said.
I exchanged glances with Tyler. He also took a seat and leaned back, “Speak up Candice, do you want to go?”
“Come on, Dear, I will take care of you. Let her stay. She got married so quickly, I never got a chance to congratulate her properly.” Greta insisted. She is a lovely person who loves hosting people with her charismatic personality.
She is the perfect partner for Nicolas who is so insecure about life but what about me?
‘I have a goddamned Dark Lord as my husband!’
“I want to stay…” I mumbled, inaudibly, looking down.
“Candice, he booked the tickets, you should go. We will come to visit you ourselves… and honestly I don’t want you to see me like this… you know..”
Nicolas trailed off. That manipulative bastard made Nicolas to be on his side and I had no choice.
I bit my lower lip and nodded, “Okay…”
Tyler's lips curved upwards triumphantly as he stood up. My heart raced when he walked closer.
He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me close. He was smiling but I could feel the hidden intent behind this smile which was sucking my energy.
After dinner, we went to the spare room Nicolas reserved for me.
If I hadn’t gotten married, and he came earlier, I would have run away and been living with him but what can I do against the games of fate?
My heart was on the verge of bursting by each step I took toward the room. With a stoic expression, I entered and stood in the middle of the room.
Tyler entered after me. The creaking sound of the door being closed and locked startled me as I turned as I saw Tyler leaning on the door with his hands closed at his chest.
“You chose this way yourself… don’t blame me for what happens next.” His stern voice came.
My heart skipped a beat, my mind intoxicated in the insatiable glimmer of thrall emitting from his shrewd gaze, preying upon me.
“You should know my intoxication towards you. Don’t be ignorant of it.”
The sound of his shoes against the wooden floor, coming in my direction drained my strength.
“Hmm?” He hummed.
With a shallow breath I looked away, hugging my sides, not meeting his eyes.
He wrapped his arms around me, increasing the tensed emotions more, hugging me firmly from behind, murmuring on my neck.
“Not gonna talk to me?” Receiving endless shivers by the closeness.
I swallowed hard, “Get away.” I breathed out.
“Hmm? Why?” He asked, voice low and soft with concealed malice.
Holding me like a belonging while nuzzling to my neck more, feeling my quivers when his lips made contact with my skin.
“I said get away.” I said, raising my voice, trying to get away but his grip tightened as an indication to make my next move cautiously.
Convulsing me greatly in the fear running in my veins. “You are my wife Candice.”
I shuddered at his dominant tone which changed to the previous low tender one again, continuing in a whisper.
“Love, do you remember? You once said it’s a problem of rights…”
His hand moved upward towards my neck, wrapping his fingers around it as a tear pricked in my eye, startled by his actions.
“Today, I won’t mind using them forcefully.” He hissed.
“Tyler please… let me go…” I whispered, breathlessly, at the verge of breaking.
But his gaze along with his aura was stern, dead serious, “Enough Candice, I can't bear you leaving me…”
His every amusement faded as he embraced me, putting his forehead on my shoulder, holding me close.
“Please, I will do anything for your forgiveness. I am willing to apologize for my remaining breaths… just tell me what I should do for your forgiveness?” He asked sadly.
“Leave me.” I said coldly.
“Why are you doing this?” He asked in a broken whisper. I glared and turned to him.
“And you, what about you? You didn’t trust me, accused me and.. And… tried to kill Nicolas!” I whisper-yelled at him.
“You forgave me for not trusting you. I am still repenting for your false accusations and Nicolas is still alive.” He replied.
Rolled her eyes and scoffed, “No, tell me if there are other reasons for you to leave me?”
“You have killed so many people.” I reasoned.
“And you have been with so many men.” He scowled, making me gasp in disbelief, disheartened he is still talking about it.
“I needed money.” I defended myself.
He grabbed my arm and pulled my close, growling, “That’s my point, Candice. So do I. We both needed money.”
“Accept it, Candice, we both have done depraved acts for money. You left and I am trying to leave....” He paused with an ache flickering in his eyes.
“Tell me, what was I supposed to do when my little brother died from starvation?” My eyes widened in appall when I heard it.
“There was no future for an uneducated, poor kid. We were left in the streets. I had no choice but to choose this life to feed my mother and sister!” He snarled.
His voice turned enraged with tears brimming in his eyes. My eyes widened in shock when I heard it, I never knew he had lived such a life of misery.
My lips began to quiver as I forced my words out,
“Y-You have a m-mother and s-sister…?” He never talked- I never asked about his family.
He moved back from me and let out a mocking laugh, “What’s with that look?” He snickered.
Putting his hand over his face, wiping the tears and looking at me in dejection.
“I have lost everyone I love in my life, Candice… And look at you… You know nothing about me… rather never tried to know me…” He scoffed.
“Leave it. You are not going to leave me anyways.” And then enunciated.
Hiding the dismay of his voice and moving away, at the verge of crying but gritting his teeth to refrain from doing it.
“No… tell me, where are your Mother and Sister?” I asked in a croaked whisper.
Understanding why he is so possessive about me, he lost his family, his ex lover.. everyone.
He remained silent and went to lay on bed. I was about to touch him but he yanked his hand away and laid on the bed.
I wanted to be selfish, angry, insensitive at that moment… but couldn’t. The fact of how his brother died echoed in my mind and affected it drastically.
I am not heartless…
I walked to him and sat beside him, putting my hands over his chest.
“Tyler-” I called him but he glared at me.
“I don't need your sympathy. You wanted liberation from me anyways.” He said scornfully and turned away, closing his eyes.
I lowered my head and remained like this for a few seconds but then I took his hand in mine and put it over my stomach, looking at him innocently.
“I said-”
Tyler opened his eyes and turned to look, his eyes fell on my face and traveled down to his hand, softening his gaze instantly.
“Tyler…” I whispered his name.
His gaze was fixed on the hand, gulping the lump in his throat as his lips began to quiver along with his hand over my stomach.
Shaking with inexplicable emotions blended with agony, wrath and penitence, making a dolorous face.
He slowly looked up to me, wanting to speak something desperately but could. He broke his gaze, pulling his hand away, curling it in a fist.
“Come here.” He frowned.
Opening his hands out to me, making me lay down on his chest as I drifted into a slumber without speaking anything further...