Chapter 3 INTO THE DEVIL'S LAIR

Chapter 3

Ariana's POV

After Raymond greeted everyone, he grabbed my hand and led me toward the parked car. My aunt suddenly rushed over, blocking my path and pulling me into a suffocating hug.

"You see? If not for me, you wouldn't be here. You should be grateful," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.

Her words made my stomach twist in disgust.

"Of course," I replied bitterly, glaring at her. "If not for you, I wouldn't be walking straight into the lion's den."

I shoved her arms off me and turned away, refusing to let her touch me any longer. Without another glance, I climbed into the car.

The driver ignited the engine, and the soft hum filled the tense silence. I sank into the seat, my hands clenched into fists as the car began to pull away, leaving my aunt-and the life I once knew-behind.

The ride to Raymond's mansion was silent, suffocating even. The car felt more like a prison cell, with Raymond sitting next to me, his gaze fixed on his phone. I stole glances at him, wondering how a man could look so calm and indifferent while shattering someone's life.

When we arrived at his estate-no, my new home-my stomach churned. The massive gates creaked open, revealing a towering mansion that loomed like a dark castle. I gripped the folds of my wedding dress tightly as Raymond stepped out first, his demeanor as cold as ever.

"Come on," he said without looking at me.

I hesitated before stepping out, my heels clicking softly against the marble driveway. As soon as I entered the mansion, I was greeted by opulence-chandeliers that glittered like stars, expensive paintings that lined the walls, and a staircase that twisted upward like a snake.

I couldn't admire it. My heart was pounding too hard.

Raymond turned to me, his expression devoid of warmth. "Follow me."

I obeyed, my feet dragging beneath me. He led me to a grand bedroom-our room. The walls were dark, the furnishings sleek and cold, a perfect reflection of the man standing before me.

"This is where you'll sleep," he said simply, before his expression turned cruel. "Welcome to your new life."

He turned on his heel to leave, but I couldn't stop myself. "Why are you doing this?" I blurted out. My voice was small, shaking, but I couldn't hold the question in any longer.

Raymond paused, his back to me. Then he turned, walking toward me slowly. Each step he took made me shrink back, until my back hit the edge of the bed.

"Doing what?" he asked, his tone mockingly soft, his face just inches from mine. "You're my wife, Ariana. Isn't this what you wanted?"

"No!" I shot back, my voice trembling with anger and fear. "You know I never wanted this. I never asked for any of it!"

Raymond's smirk faded in an instant. His hand shot out, grabbing my chin roughly and forcing me to look at him. My heart hammered in my chest.

"Listen to me very carefully," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You belong to me now. Do you understand? You'll do what I say, when I say it. You will not question me, you will not disobey me, and you will not humiliate me. If you do..."

He let the threat hang in the air, his grip tightening painfully before he finally let go. I stumbled back, gasping for breath, tears stinging my eyes.

"I suggest you get used to this," he added coldly before walking out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I sank to the floor, my body trembling uncontrollably. My throat felt tight as the sobs broke free, echoing through the empty, lifeless room.

I had known this marriage would be a nightmare, but I hadn't expected the cruelty to start so soon. I wiped my tears, my hands shaking as I looked around the luxurious room that felt more like a cage.

"Pull yourself together," I whispered to myself. But even as I said it, I knew surviving Raymond Ray would be the hardest thing I'd ever do.

That night, I couldn't sleep. Every sound in the massive mansion made me flinch. I stayed curled up in a corner of the bed, staring at the door, afraid that he would come back.

Just as I was about to close my eyes, Raymond walked in, already changed into fresh clothes.

I quickly sat up on the bed, pulling the blanket tightly around me, trying to cover myself.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

Raymond's lips curled into a smirk as he turned to lock the door. "What do you think I'm doing here?" he replied, his tone low and teasing. "Isn't it obvious? What do husbands and wives do on their wedding night?"

I swallowed hard, my fingers gripping the blanket as if it were a shield. My heart raced, a mix of confusion and defiance bubbling inside me.

"That's not happening," I said firmly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not... I'm not ready for this."

Raymond paused, his smirk fading slightly as his gaze lingered on me. "Not ready?" he repeated, his voice calmer but laced with curiosity. "You're my wife now. You knew this was part of the deal."

I looked away, staring at the floor, my breaths quick and shallow. "I don't care what the 'deal' is. I didn't agree to this."

Raymond sighed and ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face. "You really don't make things easy, do you?" he muttered, almost to himself.

"And I'm not going to," I shot back, finally looking him in the eye. "If you thought marrying me meant you'd get to control me, you were dead wrong."

A silence fell over the room, thick and heavy. Raymond stood there for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, he chuckled softly.

I thought he would walk away, but instead, he started moving closer to me, pulling off his shirt.

I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart pounding in my chest.

This isn't happening... right? He won't do what I'm thinking.