Chapter 4 HEARTLESS HUSBAND

Elara's POV

I stood in the middle of the grand dining room, staring at the long table set with a breakfast I didn't want. Kieran sat at the head, his presence cold and commanding, his focus locked on a heap of papers. He didn't even look up.

I cleared my throat. "I was thinking we could talk about the territory's management today. I'd like to be involved."

"No." His reply was sharp, dismissive.

My brow raised up "But as your wife-"

"You're here to play your part, Elara," he cut in, his tone like ice. Finally, he lifted his cold, piercing eyes to meet mine. "Not to make decisions. Do what you're told and stay in your place."

My fists clenched at my sides. The words I wanted to throw at him burned in my throat, but I bit them back. Fighting him now would only make things worse. Swallowing my frustration, I sat at the far end of the table, as far from him as I could get. The space between us felt like a very large desert.

Servants moved around silently, setting a delicate plate of fruit and pastries in front of me. I picked at the food, too angry to eat, while Kieran ignored me completely, his attention back on his documents.

The silence between us felt suffocating, and it followed me through the day. I wasn't going to let him shut me out forever, though. I had to push back, even if it was risky.

Later, I found him in the study, he was looking over financial records. I knocked on the doorframe, stepping inside before he could brush me off.

"What is it now?" His tone was as welcoming as a thundercloud.

"I wanted to discuss the event you mentioned,earlier" I said. "I need to know what's expected of me."

His sigh was loud and deliberate as he sat back in his chair. "What's expected of you is simple. Show up, look presentable, smile when necessary, and keep your mouth shut."

My jaw tightened. "You can't seriously expect me to just stand around and be silent."

"That's exactly what I expect," he said, standing now, his tall looking standing over mine. His voice dropped to a mocking tone. "You're here because I need you to be, not because I value your opinion."

My anger rised , hot and uncontrollable. "You're unbearable!"

Kieran's gaze darkened, his steps slow and deliberate as he closed the space between us. "Careful," he warned, his voice dangerously low. "You're in no position to talk to me like that."

I didn't back down, even as my heart pounded in my chest. "What are you going to do, Kieran? Prove how much of a tyrant you are? Go ahead!"

For a moment, I thought he might actually strike me. His hand moved at his side, and his jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grinding. But instead, he turned, his voice a cold growl as he said, "Get out of my sight, Elara."

The days that followed were no better. Every attempt I made to carve out a place for myself in his world was crushed under his heel. At meals, he barely looked at me.

When I tried to get involved in the household affairs, he shut me out entirely.

One evening, desperate for a moment of peace, I went to the library. The room smelled of leather and old paper, and I let the quiet drown me as I pulled a book from the shelf.

But of course, he found me. His shadow stretched across the pages before I even realized he was there.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked coldly.

"Reading," I said without looking up.

"I didn't give you permission to use this room," he said, stepping closer.

I slammed the book shut and stood, my whole body trembling with anger. "I didn't know I needed your permission to breathe in this house," I said, my voice shaking but firm.

Kieran smirked, that annoying grin spreading across his face. "Everything here is mine, Elara," he said as he stepped closer. "And that includes you. Don't forget it."

"Like hell I do!" I shot back, clenching my fists. The air between us felt heavy, like it might explode at any second.

Before I could say anything else, he closed the distance between us. His hand grabbed my arm tightly, and before I could pull away, his lips forcefully met against mine.

I froze, shocked by what was happening, but then instinct took over. I hit against his chest, struggling as hard as I could, but his grip was like iron. His other hand tangled in my hair, holding me still no matter how much I struggled.

"Let me go!" I shouted, my voice muffled against his mouth. I twisted and clawed at him, desperate to break free.

"Stop fighting me," he growled, his tone low and commanding. But his words only fueled my anger.

With everything I had, I kneed him hard in the groin. Kieran let out a pained groan, his hold on me loosening for just a moment.

I didn't wait. I broke free and ran for the door, my heart pounding as I thought I might actually escape. But before I could get far, he grabbed me by the hair, and threw me back so hard I stumbled.

I screamed as pain shot through my scalp. He turned me around to face him, his eyes raging with fury. "You'll regret that," he snarled, his voice sharp and cold.

Fear gripped me as he dragged me down the hallway. No matter how much I kicked or tried to pull away, his grip was like steel. "Let me go, Kieran! You're crazy!" I yelled.

He didn't answer. He just kept walking until we reached a door I hadn't noticed before, hidden at the end of the corridor. Without a word, he pushed it open and shoved me inside.

I stumbled and fell onto the cold floor, the darkness closing in around me. "Kieran!" I screamed, scrambling to my feet.

He stood in the doorway, his shadow looming in the faint light. "You need to learn your place, Elara," he said, his voice icy. "And this is where you'll stay until you do."

Then he slammed the door shut.

I rushed to the door, pounding on it with my fists. "You can't do this!" I shouted, my voice breaking . "You can't keep me locked in here!"

But there was no reply, only silence.