Chapter 4 Place of Consolation

Cat stood frozen, her fingers curling tightly around the handle of her suitcase. The venomous insults and disdainful stares of the onlookers pierced her like a razor, but she refused to show any weakness on her face. She straightened, clearing her throat as she finished packing, movement throughout her body stiff and deliberate.

Still, a part of her hoped-prayed-that Alex would say something, do something. However, when she made curious eye contact with him, her heart skipped a beat. His expression was emotionless, his arms tight across his chest as if he was giving two hoots. His sharp eyes, once warm, now held nothing but cold detachment.

A bitter taste settled on her tongue. "So this is how it ends."

His mother didn't hesitate to show her disgust. "Now you want to use guilt to make him reason with you. We don't want you anymore. Shameless woman.

Cat didn't bother to answer her because it is going to add fuel to the matter. She turned and entered the bathroom where she and Alex onced shared as a lovely couple. The thought of what she saw that night echoed through her as she walked towards the door.

Before she could dwell on it, a sudden shove sent her tumbling backward. A gasp tore from her lips as gravity yanked her down the stairs. Panic seized her, but before she could crash onto the marble steps, strong arms caught her mid-fall.

Aaron.

His grip was firm, his heartbeat rapid against her back. His jaw locked, and for the first time that night, his eyes welled with something fierce. "Anger. Possessiveness. He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening as he pulled her upright.

The room fell silent.

His gaze snapped toward her, dark and lethal. "Are you out of your mind? His voice was low, controlled-but the tension in his jaw and the way his fingers curled into a fist betrayed his fury.

Cat was caught by the wall, just as this thought entered her mind. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as his palm flattened beside her head, trapping her in place. His head inches from hers, his breath felt against her skin.

"Aaron, what-"

His lips crashed onto hers.

A muffled sound of protest left her throat, her fingers pushing against his chest, but he didn't budge. The kiss was hard, claiming, punishing-a silent message, a warning to everyone watching. When he finally pulled away, her chest heaved, her lips tingling.

He then, just before she could think, tilted her head and bit into her neck.

Startled gasps shoot from her mouth as a burning sensation courses through her. The room erupted into shocked murmurs, but Aaron didn't care. When he pulled back, a deep, enraged red hickey stained her perfect skin, a visible inscription of ownership.

"Sign it," he commanded, his voice husky.

Her confused gaze tracked his as he presented a contract to her. The notebook quivered slightly in his tight grasp, the other hand encircling hers and leading her shaking finger to the scanner.

Cat's breath came in short gasps, her mind spinning. "You... You had this planned all along?"

Aaron's jaw tensed, but he didn't answer. He simply pressed her finger against the contract.

Cat's hands trembled as she took the contract from Aaron, her breath shallow. The words printed at the center of the top and bottom squeezed her tummy.

MARRIAGE CONTRACT.

Her eyes scanned the words, and each word produced a ratcheting rise in her pounding pulses. 'Permanent union... No right to annulment... Bound by law... Her vision blurred as anger surged through her veins.

Her fingers tightened around the paper before she shoved it back at him. "You're insane if you think I'm signing this. Her voice shook, but she forced herself to stand tall. "Alex-Alex will take me back."

Silence.

Then, a low, cruel laugh.

Aaron smirked, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous. "Alex?" he echoed, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think he wants you back? He leaned in, his presence suffocating. "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but nobody is coming for you.

Cat's throat went dry.

There are two options. His tone was gentler now, even languid, yet the steel underneath was clear. "Either you sign this and live comfortably... or you spend the night on the streets. Your call."

Her heart hammered against her ribs. "You're a monster."

Aaron's lips twitched. But that wasn't the thing you said when you were moaning my neck last night.

Her breath hitched.

Rage exploded inside her, and she slapped the contract against his chest. "If I had known, I wouldn't have slept with you!

Another dark chuckle. Aaron tilted his head, eyes glinting with amusement. "And if I had known this was how you'd react, I would've still punished you... But much, much harder.

Her body tensed. She wished to scream, to hit him, to erase that sneer from his face.

But before she could, Aaron closed the space between them and kissed her.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't gentle. It was dominant, consuming, and demanding.

Her fists made a feeble impact on him, but his arms squeezed her more and more, holding her against him. Her protests melted into gasps, her body betraying her. Slowly, against her will, she kissed him back.

Aaron smirked against her lips. "That's more like it."

He withdrew slightly, his thumb just brushing over her bruised lips. "You have a few minutes to think, sweetheart. But let's be honest, we both know how this ends.

Cat swallowed hard. She didn't have a choice, did she?

With a deep breath, she signed.

Aaron's grip on her hand tightened as he pulled her into the sitting area. The entire room stilled. Alex, along with his parents and the rest of his family, looked at them, with confusion shimmering in their eyes.

Aaron didn't hesitate.

He raised their clasped hands and declared, "She's my wife.

A collective gasp filled the air.

Shock. Disbelief. Horror.

Cat's fingers curled into Aaron's, her entire body stiff.

And then, the whispers began.