Escaping The Billionaire's Embrace

Caitlin's POV:

My heart sprang and bolted in fear, with each step he took towards me. I thought I had more time to myself. I had hoped our anniversary would bring a reprieve from all the tension, thinking he would be gone for a week.

But, Fuck it! He was home, and I was wrong.

Anniversary or not, tonight would be just as dreadful like all the others.

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the vibrant yellow parrot perched on the window sill. It's eyes a bright, piercing blue.

It cocked it's head to one side, watching me with an unblinking gaze.

As I reached out to touch the parrot's soft feathers, a strong hand grasps my waist, pulling my back against a hard, muscular chest.

"Hey beautiful, I'm home." He whispered.

Aiden's fingers caressed my skin, his touch a mixture of passion and possession. His lips trailed soft passionate kisses along my neck, and brushed against my ear.

But I felt nothing; nothing at all. No spark, no flame, no desire.

"I miss you...miss your scent so fucking much!." His hands roamed my body, pinching my nipples, touching my sex, his fingers digging into me like claws. But I remained numb and unresponsive.

"Did you miss me?."

I felt a surge of anxiety, My heart raising in my chest somehow. I tried pulling away but Aiden's grip only tightened.

"Let's not play games, Caitlin. I know you missed me. I can feel it."

I took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. "We've been together for six years, Aiden. Six years of torture, of pain, of fear. Is this what you call love?".

"Let's get a divorce." I said, my words tumbling out in a rush.

The room fell silent. Aiden's hands froze. His eyes blazed with fury as he turned me around to face him.

"What did you say?"

His fingers grasp my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I just asked a question". He thundered.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest." I said I want a divorce."

"You want to leave me? On our anniversary of all days?"

I remained silent. I could feel a cold dread creeping up my spine as Aiden's grip on my waist only tightened. I knew I had to tread carefully, or risk facing his wrath.

"You think you can leave me? You think you can just walk away me? From everything I've given you?."

He gestured to the luxurious room, the expensive furniture, and decorations.

"Aren't I a good husband to you, Cait? A house, a car, bags, jewelry...I give you everything a woman can dream of. What more could you ask for?"

"I don't need any of them. That's not what I want."

"What do you want, then?. He growled. "I can give you anything. The whole world? That's an understatement. Just say the damn word."

"I want my freedom."

"I want to be able to walk down the street without you or your rogues by my side. I want to be able to breath without your permission, Aiden. I just want to leave you". I said, my voice a little firm, as I tried walking away.

Aiden's face twisted in rage. He pulled me back,closing his fingers around my neck like a vice. Our faces were inches apart, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Don't ever mention this again". He snared, leaving his hot breath against my skin. "Do you hear me?"

With a sudden burst of strength, he pushed me to the floor and I landed hard as the wind knocked out of me. Pain shot through my body, but I didn't care, I was beyond feeling.

"This is why I want to divorce you".

I looked at Aiden, and saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. He knelt down beside me, his hands shaking as he reached out to touch me.

"I'm sorry, Caitlin. It's my fault. I'm just too scared of losing you. I can swear, I won't hit you anymore....i won't do it ever again".

He slapped himself repeatedly, the sound echoing through the room. I watched him, unfeeling.

Like, how can someone be this broken? One might just think he's a psychopath, seeing how madly he behaved.

"I won't do it again. Please trust me, Cait. You can hit me too, if you want."

He took my hands pressing them against his face... "But don't leave me, I beg you".

I pulled my hands free, my heart heavy with sorrow. "Let me go!"

..."please Caitlin".

"I said let me go". I screamed, struggling to break free from his suffocating grip.

His grip only tightened.

"No way! He thundered. His voice echoing off the walls. You're not going anywhere. You're mine, Caitlin. Mine!." He left me furiously and stormed the room up and down.

"I'm not yours! I am my own person, and I deserve better than all of this your nonsense charade". These were the words I had wanted to spill, but the nerves...it was gone in a jiffy. I couldn't even say a word.

"I'm the best thing that ever happened to you. You'll never leave me. You said so yourself, remember?."

Hell! I hated every single word this crazy berserk frantic used on me. What guts!

"That's not true!. I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a few step closer to me and patted my hair.

"You're just being dramatic. Trying to hurt me, huh? You know It won't work, honey. I'll never let you go".

I wasn't being dramatic though, but this lunatic thought I was. I was obviously telling the truth.

The truth is...I was done with him. I was done with this marriage and I was done with his abuse.!

I honestly wish I could scream these words. They were eating deep within me, but only came out as tears.

Aiden's face contorted in anguish for a moment, and just then, in that eerie moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I once thought I loved. But it was quickly replaced by the monster he had become.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get away from you. Even if it means dying!" I said, amidst tears.

"You'll regret this. You'll regret ever having these thoughts. I'm sure of it."

I jerked in fear, seeing Aiden grow wild with rage.

Get a grip, Caitlin. You ain't allowed to show your fear or give in too easily. I screamed at my inner self.

Honestly, I hated how this freak of a man always bullied me. Did he think of me as his pet or something...?

"I'm not afraid of you." I lied, trying to keep my voice steady, despite the fear trembling through my body.

"Of course, you are. You should be. He whispered mockingly. You should be afraid of me"

Aiden picked me up, carrying me to the couch..

"Let's have a baby." he said. His eyes wild with desperation.

I immediately felt a wave of revulsion wash over me.

"No. I don't want that".

"It's not even a plea, Cait. I'm not asking, I'm telling you, we'll have a baby. "

"I don't wanna have a baby. Not with you"

"Why? Aren't we a couple?."

"You're a terrible husband, just like your dad" I spat out, my words fueled by anger and hatred. "You won't be a good father either".

As I said those words, I knew I had crossed a line. Aiden looked like he had been punched in the gut, his entire body recoiling in shock, his fist clenching at his sides, and his face contorted in anger and hurt.

He slowly got up from the couch. His movement deliberate and menacing...

"So you think I'm like my dad?... you think I'm a terrible person?."

I turned my face away. And I could feel my heart pounding heavily in my chest. It seemed I had woken the beast in him..

Of course, I had wanted to return the same energy he brought, but I wasn't ready for the dreadful outcome.

Aiden ripped off his tie, and tied my hands with it, letting the silk fabric dig into my skin.

Then, he took my tied hands across my face and held it behind my head.

"Maybe I'm not now, he snared. But I'll definitely be a good father in the future"

"What does it take for you to set me free?. What would it take for you to let go of my freaking ass?" I asked, my voice a little hoarse.

"Either I die, or you die. And rest assured, you ain't allowed to die without me."

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine, kissing me rough and hard. I felt like I was being crushed, my breath caught in my throat.. I was suffocating, trapped in this nightmare of a marriage.

I struggled to break free from his grasp but Aiden was too strong. His hands like steel bands around me. I forcefully removed one hand from his grip, but he brought it back and pinned me down, even tighter.

"With a baby, we're gonna be a happy family". He whispered, and chuckled crazily. "Whether your heart or your body, belongs to me only".

"You make me sick." I spat, trying to push him away with every ounce of strength in me.

"I hate you! I hate you for making feel like nothing! You're very wicked and heartless, just like your fa..."

With that, I crossed hundreds of boundaries.

He raised his hand, and I felt a surge of pain as he brought it down, slapping me across the face.

Aiden folded the black sleeve he was wearing, up to his elbow, revealing his muscular arms ripping beneath his skin, and the costly gold wrist watch that gleamed in light.

He was vibrating from head to toe, clenching his fists like he was ready for a fight. I knew how much he hated how I despised him being so close to me, but i still spilled clean trash.

I had obviously touched a sore spot and was already so fucking aware of the grave danger I was in, being in this marriage with a man who's capable of anything...

He picked me forcefully off the couch, carried me to his room, and threw me on his bed.

And yes, I landed hard, the mattress bouncing beneath me a couple of times before it balanced my weight.

Before I could climb down, Aiden leaned over, with eyes that bored deep into my soul, his last words trailed off..

"You're gonna pay for saying that, and hurting me".

I woke up the next morning, still lying in Aiden's bed, with bruises all over my body. It ached all over, reeling from the events of last night..

Damn it! This crazy maniac b**tard dealt seriously with me.

Such a beast!

As I slowly sat up in bed, I saw him standing by the light of the window with just his pants on.

He was radiating in every way. His broad shoulders and toned abs were evident as ever, rippling beneath his skin as he moved. A valid testament of his rigorous workout routine.

If only Aiden hadn't become like this, he would have been the true definition of a perfect man for any woman, giving his looks and all.

They had once captivated me. But now, they only serve to mask the monster that lurked beneath.

He turned to pick up his shirt from the bed, and I noticed the faintest glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes, a hint that he was pleased with himself for having asserted and worked his dominance over me.

He tried paving my hair backward, but I declined, shaking immensely. I could see the disappointment wrapped all over his face, but who cares?

"You're awake." He said, his deep voice low and husky. "I'll take you for breakfast." He strode over to the bed, his long legs eating all the distance.

He scooped me up in his arms like a baby, and sat me at the dining table.

It was laden with a spread of Chicago's finest cuisine. Steamy plates of Italian beef sandwiches, classy hot dogs and slices of deep-dish pizza.

Each one was perfectly crafted to tempt my taste buds, but I had no appetite.

My stomach was already churning with anxiety as Aiden sat me down at the table.

"Come on." Aiden said, implying that I should open my mouth as he raised a spoonful of food. I shook my head and kept a straight face, not touching or eating anything.

"I know you're still mad at me, but you have to eat something." He said, his voice laced with concern.

I remained adamant, my anger and fear simmering just below the surface.

He made another attempt to feed me, but I declined yet again. Immediately, he got pissed and threw his spoon at chef Francois, who was standing by.

"Make some new dishes until she's ready to eat something." He barked.

Poor chef!

He faced me yet again and gave a sly smirk.

Just then, his phone rang. "I have to take this call, I'll be right back." Aiden said, standing up and leaving me alone, as i just remained numb and seated.

Well, I guess much wouldn't be expected from a woman who was constantly rough-handled by a man she calls 'husband'.

Last night was hell!

*

"Caitlin, come out here!" Someone screamed from outside.

I knew that voice all too well.

It was my stepmother. She was back again.

I got up and walked outside, as fast as my legs could carry me. Two of Aiden's bodyguards were trying hard to stop her, but she was adamant, dragging herself like a crazy person with her innocent daughter standing beside her.

"Do you know who I am? How dare you block me? Get out of my way!" She yelled at the men as soon as she saw me.

"Why are you here?" I asked frustratingly

"Sorry, Caitlin. I failed to stop my mom from coming here. I'll take her to leave now." Sophia responded instead, with guilt washing over her face.

Ma'am Victoria resisted her grip in the most dramatic way.

"I'm not leaving. She's your sister, but is she so stingy even when she's lucky to marry a rich, nice husband."

Sophia kept on looking at me, her eyes filled with apology. "Cait, mom didn't mean that. Please don't mind her."

"I don't even care", I said. My voice cold and detached. "She isn't my biological mom, anyway."

"But Sophia is your sister, you bitch!" She screamed.

"Since your damned dad got paralyzed, he hasn't given me a penny. You should make it up to me as his daughter."

I felt a urge of anger at her words. "I'll take care of my sister, but I won't give you any penny. The last time I gave Soph money for her living expenses, you took it to gamble."

"So what?" She snarled.. "As long as your dad isn't dead, I'm still your stepmom. You have to take care of me."

Just as I was about to leave, Aiden walked towards us in a grand style, a bit dramatic though. He spread his hand across my shoulders and pointed one of his unlimited bank cards at ma'am Victoria.

"I can give you some money". He said to her, with a voice dripping with condescension.

Her eyes lit up in greed as she stretched forth her hand to take the card.

"Aww.. you're so generous." She cooed

Just then, Aiden's bodyguards immediately went and gripped her by the arm.

"Hey, what are you doing?." She yelled at them, struggling to break free.

Aiden walked up to her, raising her chin in his hand. "My wife has said she won't give you money. What I give you is compensation for breaking your hands."

"Please spare me." She cried out.

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on Aiden. He was enjoying this, I could tell. He was enjoying the power and control he had over my family.

"Will you dare harass my wife again?" He ferociously questioned

Ma'am Victoria shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I won't dare to do it again, I won't. Please spare me." She begged, her voice shaking with fear.

Aiden's expression didn't change, but he nodded curtly.

"Get lost!" He barked, and in an instant,they were out of sight.

He turned to me, his expression softening.

"Let's go back inside".

He held my shoulders and took me back to the dinning table, where chef Francois was waiting with a new set of dishes.

*

"Ma'am, the new dishes are ready"

Aiden rested his hands on my shoulders, his fingers tracing the curve of my neck. "Come on, don't starve yourself. You need to eat" he whispered and leaned in close, scooping a spoon in my hand.

"Go get the gift I prepared for my wife," he said to the chef.

"Mr Gallagher is such a nice husband." I overheard chef Francois say to herself, grinning from ear to ear as she hurriedly stepped out.

What was the use of his gift? I was beyond consolation, anyway.

I was trapped in a nightmare, I didn't know how to wake up from it.

Having brought up the issue of a gift made me remember things I had wanted to forget about him. How devilish, heartless and wicked he was.

I still remember vividly his last encounter with Dominic...

Flashback

I sat in the cozy tea shop, sipping my coffee and chatting with Dominic, my friend from university. He had come to see me and to hand over a certificate I had won in an art show.

"Congrats, Caitlin, you won the award!" He exclaimed, handing me the certificate. I beamed with pride, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me.

As I took the certificate from him, I accidentally spilled the little coffee I had left in my cup on my hands. "Oh no, I'm so clumsy!" I cried, trying to wipe the coffee off with a napkin.

Dominic laughed and took a tissue from the dispenser on the table. "Let me help you" he said, gently wiping the coffee off my hands. "You're still so careless." He teased, smiling at me.

Just then, the door to the tea shop burst open, and Aiden walked in, flanked by his usual entourage of bodyguards. His eyes scanned the room, locking onto me with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat. He strode over to our table, his long legs eating up the distance, and loomed over us, his presence commanding attention. It seemed just like a scene in a western movie.

"You've been out for so long, honey. I'm here to pick you up." He reached out and plucked me from my seat, holding me close to his chest. I felt a surge of fear as he signaled his bodyguards, and they bundled Dominic away, dragging him out of the tea shop.

As we left the shop, I tried to explain to Aiden that Dominic was just an old friend, that he had only come to deliver the award certificate. But Aiden just smiled.

"We'll talk about this at home." He ruffled

As soon as we arrived at our mansion, Aiden turned to me and pinned me against the wall, his expression cold and calculating. "So, you were with him today."

I shook my head, trying to defend myself.

"We've nothing special, Aiden. He's just my old friend."

Aidan gave me a peck on my forehead and just smiled.

"I trust you. Have a seat".

He gestured to the couch, and I sat down slowly, my heart racing with fear.

As I sat there, his personal bodyguard handed him a small wooden box. Aiden turned to me, a smile spreading across his face. "I've got you a gift."

I took the box from him, my hands shaking with fear.

I opened the box and saw something that made my blood run cold. Inside the box was Dominic's finger, severed from his hand.

I screamed, throwing the box away from me. My hands were shaking, and I couldn't utter a word.

"He used these fingers to touch you today." He growled, his eyes blazing with anger. He then rushed over and sat close to me, seeing the way I was shaking immersely in shock, and hugged me tightly.

"Don't be afraid, honey. He whispered. "Don't be afraid. It's his fault. He paid for his sin."

Chef Francois really isn't the first to to think this way. The whole world thought so too.

Aiden was such a candid manipulator.

We acted all lovey dovey on the outside.

He was the charming, successful husband who lavished me with expensive gifts and took me on exotic vacations. While I was the beautiful, devoted wife who adored her husband and supported his every endeavor.

The picture-perfect couple, always holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes.

People often saw our union as a fairytale, But behind close doors and all the facade, we were a ticking time bomb.

I was trapped in a cycle of abuse and intimidation. Aiden bore an intent desire to dominate and possess me. He dictated every aspect of my life, from what I wore to who I spoke to.

The smiles, the laughter, the romantic gestures, all of it was a carefully crafted illusion. It was designed to conceal the rot that lay at the heart of our relationship.

How the hell did I fall for such a wolf?

"Others think you're a nice husband". I finally spoke up with a bit of anger in my tone, dropping the spoon on the plate.

"I don't wanna ride the bus you're taking, sweetie. Just eat".

"Why not?" I asked in a whisper.

"What do you think?" He winked at me.

I stared blankly at the decorations my mind drifting away for a moment..

The flickering candles, the delicate flower arrangements, and the elegant silverware all blended together in a haze of luxury.

I was lost in sea of memories and emotions.

The sound of Aiden's harsh voice, the feel of his strong hands on my skin, the suffocating weight of his control. It all came flooding back.

For a moment, I was transported to different time and place. One where my panties was stripped away, and the beauty beneath was laid bare in rough opulent sex.

"Cait..? Are you okay?"

I shivered as I snapped back to reality.

"Yes, I am."

"So, I was asking if you think I'm a nice husband too."

"I don't know"

"What don't you know?"

"I know nothing but your true colors, Aidan". I said in a low and cliche voice.

"My true colors?. Is there something you're not telling me, Caitlin?."

I couldn't even respond, I just stared in a daze.

Aiden immediately sent his personal bodyguard away.

I shook in fear.

What did he want this time around?

He suddenly pulled down the tiny hook on my dress and caressed my boobs.

He took another step closer and placed his head on my chest, savouring my nipples in his mouth. He kissed my neck slowly and left a love bug on my skin.

"It hurts.."

"Are you sure that's all you wanna say?"

I went silent..

"Don't you wanna feel my body all over yours right now?"

He picked me up and sat me on the dinning table, shoving the plates aside. His hands immediately went underneath my gown, slowly removing my underwear.

"People might see us" I said out of the blue, like a scaredy cat.

"And loose their life in the process". Aiden responded almost immediately.

"Your nudity is only mine to behold. Your fingers are only meant to lift a spoon and my d**k. Nobody is permitted to hold them."

"Was that why you cut off Dominic's?" I asked, my eyes teary.

"He deserved what he got. He should know better than touching you and crossing my path"

His words were dripping hot with desire. I knew better than to let him have his way. Not again!

"You're such a lunatic". I frantically said in a whisper, tears threatening to gush down as i pushed him away.

Aiden's expression changed, his eyes narrowed into slits. He gave me a blank, hard look, his hands starting to vibrate again. I knew that look too well.

lt was the same look he had given me last night before he...

I shuddered at the memory.

"Yes, I'm a lunatic. Who loves you so much. I don't want anyone to touch you."

I am a human being, not an object! How was that so hard for him to understand?

I slowly shifted, and came down the dining table, pulling my pants back on.

The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel Aiden's eyes burning with intensity as he glared at me.

"I know what you you're thinking. But what's the difference? You belong to me, anyway."

His words cut deep, a painful reminder of the prison I was trapped in.

I stared at him for almost a minute in utter bewilderment. Didn't he understand that I was a person with my own thoughts and feelings?

Just as we were still locked in a staring game, Chef Francois walked over to Aiden, holding a flat package covered in clothes. "Your gift, sir" she said, handing it over to Aidan.

"Get out!" He screamed after collecting the package from her. He paced the room up down for seconds, before he finally calmed.

"I know you wouldn't believe me, but I prepared a gift for our anniversary. I initially wanted to take you shopping, but yunno, you ruined it."

Seriously? Who really cares about shopping right now? What the essence of buying clothes, when I'll only wear them to his very numerous boring galas, group convo parties and the rest of them..?

"Your birthday is coming, Caitlin. I'll hold a grand party for you."

"You wouldn't ask me to attend with your guards, would you?"

"You can invite your sister to celebrate it with you"

"Just Sophia?" I asked my face falling off..

"And maybe your stepmom and mine too, honey".

He pecked my hair, dropped the box before me, and touched my face romanticly.

"Chin up."

I slowly raised my face to meet his gaze.

"I love you." He said and gave a cute smile.

Before I could respond with whatever I had wanted to say, Aidan called out to his personal bodyguard.

"Keep a close eye on her. Don't let her run around."

The big, burly man nodded, his eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity.

It's clearer now - I'm a prisoner, trapped in a gilded cage with no escape. This is really all there is to my marriage.

Inasmuch as I hated having to feel this way, My husband is a psychopath!

... It can't be helped.

Although Aiden hasn't always been like this from the start; we were a normal couple during our courting. We had all the romantic moments.

Yeah! He even proposed to me in a very romantic way..

What really changed?