Chapter 15

ARTEMISIA

As soon as I stepped back into the hall, Sin's mother was all over me. I noticed she wasn't alone as well.

The same people that had welcomed me the minute I stepped into the hall were the ones watching me now.

I stared back at each of them before glancing back at her.

"Are you hurt? What happened?" She inquired, clutching my hand.

"Nothing happened," I replied. My brows furrowed as I glimpsed at the perplexed look on each of their faces. I was certain they knew what had gone on. But, they were waiting to hear it from me.

Sin's mother sniffled and narrowed her grey eyes at me. "You smell weird. Who have you been with? Where is my son?"

"He's out. And I smell the same way I always did," I said.

I brought my hair closer to my nose as well as the collar of the dress I donned to sniff them.

I smell the same. But, Sin's mother and his siblings had made it seem like I smell like shit.

Even Sin, when he tugged me to him back in the garden, I remembered he had wrinkled his nose.

I wonder why they all had the same disgusted expression on their faces and I wasn't interested in knowing the reason either. I felt tired all of a sudden and wished to go into the room but I doubt if Sin's mother would let me.

"Artemisia, I asked you a question." She said, nudging me slightly.

"I think I need to retire early," I mumbled, politely whilst staring at her. Then, I continued. "I didn't get the chance to rest and coming here was a bit of a surprise because Sin didn't inform me."

My eyes flitted around the hall and I noticed the guests were still present. Luckily, the people I met when I entered the room had dispersed too. Then I stared back at the older woman in front of me, she seemed like she was ready to scold me, but she held herself.

"Very well." Sin's mother asserted.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Wait."

I halted in my tracks and glanced back at her.

"Call me Ada."

I nodded with a small smile, bowed slightly before walking out of the hall.

★★★

Sighing, I plopped on the bed that I knew I was going to share with Si tonight. I hoisted myself up again and I tugged off the gown that was on me.

I stared at myself in the mirror as I undressed. Shaking my head, I walked towards the bathroom to freshen up because my body was starting to get sticky.

A few minutes later, I stepped out after washing the dirt from the road off my body. Also, I felt refreshed.

The door went ajar almost immediately as I walked towards the huge wardrobe.

"You should knock!"

I yelled, snatching the towel I had hung on the wardrobe door to cover my unclad body.

Sin stood by the doorpost. He didn't seem like he was affected or heard what I was saying. His lips quirked up in their usual way and an amused smile played on them. "This is my house."

"Why should I knock?" He inquired, walking towards me. "Besides, you are my wife and I have every right to see whatever you think I shouldn't."

His dark eyes twinkled and I sensed he was up to something. So, I clutched the towel around me tighter.

"No matter how you wrap that tightly around your body, I can take it off with just a snap of my finger." He asserted.

"Leave me alone, Sin," I mumbled, turning to leave. But he intercepted me.

"Leave you?" He inquired, chuckling. "I need to have a taste of what I bought with my freaking money."

"I-I…"

I gasped as he tugged the towel off my body. I shivered as cool air drifted into the room from the open window and I attempted to shield the tiny cleavage I have with my hand.

"No need for that sweetheart. You'll be begging me when I'm done with you."

"What has gotten into you, Sin?!"

"You darling. Perhaps, I should spank you for disobeying my order tonight."

He said and immediately grabbed me. He turned my back to him and his hand caressed my backside in the lacy panties I donned.

Even as I tried to wriggle out of his grasp, I couldn't.

"Sin.." I moaned out his name as his hand smacked my butt.

It was hard, but oddly I found it sensuous.

Tears clouded my vision and I sniffed as he continued to hit me.

"Please, it hurts…" I sobbed.

I thought my tears would make him stop. Rather, he smacked harder as if he derived joy in it.

"You shouldn't disobey me next time." He gritted his teeth and shoved me off him.

I moaned whilst rolling on my tummy. I attempted to sit on the bed, but I couldn't as pain flared all over the sore area.

"You are cruel!"

"That is a warning, sweetheart." He grinned. "More is coming and even worse." He promised.

I stared at him in disgust. "I hate you and I always will."

"Well darling, Like I said before, the feeling is mutual." He said, leaving the room.

Why was I given to a man without emotion like Sinclair Steele?

Why was I now like an object to him?!

More questions kept coming to my mind. But, I received no answer to it.

I couldn't run away since I don't even know where he had brought me to. Neither could I say anything to my parents who believed they had done a huge favour to me.

Slowly, I shut my now swollen eyes and sobbed more into the pillow.

When I couldn't anymore, I began thinking of a way out. A way which I knew would make me escape from him or make me receive more punishment as he had promised.

I shivered as I recalled the sick grin on his face. There was no way I would wait to receive another punishment like that for defiling him.

It was better to live the life I was shoved into by my so-called parents instead of thinking of a way out that would land me in trouble.

However, I believe there was no harm in taking a risk.

Groaning, I sat on the bed, careful not to exert pressure on my sore backside as sleep decided to elude me.

I staggered towards the corner of the room, a small bar was by the wall and I noticed it as soon as I came into the room.

Without looking at their names, I grabbed a bottle from one of the liquor collections that was neatly arranged on the topmost part of the shelf.

I opened it and took a sip directly from the bottle. Surprisingly, the liquor had a sweet and fruity taste.

It wasn't like anything I had tasted before.

I grinned as I took another gulp. My head reeled and I winced as I felt a burning sensation in my throat. But, I didn't care nor did I stop.

I shouldn't be drinking. I didn't like it and I haven't tasted any alcoholic drinks since my high school days.

But, right now I needed it despite how wrong it seemed.

I needed it to make me forget the current circumstance I was in. To forget I was a captive in my freaking marriage!