Chapter 105
Anathea was a married adult; she knew perfectly well the meaning behind Natalie’s photo.
For the latter to post such a suggestive photo on social media meant she’d gotten Gregory’s permission. It seemed they were having a beautiful night together, indeed.
The comments section under the photo was a riot of guesses about who Natalie was spending the night with.
Natalie’s answer was the same to everyone. “Stop guessing, guys! You’ll be the first to know the good news if I have any.”
Someone even teasingly asked if the mysterious man Natalie was spending the night with was any good in bed. Natalie replied with a blushing emoji and a bashful, “Yes, he’s amazing!”
Anathea locked her phone and numbly stared out the window at the same moon. She took deep breaths and calmed herself, blocking out any thoughts of Natalie and Gregory. Then, she turned off the lights and slept.
She thought she’d be tossing and turning that night, but it turned out her body was more exhausted than she believed–it didn’t take long for her to fall into a deep slumber. She even had a decent dream.
She dreamt that Fiona’s surgery went well and that they left the city together. They led a peaceful life without Gregory, Xander, or anyone else interrupting them.
But just as Anathea and Fiona were living their best lives, a crack split the sky, followed by lightning, thunder, and a violent storm. Fiona’s hand, which had been clasped around Anathea’s, began to loosen and slip away.
“Mom!” Anathea cried, only to realize no sound came out of her mouth. Panic seized her. She made to chase after Fiona but found herself being pinned down. She couldn’t move.
Anathea struggled to break free of the weight on her. She blearily opened her eyes to see a towering figure pinning her down. How–and why–did someone break into her room?
Anathea’s heart leaped to her throat, and she struggled frantically as she tried to shout for help. “Help-”
Her cries were muffled when the person atop her covered her mouth with his hand. At the same time, there was a click as the bedside lamp was turned on.
Only then did Anathea get a clear look at the person’s face. It was Gregory!
She froze, bewilderment filling her eyes. What was he doing here? Shouldn’t he be with Natalie?
But before she could figure out why he was here, Gregory moved his hand away from her mouth and gripped her chin instead. He then leaned down and kissed her.
Anathea’s eyes widened. Disgusted at the thought that he was kissing her right after he’d returned from warming Natalie’s bed, she forcefully shoved him away. “No!”
“Why not?” Gregory’s face darkened as he fixed her with an imposing stare. A dark flame seemed to have been lit in his eyes, threatening to scorch and burn her to ashes. “Didn’t you use the same, filthy trick to get with me on this day five years ago?”
Anathea went still. She’d almost forgotten that on this day five years ago, Adam had drugged Gregory and forced him to get with her. And on this day every year after that, Gregory would be intent on torturing Anathea in bed until she was on the brink of ruin Just thinking about Gregory’s tendencies left Anathea’s skin crawling. She blurted out an excuse, “M–My period isn’t over yet!” However, Gregory scoffed at her words. “Did you think I didn’t check the bin in the bathroom, Anathea?”
The bin was devoid of any used pads, which could only mean Anathea’s period was over!
Guilt flickered through Anathea’s eyes. She thought it was rather odd that her period, which normally lasted five or six days, w over in less than four days this time.
Gregory’s hand moved to undo the buttons of her pajamas while she was in a daze. She snapped to her senses and quickly clutched the front of her shirt, denying his advances.
We still can’t do it!”
She refused to do it with him.
“My patience has its limits, Anathea.” Gregory’s voice gradually grew icy as he gripped her wrist and pinned it to the pillow. He began to loosen his tie with his free hand.
With the obvious discrepancy between their physiques and strengths, Anathea was no match for him. She felt him demandingly part her legs and pin her knees in place.
“Gregory!” she cried in alarm. “No-”
But Gregory ignored her plea. A loud rip filled the air, and her pajamas turned to rags in his hands. He bared her with the same indifference as one would rip open a package, his gestures edged only with his need to destroy and conquer.
To him, Anathea was an object at his beck and call, meant to satisfy him when he demanded and to be ruthlessly tossed aside when he didn’t want her. In his eyes, she had no dignity and didn’t deserve respect.
