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To save her dying brother, Elara signs a marriage contract with the ruthless billionaire John Blake. Her only aim was to save her little brother, but she got trapped in a gilded prison, used as a pawn and possession, she suffers in silence-until John's brother returns. Ethan Blake, the quiet man who once saved her brother's life, becomes her only light in the darkness. She found comfort in Ethan's hands and became pregnant with him. Torn between a controlling husband and the only man who ever truly saw her, Elara must choose whether to survive in silence or risk everything for love that was never meant to be. But in a house full of secrets, someone always gets hurt. What will happen when John finds out she's pregnant with Ethan's baby?
Chapter 1 The Unexpected
Elara Morgan stands alone in John Blake's cold, high-security mansion. The wedding was over. The guests are gone. She's just become his wife, not by love, but by contract.
The wedding ring dug into Elara's skin like a brand. The mansion was silent, but her heart pounded like a war drum. Her brother was in a hospital bed. And she was here, in this golden prison.
John Blake stepped into the room, drink in hand, tie loosened. His eyes locked on her. "Don't look so scared, Mrs. Blake," he said voice like ice. "You signed the contract. You belong to me now."
Elara trembled and was confused as John ordered her to strip. Though she was expecting this, not this soon on their first wedding night.
"What did you mean?" she said, her voice shaking
John looked at her coldly, his eyes calculative
"I meant exactly what I think," he replied curtly. "Take off your clothes, Elara."
Elara felt a wave of panic wash over her. She had never imagined that he would be so demanding, especially not this early after their marriage. He was even sounding so condescending that it made her feel like she was some kind of prostitute he paid for.
"I......I don't understand," she stammered, her hands trembling
"Listen to me, Elara," he said. "I am your husband, and as such, I have certain expectations. You are my wife and you are here to please me and obey me without questions, which I only expect you to do now, so take off your clothes!!"
"And try to remember - every breath your brother takes now belongs to me." He said, his eyes never leaving hers.
Elara hesitated for a moment, her mind racing with fear and confusion. She knew she had no choice but to comply, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Could you please let us do this tomorrow?" she said, her voice barely over a whisper. She needed to be mentally prepared.
John's expression hardened again, and he stood over her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her up close.
"You will do as I say," he said firmly, his eyes locked on hers. "You are my wife now, and you will learn to submit to me. Now, take off your clothes. I won't say it again!"
Elara felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she slowly began to unbutton her dress, feeling violated and ashamed. She knew her life with John would be nothing but a living hell.
As she undressed, she felt a sense of shame and vulnerability wash over her as she knew she had no other choice or way out of this. John had just made it clear that he expected her to submit to him in all things, and she had quickly learned that he would not tolerate any resistance.
John dragged a rolling chair in front of her and sat down, his eyes fixed on her as she undressed. She felt a sense of humiliation as she realized he was enjoying the view of her, vulnerable and exposed.
Finally, she stood before him in her lingerie, feeling extremely embarrassed like never before.
For a moment, there was silence in the room as John continued watching her, his expression inscrutable. Elara stood there, her heart racing, wondering what would happen next.
"Turn around," he commanded, gesturing with his hand.
Elara hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned around with her gaze firmly on the ground. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized she was completely at his mercy.
"Hold on," He said suddenly as he stepped closer. "Just stay that way."
John stepped closer, too close, his hands reaching out to touch her. She tensed as his finger grazed her exposed shoulder, down to her back before smacking her ass as she let out a cry.
For a moment, there was silence as John kept staring at her. Elara waited, not saying what to say or do again.
Then all of a sudden, he broke the silence with a disturbing request.
"Take off your panties."
Elara looked at him with confusion and fear in her eyes. She didn't understand why he was asking her to do this. "John, please, I'm not ready for this, it's still so early," she said, her lips shaking.
John's face turned pale as he heard her protest, "You belong to me, and you will obey me; remember that."
Elara's heart was pounding so fast as she looked at John, realizing for the first time how dangerous and determined he was. She gathered up her courage again as she spoke, "Please, John, let's take things slowly. This is my first time in all of these, just give me some time," she said, her voice cracking.
John's expression twisted in anger as he approached Elara. He grabbed her by her wrist, hurting her and yanking her towards him, his grip tight and unyielding.
Elara's eyes were filled with tears as she pleaded, and he could feel her body shaking as she cried, begging.
More tears fell faster from her cheek as John released his grip on her and let her go completely, and she dropped to the ground.
John bent in front of her as he reached out to touch her cheek full of tears, but she stepped back, a look of panic flashing through her face.
He looked at her for a moment longer before he smirked, turned, and left the room. Elara breathed a sigh of relief; it was like he had just allowed more oxygen into the room after he had left
She did not know what to make of the counter. On one hand, it was flattering to be the object of someone's desire. But on the other hand, it made her feel objectified and uncomfortable.
She's now realizing that she had married a man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.
Elara stood in front of the mirror in the mansion, staring back at her reflection, looking numbed.
She was so completely lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize that someone else was behind her, and she was caught off guard as she screamed when she saw another figure reflected apart from hers in the mirror.
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