Armand’s eyes followed Celine’s every step. He could feel her panic in the air, her desperation to get as far away from him as possible.
He didn’t blame her. But he knew she wouldn’t get anywhere. The house was surrounded by the security guards he had put in place the moment they arrived.
He watched her as she stumbled, tears running down her face, her sobs making his heart squeeze painfully. Why was he so harsh on her? Why couldn’t he show her any compassion or kindness?
He wasn’t a good man, and he had done terrible things in his life, but he didn’t have it in him to cause any harm to Celine. Yet, the more he tried to show her love and kindness, the more she seemed to fear him.
The image of her kneeling in front of him, tears in her eyes, made his heart hurt.
His guards blocked her path as she tried to make a run for it again. He watched them pick her up by the arms, holding her tight as she fought against them. She tried to run again, but he caught her and picked her up into his arms.
“No, please don’t take me back there.” She looked up at him, tears still streaming down her cheeks. “Please, you have to believe me, Armand. You have to trust me, I’m telling the truth.” She clung to him as he took her back to the house, holding on as if he were her lifeline.
Her words made his heart squeeze. He wanted to believe her, but he had no reason to. She had left him before and tried to escape. How could he trust her now?
The moment he laid her on the bed, she scrambled off and knelt on the floor, staring up at him.
“I’m not leaving you, Armand.” Her voice shook, her body trembling as she clung to him.
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise, Armand. I just didn’t want to cause you any pain.” She clung harder to his hand, tears streaming down her cheeks as she stared up at him.
Armand felt his heart stop as he stared back at her. Her tears were his undoing. He knew then he could never let her go. He would rather die than lose her again. The fear of losing her was more terrifying than any other thing in the world.
His hand cupped her cheek as he drew closer, his heart slamming in his chest as he pulled her closer.
“I will do whatever it takes, Celine.” His voice was thick with emotion, his heart trembling as he pulled her into his lap. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you with me, my love.”
His words seemed to make her go limp against him as she pressed her head against his chest.
“You have to believe me, please, Armand. Just believe me.”
He pulled her closer, drawing her tighter as he stared out the window.
“I will do my best, Celine. I’ll try to believe you, but I don’t want you to leave me.”
She was silent for a moment before her voice came again.
“You won’t, Armand,” she whispered. “I promise. I love you, Armand. Only you.”
He closed his eyes as he breathed her in, the scent of her filling his lungs, his hands cupping her head to hold her even tighter.
“I love you, Celine.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek, his body trembling as he held her tighter.
Armand’s words echoed in Celine’s head like a broken record. He loved her. He still loved her even after what she had done.
She had no idea how she was still alive after trying to escape. She had no idea if he had really forgiven her or if he was just keeping her locked up in this house.
She had no clue what his real intention was, but she had to try. She had to be strong. She had to fight for herself and for him.
She sat on the bed in the dark room, waiting for him to come in. He had left earlier saying he would be back soon and she would know if she was going to be punished again or not.
The sound of the door opening made her body tense, her breath catching in her throat as she watched him walk towards her.
His eyes were unreadable as he stared down at her, the blue of his shirt and the black of his pants stark against the darkness of the room.
“Celine,” he spoke her name and she trembled, her heart slamming in her chest.
“Y...yes?” She spoke through a dry mouth, her body still tense as she waited for him.
“I have been thinking a lot about us since we got married.” He dropped down onto the edge of the bed and she could see the muscle clench in his jaw.
“Okay.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, her breath still caught in her throat.
“I want you to stay married to me.” He turned to look at her and she blinked back at him. “I want you to be my wife, Celine.”
She felt like the floor had been taken from beneath her. What was he saying? Why was he still willing to marry her after what she had done?
“Why?” Her voice came out as a whisper.
He reached out to cup her cheek, his hand feeling like fire on her skin.
“You said I have to believe you.” He spoke as he stared at her. “You said I have to trust you. So I am going to do just that.”
“What?” Her eyebrows drew together.
“I want to try, Celine.” The corner of his mouth pulled into a soft smile. “I want to try and see what happens. I want to be married to you.” His voice trembled at the end and her heart squeezed in her chest.