He laughed. “The truth? Are you kidding me? You had messages from people talking about taking my baby. What does that mean?”
Celine felt tears form in the back of her eyes, she knew she would never see her baby again.
Armand’s smile fell. “Don’t cry, baby. I would never hurt you. I promise you that. But I do need to make sure you are safe, and you are not going anywhere.”
Celine bit her lip and nodded. She knew she had no other option, but to do as he said. She couldn’t escape now, he knew all of her plans.
She watched as Armand smiled at her, and then pulled a small box out of his pocket.
“You can’t leave me, and I know that, and I know it's because of me and my lifestyle.” He said.
Celine shook her head, no this was not a good thing, he couldn’t mean what she thought.
He opened the box and smiled at her. “So I am asking you, to marry me, really marry me, so you can’t escape me. I need you to promise you will never leave.”
Celine forced a smile on her face and nodded her head. She felt sick to her stomach, how could he do this to her? She would never be able to escape, he had her locked down in chains now.
“You have no choice, I know that. You can either say yes, and stay with me, or you can say no and never see your daughter again.”
Celine felt the tears fall down her cheeks. “Yes,” she said, she would do anything for their baby, and if it meant she would be locked in his chains forever, then that’s what she would do.
She would always do whatever was best for her daughter, even if it meant staying with a monster like him.
Armand put the ring on her finger and smiled as he kissed her hand. “Now it's time for your first lesson, my dear.”
Celine shook her head as he dragged her across the bed and stood up.
She heard the sound of the whip before she felt it. “The first thing you have to learn is not to run away from me. The second thing is not to lie to me. If you can’t learn those two simple things, then you will have to be punished.”
“Stand up.” Armand demanded.
Celine slowly stood up, her eyes watering from the pain.
“Do you understand now?” he asked. “Are you ready to be a good girl?”
“Good girl, now you will be good?”
Celine nodded.
He smiled and pulled his shirt off. “Come here.” he ordered.
Celine swallowed hard as she slowly walked over to him.
“Do as I say, or you will be punished again.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you need more proof of what I will do if you don’t do as I say?”
“No.”
She felt his hand slide over her hip and heard him chuckle. “You are a good girl.”
Celine closed her eyes as he pulled her against his chest.
“You will always be a good girl, and you will always love me.” Armand whispered.
Celine bit back the tears. She would do whatever she needed to do to keep her daughter safe. She just prayed that she could see her again someday.
“Yes, I will always be your good girl.” she said.
“I love you, Armand."
The sound of Celine screaming, and the sight of her body covered in sweat and blood was a scene that would be forever burned into his head.
"Armand," she panted, her hands reaching out for him. "Please."
"I'm right here, baby," he said. "I'm not leaving you."
He held her hand and watched her wince in pain, the doctor's face tightening in concern. Armand tried to remain as calm as possible, but it was impossible.
She'd gone into labor and they were too far away from any hospital. He had to deliver his daughter.
"Celine, I need you to push again," said Dr. John.
Armand squeezed her hand as she nodded, bracing herself. She let out a cry of pain as she pushed, but it was soft compared to what he knew was coming.
When the head finally started to show, Armand watched as Dr. John held the child by the shoulders, pulling her out. He held the baby to her chest and let her lay there for a moment before cutting the umbilical cord and wrapping her up.
He'd never seen his daughter, but the moment that he did, he knew she was perfect. She was dark-haired and brown eyed like him. Small, precious, and completely vulnerable.
His heart swelled with pride and love, a smile spreading across his face.
"My princess," he whispered.
Dr. John looked at him sharply.
"What?" Armand asked.
He turned to look at Celine. "She's asleep, but she's going to be fine."
"Good," Armand said.
Dr. John turned back to him. "I would recommend taking her to the hospital, but."
"I know. I know. No one can touch her."
Dr. John nodded and left them alone.
Armand leaned down and kissed her forehead, pulling the blanket over her.
"We'll be home soon," he whispered, feeling her hand tighten in his. "But just in case you're worried... no one will ever touch our daughter again."
Her lips spread into a soft smile, her eyes fluttering closed.
His mind flashed back to the first day he met her, the way that he knew he had to make her his. He remembered her lips and her taste, the way her skin felt against his.
He had to have her.
"Is she asleep?" he heard Dr. John whisper.
Armand turned to look at him and nodded, picking her up out of the bed. He cradled her in his arms for a moment, taking in the feeling of her against him.
"I'll bring the baby," Dr. John said, holding his daughter out to him.
Armand felt his heart pound as he took her from him, holding her to his chest and breathing in the scent of her.
This was his family.
His daughter and wife. The only people that truly mattered.
He left the room, pausing for a moment in the hallway. He knew what he was about to do was wrong, but he didn't care.
He had to protect them both, even if it meant keeping them trapped.