| Body |
CHAPTER 1 - Bridget Miller
“One, two, three! Push!” The doctor yells to the exhausted woman lying on the operating table. Soon a sound of innocent cry can be heard in the room.
Hannah’s forehead was full of cold sweat and her lips were pale. It’s been known that she has anemia and the doctors did their best to cure her bef ore giving birth to no luck.
“Where is Xander?” She asks nicely in a weak voice, her eyes are closed and her palms are sweating.
“Sir, your wife’s in labor. She is waiting for you in the hospital now,” Mrs. Cooperfield frantically mumbles over the phone while the heavily in-labor Hannah is being helped to the car by other servants.
Xander scoffed, “I’m at a very important meeting. She has money on her account to pay for the expenses.” He yelled over the phone before the line was cut off.
“The young master was elated to know that the baby was on the way. He said he was caught in the middle of an important meeting but will surely drive to the hospital once he is done.”
It’s not a secret that Xander never loved Hannah and their marriage was an accident but despite that Hannah played the part and played it so well that Xander bed her every chance he could. Thus, a child was conceived.
“What a cute baby girl?” the nurse says as she puts the baby near her mother to see her face for the first time. The exhausted woman felt all her fatigue and stress washed away as she saw her daughter.
“What would you name her?” Mrs. Copperfield asks.
“Bridget.” She mumbles gently as she stares at her daughter.
Her eyes are still fixed on her child when she asks, “When will Xander visit us?”
Mrs. Copperfield did not respond but she could see the sadness in her eyes.
At the back of her mind; “what’s more important than seeing the birth of his own daughter?” She asks herself sorrowfully.
AFTER two years...
A toddler was running around the room while Hannah was following her. “Bridget, stop running. I need to comb your hair!” She yells. The child only laughed at her mother and continued running. She then almost bumps her head into the tall figure of a man who suddenly shows up in front of her. She gazes upward, she’s frightened.
His towering height and the way he stares at her terrifies her and she starts crying. Hannah immediately carried her daughter and coaxed her.
“Baby, don’t cry, it’s just your father.” She says.
Xander sneered. He hates the sound his daughter makes. The running. The laughter and now the crying.
“Make her stop.” He yells. His voice scared the child even more and she cried louder.
“Yelling, will not help. You’re scaring her even more.” She responded with her voice filled with sorrow. She glanced at him with contempt.
“Why are you even here? This is our room, we’re even far from your room and your study so we won’t disturb you.” She commented.
“Yeah, this is your room but this is my house. I can go wherever I want.” He yelled at her.
Bridget is still crying. Mrs. Copperfield can hear it and she discreetly steps in the room to take the child away.
Hannah glanced at Mrs. Copperfield with a thankful gaze. Once they are out of the room.
She finally snapped at him.
“What do you want?” The moment she said those words she met Xander’s palm.
Bam!
She almost lost consciousness. She fell on the floor. Her head is spinning. This was the first time he hit her and it frightened her so much that she started to crawl away from him. Thinking he might hit her again.
Xander’s eyes widened; he didn’t mean to hurt her. He is on edge, pressured, and stressed from work. He held her shoulders and helped her stand up. He sat her in the chair. He could see her cheek reddened.
He then heard her weak trembling voice say, “I did everything you asked of me. I know you’re tired and stressed but I’m exhausted too.” She explains while holding her throbbing cheek.
He didn’t respond. He is a man of few words and the word sorry is not one of the words he usually says nor the to accept that he is in the wrong.
He only strokes her head as if coaxing a child to fall asleep. After several hours when both of their emotions subside. Xander finally broke the news to her.
“Let’s get divorce.” He mumbles in a cold tone.
Her face paled, hands trembled. She stared at him thinking how he said those words as if three years meant nothing.
His eyes devoid of emotions, “You have till the end of the month to read through the documents and make demands.” He added as he handed her the papers.
She pleads to him to think it through and think of their daughter’s future.
But her words were ignored. She saw how certain he was with his decision.
Shortly, he left her with the documents.
The night became sleepless. She was pacing back and forth in their room thinking what to do next. “What will happen once I sign the divorce papers?” She asks herself while staring at her sleeping daughter.
CHAPTER 2 - Drunk
THE coldness of the night added dread to the sleepless Hannah.
She glances at her bedside table where the documents are neatly arranged inside a brown envelope waiting for her signature.
It’s haunting and taunting at the same time. She thought they were doing great. He works hard and does everything that pleases him. He could stay out all night and go home drunk and she would still welcome him with open arms. Even when he called her Denise the name of his ex while thrusting her he didn’t hear her complain.
Hannah on the other hand, is a full-time housewife, even with a lot of servants in the mansion she’s the one who personally tends to Xander and his family. She cooks and serves them. She’s not even allowed to eat in the dining area with them.
The only time she does is when there are visitors as the Millers don’t want any rumors circulating that they are hurting her.
She might not be the one who washed his clothes but she made sure his clothes were arranged properly in his walk-in closet according to his liking. He specifically demanded that all his clothes be arranged according to color from light to dark. All of his socks should be folded in a specific way and his coffee should be made in a specific measurement of coffee, cream, sugar, and temperature one mistake and he’ll demand a new brew. With all the servants in the mansion, only Hannah can satisfy his delicate needs.
That’s the reason why all the servants likes her and whenever their young master forgets any special day like Hannah’s birthday and their anniversary. They make sure to bring flowers and boxes of chocolates for her and address it to Xander as it sender.
For Hannah, it was clear as day what she is for him but she thinks he will come around if she shows him love and care. Hoping that one day she could warm his cold heart.
From the first day she set foot on the Miller mansion she never slept in his room.
He made it clear from the very beginning that their marriage was only on paper but once the news of their unplanned wedding dies down they’ll get a divorce immediately, but things change when he develops an urge towards her. Their separate rooms are useless when he is drunk and high in libido.
He will bang on her door and will not stop till she opens it and as his wife, it’s her marital duty to satisfy his desires while taking care of his well-being. Soon those nightly trips he does in her room got her with child.
Not even once does he convey happiness in knowing he’ll have a child. He didn’t accompany her to any of her monthly checkups. Despite his lack of concern he never asks her to get rid of the baby and never mentions the word divorce again.
Not until tonight.
She frowns, “What change? Did I do something wrong?” She asks herself as she slowly opens the door and discreetly walks outside. Planning to knock on his door and wish he was in the mood to speak.
She walks in the long corridor on the other end of the mansion. She knocked three times and he did not answer. Feeling defeated she started to walk back to her room when she suddenly felt her phone buzz.
She checked who it was and to her surprise it was him, she answered the call immediately, “Xander, where are you?” She asks politely.
The music coming from the other line was so loud that she needed to move the phone away from her ear.
“Hello?” She added in confusion. She was about to disconnect the call thinking he accidentally dialed her number but before she could do that she heard a voice, “Hey, wait Hannah!” The voice on the other line yelled.
“Toby? Is that you?” She asks.
“Yes! Can you pick up Xander? He is too drunk to drive home.” Toby explained.
“Sure.” She replied immediately.
“Thanks. We are at a bar called The HideOut.” He exclaimed.
Shortly, the call ended and Hannah hurriedly changed her clothes. She woke up one of the maids to accompany Bridget and then drove to the bar.
When she got in there she was ushered by a waiter to the VIP room where there was a private club filled with rich men and beautiful women. On one of the booths, she saw her husband Xander together with two gorgeous women beside him.
She ignored the ladies near him, she knew that Xander was not the type to cheat, especially with these types of women. She marched to him directly, “Can you walk?” She asks softly.
Xander sneered, “Why are you here?” He yelled then glanced at Toby who was sitting on the opposite side of him, “Did you call her?”
Toby nods. “I’m too tired to drive you home.” He remarks while chugging his beer.
“Now I know why the ambiance is off. Your stalking wife is here, Xander,” Ashton says mockingly as he sits on the other vacant seat in the booth.
Toby and Ashton are Xander’s closest friends. If Toby is friendly, nice, and soft-spoken. Ashton is the opposite he’s hot-tempered, bad-mouthed, impulsive, and most of all he doesn’t like Hannah. He sees her as a cunning, gold digger that took something that doesn’t belong to her.
It is known to Hannah that Ashton and Denise, Xander’s ex-girlfriend were pretty close. She knew too well that even after the scandal Denise got herself into, Xander’s wedding to her and having their daughter. Ashton still thinks that Denise should be Mrs. Miller.
Hannah ignored Ashton’s remarks and continued to talk Xander into coming home with her, “If you can’t walk I can guide you to the car.” She says coaxingly while lightly tugging his arm.
Xander grunted and closed his eyes.
Ashton took it as a sign of disrespect. “Hey!” He yelled at her. “Don’t you ever ignore me!” He added as he took a glass of water and poured it on Hannah’s head.
She was dumbfounded as the cold water drenched her. Xander didn’t even bat an eye to what Ashton did and the girls beside him started laughing at her. In their minds, Hannah is one of those low-end call grils who want to get in a rich person’s pants.
Hannah stared at Xander pitifully as if begging him to defend her or at least act like he cared but he did not he glanced away from her as if she was not his wife or the mother of his child.
She heaved deeply and was about to burst into rage, but before she could Toby stood up for her.
“Ashton! What the heck? Why did you do that?” He exclaimed while handing Hannah his handkerchief. He soon stared at the laughing women in the booth. “Leave... Now!” He yelled his voice so loud that it frightened them and they hurriedly left.
“Hey!” Ashton growled in dismay at what Toby did. “Why did you shoo my girls away.” He exclaimed.
Toby smirked, “Why do you need to be so rude to Hannah? She’s our friend’s wife. Treat her with respect.” He stated.
Ashton scoffed, “I’ll respect her if she is someone worth respecting. Have you forgotten what she did? and what kind of person she is?” He clamored while glaring at Hannah.
She glances at Toby with a thankful gaze. Then to Ashton, she’s about to defend herself against his claims when suddenly Xander stands up and speaks, “Next time when Toby asks you to pick me up don’t go.” He says to her. “You’re not needed here or anywhere.” He added as he stared at her like dirt.
She frowns instantly. She could hear Ashton’s taunting sneer, she felt embarrassed and out of place. She lowered her head and walked away with tears in her eyes.
“I shouldn’t have come here.” She yelled internally as she wiped her tears with the hanky Toby lent to her.
As she walked to her car she saw a figure puffing a cigie in the parking lot but brushed it off and continued walking. Soon she heard the man calling her.
“Hannah?”
She stared at the man’s location, narrowed her gaze then her eyes beamed, “Zane?” she cried out.
Zane walks to her and starts having a conversation. She was happy to see him, she felt safe seeing a familiar face. Zane is one of her oldest friends and he is also her best friend’s boyfriend.
“Are you here with Clarise?” She asks.
He shook his head, “I’m with Leon. He is in the restroom puking his guts out.” He remarks.
She giggled, “It seems like he hasn’t changed.” She uttered.
Unknown to them someone witnessed their closeness and the way she laughed at his words.
He nods and continued puffing. “You on the other hand changed a lot. Clarise, Leon, and I. We missed you.” He mumbles.
~I miss you all too...~ That’s what she wants to say but her words came to an abrupt end, “I miss you a...”
“Hannah!” Xander screamed while staring at her in displeasure.
She turned around only to see the burning gaze of her husband, “Xander,” she mumbled softly. She was about to introduce him to Zane but before she could he carried her like a sack of potatoes and hurriedly walked to his car and threw her at the passenger seat.
Zane was dumbfounded and couldn’t fathom what happened he was about to follow them and save Hannah but Leon arrived looking like a corpse when he glanced back at the car it was gone.
“Did I miss something?” Leon asks weakly as he holds his stomach.
CHAPTER 3 - Jealousy
“YOU miss him!?” Xander yells as he drives fast.
Hannah’s hand trembled and could only cling to her seat firmly as Xander drove 100 km/h on a 50 km/h road. He is clearly upset about the scene he saw and the words he heard.
He sneered, “You must be celebrating when I told you I’m filing for divorce. I didn’t know you were already dating someone. Did you really even go there for me? Have you forgotten you are still my wife?” He added as his hold on the steering wheel tightened.
She shook her head, her heart was pounding. She knows when Xander is angry he doesn’t listen to reason, but it will anger him more if she can’t provide an answer. He might not love her, but he values his name and dignity. His main concern is if someone saw her with another man while still married to him, “He... is Zane... A friend from high school. I’m just telling him I miss them too. Him, his girlfriend Clarise, and another friend of ours. It’s a coincidence that I saw him there. After I moved to the Miller mansion I grew apart from them,” she said stammeringly, her voice raspy and her eyes teary.
He sighed, the way she spoke sounded believable to him, “Don’t you ever do that again. At least wait for divorce.” He replied, his eyes devoid of emotion.
Soon he drove slower.
The car ride turned silent, but Hannah could feel his burning gaze as if he wanted to poke a hole in her.
She could smell the booze as he breathed, she wanted to tell him to park the car, and she’d drive. It was much safer for them.
But she could vividly remember how he slapped her, and it still frightened her that she didn’t want to make unnecessary movements that would anger him.
Soon they reach the Miller mansion and she heaves a sigh of relief.
After he parked the car, she waited for him to leave, but it seemed like he had no plans to go out.
She clears her throat, slowly unlocks her side of the door, and gets out.
Soon he followed her. None of them spoke, but she could feel his dark aura surrounding her.
She brushed it off and walked to the east side of the mansion before she could take her first step. He held her wrist and dragged her to the west side where his room was.
“Xander,” she cried out as she tried to get herself out.
He scoffed, “What? Are you refusing me now? You think too highly of yourself, Hannah.” He clamored.
Her eyes reddened in exasperation. He has no right to treat her that way. She’s his wife, the mother of his child, and most of all, she’s the person who saved him from the scandal 3 years ago.
“Why are you treating me like that? Am I not a good wife to you? I always keep my mouth shut, even if your family humiliates me. You, as my husband, should defend my name and honor. You know the truth, Xander.” She exclaimed.
He grunted, “What are you even blabbering about? Should I thank you for throwing yourself at me?” He cried out his voice so loud that it started to wake people in the mansion.
She wants to retort his accusation as that’s not what happened.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Lani screamed while looking at Hannah in disdain. “It’s in the middle of the night and I hear shouting.”
Hannah glanced away and took advantage of the situation to escape Xander’s grasp.
Xander stared at his mother, “Why don’t you go back to your room? This is between me and Hannah.” He said as he gestured for her to go away.
Lani sneered, “Are you drunk?” She mumbles, moves to Xander, then glares at Hannah. “Did you get my son drunk so you could charm him to have another child with you!” Her accusations are so absurd that Hannah can’t help but chuckle.
Lani’s face contorted in rage, “Are you laughing at me?” she exclaimed, then suddenly pulled Hannah’s hair, but Hannah did not fight back and only raised her hands in defense.
“You gold-digging.”
“Money-chasing.
“Vile woman.”
At every harsh word, Lani yells, a piece of Hannah’s dignity leaves her body.
“Enough!” Xander screamed dominantly. “Go back to your room, mother!”
His words were so authoritative that Lani felt her heart skip a bit. She glowered at Hannah one last time and then marched back to her room.
Hannah’s eyes were red in shame, in anger, in frustration. Her dry black hair made her look deranged. She took care of Xander so much that she let herself go.
When she saw Lani walk away, she thought of leaving as well.
“Did I permit you to leave?” Xander questions in a deep husky voice. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at his dark brown eyes that matched his clean-cut hair.
“What do you need from me?” She inquired in a low voice. Like a scared bunny in front of a dangerous predator.
He breathes out, “Fulfill your marital duty.” He declares, then holds her arm and walks her to his room.
Inside the room.
He stripped her down, pushed her belly flat on the bed, and penetrated her from behind. No kisses. No foreplay. Straight down to business. As if she’s a call girl.
After he relieved his desires, he would throw her out of the room like a dirty peasant, but tonight is different. He let her stay and hugged her till they fell asleep.
THE NEXT DAY.
Hannah was awakened by a ringing phone. She checked hers but it was not it. She searched for the source of the sound and found it was coming from his pants which were now on the floor.
Still undressed she gently got out of bed and slowly fished his phone from his pants. She looked at the caller ID and it was an unsaved number. Not thinking anything about it she’s about to answer the call.
But Xander suddenly woke up. “What are you doing?” He asks in a cold tone.
“Unsave number calling. I don’t want to wake you up so--”
“You decided you’ll answer the phone? What if it’s something important, what will you do then?” He intervenes.
“I’ll pretend to be your assistant and take the message.” She explains.
He scoffed, stood up, and took the phone away from her. Sight still blurry, “Wear some clothes would you and make some coffee.” He demanded. His face clearly shows displeasure.
She was still picking up her clothes when his phone rang again. She saw that it was the same number. She witnessed how he answered the call and the expression on his face changed from annoyed to calm. She even saw him smile.
Her eyes dilated in disbelief, “Who is he talking to?” She asks herself, as she tries to listen to their conversation.
When he saw her staring at him, he moved away from her and went to the balcony while gesturing to her to leave the room, shooing her like a dog.
Her heart sank as she walked away. She could feel that a storm was coming her way.
CHAPTER 4 - Daddy’s Little Girl
AFTER the weird phone call Xander received, he went down to the dining area in a seemingly good mood. Hannah could only steal glances at her husband as she served the food on the table.
Soon Lani and Katarina join Xander in the dining area. When Hannah saw them she immediately walked to the kitchen as they didn’t like seeing her when they were eating.
While the Millers enjoy the warm food she cooks, she’s in the kitchen eating with her daughter and Mrs. Copperfield.
“Momma,” she mumbles as she points at the pieces of bananas beside the pancakes. Hannah gave her a small piece that she devoured in seconds.
Hannah and Mrs. Copperfield laugh at how adorable Bridget is.
LATER THAT DAY, at the Miller Group.
It’s bring your child to work day at the company.
Xander stared at the kids seated beside their parents staring at the type of work they were doing. He doesn’t detest children he is not just fond of crying, vomiting, pooing, and peeing. That’s the reason why he never got close to his daughter.
In fact, the child is afraid of him. He once heard her say, “Momma, there’s... Monster...” While pointing at him.
He could vividly remember the horror on Hannah’s face. She immediately hid Bridget behind her and apologized to him.
Remembering it now left a sour taste in his mouth.
“Maybe I am a monster,” he mumbles to himself as he watches the kids playing with their parents.
When Xander got home. He purposely went to the east wing of the mansion to check on Hannah and Bridget.
When he knocks on the door only Mrs. Copperfield and Bridget are inside the room.
The old woman doing her best to play with the energetic child but as she is in her 50’s it is a bit hard for her.
“Where’s Hannah?” He inquired his voice so deep that it frightened Bridget and hid behind Mrs. Copperfield.
“She is preparing dinner as we speak.” She replied politely as she breathed rapidly.
He could sense that she was tired and needed a break. He stared at the child behind her and gestured for her to come near him.
Mrs. Copperfield coaxed the child and assured her that it was safe.
Hesitantly, Bridget walked to him when he held Bridget’s hand he was surprised at how small her hand was.
“How old are you now?” He asks casually.
“Two!” She mumbles softly as she gestures her age with her fingers.
“Two, I wonder how small she is as a newborn,” he thought as a smile escaped his lips.
“How about you come with me and we let Mrs. Copperfield rest she seems tired.” He says as he bents in front of her.
Bridget nods.
Mrs. Copperfield’s eyes well up. The scene in front of her is something only in dreams could happen. She discreetly pinches herself and winces in pain. Despite that, she smiled gleefully and watched how Xander carried Bridget over his shoulder and he smiled in joy.
When Hannah finished cooking and setting up the dining area, she asked the maids to call Lani and Katarina to eat while she checked if Xander was in his room.
As she walks to the west wing of the mansion she can’t help but hear laughter.
She was weirded out as the west wing should always be silent because it is where the Millers stay. Lani and Katarina are on the third floor and Xander is on the second floor.
She hurriedly walks to the origin of the sound as the giggle and soft footsteps are familiar, “Bridget,” she mumbles as her hands shiver in fear. Thinking Bridget got away from Mrs. Copperfield and got lost in the west wing. She’s afraid that Bridget might break a vase or an ornament.
Like the last time. When she was cooking Bridget sneaked away and accidentally broke an angel figurine owned by Katarina. She witnessed how Katarina almost hit her daughter, if she hadn’t arrived soon she wondered what could have happened.
She fought against her sister-in-law but as it always been Lani came and berated her and her daughter.
Called her names. All she could do was cover Bridget’s ear as she listened to their mockery of her.
When Xander arrived he didn’t even bat an eye and hurriedly went to his room.
She soon arrived at her destination. Her heart was pounding and slowly she opened the door. Only to see Xander playing with Bridget.
They made a makeshift port using the sofa cushion and Bridget hid while Xander was counting.
Hannah’s eyes well up. The day she always hoped finally came. Xander is starting to act like a father to their daughter.
“Momma!” Bridget yelled as she ran to Hannah.
She carried her daughter in her arms like she always does.
Bridget smiles. “Poppa, carry...me .. higher...” She says while pointing at her mother’s shoulder.
Hannah understood what she meant, “Well, I’m not that tall and not that strong to carry you on my shoulder.” She explains softly.
Bridget puckered her lips and then crossed her arms. Then glances at Xander with a pleading look.
She wants her father to carry her again.
Xander understood her and marched towards them and took her from her mother’s hand. As he does he can’t help but stare at his wife’s light brown eyes.
“Has her eyes always been that brown?” He asks himself.
The situation felt surreal for her and her face turned red. Being that close to her he notices it immediately.
“Are you sick?” He asks as he holds Bridget then touches Hannah’s forehead with his other hand.
“I’m fine,” she smiles.
Still standing close to her. Xander felt things move slowly as if he was seeing her for the first time. Unknowingly he starts caressing her face and then kisses her on the lips as it happens both of them are dumbfounded and taken aback.
Hannah lowered her head, “The food is ready.” She mumbles awkwardly trying her best to change the weird ambiance.
“Food!” Bridget yelled in glee.
Soon they went downstairs, Xander still carrying his daughter while Hannah followed them behind.
At that time Katarina and Lani are already in the dining area.
When they saw them.
Lani can’t help but sneer, “Are you trying to win my son using your daughter?”
Katarina then added fuel to Lani’s accusations, “What do you expect from a gold-digging trash and her useless daughter.”
Hannah can’t take it anymore. “Say what you want about me but never call my daughter like that. We were legally married when Bridget was conceived. The only trash I’m seeing here is you.” She exclaimed while looking at Lani.
It is not a secret in the Miller household that Lani Miller is not a legitimate child from a wealthy family she’s a product of the infidelity of Xander’s grandfather with a call girl. Despite that, she acts high and mighty.
Lani and Katarina’s faces contorted in anger.
“Xander, look at the woman you brought home. How insolent?” Lani yelled at the top of her lungs.
Xander eyes enlarge upon hearing the words that came out of Hannah. “Why must you say that?” He stated.
She shook her head then took Bridget from him and went straight to the kitchen when suddenly Katarina stood up and grabbed Hannah’s hair.
“How dare you use such words on my mother?” She yelled.
Bridget started crying, “Bad! Bad! Trina!” She yelled then clenched her small hands into a fist to hit her aunt.
Xander was dumbstruck by the chaos in front of him. “Enough!” He yelled dominantly.
“Katarina go back to your seat!” He exclaimed.
She obeyed Xander’s words but didn’t stop glaring at Hannah.
He then moved to Hannah and took Bridget from her. “What are you doing? Give her back to me!” She roared at him.
He held her hand while carrying Bridget in his other hand. Hannah did not fight anymore as he might accidentally let go of their daughter.
The child starts wailing and it annoys Katarina. “Put a lid on that child.” She commented.
As soon as the words left her Xander stared at her with a darkened gaze. She cowered in fear and could only lower her head.
He handed the inconsolable Bridget to Mrs. Copperfield and then dragged Hannah to his room.
The people in the dining area could only stare at them.
INSIDE Xander’s room.
He pushed Hannah face down into his bed and pinned her using his knee. “Why are you so feisty all of a sudden?” He yelled.
She sneered, “If I don’t what do you think will happen to me and my daughter in this house? You saw how your mother and sister speak to me... Heck, even your friend and what did you do? NOTHING!” She screamed. She let out all her frustrations that she had been bottling up since the first day she set foot in the Miller mansion.
“You want a divorce!?” She shouted. She could feel his knee pressing her harder against the bed. “I’ll sign the papers now, but I want sole custody of my daughter.” She declared with certainty.
CHAPTER 5 - In-Laws
XANDER laughs sarcastically.
“Now you can’t wait to divorce me? Is it because of that Zane guy?” He exclaimed in annoyance.
Hannah gasped, “I already told you he is just a friend.” She remarked with conviction.
He pressed his knee harder on her back. She winces.
“Forget about the divorce. From now on you can’t leave this house.” He yells.
Her body stiffened upon hearing his words. “Xander!” She cried out, she felt his hands under her skirt. “What are you doing?”
He did not answer and the next sound she heard was her skirt and shirt ripped out of her body, stripping her to her underwear. She shivers in fear and shame.
He stood up and rummaged through his cabinet. She took advantage of it and slowly got out of bed to run out. The way he spoke scared her. She has no idea why he is acting the way he does. One moment he’d shout divorce, the next he wouldn’t let her get away from him.
“What’s wrong with you?” She thought as she discreetly walked to the door. She smiled as she turned the knob. She opened the door, one of her hands was holding the knob while the other was leaning for support on the door frame. Before she could get out, Xander forcefully shut the door and it collided with her hand.
Stunned. She felt her heart skipped a beat. Soon she shouted in pain at the top of her lungs. The pain was unbearable. She gasped when she saw that two of her fingers had dislocated.
Her knees weaken and slowly sits on the floor and starts sobbing. Her hand was throbbing and instead of helping her, he held her by the shoulder and dragged her back to bed.
She continued sobbing. He looked at her hand then scoffed, “That’s what you get for being a bad wife.” He exclaimed.
He then showed her what he had taken from his drawer. Four pieces of necktie, seeing it she tried to stand but he held her shoulders and pinned her on the bed. Helpless, all she could do was watch him as he tied her limbs on his bed.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, “Xander, I don’t understand you.” She yelled while looking at him. “What do you want from me? You ask me for divorce, now that I’m giving it to you. You’re acting like that.” She added as her vision blurred.
He smirked, “You will stay here and think of all the things you did yesterday and today,” he said dominantly.
When he finished tying her up, he went to the restroom to get the first aid kit and started rubbing pain reliever medicine on her injured hand. “Your hand is injured, and you’re bound. Don’t do anything naive.” He warned.
Suddenly, he forced her broken finger back into place. She heard her bone snapped and felt her bones move. The shock made her almost lose consciousness. She yelled in pain, she arched her back and clung to her bonds tightly.
He sneered at her, “Don’t be overdramatic, Hannah,” he said mockingly.
He then stood up and went to his walk-in closet where he searched for a change of clothes as the one he was wearing was creased due to the commotion.
She lifted her head trying to follow his movements, “Where are you going?” She cried out.
“Untie me,” She pleads.
He grins devilishly, “No! You will stay there. Till I return from work.” He roared at her.
She gasped, “Bridget might be looking for me.” She pointed out.
He marched back to her and stared at her intently. She tilted her head to the side and closed her eyes. She knew he was making fun of her. Even with her eyes closed she knew he was looking at her in contempt.
She’s well aware that Xander only sleeps with her when he is intoxicated. In his exact words, he told her, “I can only use you when I’m drunk because you disgust me.” Words that always haunt her dreams.
He stared at her with scrutiny. He never saw her undressed while he was sober and the lights weren’t dim and every time all he could see was her back.
The way she was tied with legs akimbo in the bed was inviting. He got into bed and removed her underwear, stripping her undressed.
Hannah continued to close her eyes and didn’t think much of it. When suddenly she felt his lips intertwined with hers. His kiss was so gentle, that she opened her eyes immediately, thinking someone else was in the room.
She gasped in disbelief. She felt like she was dreaming. Xander continued kissing her and nibbling her neck. She can’t help but moan at his movements.
When he heard her sound, his gaze darkened, then started penetrating her roughly. Her soft moaning turns to a cry for help. He covers her mouth to muffle her voice.
Her eyes are wide open as he roughly thrust her. Tears rolled down her face with her blurry vision she could no longer see him clearly.
She could feel his thing inside her and instead of pleasure, she could feel a stabbing pain in her insides. Nothing worth enjoying for her. She started shouting and begging him to stop, but he didn’t. She didn’t even remember when he left.
Later that day, Hannah woke up still tied to Xander’s bed.
She opens her eyes only to see her mother-in-law standing in front of her with phone in hand taking pictures of her bare body.
She wanted to scream, but her mouth was dry, and her voice came out raspy, “What are you doing?” She inquired.
Lani smirked, “Not so feisty now are we Hannah? I will upload these photos of you over the internet.” She remarks.
Hannah laughs.
“What’s funny? Aren’t you ashamed that people will see you undressed? Won’t that be degrading, or you are such a low-class dirt that you don’t even care?” Lani says mockingly.
Hannah sneered, “You don’t get it, do you? I’m a nobody. Upload my photos all you want, no one will bat an eye on me, but once they learn I’m Xander Miller’s wife, I think it will hurt your son’s career more than me.” She declared with certainty.
Her words made sense and Lani’s face contorted in rage as he didn’t think it through. Luckily for her, she hasn’t uploaded any of the images she took.
Lani stumped her foot in annoyance that, even with a tied-up Hannah, she was still defeated.
Soon an idea slipped into her mind. She went to Xander’s bathroom and when she returned she was holding a clipper.
Hannah’s eyes widened instantly, “Get away from me!” She yelled.
“Oh, look, are you scared now,” Lani says hauntingly.
Hannah starts tugging on her bonds, but Xander ties her up too well. She starts squirming and arching her back, but it’s useless when Katarina suddenly arrives.
“Mom, what’s happening? I heard yelling.” She says, then smiles ear to ear when she sees Hannah on the bed.
“Good, you’re here. Come on and help me with her.” Lani demanded.
Katarina grinned, “With pleasure Mother.” She said in a malevolent tone. “How bad is my brother,” she commented as she stared at Hannah, then slowly moved to the bed, sat on Hannah’s stomach, and started slapping her while Lani began cutting her hair with the clippers.
Hannah shouts but Katarina covers her mouth.
They only stopped when they heard the sound of Xander’s car.
“Xander’s here. What are we going to do now?” Katarina asked anxiously.
“Why are you scared? Do you think your brother will care? Even if we take care of this fool he won’t do anything to us. The only thing he will comment on is how we left the room dirty with this useless woman’s blood.” Lani remarks while spatting at Hannah’s face.
Hannah’s face was swollen from Katarina’s slaps. She couldn’t fully open her eyes.
Shortly, the two hurriedly left the room.
When Xander stepped into his room, it was pitch dark, but he could see Hannah’s silhouette on the bed still tied.
“I hope you learned your lesson,” he says as he turns on the light.
Hannah was so exhausted, starving, and thirsty that she could not form any words or sound to get his attention. In her mind, she kept on asking herself, “Would he actually care? Or will he just say it serves me right for disrespecting her mother?”
Without looking at her, he walked to his walk-in closet where he changed his clothes. When he finally caught a glimpse of her, his eyes widened in horror.
“Hannah!?” He calls out to her.
CHAPTER 6 - Sly Fox
“WHAT happened?” Xander asks in shock.
He could see her hair on the floor. The clipper was stuck on the corner of her head. It’s clear someone tried to cut her hair with his beard trimmers, but her hair was too thick.
Her face was swollen, her lips bloodied, and her body filled with scratches. Hannah did not speak and only closed her eyes.
Xander did not push her as it is obvious who did it. He removed her bonds and saw the marks they left on her body. The moment he untied her, she slowly got up.
“Where are you going?” Xander asks curiously.
“I need to prepare dinner for you,” she replied while trying to remove the stuck clipper on her hair.
He shook his head. “You’ll scare Bridget. Have you seen yourself in the mirror?” He replied concernedly, but the choice of words sounded mockery to her.
She smiled bitterly, then sat on the bed. Undresseded. Tired. Hungry and thirsty.
He witnessed how she stared blankly at the floor.
“Stay here. I’ll ask the servants to bring you food and a change of clothes.” He mumbles as he goes in the bathroom.
She could only nod in agreement.
Once more, Xander took out the first aid kit, cleaned her wounds, and applied topical pain relief. Shortly, he starts cutting the hair stuck in the clippers and fixing her hair.
In the end, the only haircut passable was a pixie cut. “There, that’s the best cut I could come up with,” he uttered proudly.
Hannah stared at herself and kept on brushing what was left of her hair. “I can’t be here anymore. I don’t want to be here. Let’s go our separate ways.” She exclaimed.
“I said no more talk about divorce again,” he muttered.
“Why? Isn’t that what you want? Why bring it up, then change your mind? The news had died down long ago, and I think…” She paused then heaved profoundly, “NO... I know Bridget would be better off without the Millers.”
He smirked then held her shoulder. “I’m tired Hannah.” He clamored. “Stop talking nonsense and tell that boyfriend of yours to back away.” He accused.
She frowned. “What?” She uttered. She is tired of explaining who Zane is.
Xander took her silence as accepting defeat.
“As I said, stay here. I don’t want anyone seeing you like that. They might say I’m hurting you.” He clamored.
She scoffed, “Of course, all he thinks of is himself and what others would think about him.” She mumbled under her breath.
His audacity shook her and left a pit in her stomach.
In the kitchen, Xander told the maid to prepare dinner and advised Mrs. Copperfield to take care of Bridget.
“Is young Mrs. Miller okay, young master?” She asks in concern.
He ignored her question and soon left.
The old woman felt pity for Hannah as it was not a secret that the Miller family was hard to please and easy to offend. Mrs. Copperfield could only lower her head and take good care of Bridget in Hannah’s absence.
CONCURRENTLY, Katarina is in Lani’s room. She’s pacing back and forth while she’s biting her nails. She was scared of what Xander might do to her.
Lani sighed in annoyance, “Would you stop panicking?” She mumbled as she sat comfortably in front of her vanity mirror, fixing her hair and removing Hannah’s dark hair that clung to her.
Katarina’s hands were sweating. She swallowed slowly and then uttered, “I think we overdid it.” She could still remember the fear on Hannah’s face when her mother moved the clipper near her. At that moment, she felt impulsive and helped her mother, but soon she felt a wave of guilt.
Lani mocked, “Overdid? That sly fox had it coming. Have you seen how she was trapped on the bed? She probably tried to seduce Xander, but your brother is not that fool, and he tied her up there as punishment. How shameless.” She remarks in disgust.
Lani then held her hand and assured her, “Everything we did to that trash, she deserves it. Have you forgotten that if not for her, you would have had a grand celebration for your 18th birthday?” She says.
The remorse Katarina felt earlier dissipated instantly.
She could vividly remember how Hannah’s arrival in the Miller mansion changed everything. She’s been planning her 18th birthday since she was a child. All of a sudden, Xander forbids her from celebrating extravagantly. With the scandal he is in and the unplanned wedding, he doesn’t want to be on the news as it might affect the fragile state of the company. Being Xander’s sister, everything she does reflects on her brother.
Her hands clench in a fist. She couldn’t forget the humiliation she had been put through. She had already given out her invitation and bragged to everyone that her birthday would be the biggest celebration the city had ever seen, that it would be put in the newspapers and various online sites and would go down in history. None of that happened, and she shamefully called off the event a month before her birthday. She was mocked by other rich kids who usually wouldn’t go out of her way.
It was the most embarrassing thing that happened to her. As she remembers it now, she felt that she could have hurt Hannah more.
A knock on the door called her back to her senses.
Without any hesitation, she opened the door and saw Xander’s cold gaze.
The fear she had earlier was now gone, and she stared at her brother’s head held high. “What do you want, brother? Did your good-for-nothing wife ask you to avenge her?” She commented as she crossed her arms.
Xander ignored her remarks and stepped into the room.
Lani gestured for Katarina to leave them alone and she did.
“Mother.” He muttered perfunctory.
Lani narrowed her gaze, “What? Are you going to take her side?” She stated in annoyance.
He shook his head, “That’s not important. What’s important is Denise has returned, and I can’t leave Hannah looking like that. What do you think people will say?” he exclaimed.
Lani’s eyes widened in glee. “Denise is back? That means...”
“Yes!” He confirmed hastily.
She stood up and marched to her son, “You should have told me that. If I knew, I wouldn’t have let Katarina hit her in the face.” She commented while patting his back as she smiled merrily.
Her words surprised him but he brushed them off.
“Finally, the rightful wife has returned. We could get rid of the sly fox.” She added as she hummed in happiness.
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