Episode 5

Julia

I follow the butler in silence, my steps echoing down the long hallway. My thoughts are still a mess.

What the hell was that at dinner?

Dante Blackwood is an arrogant, cold, and controlling scoundrel. That much is clear. But what makes me uneasy isn't just that. It's the way he looks at me.

I feel a shiver run down my spine, and cold sweat trickles down the back of my neck.

Could he be expecting…?

My throat goes dry. I've never been with any man. I'm not naive, I know how the world works, but the thought of him touching me gives me chills.

If that wretch tries anything, I swear I'll tear a piece off him.

"Madam? Your room." The butler's voice pulls me back to reality.

Only then do I realize we've stopped in front of a huge door. He opens it for me, and I enter. As soon as the wood closes behind me, I let out a long sigh.

Finally alone.

My eyes scan the room in disbelief. Honestly, why so much space?

Seriously, this room could fit two whole families.

There's an immense chandelier hanging from the ceiling, heavy velvet curtains on the windows, a wardrobe that looks bigger than my entire old room, and a gigantic bed in the center of the room.

I approach and sink my hand into the sheets. Silk. Obviously.

Billionaires… It seems they take pleasure in flaunting unnecessary space.

I sigh, feeling the weight of the wedding dress on me.

This tight bodice is already suffocating me, and the heavy fabric only worsens the heat starting to spread through my body.

I need to take this off. I need a bath.

I walk to the door I imagine leads to the bathroom and, when I open it, I almost drop dead on the floor. The bathroom is bigger than the old living room in my parents' house.

Marble everywhere, a bathtub that looks like a small swimming pool, and a glass shower that seems like it's straight out of a spa.

"For God's sake…" I mumble to myself.

I close the door behind me and start to unbutton the dress. Or rather, I try.

Why does this have so many damn fastenings?!

I pull, try to twist my arm to reach the ribbons on my back, but nothing.

Great.

Trapped in a luxury cage, dressed for a wedding I didn't choose, and now I can't even get out of this stupid outfit.

This is getting better and better. Then, my whole body freezes. His deep, irony-laden voice resonates through the bathroom like thunder.

"Want help with that, darling? It would be an enormous pleasure to take it off."

My heart races. The mirror reflects his figure standing at the door, watching me.

The bastard entered without even knocking!

I clutch the fabric of the dress against my body and turn around abruptly.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" my voice comes out louder than I planned, but I don't care. He deserves it.

Dante just raises an eyebrow, his eyes lazily gliding over me, as if he's amused by my desperation.

"I'm just being a helpful husband." He takes a step forward. "Don't you want my help?"

My breath hitches for a second. The way he moves, so controlled, so lethally calm, makes me feel even more trapped.

But I won't back down.

I straighten my shoulders and face this huge man with all the fury I have inside me.

"I'd rather rip this dress off with my fingernails and teeth than accept your help."

If he expected me to bow my head, he was disappointed. The corner of his mouth quirks up, an almost imperceptible smile.

"Well, that would be an interesting sight to see."

My face burns.

Scoundrel!

I clench my fists, ready to hurl an insult, but Dante just turns his body with irritating calm.

"Good luck with the dress, wife." His voice carries amusement.

And then he's gone, closing the door behind him. I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding and lean against the sink, trying to control my racing heartbeat.

Damn you, Dante Blackwood.

If he thinks he can play with me, he'll find out I'm not so easy to bend.

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