Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Was That Good?
Alayna woke up in the morning, her eyes opened to find herself still lying on the floor, and Lev was nowhere to be seen.
Her heart raced, realizing that Lev must have returned to his room, after being satisfied with asserting his dominance.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Alayna realized she was close to being late for work. Her willpower surged within her, urging her to rise to her feet. But as she did, a sharp, stinging pain shot through her body, causing her to wince.
"Ouch," Alayna exclaimed as she nearly lost her balance. She quickly reached out and grabbed the edge of the sofa for support, steadying herself.
Making her way to the bathroom, she couldn't bear to look at her reflection in the mirror. The image staring back at her was a painful reminder of a special first night denied to her – a night that should have been filled with love, not forcefulness from a contract husband she barely knew. None of this was what she wanted.
Anger surged within her, propelling her to reject the treatment. She felt humiliated and regretful, realizing she had put her trust in someone who seemed good, but offered a contract marriage as a solution.
Rushing out of the bathroom, she headed towards her wardrobe. In a flurry of movement, she grabbed a piece of white paper from a drawer. Her gaze burned angrily as she stared at the letter, and without a moment's hesitation, she crushed it in her hand.
"Damn you, you bastard! How dare you do this to me!" Alayna's curses escaped her lips, feeling a mix of anguish, betrayal, and defiance.
In a dazed state, Alayna struggled to catch her breath, barely able to contain the flood of emotions surging through her. For a moment, she let herself remember the happy times when she was single before the nightmare had unfolded.
Her gaze moved to another drawer, and with shaky hands, she grabbed a picture frame. Inside it, they were captured on their wedding day, their smiles like echoes of a distant reality.
A whirlwind of anger, disappointment, and confusion stormed through Alayna's mind. Everything had changed so abruptly, leaving her feeling sad.
"You abused me. You took advantage of me," Alayna muttered, tears streaming down her face, lost in the overwhelming despair. She felt lost, like her life had gone off track.
Yet, amidst the darkness of her sorrow, a flicker of courage ignited within her. She knew she had to rise above the ruins of her shattered happiness.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and allowed her thoughts to settle. She realized that torturing herself over what had already happened served no purpose. He had caused her suffering, but now it was her turn to extend the same courtesy to him in her way.
With wet cheeks, Alayna wiped away her tears and returned to the bathroom to prepare herself for the day. As she freshened up, she dressed in a white chiffon shirt, layering it with a cream blazer.
"Alayna!"
"Just a moment," Alayna replied, as she combed her hair.
Glancing at a red welt on her neck, a painful reminder of the mistreatment she had endured, she discreetly concealed it with a scarf. She left the room and made her way upstairs.
As Alayna stepped into the upper level of the house, her heart quickened its pace. With cautious steps, she approached a spacious room illuminated by soft light. The partially open door tempted her curiosity, urging her to take a glimpse inside.
"Alayna, didn't I tell you not to enter this room? Respect my privacy!"
Lev's voice startled Alayna, causing her shoulders to jerk in response. She couldn't fathom Lev's attitude, and that room held a mysterious air she couldn't figure out. The house they resided in was vast, with many rooms left unused.
"I didn't enter at all. You called me, so I came," Alayna responded, her tone filled with confusion. She wanted to understand Lev's hidden intentions, even though she had initially intended to respect his privacy.
"Yes, but don't come into this room."
Alayna nodded, suppressing the urge to question Lev further. Her mind overwhelmed with a jumble of thoughts, she accepted his request.
"Make me some breakfast. I'm so hungry," Lev demanded.
A crooked smile tugged at the corners of Alayna's lips. Without hesitation, she made her way to the kitchen, her skillful hands cooked and seasoned a pot of pasta with a special blend of flavors. The room filled with a delightful aroma, making her taste buds tingle with excitement.
Placing a plate of beautifully garnished pasta on the pantry table, Alayna liked the mix of colorful penne, and vegetables, all smothered in a mouthwatering red sauce.
"Lev, your breakfast is ready!" she called out.
Lev, now dressed in a blue shirt and matching suit, descended the stairs and approached the pantry table with a sense of intrigue.
"Wow, it looks good," Lev commented, his curiosity piqued.
"Enjoy your pasta, Mr. Lev Halton," Alayna said, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.
As Lev took his first bite, a wave of surprise drenched his face, an amalgamation of pleasure and pain swirling within his expression. The fiery heat of the spices hit him like a strong gust of wind.
Lev groaned, his vocal cords trembling under the fiery assault.
"What kind of food is this? Are you trying to kill me with this chili?" he exclaimed in an exasperated tone. "Give me water!"
Alayna chuckled, watching Lev's flushed cheeks and beads of sweat with amusement. She grabbed a glass of water and handed it to him with a playful grin.
"Here," she offered.
Lev took the glass eagerly, desperation evident in his grip as he quickly gulped down the water. The scorching sensation made him shoot some water into the air, a momentary spectacle of shock.
"This is hot water!" Lev placed the glass aside and approached the tap to pour water into his mouth.
"Was that good, Mr. Lev Halton? It's nothing compared to what you've done to me," Alayna murmured, her voice barely audible.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone