The Devil's Contractual Bride-Chapter 24: Clash

Aria’s POV

Andre’s voice cut right in immediately Lucian finished his statement.

"If Aria has to live under these conditions," he said, stepping forward so he was almost nose-to-nose with Lucian, "it’s better off I take her home with me right now."

The air in the living room turned to ice.Lucian’s head snapped toward Andre so fast I thought I heard his neck crack and for more than a second, no one moved.

Then Lucian laughed in mock-horror. "You think I’m going to allow you take my wife anywhere?"

Andre didn’t flinch. "She’s not your prisoner, Voss. She’s pregnant and exhausted. You just told her she’s confined to the east wing like some unwanted guest. If you can’t treat her like a human being let alone your wife then yes,I’m taking her out of here."

Lucian’s eyes were filled with rage at this point.He took one step forward towards Andre who squared his shoulders, ready.

I moved immediately and shoved myself between them,my palms laying flat against Lucian’s chest.

"Stop!" I shouted. My voice cracked on the word. "Both of you — stop!"

Lucian’s gaze flicked down to me. "Move, Aria."

"No."

Andre’s hand landed on my shoulder. "Come on let’s go."

Lucian’s arm shot out fast and grabbed Andre’s wrist, twisting it away from me.

"Don’t touch her," he growled.

Andre yanked his arm free. "Or what? You’ll hit me too like you hit her?"

Lucian’s entire body went rigid.

"Get out of my house now," Lucian thundered

Andre looked at me. "Aria?"

"Go Andre ," I managed to speak. "I’ll call you tomorrow."

Andre’s jaw clenched. "I’m not leaving you here with him."

Lucian stepped forward again forcing Andre back toward the door.

"You will or I’ll make you."Lucian yelled at the peak of his voice.

Andre laughed sarcastically. "You think you scare me?"

Lucian grabbed Andre by the collar and shoved him toward the exit."I don’t intend to scare you bastard, but if you come into my home to insult me,I’ll have no choice but to deal with you mercilessly".

Andre stumbled,then caught himself.

"Get out," Lucian repeated. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Andre looked at me one last time."I’ll be waiting for your call if anything goes wrong and as for Lucian,this isn’t the last you’ll see of me. You think you’re so powerful that you can do anything you want but I’ll show that you’re the same as every single person in this town" he threatened angrily before he turned and walked out.

Lucian slammed the door behind him so hard the frame rattled then he turned to me.

I backed up instinctively.

"Come with me," .

He reached for my wrist.

I jerked back. "Don’t touch me."

Disregarding my hesitation, he grabbed my wrist anyway and dragged me through the living room and into the hallway.

I tried to yank free."Let go of me Lucian" I yelled but he paid no heed to me.

He continued to pull me down the hallway,into the east wing to the guest room. He opened the door, pushed me inside and was about to shut the door but I immediately stood in his frame making it impossible for him to close the door.

"What are you doing Lucian?"

"Keeping you safe," he replied.

"Safe?" I laughed, "You just tried to lock me in a room again."

His jaw ticked. "It’s temporary,until I know what to do with you."

"With me?" My voice rose. "I’m your wife and with child but you’re treating me like a criminal!"

"You are carrying another man’s child. What do you expect me to do about that? Raise Ethan’s child?" he responded,his voice signaling the fury that was building yo inside him

I stared at him.

"You’re punishing me for something I didn’t know anything about and it’s unfair "I mouthed.

"If you can stop thinking only about yourself for a minute, you’ll realize that the world does not revolve around you," he snapped. "You’re nothing but a selfish,self centered whore."

I felt tears burn behind my eyes.

"Your crying won’t change anything Aria,I helped you with the loan sharks because I thought marrying you would help me get what I wanted but you’re a liability that I would like to get rid off". I said as he shoved me into the room and closed the door before I could do anything.

I rushed to the door and tried the handle but the door was locked.

I banged on it."Lucian — open the door!" But there was no answer.

I banged harder."Open the door!"

Tears spilled over."You said you loved me," I whispered against the door.

"I do," he voice echoed from across the room.

"You don’t,why would you treat me like a piece of trash if you do?"

"Because I’m terrified Aria, I’m scared of what I might do to you.I don’t know how to act around you now with all that is happening. I just need time" He replied with a calm voice

I stared at the door, hoping it would open.Tears streamed down my face as I fell to the ground.

"I’m not going to hurt you if I can help it Aria,you can trust that" he said quietly

I let out a dry and coarse sound which was meant to be laughter "You already did."

I heard the door lock click and it opened. Lucian was standing in front of the door,his face was pale and tired.

"I’m sorry" he mouthed as he handed the key to me."Please make sure you just stay at the east wing,I don’t want to see you" he mouthed without even looking at me.

I tried to draw him into a hug but he shoved me aside gently.

"Lucian,I—" my statement was abruptly interrupted by a loud bang at the front door.

Someone was pounding continuously like they intended to break down the door.

"Open up, Mr. Voss!"A loud voice came from outside

"Police! Open the door or we’ll break it down!"