Chapter One: My Cold, Ruthless Husband
1480 Words
Emma
“I am sorry,” the doctor says, taking his glasses off. “We are doing our best. But your mother is dying. Her condition is critical. “
“No…”
I managed through the shock. I feel like falling and suppress the strong urge to cry.
“We continue monitoring her, “ he says, “but our options are limited in a situation like this one. “
He speaks to me in the same controlled and practised manner doctors speak to you when they tell you they can’t do anything about your loved ones. You can only watch them die. The doctor is one of the best doctors in the US, in one of the best clinics, and still..
“But..” I speak through the tears, threatening to spill and my voice breaks.
“Unless you gather the money for another surgery, I am afraid we are powerless. “
The doctor says eventually. With a trembling heart, I ask the question I’ve been fearing since my mother was admitted to the hospital for the second time this month.
“How much is it going to cost?”
The man exhales.
“Approximately half a million. “
My heart shatters and before I can say anything, the doctor turns his back on me and leaves me in the middle of the brightly lit corridor.
Half a million…This can’t be happening.
My eyes flicker to the tall, dark figure, leaning against the wall. A few of the nurses in the hospital steal glances at him as they pass by. I’ve noticed women always look at him despite who he is. One of the nurses blushes and puts a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she approaches him.
But he doesn’t notice any of this.
Because he is watching me. James Miller - the future young heir of the Miller Company and one of the richest men in the world. At the age of just 28, he has what most people would never dream of. On top of it, he is strong, really smart and intimidating. This is wrapped in a muscled body and piercing eyes. James Miller rarely smiles and when he does, the mood of the room changes entiely. Cold beauty and power.
He is also my husband.
My heart picks up its pace as I walk towards him. I have to do this. He is my only option right now.
His dark, piercing eyes fix on me and I tremble.
“James, “ I begin, lifting my gaze to meet his “I am begging you- you heard the doctor. My mother is dying and you are the only one who can help me pay for the operation. “
His eyes linger on me. James is dressed in an entirely black suit which makes him even more intimidating. He is a predator and I am the small, helpless prey he is about to devour.
“Please, “ I keep begging nevertheless, despite the overwhelming fear. “Help me. “
Then something shifts in his eyes.
It’s as if the black in his eyes changes into a different colour and I blink, the feeling of fear growing inside me. My mind is playig tricks on me, so I shake my head.
In moments like those, I fear James is not just any man. Not even a… human.
James narrows his eyes and pushes away from the wall. He takes a threatening step towards me. My back hits the wall behind and I have nowhere to run. He is much taller than me, powerful. My hands close into fists, my nails digging into my palms.
“Help?“ he growls out the words deliberately and slowly, the tone of his voice sends shivers down my spine. “You are asking me to help you? “
My nails dig harder into my palms when he closes his hand around my forearm and forces me to keep looking at him.
His jet-black hair is falling over his forehead, hiding his eyes. My husband leans forward, his breath is on my face.
“You are just another w***e, Emma, “ James’ voice is lowered, and his hand closes tighter in my flesh. “Why would I help you save your mother? “
“I…” my vision blurs and I can no longer fight the tears. “I am still your wife. “
James shorts, shaking his head.
“If you were my wife you wouldn’t be carrying someone else’s child. “
Then he closes the distance between us entirely, moving his lips to my ear.
“You are no one, Emma. “ he says and the cold, controlled tone in his voice is what scares me the most.
“I am so sorry “ I plead, “Please, I swear I will do anything, just….”
I am sobbing, lowering my eyes to the white, hospital floor. Even now I don’t want James to look at me when I am crying. That will give him another reason to mock me.
“You have no right to be asking me for anything. “James snarls.
Two months ago my mother got seriously ill. At that time my father and mom were already divorced. My father left us - me, my sister and my mother- for a younger woman.
On top of it, he had his own business but he was swimming in debt by the time our mother got ill. When I called Father for help he offered me a deal- sell me as a bride to one of the businessmen he was working for in exchange for the money for my mother’s operation.
At that time I had no idea I was to marry James Miller- the notorious cold and ruthless heir of the biggest business empire.
I knew nothing about James, besides one thing - no one wanted to go near him. All kinds of rumors were flooding the press and later I learned most of them were true. He was a ruthless monster. I was the scapegoat.
And I had to say yes if I wanted my mother to live.
But the night before my marriage with James, I did what anyone in my place would do- I got drunk and spent one last - and first- night with the only person I’ve ever liked - Michael Baker.
Mike is the owner of another small company that’s growing rapidly and I’d always liked him. I never dared to tell him, but that night I was very drunk and things happened.
After that I did my part- I married James, not knowing about the baby. My father disappeared and I never heard from him again. No money for my mother’s operation either.
I squeeze my eyes shut at the memory when James’s deep voice reminds me of the present.
“Get rid of this f*****g nuisance and I might consider listening to you. “
James releases his iron hold and pulls away from me. Then he strides off.
I slide to the floor, hugging my knees and letting the tears flow. I am all alone. I don’t know what to do. But I don't have time for this, my time is running out.
I get back on my feet and stride out of the hospital into the cold November morning. I hug myself in my coat and pick up my phone. I called my sister. She picks up after the fifth ring.
“Claire?” I say, “I am calling about Mother. “
“Oh…” she gasps, then I hear rustling. “What is it?”
“We need to gather the money urgently. And...”
I hear more rustling and voices around her.
“Maybe now is not a good time to talk, “ I say, “I can come by your place and tell you everything?”
“Uh… yeah, sure. " Claire says distractedly, “Anyway, let’s talk later, okay?”
Then she hangs up.
Strange…
Claire is not usually like this. My sister is normally at home on Wednesdays so I decided to go directly to her place and tell her what happened.
As soon as I get to her house, I press the doorbell. No response. I press the handle of the door and discover it’s not locked. She is definitely here. I dial her number but she doesn’t pick up. However, I hear her phone ringing from upstairs.
I come into the house and head to the second floor when her voice reaches me. Claire is laughing. Then her laughter turns into a moan of pleasure.
“Yes!” she moans again.
“I know you want this, “ a man says. And I recognize the voice. My heart starts beating painfully fast.
“Mike, “my sister gasps, “You are too rough, wait. I am so close…“
- Writer
