Chapter 1 Blooming Heart. Love?

Danika’s Pov

“You fucking bitch!”

“Ah!” I screamed, my head was slammed on the table, pain coursing through my trembling body as I fell to the ground. My eyes which were already bloodshot raised to meet the man in front of me.

My husband, Jared Fox stood right in front of me, his chest heaving as he once again swung the stick in his hand. It connected with my back, making me scream in pain again.

“Ah… Please. Please don't do this. I can't take this anymore. Please don't.” I begged, going on my knees and clasping my hands together.

“Now you know how to beg?! How dare you try to file for a divorce? How dare you?! Do you know the consequences your actions will bring to my company?! What people will say about us?!” Jared said harshly.

“I… I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I… I was deceived. I didn't want to. I'm really sorry.” I continued to beg, if I didn't do this, Jared might really kill me.

“We are married, Danika, and I love you so much. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have married you, so how could you go behind my back and do something like this? Just because I disciplined you a bit? I only hit you because I love you. How many fucking times do I have to say this, huh?!” Jared raised his voice again, the corner of his eyes crinkling in disgust, “Why are you so bent on making me look like the bad guy here?!”

I shook my head, tears filling the corner of my eyes once more, “J… Jared. P… Please forgive me. I… I truly didn't mean to do this. I… I wasn't thinking straight. Don't be angry. I'll do anything you want, okay? I… I'll do whatever you want, just… Don't be angry.”

“Really? You'll do whatever I want?”

I nodded my head frantically, making Jared smile. This was the first time I saw him smile at me in so many months, it made my chest bloom. Jared and I have been married for 3 years, and throughout these three years, Jared has been very loving towards me. We met when I was in the university, and when we started dating, I dropped out to support him in the university. After he got out of university, I started working to help him build his company. We were truly happy and he loved me so much.

Until, he suddenly changed a year ago. It wasn't that much of a change; at first, it was just hitting me on the arm. Then it turned to slapping me, forcing himself on me even when I didn't want to. Then it turned into full blown hits. I would bleed from my head and body sometimes, I even had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks straight. I lost my baby once.

But despite that, I still loved him. He was only correcting me and making sure that I didn't do anything that would embarrass him. As long as he was happy, I would do anything.

Jared’s tone softened suddenly, his voice dripping with that same deceptive sweetness he used whenever he wanted to make me forget the bruises, “I already picked out a dress for you.” He said, crouching slightly so his face was level with mine. His thumb brushed against the corner of my lips, the gesture so gentle.

“You must wear it tonight, Danika. Understand?”

I nodded quickly, afraid that even a second of hesitation would spark his anger again, “Yes, Jared. I’ll wear it.”

His smile widened. He reached for my hand and pulled me up from the ground, his grip firm but pretending to be affectionate. I stumbled, almost losing balance because of the pain radiating from my back, but he steadied me. “That’s my good girl,” he murmured, brushing imaginary dust from my shoulders.

His smile widened. He reached for my hand and pulled me up from the ground, his grip firm and affectionate. I stumbled, almost losing balance because of the pain radiating from my back, but he steadied me, “That’s my good girl.” He murmured.

Then his expression darkened again. He leaned close, his breath hot against my ear as he spoke in a warning whisper, “Make sure to cover those bruises before you leave the house. You know how I hate people thinking I’m a monster.”

I swallowed hard and nodded, “I will.”

“Good.” He gave my cheek a light pat, “Now, make yourself presentable. I’ll send the driver when it’s time.”

When the door shut behind him, I stood there for a long moment, feeling my legs tremble. The room was silent except for the sound of my uneven breathing. My eyes burned as I looked around, and then I finally moved, limping toward the bedroom.

The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

Laid out neatly on the bed was a red dress. It shimmered under the light, satin and silk intertwined, but it wasn’t the kind of beauty that comforted. It was short, far too short, and the neckline plunged deep enough to make my chest tighten with dread. The back was practically nonexistent, and the slit up the side reached my thigh.

I let out a bitter, shaky laugh, “What kind of business meeting requires this?” I whispered to myself. But then I remembered Jared’s words, remembered the anger that followed whenever I dared to ask questions.

“It’s better not to ask.” I murmured, lowering my eyes, “Better to just obey.”

So, I did.

I took a long shower, trying to wash off the smell of blood, then I applied makeup carefully, layer after layer of foundation to hide the bruises on my cheek and neck. Concealer couldn’t erase the pain, but it could make me look… acceptable. I used my longest earrings to cover the faint scar behind my ear, applied red lipstick, Jared’s favorite, and slipped into the dress. When I caught my reflection in the mirror, my chest constricted. I looked like someone else. As night fell, the sound of a car horn echoed from outside. My hands shook as I grabbed my small clutch and hurried downstairs.

When I stepped out, I saw a sleek black car parked in front of the house. The driver, a man I didn’t recognize, didn’t even look at me properly when I approached.

“Where’s Jared?” I asked softly, my voice timid but polite.

The man scoffed, eyes fixed forward, “Mr. Fox asked you to come alone. Get in.”

I said nothing. I simply nodded, whispering a small “Okay,” before opening the car door and sliding inside. The ride was silent. When the car finally stopped, I looked out the window and froze.

It wasn’t a hotel, it wasn’t a conference center either. The neon lights painted the pavement in streaks of blue and pink, and the sound of loud music spilled into the street.

“This can’t be right.” I whispered under my breath, clutching my bag tightly, “This place is a bar.” And not just any bar, the most infamous bar in the country for its sexual activities. It was more of a brothel house.

“W… Why did Jared bring me here?”