Page 135 of My Ruthless Husband

At that precise moment, Damian’s words come back to haunt me.

“I didn’t invite his touch,” I say, meeting Damian’s intense gaze head-on. “I leaned away every time, trying to signal that I wasn’t comfortable with it but he didn’t seem to notice.”

His jaw ticks. “Sounds like he needs to learn his tboundaries,” Damian says, his voice chillingly calm. “Perhaps a broken hand might make him think twice.”

“It’s true.” Edward snaps. “Damian was the one who attacked me. I saw him clearly.” When I shake my head vehemently, he snaps again, “Stop shaking your head like an idiot!” The harshness in his voice makes me flinch, my lower lip trembling uncontrollably.

I glance at Dad but he just stays silent, watching me.

It’s devastating to watch him let Edward speak to me that way, without so much as a word of reproach for his behavior.

“When you took off so abruptly, I was furious, so I settled the bill and left shortly after. I went out clubbing with friends for a few hours before deciding to call it a night. I still can’t figure out how Montgomery knew exactly when I’d be home or how he managed to bypass the tight security of my building, but he found his way into the garage and attacked me there.”

I listen in stunned silence. I don’t know how to react or what to say. It’s all too surreal. Damian had made vague threats about hurting Edward, but I brushed them off as nothing morethan his possessiveness. I never imagined he would actually follow through and break Edward’s arm. The thought makes me shudder inwardly.

Edward glares at me, his eyes smoldering with fury. “He didn’t just beat me—he made sure I felt every ounce of his fury. He coldly declared that I needed to learn my place and stay away from anything he considered his. Oh, and that wasn’t all. The asshole said this was merely a warning. If I dare cross him again, he promised the next encounter would be far more brutal. He was making sure I understood the consequences of stepping onto his territory.”

Dad crosses his arms and levels me with a cold, penetrating stare. “He made sure to erase all the CCTV evidence.”

I’m trembling, my palms sweaty as I gaze up at him helplessly. “No, there must be some mistake. Damian wouldn’t do something like this.”

“The evidence was tampered with, River. Edward’s injuries, combined with the missing footage, reveal not just Montgomery’s power but his willingness to misuse it. I wanted you to see this, to understand the gravity of the situation.”

I stand on trembling legs. “If this happened a month ago, why did you keep it from me?”

“If you’d been answering my calls and messages, you would have known about this sooner.”

My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “I need to talk to Damian about this. I have to—”

“You’re not going anywhere,” my father’s tone is final.

A cold dread settles in my stomach. “What do you mean I’m not going anywhere?”

“You’re not going back to your apartment. You’ll be staying with me from now on.”

I gape at him, my voice shaking with alarm. “Wait, what? You’re not serious, are you?”

He meets my shocked gaze steadily. “I’m serious. You’ll be coming home with me. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

A cold shiver runs down my spine. “No! You can’t do this to me. I need to see Damian. I need to—”

My father’s calm demeanor only heightens my fear. “I can do whatever I deem necessary. I am your father.”

Trembling, I shake my head, my feet retreating. “Y-you c-can’t do this…” My heart pounds wildly as I make a frantic move toward the door, my hands trembling as I reach for the handle.

Just as I manage to wrench the door open, Derek steps inside with a swift, imposing presence. Before I can react, his strong hands grip my shoulders, pinning me gently but firmly. “Please, Derek, let me through,” I plead, tears welling in my eyes.

Soon, sheer panic takes over, and I begin to thrash violently in his hold. I twist and writhe, trying to break free, my scream piercing the air. “Let me go! Please, let me go!” My voice cracks and rises in a desperate, frantic wail.

Derek remains resolute. I push against him, but he doesn’t budge. The room seems to close in on me, my vision narrowing as the walls feel like they are closing in. I can’t breathe properly.

“Dad!” I cry out, turning to him with wide, pleading eyes. “Please, don’t do this. I’m begging you. Just let me talk to Damian. I need him.”

His gaze remains cold and indifferent. “This is not up for discussion, River.”

“But you can’t do this! You can’t keep me against my will, Dad!”

My panic escalates into hysteria. My hands claw at the air, my breathing becoming more erratic. I begin to scream uncontrollably. “Let me go, Derek! Someone help me! Please, somebody!”

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