Page 50 of Forced Innocent Bratva Bride

“Are you cheating on me?” I demanded, my breathing shallow and rapid. My rib cage expanded and contracted with each ragged inhalation.

“Excuse me?” She snapped her head up, her face undergoing a swift transformation from fear's pale pallor to a flush of indignation.

Lorena's posture stiffened, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She yanked her chin up to reveal the defiance flickering in her eyes.

“Don't play games with me, Lorena. Are you seeing someone else?” I questioned, my voice dripping with solemnity.

She let out a dismissive laugh. “Are you serious right now?” She stared at me, a mix of hurt and disappointment coloring her eyes.

“Do I look like I'm joking?” I asked, my voice dropping to a low whisper while I held her gaze.

“Is that how low you think of me?” Her eyes widened, pupils dilating in alarm before narrowing into slits of irritation.

“Just answer the damn question!” I snapped, my voice echoing across the room.

“I'm not your prisoner, Alexei!” she shouted in my face, her voice challenging and defiant, eyes flashing with fury. “So what if I went out for an hour or two?” Her face darkened, devoid of fear and anxiety. “I have the will to do as I please…. Deal with it.” The slight pause came when her eyes bore deeper into mine as if daring me to do my worst.

She’d just crossed a line. No woman had ever spoken to me in this manner before. None had sneered back at me the way that she did, and that fueled my rage.

My heart pounded like a drum in my heaving chest. My breathing was ragged and difficult to catch. The struggle to hold in my anger was like none I'd ever experienced. If she weren’t my wife, or carrying my baby, things would've turned messy really quick.

People had died for far lesser crimes than this, and the only reason she was still breathing was because it was my job as her husband to keep her safe.

My fingers clenched into fists, and my jaw locked, teeth gritting in a silent snarl. My body trembled, suppressing my fury as my hand snapped out in a flash, seizing her by the jaw.

She whimpered, eyes widening in fear as my fingers dug into her skin. Her breath hitched in her throat, chest rising and falling—overwhelmed by terror.

She winced, groaning at the tightness of my grip. I could see the pain flashing in her eyes, but I didn't care. She needed to be taught a lesson and reminded of her place.

I leaned closer, keeping my expression stern and my tone authoritative. “Listen to me very carefully, Lorena.”

She steeled herself, eyes shutting as she held her breath.

“Don't youeverraise your voice at me again,” I warned, my voice barely above a whisper yet dripping with venom. “I willnot tolerate your rudeness and arrogance,” I added, eyes darting across her face, my expression stoic. “You're my wife. It's high time you started acting like it.”

She exhaled softly, her breath brushing against my face. Her eyes opened, and I saw the fear within; she looked at me like I was some kind of beast with a fierce, primal intensity.

“In case you've forgotten….” I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “You're mine now, Lorena…. I own you.”

My aggressive gesture somehow crushed her will to argue. Her face softened and tears streamed down her cheeks as her lips twitched at the corners, her body trembling.

Someone conspicuously cleared their throat, indicating their presence. “Sir, stressing her out can affect the baby's health.” Alexandra's gentle voice cut through the silence.

As angry as I was, I knew that she was right. I was done here, anyway. Lorena had received the warning loud and clear.

I let go of her jaw and stepped away, watching her hands fly to rub the affected spot in a massaging motion.

Without a word, I ascended the staircase, leaving two women below. Alexandra would help her calm down and perhaps speak some sense into her.

But for now, I was glad that she was okay.

Chapter 18 – Lorena

I lay on my back, retreating under the thick, warm blanket. I kept my eyes fixed on an invisible point, my mind reeling with the events that happened yesterday.

A mix of anger and fear sprinted through me, followed by a hint of confusion.

How dare he raise his voice at me? How dare he demonstrate an act of physical violence toward me?

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