Chapter 41
“Speak.” Gregory’s voice was cold and commanding. Yet, silence was the only response he received. He frowned and scooped Anathea up effortlessly, carrying her to the couch.
Anathea slumped against it, completely drained, as if every last ounce of strength had been stripped from her. She didn’t even
blink, her vacant eyes staring into nothingness.
She said nothing, but the evidence of what had just happened was impossible to ignore. Beneath the slightly open collar of her
blouse, her pale skin was marred with countless red marks, a silent testament to Gregory’s aggressiveness.
came fro
However, the real damage came from the humiliation that shattered her spirit, not just the physical torture.
Gregory finally realized he might have gone too far. His voice was stiff as he offered a curt explanation. “The glass is one–way and
soundproof.”
In other words, while everything outside was visible from within the office, those outside couldn’t see or hear anything
happening inside. He would never allow anyone to witness their intimate moment or to see Anathea in such a disheveled state.
He’d only wanted to punish her and remind her of her position.
However, when he truly took in Anathea’s reaction, a strange, inexplicable feeling stirred in his chest. He brushed the thought
aside and sat down beside her, reaching out to button up her blouse.
Yet before his fingers could even touch the fabric, Anathea flinched, refusing any contact with him.
The silence stretched on for nearly half a minute. Finally, Gregory relented. “Fine. I’ll let them go. I can also forgive you for
working.”
Anathea finally responded, raising her gaze to meet his. However, her eyes were clouded with caution and doubt, as if she feared
he might go back on his word in an instant.
“Try looking at me like that again.” His voice carried a trace of displeasure.
He was Gregory Sinclair, a man of his word. He would never break a promise.
“Just keep your distance from any men in the studio. Otherwise, don’t expect me to be merciful.”
Anathea let out a quiet, mocking laugh in her heart. Gregory’s double standards, where he could act freely while restricting her,
were almost laughably absurd.
Nonetheless, she chose to stay silent. She didn’t argue, because she couldn’t afford to. By now, she fully understood just how big
the gap between them was.
Thankfully, in less than a month, she would be gone. Until then, all she had to do was endure. (1)
Anathea fastened the buttons of her disheveled blouse, though the top two had been torn off by Gregory. It was clear evidence of
just how rough he’d been.
+15 Bonus
Gregory cleared his throat lightly and turned his head away, avoiding her gaze. His expression shifted back to the cold and distant
Indifference he usually wore.
Anathea had no desire to linger any longer. She stood up, her legs trembling slightly. She was determined to leave.
“Hold on,” Gregory said as he walked toward his desk, pulling open a drawer. Then, he retrieved a small, dark blue velvet box and
handed it to Anathca.
She froze for a moment when she recognized it. It was the very box that had once held her wedding ring. It was the same one she’d sold along with the ring. She was puzzled, wondering whether Gregory had bought it back.
Gregory flipped open the box, taking out the diamond ring. It was indeed hers, the very one she’d sold. “Give me your hand.”
But Anathea didn’t obey. Her fingers curled slightly.
She found Gregory’s actions bewildering. After all, they were going to get divorced. And yet, his behavior was unpredictable,
making it impossible for her to understand his true intentions.
For instance, at the moment, seeing that she refused to extend her hand, Gregory didn’t hesitate. He simply grabbed her slender
wrist and forcefully slid the ring onto her finger.
The cool touch of the ring against her skin made Anathea freeze. A memory from their wedding day five years ago resurfaced in
her mind–back then, she’d excitedly reached out for the matching ring to place on Gregory’s finger.
However, she’d failed to do so. Gregory had abruptly snapped the ring box shut and tossed it to Martin as if discarding something
worthless.
