Elena was feeling hopeful but the moment she got home it was crushed. Rafael has pulled her into their room and choked her.
“Tell me who you belong to.”
Rafael’s fingers pressed into Elena’s throat, his grip firm but not tight enough to cut off her air—yet. His eyes, dark and unreadable, burned into hers, waiting. Daring her to defy him.
Elena’s pulse pounded against his fingers, her breath coming in shaky gasps. She didn’t move. Didn’t fight. That would only make it worse.
“I…” Her voice came out hoarse. She swallowed, feeling the pressure of his hand with every tiny movement.
Rafael tilted his head slightly, his lips curling in something that might have been amusement if his eyes weren’t so cold. “Say it,” he murmured. His thumb traced the side of her neck, deceptively gentle. Then, without warning, he tightened his grip.
Elena’s fingers shot up to his wrist on instinct, her body jerking slightly as she struggled to pull in the air.
“Rafael—” she gasped, barely able to get his name out.
“Who do you belong to?” His voice was calm, and controlled, but the rage underneath it was unmistakable.
Tears burned at the corners of her eyes. Her vision blurred. Her lungs screamed.
This was worse than before. Rafael had always been possessive, always controlling. But this… this was different. He wasn’t just angry. He was proving a point.
She had seen his jealousy before, the way he clenched his jaw when other men so much as looked at her. The way he checked her phone, tracked her every move. But now, she could feel it in his hands. His need to own her, to break her down until there was nothing left but him.
The edges of her vision darkened. Say it. Just say it.
She forced her lips to move. “You,” she choked out. “I belong to you.”
Rafael’s grip loosened immediately. Air flooded her lungs as she gasped, her body shaking.
For a moment, he just looked at her, his face unreadable. Then, as if nothing had happened, he smoothed his fingers over the red marks on her skin. His touch was soft now, almost tender.
“There’s my good girl,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the bruised skin.