C28 Obedient little wife

Sofia's POV

“I told you to smile, to play your part,” he hissed, his fingers ghosting over my waist where he had just hit me. “And yet you continue to test me.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, the words falling from my lips without thought. I knew it wouldn’t stop him, but it was instinct now—to apologize, to pacify, to survive.

Alex exhaled sharply, his grip loosening just slightly before he smoothed a hand over my hair, tucking a loose strand behind my ear. The sudden gentleness made my stomach turn.

“Fix your face,” he said coolly. “Leyla is watching.”

At the mention of her name, my head turned slightly, and sure enough, at the far end of the hall, Leyla stood with her arms crossed, a glass of champagne in her hand, watching us with a mixture of amusement and burning hatred.

I swallowed hard, forcing my trembling lips into a practiced, demure smile.

“Good girl,” Alex murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to my temple before pulling me back into the grand hall.

My waist was already sore and I couldn't help myself from limping.

"You're to fuckin walk straight, I didn't buy you that dress for nothing," He cussed, seething with anger.

I nodded without a word, holding onto the chair in front of me for support before collapsing on it.

I did nothing but stare at the ball going up, my waist was throbbing uncontrollably as my eyes brimmed with tears I couldn't shed.

The ride home was thick with tension, the kind that pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Alex’s knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, his jaw locked so tight I could hear the faint grind of his teeth.

I didn’t dare speak. I didn’t even move. I just stared out the window, counting the streetlights as they blurred past, trying to pretend I wasn’t in this car, trapped beside him.

Leyla sat in the backseat, her presence like a blade against my skin. I could feel her smug gaze on me.

She had seen what happened back at the ball. She had seen Alex’s hand tighten around my waist, had seen the way I winced, the way I stumbled.

And yet, here she was, humming softly under her breath, as if the whole night had been nothing but a grand entertainment for her.

“You embarrassed me tonight.” Alex’s voice cut through the silence like a knife.

I swallowed, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress. “I’m sorry—i didn't mean to” I murmured.

He let out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. “Sorry? You’re fucking sorry? And you want to tell me that trash that you didn't know?”

My stomach clenched. I knew better than to respond.

“You were practically throwing yourself at Rhysand,” he continued, his voice low and furious. “Smiling at him like a desperate whore.”

I flinched. “I wasn’t— he was the one that was..."

A sharp, cruel chuckle came from the backseat. “Oh, but you were,” Leyla mused. “You should’ve seen yourself, Sofia. So eager. So desperate for attention.”

I turned my head slightly, catching her smirk in the rearview mirror. My hands clenched in my lap, nails digging into my palms, but I kept my mouth shut.

Alex pulled into the driveway with a screech of tires, his rage still simmering just beneath the surface. He killed the engine and turned to me, his expression eerily calm now. That was the part that terrified me the most—the quiet before the storm.

“Get inside,” he ordered.

I hesitated for half a second too long.

His hand shot out, gripping my jaw with just enough force to send a warning. “Now.”

I nodded quickly, fumbling with the door handle before practically stumbling out of the car. My legs felt unsteady as I made my way inside, the familiar dread settling deep in my bones. I had walked through this house a thousand times, but tonight, it felt like I was stepping into a prison cell.

Leyla followed us in, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. I could hear her heels clicking against the marble floor as she moved to the side, making herself comfortable.

Alex tossed his jacket onto the couch, rolling his sleeves up slowly, deliberately. “You’ve been testing my patience, Sofia.”

I felt my pulse spike. “I—I didn’t mean to—”

His backhand came so fast I barely saw it. My head snapped to the side, pain exploding across my cheek. The taste of blood bloomed in my mouth.

“You think I’m stupid?” he snarled. “You think I don’t see the way you act? The way you look at other men?”

I barely had time to catch my breath before he grabbed my arm and shoved me against the wall. My skull thudded against it, the room spinning for a second.

Leyla let out a soft laugh. “Pathetic,” she murmured, stepping closer. “You can’t even do the one thing you were brought here for—being an obedient little wife.”

I wanted to fight back. I wanted to scream at her, at both of them. But what would it change? Nothing.

Alex gripped my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “Maybe I should remind you who you belong to.”

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. He wanted a reaction. They both did.

Leyla’s voice was like silk, mocking and cruel. “You should teach her a lesson, Alex. One she won’t forget.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, I intend to.”