Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Author's POV

Vera was sitting on the bed. She rested her head on her knees and sighed.

She was feeling stupid to fall in his trap, it was too obvious that it's a trap when the gate was unguarded.

She couldn't believe that he just did it to make her realise that there is no escape. He wants her to give in, surrender herself completely to him.

He claims to love her but is it really a love or just stubborness.

He kisses her forehead every time, looks at her like she is the only person he wants to see in this world, he doesn't ignore her presence like Zen used to do. He tries to make her talk. Veronica was irritated by everything, how could he act like they are normal couple when they aren't.

She rubbed her face and decided to leave that depressing room for a bit. She walked downstairs, the mansion is huge and she doesn't know anything about it.

She looked at the huge pillars and paintings, reminding her of a museum. She wondered in the hallway, there was no trace of Vlad.

She stopped by huge painting, she couldn't understand what is it. For her it's just colors.

"It's a blood!"

She flinched, getting caught off-guard By Ivan, Vladimir's Brother.

"What?"

She frowned. She can't even imagine that a painting which is coloured with blood is hanging openly in this mansion. What kind of sadist people stays here.

He chuckled mischievously.

"Just kidding... It's painted by my father, he is such an artist... The only thing he is an expert in, except having affairs with multiple women at the same time."

"I don't need to know that."

Veronica replied and tried to walk away but he stopped her.

"You need to know this!"

He said firmly.

"You need to know what kind of man you are staying with... My father and Vlad both are monsters, Vera...The most Selfish men you could find in this world. Haven't you witness, how they killed people in your wedding."

"You are no different!"

She snapped back.

"I am much better... I separated myself from them when I realised these are not my people..."

Ivan said.

"And I know you are forced into this marriage..."

"I don't know what are you talking about..."

She tried to calm herself down. Vlad has clearly warned her, not to talk about it.

"I know you tried to escape last day... I have connections too..."

Ivan looked at her with pity.

"I don't know why he is doing this to you, because Vlad can't love anyone but himself. Be careful Vera, you are in danger..."

"Why should I trust you?"

She isn't surprised, if Vlad can have connections so does his brother and she is aware that they are not on good terms.

"Because I know how Vlad is... He raped my wife!"

He declared and Vera froze in her place.

"He raped and killed her just because she chose me over him."

"You are lying..."

She can't imagine Vlad doing it because he refused to touch her without her consent.

"Don't trust me, it's fine!... Ask him who was Layla, you will get your answer..."

He handed her his card.

"I know you want to escape and I can help you..."

Vera hesitated before taking his card. She doesn't know if he is honest or not but she saw hope of freedom.

"Police won't help you... Trust me, I have experienced it..."

She could see the hint of sadness in his eyes.

"Call me when you are ready to escape..."

She gulped and tightened the hold on the card.

She has no idea if he is trustworthy or not but the way he was talking was genuine, and the thing he told her now was shocking.

"I haven't given you the permission to talk to my wife..."

Her head snapped towards Vlad who was glaring at Ivan. Their father was standing beside him, they looked like they were in a meeting and Vera guessed that maybe Ivan was the part of the meeting.

She slowly hid the card with her dress when Vlad walked towards her and dragged her closer by waist.

Ivan let out a mocking chuckle.

"Come on, don't act like your old father. Your wife is a human being and I think she has a choice and  a will to talk with people..."

Vlad was growing annoyed by his behavior.

"Or perhaps you think your wife is a pet just like your___"

"Watch your tongue before I cut and throw it at your feet..."

Dimitri, his father warned.

"Greetings to you too father..."

Ivan said bitterly.

"I will always cherish your sweet words.."

He dragged his hateful eyes towards Vlad.

"Watch out, Brother!"

Vlad shook his head when Ivan walked out.

He looked at Vera who was standing there nervously, her focus was on hiding the card.

"You should wear something warm, it's snowing!"

He grabbed her attention.

She looked at him and gave him confused nod. She was expecting him to punish her or at least lash out on her after escaping but he did nothing.

Infact he was acting caring.

She looked at Dimitri and frowned at his smirk. He walked away with mischievous eyes.

"What did he say?"

Her head turned towards Vlad again. He was clearly annoyed.

Vera was curious to know about Layla, she wasn't ready to believe that Vlad can do something like that. Because he clearly refused to touch her without consent, he could have forced her in the hospital where he was staying for a month and she was alone with him but he didn't. He didn't force her when she refused him at the night of his discharge.

But again he said 'it's no fun to touch without consent' so maybe he has done it before. She couldn't understand what to believe.

"Who is Layla?"

She blurted out before she could hold back her tongue.

She saw visible changes in his expression, he didn't like her question.