Betrayed by My Trash Husband, Surrender Myself to the Devil-Chapter 32: Meant to Hate (I)

Claudia POV

"What kind of restaurant would hire a random stay-at-home mom as a chef?" I played along with whatever he was recommending.

After knowing that I was just a disposable woman to this man, I became more at ease around him. Because I was actually terrified to my bones when he pulled up that pet contract.

I was scared that he’d never let me go and that I would have to spend the rest of my life being tormented by this heartless man.

I giggled at him. A faint flicker of tenderness passed through his eyes, so brief and subtle that I chose to believe it had only been my imagination.

Surely, there was no way this man could be gentle.

"I am serious, Claudia," Ray admitted. "You made some decent food."

"Mhm, whatever you say," I rolled my eyes playfully. I got up after having my meal, and washing my hand in the sink, I said, "And thank you for helping me with Aurora. I’m so glad that she’s finally out of Clarissa’s clutches."

"Mm. I reckon that you’re in a good mood right now because of your daughter, right?" he asked.

"Yup. But other than that, I also felt much better after talking to your secretary, Jane Jiang."

"Hm. Seems you hit it off with her. I’ll tell her to come every day to watch over you," Ray said. "What did you two talk about?"

"Nothing much, actually. But she told me that you’ve gone on many dates with tall, blonde, blue-eyed women in the past. Apparently, I am your type, but not the only one," I pointed out bluntly, hoping it would break the tension between us completely. "I’m glad if that’s the case, because she said that you’ve never committed to any of those women, so you’d get bored of me soon anyway."

Then, in mere seconds, the speck of tenderness disappeared, replaced with ever-growing fury.

But I didn’t find anything wrong with my statement, so I nervously added, "I-I don’t mind staying locked in this place for a while, maybe one or two months? Since you’ll get bored of me anyway, why don’t we just... be friends? I haven’t had any friends—"

SLAM!

My body jolted when Ray suddenly slammed the table. He stood tall and menacing, his serpent-like green eyes looking down at me. He didn’t say anything, but a few veins popped on his neck and temple, as if he was holding back his rage.

Yet, I didn’t understand what his rage was about.

"W-what? D-did I say something wrong?" I asked while lowering my head. As much as I wanted to be on good terms with him, I still couldn’t get used to his oppressive gaze. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Look at me in the eyes, Claudia," Ray said coldly.

But I didn’t obey. It was too scary.

Instead, I tried to turn away and leave.

But I couldn’t, because Ray wrapped his left hand around my waist, forcing me to stay still as he drew closer and pinched my chin.

He forced me to look up, and I almost gasped when I saw the red around the rims of his eyes. I had never seen him like this, even when we were dating back then.

Was he really angry at what I said?

But why?

Despite his anger, he still spoke with full control—no shouting or yelling—but the oppressiveness was undeniable.

"It’s true. I get bored of those women easily. I went on many dates, but ignored them all after one or two, then moved on with my life," he said lightly. Then his tone darkened as he continued, "You are just one of dozens for me, Claudia. But what makes you think I’d let go of this average woman in my arms, hm?"

"B-because you can get other women to sign that weird contract willingly?" I guessed. "I-I am sure there are younger, firmer, and cuter women who’d be willing to do this with you, Ray."

"Wrong," he cut me off curtly. "The reason I want to keep you by my side is because I hold a grudge. A decade of unabated grudge for the humiliation you caused me back then. That’s why you will pay for a decade."

"A... decade?" My heart sank when I realized Ray wasn’t joking.

He smirked after seeing my reaction, then added,

"Or more. I do not like you, Claudia. You are not special to me, but I will keep you for a decade or more, just so you know how petty I can be toward a woman who insulted me, broke up with me, and then married my stepbrother."

My legs felt weak hearing his verdict. My vision began to blur, and I became lightheaded thinking that I had to be tormented for the next ten years by the man who hated me.

I thought I would faint any second, but he pressed me closer until I could smell the warm, spicy perfume on his neck.

He leaned closer and whispered in a devilish voice, "You are my lab rat, Claudia. A very special one. So don’t think about running away or that I’d let you off so easily. You have to pay for your sin from more than ten years ago."

Then he bit my earlobe, sending a jolt under my skin and causing me to struggle instinctively to break free.

"Y-you are insane, Ray! Why can’t you move on?!"

Unfortunately, I wasn’t as strong as him, so he kept me in place as his lips moved from my ear down to my neck.

He sucked and nibbled at my skin like a hungry wolf wanting to mark his prey. I bit my lip, trying not to make a sound, but my body had always been sensitive because I rarely had any physical contact with anyone. And those sinful sounds slipped out of my mouth.

"Ah—s-stop—Ahnn!"

His breath grew heavier as he continued sucking at the same spot on my neck. He finally let go after a while.

He smirked at the striking "artwork" he had left on my neck, then shifted his gaze to look me straight in the eyes.

"You’re beautiful when you look at me with hatred. After all, that’s what we’re meant to be—enemies."