"What took you so long?" Bobby walked closer to her, his voice piercing with barely restrained anger. The intensity of his presence seemed to suffocate her in the little space.

Sarah swallowed hard, finding it difficult to speak, her mouth drying out. Even to her own ears, her weak words, "I-I was just washing my hands," wavered.


Bobby's lips curled into a sardonic sneer as his eyes narrowed. 'Washing your hands? Was that what you were doing?" With a vice-like grip, he reached out and roughly grabbed her wrist, pulling her in his direction.

Sarah felt a sharp ache shoot through her arm, but she would not show him how weak she was. Confidently meeting his gaze despite the panic bubbling in her gut, she squared her shoulders. Even though her limbs were shaking, she answered, "Yes, that's what I was doing," in a firm voice.

Bobby's fingers dug into her skin with a hurting intensity as his grip tightened even further. With his breath heated against her face, he spat, "You expect me to believe that? Sarah, I know you're hiding something. And you'll regret crossing me once I find out what it is."


Sarah's heart pounded in her chest, the threat in Bobby's words sending a shiver down her spine. But she refused to back down, her resolve strengthened by the memory of Derrick's silent presence above them. She squared her shoulders, summoning every ounce of courage she possessed as she met Bobby's gaze head-on.

Sarah held Bobby's gaze, her chin lifted defiantly despite the fear coursing through her veins. She refused to let him see the tremble in her hands as she met his intimidating stare head-on.


"I have nothing to hide," she repeated, her voice steady, though her heart hammered in her chest. "Whatever you think you saw, it's all in your head. I'm your wife now, Bobby. You need to start trusting me."

Bobby's lips curled into a disdainful sneer, his grip on her wrist tightening painfully. "Trust you?" he scoffed, the derision dripping from his words like poison. "Why should I trust you, Sarah? You've already proven yourself to be nothing but trouble."

Sarah's mouth tensed, determination hardening as she struggled to keep her cool under his aggression. With a hint of annoyance in her voice, she shot back, "I've done everything you asked of me. You are my husband, right? I've pretended everything is good, smiled for the cameras, and played the part of the obedient wife. What else do you want from me?"

Bobby's eyes narrowed, a glimmer of danger burning deep within. With a low, scary voice, he said, "What more do I want? Sarah, please stop lying to me. Be honest with me about what happened in the restroom. Also, you're gravely wrong if you believe you can hide secrets from me."

Sarah felt her mind racing and her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to find a way to ease their tension. Sarah realized she couldn't afford to irritate Bobby any more while Olivia's life was in stake.

Her voice was tinged with desperation as she continued, "I'm not lying to you, Bobby. As I said before, I was by myself in the restroom. Ask anyone who was present if you don't think I'm telling the truth."

Bobby's fingers drove a bruisingly hard grip into her skin as he tightened his hold on her wrist. "I don't need to ask anyone," he snarled in a threatening, low voice. "Sarah, you know what I saw. I promise to look into this thoroughly. Also, when I do, you'll wish you had never crossed me."

Bobby gave her a hard shove and released her wrist, causing her to stumble backward. Watching him shift away, his countenance dark and menacing, Sarah struggled to stay upright, her heart racing in her chest.

Sarah caressed her painful wrist, but the uneasiness that enveloped her felt like a shroud and would not go away. The idea sent shivers down her spine since she knew Bobby wouldn't stop until he found out.

Even though their rocky marriage was filled with uncertainty and upheaval, Sarah was determined to protect her sister and make sure they survived, even if it meant confronting the wrath of a merciless billionaire who was out to exact revenge.

Following Bobby's threatening words, Sarah received a stinging pain throughout her body. She battled to hold back the tears that were about to pour from her eyes as the power of his hand against her cheek left a mark of burning sadness in its wake. She was aware that giving in to Bobby's nastiness would just make it worse.

Bobby's voice broke the silence as she cautiously stroked her burning cheek, commanding her obedience with a stern authority. "Smile, Sarah," he said, his voice barely masked with threat..

'We can't have the guests suspecting anything, now can we? Remember, the only reason I'm a CEO is because I found a decent bride within the given time. And in turn, I'm clearing your sister's hospital bills and forgetting that your father owes me." Bobby roars.

His words made Sarah's heart tighten; she was aware of the harsh irony of her circumstances. She forced herself to comply, forcing a fake grin onto her face despite the hate swirling inside of her. "Of course, Bobby," she answered, straining to keep her control in her voice. "I'll do whatever you say."

Bobby's eyes shone with pleasure at having reaffirmed his authority over her, and his lips curved into a delighted sneer. "That's more like it," he remarked, his smug satisfaction evident in his tone. 'Let's get back out there and show to everyone what a lovely couple we are."

Sarah nodded numbly, a storm of emotions whirling through her mind. She followed Bobby out of the bathroom, her steps a little unsteady as she tried to maintain the happy front. He felt like a burden next to her, and his closeness served as a continual reminder of the bonds that linked her to him.

Sarah pushed herself to smile and engage in conversation with the visitors as they reentered the reception area, but she was always conscious of Bobby's watchful gaze piercing her skin. She felt compelled to dance to his music against her will, like a puppet on strings.

Thoughts of escape went through Sarah's mind among the music and laughter. She was aware that she had to wake up from this nightmare of being bound to a man who just considered her as a tool. But the idea of abandoning Olivia—alone and vulnerable—kept her firmly planted, ensnared in a tunnel of guilt and fear.

As the night went on, Sarah began to sneak sneaking glances at Derrick whenever Bobby was preoccupied. His absence was a daily reminder of the little moments of comfort they had experienced together in the bathroom, and it weighed hard on her heart. She yearned to be with him again, to run to safety in his arms, and to finally break free from her tormentor's grasp.

But for the time being, she had little choice but to put up with Bobby's company, his iron grip monitoring and controlling her every move. A deep ache crept in the pit of her stomach as she danced with him on the dance floor, a quiet cry for freedom resonating deep within her. But Sarah's quiet prayers were drowned out by the noise of the evening, lost in the whirling lights and giggling guests during the wedding celebration.

Despite her best efforts to keep up a happy front for the duration of the evening, Sarah felt as like she was living in a nightmare. Every false smile she felt was a reminder of Bobby's tight hold over her life, a betrayal of her actual feelings.

Sarah took a minute by herself by the window, staring out at the moonlit sky outside as the music intensified and the visitors danced all around them. The cool night air provided a moment's relief from the stuffy reception hall environment, but it was not enough to calm the storm brewing in her heart.

A voice interrupted her reflection, "You look lost in thought," and Sarah turned to see her coworker and supposed friend Betty standing next to her. Although Betty maintained a perfectly neutral expression, Sarah felt uneasy because of the glint of curiosity in her eyes.

Sarah forced a smile and said, "Just taking a moment to catch my breath," trying to keep her tone light. After been deceived by one person she trusted, she could not afford to show Betty the worry and doubt roiling within of her.

Betty looked at Sarah's face for a little longer than needed after nodding. She said in a casual way, "You're doing a great job of keeping up appearances," but Sarah could hear stress beneath her words.

Sarah stiffened as her gut told her to be cautious with Betty. Although she had always been suspicious of her coworker's intentions, she was now more than ever forced to keep her guard up.

"Thanks," Sarah replied cautiously, her eyes flickering to the dance floor where Bobby was entertaining a group of guests. "It's been quite the evening."

Betty followed her gaze, her lips twisting into a disdainful sneer. "Yes, quite the spectacle," she muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But then again, what else can we expect from a man like Bobby?"

Sarah's heart skipped a beat at Betty's words, a surge of adrenaline flooding her veins as she realized the danger of their conversation. She couldn't afford to let Bobby catch wind of their suspicions, not when Olivia's life hung in the balance.

"I think I'll go check on Bobby," Sarah snapped, preventing Betty's next comment from getting out of hand. "He's probably wondering where I've disappeared to."

A glimmer of sympathy passed over Betty's features as her attitude softened. "Of course," she replied, her voice now softer. "Sarah, look after yourself. And never forget that I'm there for you if you ever need someone to talk to."

Sarah turned her back on Betty and walked across the busy hall, forcing a grateful smile despite her racing heart. When everything in her world was on the line, she could not afford to let her guard down, not even for a second.