You don't care for me

DEIRDRE

As Matteo strode towards me, I dashed to what I guess was the bathroom.

However, I was not fast enough. He gripped my hair, flung me across his shoulder, and tossed me on the bed.

I fell with a plop, and I stood abruptly as well.

"Kendall is mine, and we had no official dissolving of our marriage. I can prove that your body is still mine by fucking you this instant."

"N-No, please!" I stuttered, pushing at his chest as he came down on me.

My eyes rounded as he parted my legs, but I kept shoving him.

I didn't think my punch affected him because he gripped my chin and forced me to stare into his cold eyes.

"P-please, I beg of you."

Whether he heard me or not, Matteo didn't show it.

He bounded my hands with the tie he had released from his neck.

"Tell me, Tesoro, do you think you can run away from me?" His grey eyes turned darker, and swiftly, he clutched the thong I wore, ripping it off me.

My legs snapped shut almost immediately, attempting to cover up the rest of my dignity as his eyes stared at me maliciously.

He clutched my legs, spreading them apart.

"W-what are you doing?!" I gasped as his hand neared my pussy.

My throat tightened, and I felt a lump forming, making it hard to swallow. My palms turned clammy, and I could feel my body temperature rising. My mind raced with all sorts of irrational thoughts and fears, and I couldn't make sense of anything.

Matteo positioned himself between my legs, making it worse, but I knew I had to keep fighting. With all my strength, I kicked at his chest, trying to push him off me.

But it was no use. Matteo was too strong and determined. He pinned my legs and leaned in closer, his breath hot on my neck.

"Will you think me a monster if I do what you are afraid of?" He whispered, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Sei un mostro(You're a monster)," I spat at Matteo. "Nothing can change that."

"I've always cared for you, but you chose to betray me by running away with my child. Did you know how my reputation dropped because of that? I become a laughing stock BECAUSE of you. A man who can't keep his woman in check." His hand gripped my neck, cutting off my air supply. I gasped, pounding his chest as he smirked.

"Go on, scream, darling," he taunted. "I love the sound of your screams. Your defiance turns me on."

Gasping for breath as he released me, I saw the bulge in his pants and shook my head in disgust. "You don't care for me, Matteo. Your idea of caring is twisted, controlling, possessive, and obsessive."

The memories of the torture he had inflicted on me surged through me, and I trembled with rage.

Matteo put on his shirt, and he ripped off the tie binding my wrists; I winced at the red mark it left behind. "I have a better idea for punishment, Deirdre," he said.

"You can't take my child away from me," I whispered, my heart pounding.

"Our child," Matteo corrected me, his eyes narrowing. "And I don't intend to take her from you. But if you don't do as I say, I can rip her out of your hands."

I exhaled, feeling a weight lift off my chest as he was willing to agree.

I grabbed the duvet to cover myself as he stared at me.

"I have two options," he said, his voice low and measured.

"What are they?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Quit your whore job immediately and come with Kendall tomorrow morning, or meet me in court at eight," Matteo said, walking towards me and flinging some papers in my face.

I snatched a copy, my lips quivering and my eyes widening as I read the heading: "Superior Court of Arcadia County."

I glanced up at Matteo, who stared at me with an unreadable expression.

"I'll give you two hours to think it over. Not giving me an answer today means you're ready to face me in court," he said, turning to leave.

As he reached the door, he paused and looked back at me.

"You can use the room for the night. I paid for it and for your time." With that, he disappeared through the door.

Matteo walked out of the room, leaving me speechless. He didn't just hand me a court order, but he treated me like a prostitute. The arrogance and nerve of the man! However, I couldn't do anything about it, not for Kendall's sake.

My hands shook as I crumpled up the paper and then threw it across the bed. I grabbed the pillow and screamed into it to mask my sobs. Frustration and anger boiled inside me like a volcano, suffocating me.

I heard a knock on the door and stood up, wondering who it could be. The thought of Matteo returning to the room made me shudder, but I shuffled towards it.

As I opened it, I saw Kelsey. She hugged me tightly without asking questions, and I burst into tears again.

"Shh... it's okay, I'm here now," Kelsey whispered, rubbing my back soothingly.

I pulled away from her, wiped my tears away, and asked, "How did you know I needed you?"

"I had a feeling. And a tall man with eyes like Kendall told me to find you here," Kelsey replied with a weak smile. I never told Kelsey about Kendall's father, and she never forced me to. I guess now was the time to do so.

We sat on the bed, and I told her everything that happened with Matteo. She listened patiently, anger flashing in her eyes.

"That jerk!" Kelsey exclaimed. "How dare he treat you like that? After all that you endured with him! "

"I know," I said, feeling helpless. "But there's nothing I can do. I have to do what's best for Kendall."

Kelsey sighed. "But you don't have to face this alone. We'll get through this together."

I smiled, feeling a glimmer of hope. Although I could do nothing, even with her by my side, I was grateful for her support.