Chapter 21

▫️Stella’s POV...

I sighed in relief after slamming the door on his face. How dare he try to threaten me? I don’t think anyone will intrude here. But even if I'm scared, I don’t have the option to sleep anywhere else. I can’t disturb Ava; she’s in her “relationship phase".

And Liam and Nick? They’re my friends, I can share room with the but what if someone sees me in their rooms? I don’t want to look like a cheating whore. The only option left is Christian. Ugh! I'd rather be killed by an intruder than sleep near that lunatic husband of mine. He’d probably spend the morning lecturing me, saying, “You were doing this while sleeping. You lack sleep manners. Your eyes were closed while sleeping..."

Forget it. I'll handle the intruder.

Double-checking the door and locks, I settled on my bed, putting a vase nearby so I can smash the head of that intruder asshole in one go. I finally lay down and drifted into sleep. Everything seemed fine, but after some time, I heard the sound of something.

Annoyed, I yelled mid-sleep, “Whoever the fuck is making noise, go somewhere else! I need to sleep!”

But the noises didn’t stop. Before I could ignore it again, I felt someone tucking my hair behind my ear. I groaned, thinking, Oh, it's that pervert Christian again. I opened my eyes, ready to yell, and saw someone. It's him for sure.

Trying to stand, I pointed a finger at him. “How can a mafia boss be so free to tease a sleeping…” My voice trailed off when I realized my hands were chained.

“What the fuck?” Panic rose in my chest.

The man laughed—a laugh that wasn’t Christian’s. It was someone else. An intruder. Fuck.

I tried to stay calm, masking my fear as best as I could. “Who are you?” I snapped.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled out a knife. My stomach twisted. Oh God, am I going to die? My mind raced. A knife—such a boring way to go. I always imagined my death would make headlines. But no, a stupid knife?

No, wait, I don’t want to die.

The intruder sneered, speaking in something I don't understand,“Ca va, Cherie?”

I had no clue what he said. “Don’t you know English, jerk?” I snapped, trying to sound braver than I felt.

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, and finally turned on the dim lights. That’s when I noticed how close was knife to me.

My forehead grew damp with sweat, my eyes stinging with tears. The knife pressed against my chin, forcing my head up.

“See you in hell, princess,” he said.

The knife slid to my hand, leaving bruises as he pressed it into my skin. Pain shot through me. I screamed at him, throwing every curse word I knew at his face, but he only laughed. Asshole.

“Christian help!” I yelled, hoping he’d hear me.

The man flinched, startled by my sudden outburst. He then was about to stab me with knife but I took the chance. As he moved closer, I mustered every ounce of courage, kicking him as hard as I could in the most vulnerable spot. Every man have a weak point, he is a man though. I think I crushed it, you know that thing that was hanging there is no more.

He dropped the knife, doubling over in pain, and I didn’t stop there. Another kick to his neck sent him groaning to the floor. Well done, Stella, I thought. Even if her dies here, my husband will handle everything.

Bang! Bang! Someone pounded on the door.

“There’s someone in my room!” I screamed.

The door burst open, and there he was—Christian. The Greek god from my novels. Shirtless. Fuck. His abs looks inviting.  Why does this bastard have to be so hot?

And he is here to save me I mean I called him but still.

I blinked, trying not to stare, but my stupid brain betrayed me. Seriously, who looks this good after waking up in the middle of the night? His hair is a mess, and somehow that makes him hotter. Ugh, stop drooling, Stella. Just stop for the sake of your self respect.

Nick, Liam, and MJ followed close behind, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Christian. He is my husband I can stare him.

"Fake husband on the top of that he doesn't even like you bitch." My mind screamed but my heart slapped these thoughts so hard that they shut up and now all I can see is hotness.

Liam darted to the intruder, pinning him down easily. Nick rushed over to me, his eyes filled with confusion as he quickly unchained my hands. His gaze shifted between me, the bruises on my hand, and the clown mask as he yanked it off.

The intruder’s face was nothing short of creepy. “Why should I be scared of this creep when there are four mafias to save me?” I muttered to myself.

Liam dragged the intruder away, ignoring the man’s threats and insults. The guy kept yelling profanities at me, and I couldn’t help but sneer, “Do I look like I give a fuck? No. So, fuck off.”

Christian scanned the room, his jaw tight as he look at the messy room. Without a word, he picked me up in his arms. Bridal style. My thoughts ran wild. Oh my god! I'm in his arms.

Nick was already calling for a doctor.

The shirtless hottie looked down at me, his expression surprisingly soft. Care? He was looking at me with care.

It overwhelmed me. No one had ever looked at me like that. Tears spilled down my cheeks as memories of my parents and my disastrous wedding flashed in my mind.

Christian gently placed me on the bed, his hands cupping my face. He brushed the tears away with his thumb and adjusted the pillow under my head as if I were the most fragile thing in the world.

“You'll stay with me,” he said firmly, his eyes meeting mine. “No one’s going to hurt you again.”

I nodded, too overwhelmed to argue. Deep down, I felt safe. Safe with him.