Contain
"It's my daughter, not a thing, and even if you are the last guy existing around this whole globe, I won't be marrying my daughter to you," Mary retorted, her voice laced with defiance as she squared her shoulders, attempting to conceal her fear.
In all her years, she had never encountered people like Alice—wealthy, powerful, and utterly intimidating. This was uncharted territory for her.
She knew the danger he posed, evidenced by his underhanded tactics in purchasing her house.
If she had known, she would have given the house away for free rather than let it fall into his hands.
But now, she realised the extent of her mistake in selling it without proper research. Money could cover a multitude of sins, and she had unwittingly played into his hands.
He was a monster, capable of burying her with ease and covering his tracks without a second thought.
Even as she filled with these thoughts, one question nagged at her: Why had he bought the house in the first place? The unsettling realisation sent a shiver down her spine.
As Mary pondered the puzzling question, a chilling thought dawned on her.
She couldn't shake the feeling of unease creeping over her. Alice's actions seemed calculated, his intentions murky.
"I already told you that day, that's not up to you. I believe it's up to Alisha; she will decide," Alice's lips curved into a small smile.
He had been keeping his eyes on Alisha, Mary, and this house for the past two days because he knew they wouldn't sit idly and comply.
When he learned that Mary was selling her house, he was shocked that she was willing to go to such lengths for Alisha, which truly showed how much value Alisha held in her life.
His Angel was always like this.
At first, he could come and show himself off and break their resolve. But he decided to play it cool, scaring off anyone who tried to buy or reach out to them.
"Scaring" was a big word, though; "warning" was what worked in all ways.
Then he arranged for his employee to buy the house. Of course, he couldn't let Mary profit from the house when their plan was to run away after selling it. So he made sure his employee bought it at a low cost.
After learning that the house now belonged to him, he thought maybe he should pay a good visit to his mother-in-law.
She was breaking her back to escape him, not realising that only death could bring an escape. And for Alisha, he would haunt her even in death. So she wasn't leaving him anywhere, no matter what.
Alice's mind churned with satisfaction.
As he contemplated his plans, a sinister smile crept across his face.
Alice was a master manipulator, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Mary and Alisha may think they could outsmart him, but little did they know, they were nothing.
"What is your problem? Why did you buy our house?" Mary asked.
Alice snapped back from his thoughts. "You put it on sale, so I bought it. I already told you the other reason: my wife's house could only be mine after hers; no one else can buy it."
"You've lost your mind! I already said it's not happening! Why the hell are you so insistent?" Mary questioned loudly, her agitation and frustration evident.
"I respect you, mother-in-law, but I don't appreciate the tone. You're asking me questions, so don't expect any answers," Alice's eyes darkened.
"What respect, huh? I don't see any respect in the way you call me an old hag and forcefully try to marry my daughter. It shows no respect," Mary retorted angrily, her voice trembled with anger as she confronted Alice.
The sheer audacity of his actions left her incredulous and enraged.
"You think you can just waltz in here and dictate our lives? You have no right to interfere in my daughter's life!" she exclaimed, her fists clenched at her sides.
Alice's expression remained stoic, but Mary could sense the underlying arrogance and entitlement.
"You may have bought the house, but you'll never own us. We won't bow to your demands or threats," Mary declared, her voice laced with defiance.
Alice's facade of composure cracked slightly, revealing a flicker of irritation. “Don't”
He struggled to maintain his composure, but it seemed Mary wouldn't be silenced anytime soon. If only he could silence her by breaking her bones or neck, he thought bitterly, but his hands were tied due to his affection for Alisha.
Alice knew that Alisha was his only weakness, his only light in the darkness. He prided himself on his cruelty and ability to do as he pleased, regardless of anyone's age.
While he refrained from physically harming women, he didn't hesitate to torment them emotionally, and his team could take over if violence was deemed necessary.
Mary, being Alisha's mother, was off-limits to him. Alisha was the one who had him bound, his one tether to humanity.
Even in front of his own mother, he struggled to contain his darker impulses. However, since Alisha entered his life, he felt increasingly exposed. His mother's suspicions, which had always lingered, were now being confirmed day by day.
He couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that Alisha's presence brought.
Despite his efforts to maintain a facade of control, Alice knew that Alisha had the power to unravel him completely.
Deep down, Alice feared that Alisha's influence would ultimately lead to his downfall. Yet, he couldn't deny the strange pull she had over him, drawing him closer.
“I want to meet my Angel. Tomorrow is the last day, so maybe I should ask her what she's thinking about me,” Alice muttered, struggling to maintain control over his escalating emotions.
“I'm not letting it happen,” Mary retorted, her glare unwavering.
“Not asking, I'm telling. And don't forget, I'm the owner of this house. Before you can even pack anything, I can throw you out like the garbage you are,” Alice spat, his voice dripping with venom.
Can't this woman still see who holds the power here? She has nothing, not even a single thing she can use to fight.
Here he is trying to contain his anger, and she is only succeeding in agitating him further.
‘She has your Angel,’ his conscience reminded him.
That's very true, she has Alisha, and nothing else matters when it comes to her.