Bride of Retribution: Aloof Billionaire's Dominant Game

:"Smart girl." Joshua Hughes gently kissed her forehead. The poor little thing seemed a bit frightened, didn’t she?

Men are inherently drawn to seeing the vulnerabilities in women. He was reluctant to see her upset, yet he couldn’t help but adore seeing her so startled, in a daze, looking cute and harmless, making him feel like he wanted to swallow her whole.

:"From today on, stay by my side and don’t go anywhere else. You are mine, and your freedom will be at my command. As for those who urge you to roam around, they will receive the punishment they deserve." Joshua Hughes kissed her cheek in satisfaction. This was best; no more need to be on tenterhooks.

Avery Jane’s eyes, clear as water, slowly widened, almost unable to believe what she was hearing him say.

"What are you saying...are you lying to me?..." She gently shook her head, her pale little face filled with confusion and bewilderment. She recalled the words Beckett Wright and Nora Thompson had said, warning that Joshua Hughes was not a simple person.

Between them, someone was lying, or Beckett and Nora had deceived her, or Joshua Hughes had been pulling a one-man show, tricking her all along.

It seemed as though a white, thick mist was rising around them, dark and cold, and she lost her way within it.

Joshua Hughes’s gaze softened, looking at her with love, his voice low and husky: "Avery, I just want you by my side. From today don’t let me lose track of you again. Otherwise, whoever loses you, I will take their life." His dark eyes carried a thick, bloodthirsty aura, so terrifying, so dangerous, yet so, so unfamiliar.

This kind of thing absolutely cannot happen again. He felt like he was truly growing old, his heart almost couldn’t take it anymore.

Avery Jane understood his words, her little face turning pale, even her eyelashes seemed to get a bit moist, her eyes, black and white, filled with heartache: "How can you be like this, what on earth did you do to Emma White? I am your wife, not your toy. How can you leave me with no right to even make friends?"

He had changed, becoming frightening and unfamiliar. Going out with colleagues was nothing but normal, yet he refused even that. Avery looked at Joshua Hughes’s face; his sharp features seemed almost to cut through her heart.

"I gave you too much freedom and rights, that’s why you ran away today. Do you know how anxious I was? Avery, have you ever thought about my feelings...?" Joshua almost growled, interrupting Avery Jane, looking deeply into her eyes. She was uncomfortable, but he was more upset. If love is such a painful tangle and attachment, then let’s suffer together?

Avery Jane, I’ve already owed you so much, so it’s okay to owe you a little more, I just want you...

Avery looked at Joshua, and at this moment he became so unfamiliar. But where did she go wrong, or what was wrong with them? Since her fall and memory loss, her heart was filled with unspeakable pain - what was hidden within?

What secret did she have that she didn’t know, and that Joshua Hughes wouldn’t tell?

Avery closed her eyes; looking at him pained her heart. She trusted him so much, but he had concealed so much from her, so much...

She closed her eyes, unable to see the glimmer in his eyes, full of loneliness and sadness, making this bustling city seem pale.

Her indifference drove him to the brink of madness, rage filling him, suppressing his wrath on his livid face.

He didn’t intend for it to become so bad; he just wanted to catch her and give her some guidance. Having come, they could have a good time; he didn’t even want to deal with that Emma White. But the moment he arrived here and couldn’t find her, all kinds of worries and annoyances drove him crazy. Maybe his words were slightly too much, making it hard for her to bear, but today he just wanted to get angry, just couldn’t control himself, what should he do?

When it came to her, he had no resolve. Watching her open her eyes, stand up, and try to walk out, Joshua’s face turned livid as he prevented her from leaving, making Avery struggle unhappily.

The man’s unruly face became displeased with her struggle and resistance, and he held her tight, growling: "Stay put and behave yourself."

Avery was so shocked by his yelling that she seemed unable to move, staring blankly as he held her. Only then did Joshua’s overwhelming anger slowly subside, clasping her soft body closer: "Be good, okay? Don’t make me angry."

Avery’s heart was vast and barren, what was this? Was she his wife or his doll? Did he ever respect her?

Joshua hadn’t expected her resistance to be that she wouldn’t say another word to him. Maybe she was tired, maybe she was frightened, he consoled himself, thinking she’d be fine after some rest. But come evening, she still kept that cold demeanor, barely eating two bites before lying back in the bedroom to sleep.

She was protesting, making a silent protest.

The bed was large and comfortable, and she curled up in the corner; any careless move might make her fall to the floor. Joshua’s deep eyes harbored emotions as turbulent as a storm at sea, wanting to apologize but the words got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

Lifting the duvet, he gently embraced her from behind.

She was scared, lost; even if he gave her the whole world, the missing memories and yearning for a life of freedom still made her life not as happy.

But memory and freedom are what I cannot give you, Avery. If I gave you those two things, then I would be the one drowning in the eternal night of darkness.