Chapter 176

DAHLIA

“Can you let me go now?”

The words barely left my mouth before pain exploded across my face.

His hand came out of nowhere—hard, sharp, unforgiving. The sound of the slap echoed in the room, loud enough to startle even me. My head snapped to the side, my vision blurring instantly as I tasted blood.

I cried out, more in shock than pain, my body curling in on itself instinctively.

“You don’t interrupt me,” Alex said quietly.

This is the devil I’d be marrying? That was worse than the slap. No way is that happening.

He didn’t shout. Didn’t rage. His voice was controlled, deliberate, like a man who knew he didn’t need volume to be terrifying. I felt my cheek throb as I slowly lifted my head, tears spilling freely now, my entire body trembling.

He crouched in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne again. It made my stomach churn.

“I haven’t decided when you leave,” he continued. “You speak when I allow it.”