'I Do' For Revenge Chapter 7: Honeymoon Phase

~LAYLA~

The drive back to Axel’s mansion was completely silent.

It wasn’t the awkward kind of silence where two people don’t know what to say but this one was heavy, and suffocating. The kind that made you hyper-aware of everything you were feeling but couldn’t say out loud.

I stared out the tinted window, my fingers absentmindedly rubbing at the spot on my arm where my father had grabbed .

It didn’t hurt much, but the mory of his cold touch stayed.

Once upon a ti, those hands used to rest on my shoulders in praise. "That’s my girl," he’d say, beaming with pride after every achievent I dragged myself through to earn his approval.

I was at the top of my class, graduated early, and learned the ins and outs of the corporate world before I was even legal to drink. All for what?

Recognition?

Validation?

It took years to realise I’d never been a daughter to him. I was just an investnt, a tool to him. Sothing he polished and paraded so he could gloat about how perfectly he’d raised .

Cassandra barely finished high school. She dropped out of college after one sester and still got the company’s costics brand to manage. She didn’t even have to ask and he gave it to her.

But , I had to work and earn for every spot. How was that even fair?

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Axel’s gaze on . I didn’t turn, but I felt him watching.

When the car rolled to a slow stop outside the house, he cleared his throat. "We’re here."

I nodded, still not saying much.

We walked side by side through the big front doors, feeling the cool marble floors under my heels as we headed up the stairs.

The silence followed us and at the landing, Axel paused.

"You held yourself well today," he said without looking at . "But this is only the beginning."

I gave a slight nod, my voice barely above a murmur. "I know."

Then I turned and walked toward my room, closing the door behind with a soft click.

I collapsed onto the bed, not bothering to take off the dress yet. I stared up at the ceiling, replaying every scene like a broken reel.

The caras, the questions, Cassandra’s face, Daniel’s clenched jaw, my father’s fury, and Axel, who always seems so composed, and three steps ahead.

My phone buzzed beside , breaking the loop.

Mom.

Of course, that was expected.

Honestly, I didn’t want to pick up, but a part of was curious as to what she had to say.

I answered. "Hello?"

Her voice cracked imdiately. "Layla, what do you think you’re doing?"

I sighed. "What do you an by that?."

"You’re making a mistake with Axel O’Brien."

And there it was.

"I know you’re hurt," she continued quickly, as if trying to talk off a ledge. "But this isn’t the way. You need to co ho so we can talk. Your father’s furious..."

"Of course he is," I cut in. "His puppet grew a spine."

She went quiet.

"You know, I thought maybe you’d understand, but here you are once again, dictating what I should do. You should have thought of this situation when you were busy picking sides."

"I did not, Layla," she whispered. "I just wanted peace."

"And you got it. So now, live with it. Don’t bother again. Have a good day."

"Layla —"

And I hung up.

I let out a deep breath and stared at my hand that wouldn’t stop shaking. I just spoke to my mother the way I wanted, and it honestly felt liberating.

The phone buzzed a few tis, and when I didn’t answer, it finally stopped.

I simply closed my eyes and took a long deserved rest.

The sun dipped behind the skyline, casting soft shadows across the room. When dinner ti rolled around, I assud I’d be eating alone like this morning.

But when I walked into the dining room, Axel was already there, sitting at the end of the long table; his tie was loosened, and he held a wine glass in his hand.

He didn’t say anything as I took my seat.

And honestly, I didn’t need him because sotis silence was comforting.

Dinner was quiet, except for the gentle clink of cutlery, but halfway through, Axel finally spoke. "You’re coming with to the company tomorrow."

I raised a brow. "Oh?"

"I’ve had your profile reviewed and your credentials are impressive. You’ve already been assigned an office and a position on the board."

I nearly choked. "You what?! Just like that?"

He looked up. "Why not? You’re overqualified, and I trust you."

"You trust ?" I repeated, skeptical.

"I do my howork, Layla. You’re more capable than most of the n on my board. And I need soone I can rely on."

That was surprisingly romantic?

Oh, shoo. Get out of my head you evil thoughts. and Axel were not like that. Our marriage was strictly business, nothing else.

I studied Axel for a mont, trying to gauge the angle. "You’re not afraid I’ll ss up and drag your billion-dollar empire down with ?"

He gave a dry smirk. "You’re not going to ss up."

Simple as that. God, this confidence of this man was sexy.

A-hem. Get behind , Satan.

I nodded slowly. "Alright. What’s the next ga plan?"

"For now? Just play your role, and be the perfect wife in public."

I took a sip of wine. "And in private?"

"You get to be whoever the hell you want."

Sothing about the freedom in his tone settled inside like a weight I hadn’t realised I’d been carrying.

"I’ll assign you an assistant," Axel added. "She’ll brief you on the company, etings, everything."

"Sounds intense."

"Welco to my world."

When I finished eating, I excused myself and returned to my room. I was halfway through changing into my nightwear when my phone rang again.

Dad.

I stared at the screen, feeling a sense of dread creeping up my back.

I almost didn’t answer, but then I couldn’t avoid him forever. Moreover, I had to prove to him I wasn’t the sa Layla he could intimidate.

So I picked.

"Layla." His voice was sharp and controlled.

But I said nothing.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Do these people rehearse their questions or what?

"Living," I replied flatly.

"You’re bringing sha to this family," he snapped. "This marriage? That man? Do you know what people are saying about us?"

"You an about your beloved daughter, Cassandra?"

"Don’t get smart with ."

"You always told to be smart," I bit back.

"This ti, I listened too well."

"Layla!" He snapped.

I didn’t respond.

There was a beat of silence. Then, he said with a tone that suggested he was barely holding it together.

"Co ho. Tomorrow. Before I lose my patience."

I rolled my eyes.

Had it been the old , she would have

apologised, packed her bags and ran back like a trained lapdog desperate for praise.

But I wasn’t that girl anymore.

"As much as I’d love to visit," I told him, "my husband and I are enjoying our honeymoon bliss, so, no interference."

I added, "If you want my attention from now on, you can book an appointnt with my assistant and co to my office with a good reason. Do have a nice day."

Then I hung up.