For a second the world ceased to exist. There was only the white envelope hanging in the air between us.
Asher's face didn't show rage. It didn't show humiliation either. Instead, all emotions from his face were drained away. The charming host was gone, replaced by the ruthless businessman, as I knew him.
A smile appeared on his lips. The crowd's silence broke into whispers. Cameras flashed, capturing his reaction, but he seemed oblivious to everything but me.
Then, he moved.
His hand didn't snatch the envelope. He kept his eyes locked on mine as he brought the microphone to his lips.
"It seems my wife has decided to renegotiate the terms of our partnership."
Guests whispered even more.
"And as all good businessman know the most interesting negotiations happen behind the closed doors."
His free hand immediately grabbed my elbow. His grip was like iron, unyielding and possessive.
"If you'll all excuse us," He said to the guests with a smile. "My wife and I have urgent matters to discuss."
He turned, pulling me with him. My heels skidded on the floor as he walked us off the stage, the envelope was still in my hands. The crowd parted,making way for us to leave. I caught a glimpse of his head of security, who immediately began moving the guests away.
Asher didn't speak. He didn't look at me. He simply pushed me inside the penthouse. His silence was more terrifying than any shout. Servants moved out of our path. He walked towards his study, his had still gripping my elbow.
"Asher!!! Leave me!!" I shouted but he pretended to not listen like always.
He pushed the door open, yanked me inside, and slammed it shut so hard the walls seemed to tremble. He finally released my arm. I stumbled back, rubbing the spot where his fingers had left their mark.He stood by the door for a moment, his back was facing me. Then, he turned.
His face was filled with anger. He walked toward his desk, where the envelope had fallen from my hands when I stumbled. He picked up the envelope, and held it between his both hands.
"Deal?" He said as he looked at it, then at me. "You think you can just hand me this? In front of everyone?"
He took a step closer.
"This is a declaration of war. What exactly were you doing back there in front of everyone?"
"You know exactly what I was doing." I replied. "I'm done."
"Done?" He let out a disbelieving laugh. "Done with what? The life I've given you? The diamonds? The penthouse? The pampering?"
"Pampering?" I laughed. "Is that what you call it? You think jewels and designer dresses are a substitute for respect? For basic human decency? You've treated me like a mannequin for three years, Asher! Like a beautiful accessory!"
"I've given you everything!" He shouted as he slammed his palms on the desk. "Everything any woman could possibly want!"
"I didn't want things! I wanted a husband! I wanted you to see me! But you never did. Not until my family's scandal broke and you had to pretend to see me. All that sudden attention… the touching, the sweet words in public. Did you think I was too stupid to know it was all for show? That I was just an 'asset to be managed'?"
His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't realized that I'd overheard his conversation.
"Your pampering was the most insulting part of all! It was a lie wrapped as an expensive gift! A constant reminder that I was just a problem to be solved with money!"
"You are my wife!"
"I am your prisoner!" I yelled back. "And these papers are my freedom."
He looked down at the envelope.
"Freedom?" He whispered as he held the envelope up between us. "You think this piece of paper grants you freedom from me? There is no freedom from this. From me."
And then he shredded the divorce papers in two. Then he tore the pieces again, and again, until nothing but scraps remained in his hands.
He opened his fingers, letting the scraps of my freedom fall down on the floor like snow.
He stepped over the shredded paper, closing the distance between us until I could feel the heat of his body.
"The deal is over. The terms are set. You. Are. Mine. And I never, ever lose my things"
"You can tear that up all you want," I said, my voice trembling with rage, my hands curling into fists. "It's just paper. My lawyer has a dozen more copies. You'll be served tomorrow. And the day after that. I will bury you in paperwork until you have no choice but to sign."
Asher didn't flinch. A cold, mocking laugh formed on his lips. It was the sound of a king being threatened by a peasant.
"Your lawyer?" He repeated, the mockery dripping from his voice. "Is he prepared to fight the unbreakable? To spend the next decade in court against my entire legal team?"
He turned away from me and walked towards the large painting on the wall. He swung it open, revealing a metal safe.
"Your freedom isn't a matter of persistence, Rysa." He said as his fingers entered the code into the keypad. "It's a matter of contract."
The safe door clicked open. He reached inside and pulled out a thick file. He carried it back to the desk and slammed it down in front of me.
"Page 17, Section 4B. Read it aloud. Let's hear you read the validity of your golden cage." He ordered.
My eyes scanned the text, my heart hammering against my ribs. I found the clause, my finger tracing the words as I read them aloud, my voice growing weaker with each word.
"This marital agreement shall have a minimum term of four years, subject to both parties fulfilling their contractual obligations..."
I looked up at Asher feeling betrayed.
"This is a forgery. I never agreed to this."
"Your signature is on the last page, Rysa. Witnessed and notarized. You owe me one more year."
"I don't owe you anything! You and my family tricked me!"
"It is a legal document. Leaving now would be a very expensive breach."
"I don't care about the money!" I shouted, slamming my hands on the desk and leaning forward. "I care about my life! You can't keep me as a prisoner with a piece of paper!"
He leaned in too, his face was inches away from mine.
"Can't I? You are my wife. This is my world. This paper is the key, and I hold it. You're not going anywhere."
We stood in a standoff. The argument wasn't about the contract anymore. It was a battle of wills, and he had just declared war.
"You owe me three sixty five days more, my darling wife!! And I plan to use every second of it." He declared.