Beneath His Contempt

The blaring shrill of my alarm clock shattered the freezing darkness of my small bedroom at exactly four in the morning. I slammed my hand over the plastic button to kill the noise before it could wake anyone else in the massive Thorne estate. I dragged my aching body out from under the thin sheets. The oppressive weight of my new reality settled over my shoulders the moment my bare feet touched the icy hardwood floor. Darius’s harsh command from last night still echoed in my ears. He was forcing me to work at his company starting today, placing me directly under his vindictive personal secretary to keep an eye on me.

I stepped into the cramped bathroom and splashed freezing water over my face. I pulled on my usual plain, faded clothing, making sure the dull fabric covered as much of my skin as possible. I did not want to draw any attention to myself. Since Darius’s arrogant mother, Helena, and his vicious sister, Blaire, had arrived at the estate, my life had devolved into a living nightmare. They treated me worse than the dirt on their designer shoes. They made sure I scrubbed floors, ran degrading errands, and served them meals like a common servant.

I made my way down the grand servant staircase and pushed through the swinging doors into the cavernous estate kitchen. The industrial space was already bustling with activity. Maids in crisp uniforms hurried across the gleaming tile floors, carrying stacks of plates and baskets of fresh produce. None of them offered me a greeting. They deliberately averted their eyes and gave me a wide berth. I walked over to the stainless-steel counter and picked up a heavy silver serving tray.

Blaire insisted I serve her breakfast in bed every single morning. It was her favorite way to assert dominance and remind me of my pathetic status in the pack hierarchy. I arranged a delicate porcelain cup of freshly brewed black coffee, a small plate of buttered toast, and a crystal glass of chilled orange juice on the tray.

I carried the heavy load up the main staircase. My heart hammered against my ribs with a dull, anxious rhythm. I dreaded every interaction with Darius’s sister. I reached the end of the plush hallway and knocked softly on the heavy mahogany door.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the lavish suite. The smell of expensive floral perfume hung thick in the warm air. Blaire sat propped up against a mountain of silk pillows. Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits of pure disgust the second I crossed the threshold.

"Set it on the table and serve it."

I walked toward the bed and carefully placed the silver tray on her bedside table. I arranged the plates and the steaming cup of coffee exactly as she preferred.

Blaire snatched a piece of toast and took a small bite. Her face instantly twisted. She spat the chewed bread back onto the silver tray with a dramatic gag.

"What is this trash? Are you deliberately trying to poison me?"

"I prepared the toast exactly how you requested, Blaire. I can bring you another piece if this one is not to your liking." I kept my voice low and steady.

Blaire grabbed the porcelain cup filled with scalding hot coffee. Without a fraction of hesitation, she hurled the boiling liquid directly at me. I threw my hands up in a desperate attempt to shield my face. The scorching black coffee splashed heavily over my wrists and forearms.

Blinding agony ripped through my skin. I gasped sharply, stumbling backward as the burning liquid soaked into the thin sleeves of my shirt. The flesh on my wrists instantly flared into a furious, blistering red. A throbbing, agonizing heat radiated up to my elbows.

"You worthless piece of trash! Can't you do anything right? You may have walked into this family, but don't think for a second that you belong here." Blaire screamed hysterically, her face flushing red with venomous rage.

Tears of pure physical agony sprang to my eyes. I bit down on my lower lip hard enough to taste copper, refusing to let her see me cry.

"I am sorry. I will make another breakfast right now." I managed to whisper through the searing pain.

"Don't bother. Just get out of my sight. You sicken me."

I backed out of the bedroom, clutching my burnt wrists against my chest. The skin felt like it was still on fire. I practically ran down the long corridor and slipped through the servant doors. As soon as I was out of Blaire's sight, I hurried back into the bustling kitchen.

Hilda, an older maid with soft features and a kind heart, spotted me immediately. She dropped her dish towel and rushed over to my side. She took one look at my blistering wrists and shook her head in dismay.

"Come here, child."

Hilda gently grabbed my elbows and guided me to the deep corner sink. She turned on the heavy brass tap and ran a stream of cool water directly over my burns. I let out a ragged, shaky breath. The agonizing, stinging heat dulled just enough for me to think straight.

"You need to be more careful around her. She is vicious. You should see a doctor for this right away." Hilda murmured, pulling a clean white cloth from the drawer and wrapping it gently around my raw skin.

"I will be fine. Thank you, Hilda."

I pulled my damp sleeves down, wincing as the rough fabric scraped against the fresh blisters. The pain was excruciating, but I forced myself to swallow it down. I could not afford to break. I reminded myself of the only reason I stayed in this torturous, loveless marriage. My family depended on my position here to survive. My beloved grandmother needed the financial support and protection this arrangement provided. I would endure Blaire’s cruelty and Darius’s cold hatred for as long as it took to keep them safe.

David, the estate driver, drove me to the corporate tower an hour later. The transition from the hostile estate to the icy corporate environment offered zero relief. I stepped out of the elevator and walked straight into the lion’s den. Vanessa’s office was a massive glass enclosure located just outside Darius’s private executive suite.

Vanessa was waiting for me. She looked me up and down with open hatred, her perfectly painted red lips curling into a cruel sneer. She hated me because she knew I was the unwanted, forced bride.

"I expected more from Alpha Darius’s wife. Look at you. You are nothing but a joke. Take these files and compile the quarterly marketing data before the client arrives. Do not mess this up, or I will make you regret walking through those doors."

I took the heavy stack of folders and sat at the small, cramped desk shoved in the corner of her office. I threw myself into the gruelling work. My wrists throbbed with a relentless, fiery ache every time I typed a number or turned a page. I ignored the pain. I spent the next three hours meticulously analyzing the data, cross-referencing the pack’s financial reports, and building a highly detailed presentation chart for the upcoming meeting.

By noon, I stood in the back of the sleek, glass-walled conference room. Darius sat at the head of the massive oak table, exuding a dark, commanding aura. He never once looked in my direction. His cold, gray eyes treated me like an invisible ghost. He viewed me as nothing more than a manipulative gold digger out to steal his wealth. I stood quietly against the far wall with my hands folded behind my back, hiding my bandaged wrists from view.

Mr. Carver, a crucial business partner for the pack’s expansion, sat across from Darius. He picked up the printed marketing chart I had spent the entire morning perfecting. He adjusted his glasses and studied the intricate data projections closely.

Mr. Carver tapped his expensive pen against the glossy paper and nodded.

"This is excellent work. The market breakdown is incredibly precise. Who prepared this?"

Vanessa stiffened in her leather chair. Her manicured nails dug into the tabletop. She shot a panicked glance at Darius, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable. Vanessa had no choice but to answer the client.

"It was her. The assistant." Vanessa ground the words out through gritted teeth, tilting her head in my direction.

Mr. Carver turned his attention to me. He offered a warm, genuine smile.

"Well done, young lady. This is exactly the kind of foresight we needed to finalize the contracts today."

"Thank you, sir. I appreciate your kind words." I offered a small, polite nod, relief washing over my tired body.

The moment the meeting concluded and the executives cleared out of the boardroom, the atmosphere turned toxic. I gathered the empty coffee cups and stray papers from the long table. Vanessa marched back into the room and cornered me near the heavy metal filing cabinets. Her eyes blazed with furious professional jealousy.

Before I could step out of her way, she lunged forward and grabbed my freshly burnt wrist.

She clamped her fingers down with brutal, intentional force. Her sharp acrylic nails dug directly into the raw, blistering skin hidden beneath my sleeve. Blinding, white-hot agony shot up my arm, tearing a sharp gasp from my throat. My knees buckled slightly, but I locked my legs and refused to fall.

"Don't think for a second that this means anything. You're still nothing but a lowly assistant. You will never be more than that." Vanessa hissed, leaning in so close I could smell the mint on her breath.

Tears of pure pain stung my eyes. I gritted my teeth, locking my jaw to keep from crying out.

"I am just doing the job I was assigned. Let go of my arm." I said quietly, trying to pull my wrist free from her vice-like grip.

Vanessa tightened her hold. Her nails pierced the soft, damaged tissue. A fresh wave of fire exploded across my nerves.

"You think you're so smart, don't you? Well, let me tell you something. You're not. You're just a pathetic little girl who's way out of her depth."

The pain was unbearable, but I refused to give this cruel woman the satisfaction of seeing me break down.

"I know my place. And I know what I am capable of." I stated firmly, glaring right back into her hateful eyes.

Vanessa's face twisted with fury. She released my wrist with a violent, aggressive shove. My shoulder slammed hard against the metal filing cabinet.

"Get out of my sight. And don't you dare think about showing up again with that arrogant attitude."

I rushed out of the boardroom, clutching my throbbing arm against my chest. I hurried into the employee washroom and locked the door behind me. I turned on the sink and splashed freezing water over my flushed face. I stared at my tired, pale reflection in the mirror. My chest heaved with ragged breaths.

I must survive this. I must do this for my family.

I repeated the mantra in my head until my breathing finally leveled out. I dried my face, adjusted my sleeves, and walked back out to the bullpen.

An hour later, I was back at my desk, typing up the meeting minutes with stiff, burning fingers. Vanessa strutted over to my workstation. She dropped a silver tray on my desk. Two steaming cups of artisan coffee sat on the polished surface. A sly, profoundly evil smirk played on her bright red lips.

"Take these two coffees directly to Darius's private office. Right now."

Something about her smug, predatory expression sent a cold shiver down my spine. She looked far too excited about a simple coffee delivery. I had no room to question her orders. I nodded silently, picked up the silver tray, and walked down the long, carpeted hallway toward the Alpha's private suite.

I reached the heavy oak door at the end of the corridor. It was slightly ajar. I heard the faint sound of soft, melodic laughter coming from inside. I nudged the heavy wood open with my shoulder and stepped into the massive, sunlit office.

I froze completely in my tracks. The breath evaporated from my lungs.

Darius stood near the floor-to-ceiling window. He was not alone. He was tightly holding a breathtakingly beautiful woman with long, cascading red hair. Her slender arms were wrapped securely around his broad neck. Darius had both of his large hands resting gently on her waist, drawing her flush against his chest.

The cold, impenetrable demeanor he wore like a suit of armor was gone. The harsh lines of his face had softened entirely. The contempt and disgust that always darkened his gray eyes when he looked at me had vanished. Instead, he stared down at the redhead with an expression of pure, undeniable love and deep tenderness. He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes shining with a profound affection I had never seen him display before.

Seeing him so openly affectionate and gentle with another woman felt like a brutal physical punch to my gut. A deep, surprising pang of emotional rejection ripped through the center of my chest.

He was my husband. I knew this marriage was a forced sham built on duty and resentment. I knew he despised my very existence. But witnessing the absolute devotion in his eyes for someone else stripped away the last tiny shred of my dignity. It proved that Darius was capable of love. He was capable of warmth and gentleness. He just specifically hated me.

My hands started to tremble violently. The porcelain coffee cups rattled against the silver tray, threatening to spill over the edge. My presence in the room went entirely unnoticed by the embracing couple. I quickly set the heavy tray down on a small marble side table near the entrance before my shaking hands dropped it.

I took one last look at the intimate scene. The redhead smiled up at him, her green eyes sparkling with joy. I turned around and quietly retreated from the office, the heavy door clicking shut behind me.

I walked back to my desk in a numb, heavy daze. The throbbing pain in my burnt wrists faded into the background, overshadowed by the hollow, aching void expanding inside my chest.

When I reached the main bullpen, the office floor was already buzzing with excited, hushed gossip. Vanessa stood near the water cooler, surrounded by three other assistants. They were whispering loudly, their voices easily carrying across the quiet room.

"Did you hear? Nadia Hayes is back. She walked right past reception an hour ago." One of the younger girls whispered, her tone vibrating with excitement.

"After three long years! I heard she's the love of Darius's life." Another colleague chimed in, leaning closer to the group.

Vanessa caught my eye across the room. Her malicious smirk widened, and she deliberately raised her voice so I could hear every single word.

"Of course she is. They were completely inseparable before she left for Europe. Now that she's back, they will pick up right where they left off. They are the perfect couple."

A sharp, aching pang hit my chest again, making it hard to draw a full breath.

Nadia Hayes.

So that was her name. The beautiful redhead in Darius's office, the woman he held with such reverence and affection, was someone from his past. She was someone he clearly still cared for deeply.

"I bet they're thrilled to be together again. The Alpha finally has his true Luna back." Someone else sighed dreamily.

I lowered my head and stared blindly at my computer screen. I tried to block out their cruel, gossiping voices, but the words echoed relentlessly in my head. Nadia Hayes was his true love, and her sudden return changed everything. My position in this pack, which was already unwanted and incredibly unstable, was now even more fragile and precarious.