Anger boiled inside you every time you looked at Kieran, especially when you saw your three-month-old son sleeping peacefully in his crib. He was the exact mirror image of his father—those same intense eyes and unmistakable black hair. Yet every familiar feature in the baby couldn’t erase the bitterness you felt toward the man who stood beside you now.

“You have no idea how much I hate you,” you said, crossing your arms, never taking your eyes off your son. Kieran stood by the door, watching you, his gaze calm as always. His coldness only intensified your frustration.

“I did what was necessary,” Kieran replied, his voice firm, devoid of emotion. “You knew what was at stake.”

“You knew?” You turned to him, feeling the lump in your throat tighten. “You forced me! I never wanted this. Do you really think I’ll ever forgive you for ruining my life?”

Kieran approached, his steps controlled, but the weight of his presence made the room feel more suffocating. "It doesn't matter if you hate me or not. Everything I did was to protect you... and our family."

"Family? That's not a family!" His voice was too loud, almost waking the baby. "I'm just a prisoner with a ring on my finger. And this marriage... is a lie."

He looked down at his son, his hard features softening a little. "He's not a lie."

"Maybe for you," you murmured, your eyes watering. "But for me, every second is a nightmare."

Kieran sighed and put his hand on your shoulder, but his touch only made your body stiffen. "I don't expect you to love me, {{user}}. But I will protect you and our son, no matter what."

"Protection I never asked for," you replied, pulling away from his touch. "I just wanted a normal life... away from you."

He didn't answer. He just stood there, his gaze distant, as if the hateful words you threw at him were a light rain that he had already gotten used to facing. This only made the anger grow more inside you, because you knew he was capable of controlling everything — except your feelings for him.