BOUND BY FATE: ENTANGLED WITH MR HELL - Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Rosa’s POV
The celebration was in full swing. Laughter echoed through the grand courtyard, lights shimmered against the elegant drapery, and dancers spun gracefully to the rhythm of flutes and drums. I stood near the edge of the crowd, watching as nobles and elites offered gifts and well wishes to Alpha Cedric.
But none of it touched me.
My eyes were glued to one scene alone — Matilda and Bryant.
There she was, in that dangerously tight crimson dress, standing beside him like she belonged there. Her hand grazed his arm far too often. Her laugh, too loud and too familiar, rang through the air like a knife to my chest.
Bryant said nothing. But he didn't move away either.
I bit down on my lower lip and looked away, my chest tightening with emotions I didn’t want to name. I walked over to a passing waiter and reached for a glass of wine.
Then another.
Then another.
“Your Majesty… please stop.” Paige’s voice whispered urgently beside me. “You haven’t eaten much. You’ll make yourself sick—”
“I’m fine,” I said sharply, yanking my arm free from her hold.
The burning liquid offered momentary comfort, but soon I began to feel… strange. My skin heated up beneath my gown. My body ached, not in pain, but in a desperate, inexplicable need. I could barely breathe.
Everything felt overwhelming — the music, the lights, the air.
I needed to leave. Now.
“I need to use the toilet,” I muttered, gripping the arm of a servant nearby. He nodded and led me through the corridor behind the celebration hall.
I stumbled into the bathroom. The moment I entered, I felt the door shut behind me — too quickly. A loud click followed.
I turned.
Edward stood there, his expression unreadable at first… until he stepped forward, eyes dark with desire.
“Edward?” I whispered, suddenly trembling. “W-What are you doing here?”
“You’re burning up,” he said softly, stepping closer. “You drank something you shouldn’t have. I can help you...”
“No!” I gasped, backing up against the wall. My body was too hot, my limbs too weak. The air felt thick. I couldn’t think straight. “Help me... please...”
His hand grazed my arm. My heart stopped. I tried to scream, but my voice cracked and barely came out.
“Stop... Edward, please don’t—”
Tears spilled down my cheeks.
I was trapped.
Until the door slammed open with such force it ripped off its hinges.
Bryant.
He stood there with fire in his eyes, Maltida right behind him, shock and fury etched across both their faces.
Bryant didn’t speak. He didn’t hesitate.
His fist collided with Edward’s face so hard it echoed through the marble walls. Edward staggered, blood flying from his nose. But Bryant didn’t stop. Blow after blow landed until Edward dropped to the ground in a heap.
“Take him to the underground!” Bryant roared to the guards who rushed in.
Edward was dragged out, coughing blood, barely conscious.
I collapsed to my knees, sobbing, shaking from fear and confusion.
Bryant moved to me swiftly, scooping me up into his arms as though I weighed nothing. His body was trembling with rage.
“Whore,” Matilda spat venomously from behind, her eyes blazing with jealousy. “She’s nothing but a damn whore, and you keep running after her!”
Bryant turned slowly, his gaze cold and deadly.
“Get out,” he said, voice so calm it was terrifying. “Now.”
Matilda flinched under the weight of his stare but stood her ground, eyes wet and livid. She turned and stormed off.
I buried my face into Bryant’s chest, still trembling, barely able to breathe.
He said nothing more.
He carried me all the way through the silent halls, past the curious stares and murmuring servants, until we reach
ed his chambers.
The door shut behind us.
And then—silence.