The Alpha's Silent Bride: Seventh Time's The Charm novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119: 119: Ravenna’s Cruelty

~ ROSELLE ~

The words hit like a slap, but I refuse to flinch.

Before I can respond, Ravenna’s gaze drifts to the cherries scattered across the floor, then to the half-empty bottle of wine resting on the bedside table. A slow, cruel smile curls across her lips.

She walks over, picks up the bottle, and, without the slightest warning, slams it against the edge of the table.

Crash!

The sharp crack reverberates through the room as the bottle explodes into jagged shards. Crimson wine splashes across the floor, mixing with the crushed cherries until the entire area becomes a sticky carpet of broken glass.

Mara’s sobs slowly fade into a smug, satisfied sniffle as she watches the scene unfold.

Ravenna steps back, folding her hands behind her back as though she’d done nothing at all.

"Kneel." My eyes drop to the glittering shards. Every broken piece points upward like the edge of a knife.

"And you expect me to kneel on broken glass?" I ask, unable to keep the disbelief from my voice.

"I do," Ravenna answers without an ounce of hesitation.

Mara lets out a mocking laugh. "You scarred my face," she says, gesturing to the fresh scratches across her cheek. "So what’s the big deal? You, of all people, should know what pain feels like."

My jaw clenches so tightly it aches. "I said kneel," Ravenna repeats, taking another deliberate step toward me. "This is the least you deserve after what you’ve done to my son. You dragged him into darkness. You helped bind him to that curse. You stole his future."

She pauses, her icy stare never leaving mine. "Apologize to Mara on your knees, or I’ll make sure the dungeon is the next place you see."

A heavy silence settles over the room as I hold Ravenna’s icy stare without so much as blinking.

A slow, humorless smile tugs at the corner of my lips. "I’d rather walk out of this pack with my dignity intact than get on my knees apologizing for something I didn’t do. If you’re waiting for me to beg forgiveness for defending myself, you’re going to be waiting for a very long time."

My gaze drifts to Mara, lingering on the fresh scratches across her face before returning to Ravenna. "She came into my room, threatened me, attacked me twice, and lost. That’s not my problem. So no, I won’t kneel, I won’t apologize, and I sure as hell won’t confess to a crime just because it’s more convenient for the two of you, and If standing up for myself makes me the villain in your story, then so be it, because I’d rather be your villain than your victim."

Then Ravenna tilts her head, as though a new thought has just occurred to her. "You know..." she says almost thoughtfully, "I’ve changed my mind."

My brows knit together, as she continues. "I don’t think you should leave Blackshadow after all."

Mara’s smile widens. "No," Ravenna continues, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "That would be far too merciful."

She takes one final step until we’re barely a foot apart. "I gave you the chance to leave while you still could, Roselle. You refused. You chose to stay, and in doing so, you continued destroying my family."

Her eyes harden into ice. "So now... You are going to pay for every single day my son suffers."

My throat tightens. Humiliation burns through me, every instinct screams to fight, to run, to bare my teeth, but Ronan’s face flashes in my mind. His suffering. My part in it. The pack’s fragile state.

With trembling legs, I lower myself. The first shard bites into my knee immediately, a sharp sting that makes me hiss. I bite down hard on my lip as more glass presses into my skin with every inch I sink. Warm blood trickles down my shins, mixing with the spilled wine. The pain is bright, immediate, degrading. Mara’s tear-streaked face twists into a smug, vicious grin as she watches me submit.

I force the words out, voice low and strained. "I’m... sorry."

"Louder," Ravenna snaps. "And look at her when you say it."

I lift my gaze to Mara, cheeks burning with shame. "I’m sorry."

Mara lets out a wet, mocking laugh. "Pathetic."

My chest tightens as Ronan’s voice echoes through my mind, so vivid it almost feels like he’s standing beside me.

"No one will ever hurt you again, Roselle."

He promised I’d never have to endure that kind of pain again. He promised I’d be safe.

Another strikes sends an opening fresh lines of burning pain across my back. My body trembles violently with every impact, and I grit my teeth so hard my jaw aches, refusing to give Mara the satisfaction of hearing me beg.

Warm blood begins soaking through my dress, trickling down my sides as the scent of iron fills the room. The shattered glass under my knees digs deeper every time my body jerks from another blow, making it impossible to escape the pain no matter how hard I try to steady myself.

By the fifth lash, my arms are trembling so badly they can barely support my weight.

The sixth strike forces me forward onto my hands, and the instant my palms hit the floor, jagged shards slice into my skin. I suck in a broken breath, unable to stop the cry that escapes me as blood smears across the wine-soaked floor.

"See?" Ravenna says softly, turning to Mara with unsettling composure. "This is what happens to anyone who dares cross my family."

The remaining lashes rain down one after another, each one setting my nerves ablaze until I lose count entirely. By the time the punishment finally ends, my entire body is shaking uncontrollably, every breath shallow and ragged as blood drips from my back onto the floor beneath me.

Silence fills the room once more. I remain on my knees among the shattered glass, my dress stained crimson, my hands torn open, and my body barely able to hold itself upright.

Ravenna slowly crouches in front of me, lifting my chin with a single finger until I’m forced to look directly into her cold, unyielding eyes.

"Remember this feeling, Roselle. Next time you think of defying me, or hurting my son again, it will be far worse. Now clean up this mess. With your hands."

She straightens, motioning for Mara to follow her out. The guards leave without a word.

The door clicks shut, leaving me alone on my knees in the wreckage, bleeding, broken, and burning with a mix of shame and rage.