Chapter 1981

Mavis's face turned pale with fear as she struggled desperately. "Nathaniel, please… Don't do this…" She was truly terrified. Nathaniel held her wrists with one hand while gripping her jaw with the other. He smirked as he taunted her, "Oh, now you're scared? You helped an outsider get me thrown in jail, Mavis. You're quite the bold one, aren't you? Did you think I was someone that you could push around like that?" With tearful eyes, Mavis shook her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize how severe the domestic violence laws are in Deltsburg. I truly am sorry." Nathaniel chuckled and replied, "It's fine. After tonight, you can still accuse me of abuse again. Just make sure you gather some evidence." Releasing her jaw, Nathaniel's fingers lightly tapped her belly. "How about I take care of this little bastard for you?" "No!" Mavis shook her head frantically, tears welling up in her eyes. "The baby is already so big. In a few months, I'll be ready to give birth. You have to let us go. Please!" "I can let the baby go, but not you. I don't agree to the divorce, so you can forget about it." Tears streamed down Mavis's cheeks as her emotions began to crumble. "Why do you have to do this to me? When you chose Kristen and wanted a divorce, I agreed. But as soon as I left, you came after me again. What do you want from me?" Nathaniel's expression darkened as he gripped her jaw with more force. "Mavis, what more do you want from me? We aren't even divorced, yet you found another man and got pregnant. I didn't hold that against you. I've been patient, helping with the work to ease your pregnancy burden, even considering taking care of this bastard child. I've done enough as a husband, haven't I? Are you not satisfied?" His face turned colder, his tone sharper as he added, "You pushed me to this point, so you'll have to face the consequences." His long, slender fingers began to explore her nightgown… She instantly recoiled, frightened. "No, I don't want this!" Nathaniel gave her a disdainful look and sneered. "Didn't you want this back then? Now that I'm taking the initiative, you want to play hard to get. I never knew you had so many tricks up your sleeve." Mavis's mind raced. She was not playing hard to get. She was genuinely rejecting him. She could not care less if Nathaniel thought she was a scheming woman. Her only concern was the safety of her baby. "Nathaniel, I'm pregnant. You can't do this!" Nathaniel laughed. "I checked. The pregnancy is stable enough around the late second trimester, and sex is fine during this time." As long as he was careful, the baby would be fine. "As my wife, it's your duty to fulfill my needs." He leaned in and kissed her lips. There was no tenderness. He was only doing it to punish her. Nathaniel pressed his lips hard against hers and showed no mercy. Suddenly, a sharp cry of pain interrupted Nathaniel's actions. He straightened up and touched the stinging spot on his lip. Blood. Mavis had bitten him. "Mavis!" He growled through clenched teeth as he raised his right hand. He was so terrifying that Mavis instinctively shrank back, closing her eyes and bracing for the blow. Tears welled up in her eyes, and they soon rolled down her pale cheeks. Even in the dim light of the bedside lamp, Nathaniel noticed her tears and helpless expression. He hesitated, his raised hand slowly curling into a fist. Thankfully, a flicker of reason remained and prevented him from hitting Mavis. "Boring. You're as stiff as a board and still refuse to cherish yourself. You even dared to have a casual affair with some random guy off the street. Aren't you afraid of getting tricked and having your organs harvested?"