Chapter 1 One

“How can you be in a sexless marriage for two good years, Rose? Your husband refuses to touch you, yet he runs around spreading rumors on the internet that you are barren. And you are just there, doing nothing.”

“What was I supposed to do?” Rose asked. “This marriage was contracted even though we’ve known each other since I was a kid. I truly believed he loved and wanted me. We always fantasized about what we would do once we were married, and you know I love him so much. The truth is, I exist for the Dohuk family alone. I have nowhere else to go until they break my curse. I don’t care if my name is plastered across every tabloid. I only want one thing from Liam: his body and his seed inside me. So tell me, Alina, what more should I do? I don’t think I can control this urge any longer. It won’t stop until I am marked and claimed.”

“What else are you going to try now?” Alina asked. “You said you’ve tried seducing him and getting him intoxicated, and still, he doesn't see you. What if he isn’t straight? Look at you, girl, you are perfect.”

At that moment, Jasmine tapped into the conversation. Alina and Jasmine were the only friends Rose had over the years. Jasmine was a little weird, hot, and sassy, but Alina was the complete opposite responsible and supportive. Rose loved Alina more than Jasmine. Alina had literally been there for her all her life: when her father died in a car accident, and when her mother ran away to marry someone else and start a new family. Her mother abandoned her after the contract agreement with the Dohuk family was made. Rose grew up alone in the Dohuk household. During that period, their business went bankrupt, and they took over her family company; the one her dad used to manage before he passed away. They were initial partners, which was why the marriage contract was binding. The only people Rose had were Alina, Jasmine, Mr. Dohuk, Jessica Dohuk;Liam’s twenty-two-year-old younger sister; and Liam Dohuk, twenty-six.

“Lina, I do not want to keep repeating myself, but hear me out,” Rose said. “No matter what I do, there is no erection. I feel so sad and heartbroken. I really do not want to suspect that.”

“Have you tried getting toys to satisfy yourself, then?” Lina asked. “Maybe that could help sustain you.”

“I didn't keep myself for a toy to come and break my virginity. Besides, the curse doesn’t work that way,” Rose responded.

Rose was cursed the day she was born. If her mate did not claim her before she turned eighteen, her body would not stop craving sex. The longer it took, the worse the urge, the pull, and the pain became. If she still resisted, the curse would bind her to her mate anyway, even without a touch. She would belong to him. Liam, however, said they would wait until marriage. They married at age twenty, but he still did not mark or claim her. Now, at age twenty-two, he still hadn't, and the longer it took, the harder it became.

“Well, girl, I don’t know how you will handle your business with Liam, but you have to step up your game. Look at you; you are sex-starved. You need a man in your life, not just money,” Jasmine finally responded before going offline. “So I will give you this advice as a friend: if he won't, another will. Besides, you won’t know until you try. He might not even be the one to break it.”

Of course, Rose knew she needed it, but what could she do when she couldn't have it? Her two-year marriage anniversary was in seven days. They still shared different bedrooms but pretended they were a loving couple when the family was together. As long as she was married, she couldn't go out. She could not think of cheating on Liam. If waiting was the only thing she could do, she would wait.

Rose never thought her fantasy would last for two years,the fantasy of pleasuring Liam and being intimate with him. Unfortunately, he refused her touch, let alone intimacy. Every attempt was rejected, which was why he had left her room to sleep in the guest room.

It was 7:00 PM, and she would soon be leaving the office. Earlier today, Jessica Dohuk called her to say that the family was at their house, which meant Liam was going to pretend to be sweet to her. This also meant Rose would have to put on a fake smile. If he is going to pretend, what if I try again after a very long time? Maybe he might give in, right? Rose thought.

At 7:40 PM, they got home. Sophia, Rose’s guard and driver, excused herself. Rose headed for the living room where everyone was seated. All of a sudden, she heard laughter coming from the room. She could hear the voices of her mother-in-law and Liam from inside.

“What is keeping her from giving us a grandchild? Liam, are you not doing your job properly?” Mrs. Dohuk asked.

“It's not my fault, Mom. We keep trying every time, but Rose doesn’t seem to get pregnant. She is more obsessed with work than giving me a child. Also, I don’t think she is fertile because I told her we should go for a check-up, but she refused,” Liam responded.

“That’s why I never wanted you to marry her. Now, the only heir to the Dohuk family is stuck with her, and the only thing she could have helped with, she cannot do. She is barren. If it wasn’t for the fact that she has money, and right now we are relying only on her, I would have advised you to

divorce her,” Mrs. Dohuk said.

Rose stood frozen outside the living room door. She couldn't believe what she had just overheard. She had always known her mother-in-law disliked her, but she never imagined Liam was capable of such deception.

“You have never had sex with me, so how do you know I can’t bear a child?” she thought, tears welling in her eyes. “You never asked us to go anywhere together, let alone the hospital, yet you are here, lying to your mother without considering how I would feel. This is the man I dedicated my whole life to. I can’t believe he has been a snake all this time, but I hate myself for wanting him even thou his words stings.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt as though she were suffocating. But what choice did she have? If she left, she wouldn’t just lose everyone; she would lose Mr. Dohuk, the only person who had effortlessly played the role of a father in her life. She was not ready for that loss.

She took a deep breath, gathered her composure, and walked in. She entered the living room, pretending she hadn't heard a single word.

“Oh, my dear Rose, you’re back from work,” her mother-in-law said.

Rose forced a smile. “Yes, Mother, I am back. I hope you are all doing well.”

“Yes, we are. I hope you are getting ready for your second anniversary in the Dohuk family?”

“Yes, I am,” Rose replied.

“I hope you will give us a grandchild soon to celebrate. I don’t know what is stopping you and Liam.”

“You know God’s time is the actual best, but I promise you that I will give you what you want soon” Rose said, maintaining her smile. She then walked straight toward their bedroom.

Liam followed her. For the first time in ages, he stepped into their room and he helped her undress and pulled her into a hug.

“I love your response, that's one thing I love about you, keep it up and Don’t forget to put your actions to good use,” he whispered.

“What about in bed, too?” Rose asked, looking up at him. “Shouldn’t you at least try? Do I not seem attractive to you anymore?”

“Of course, you are,” he said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “You are always attractive. I will come to you tonight, I promise.” He then left her alone in the room.