Pleasure yourself.

Claudia swallowed hard, her lashes fluttering as nervousness and embarrassment washed over her.

“Umm… are you Mr. Harold’s son?” she asked, raising a brow, silently praying he would say no.

The idea of being in the same house with her husband’s son felt disturbingly wrong.

Sebastian scoffed, rising from the bed and rolling his eyes at her question.

“So my dad didn’t bother telling you he has a son? And how old are you, anyway? Aren’t you a little too young to—”

His words trailed off as he shrugged and waved a dismissive hand.

“Never mind,” he muttered, turning his attention back to the woman he had summoned for pleasure. “Well, I’m not in the mood anymore. Send me your account details. I’ll transfer some money for the effort you spent in coming over.”

Claudia, still seated on the edge of the bed, watched as Sebastian and the woman both stared down at their phones.

She instantly assumed they were finalizing the transaction.

‘I feel stupid,’ Claudia thought bitterly, sliding off the bed.

She tightened the belt of her bathrobe, cleared her throat, and stood upright to draw their attention.

“I… I think it’s best for me to leave,” Claudia whispered, though her words were loud enough for them to hear.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Sebastian spat. “And please, don’t ever come into my room without knocking.” He added and his last sentence sounded more like a warning than a request.

Once again, all Claudia could do was nervously allow her breath to become shallow as she stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her.

“Pftt,” she breathed out, her shoulders slumping in exhaustion.

Claudia hadn't even recovered from Sebastian's scorn before a voice startled her.

“My Claudia!” Mr. Harold suddenly exclaimed from down the hallway, quickening his steps toward her.

Hearing him call her “My Claudia” made her stomach twist in disgust. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end from sheer discomfort.

When Mr. Harold closed the distance between the both of them, he halt right on his track and smiled warmly.

Before Claudia could process what was about to happen next, Mr. Harold pressed his lips to hers.

Claudia froze.

Her eyes widened in shock as she held her breath, feeling him suck on her lower lip.

Her stomach churned, and tears welled up in her eyes, begging for release.

Claudia fought the urge to scream, to shove Mr. Harold away and run until her legs gave out but all she could do was endure, frozen in place, trapped in a body that refused to fight.

The scent of Mr. Harold cologne clung to Claudia’s skin, making a cold wave of dread rolled down her spine, and her heartbeat thundered in her ears like a warning siren.

But after what felt like hours, though it was only seconds later… Mr. Harold finally lean away from Claudia, licking his lips as if savoring the taste.

“I thought you were already waiting for me in my room.” He asked, still maintaining a warm smile.

Claudia shook her head, trying to snap out of her shocked state. “I… I got lost. I couldn’t find your room,” she stammered, forcing herself not to cry.

The last thing she needed was to get on her husband’s bad side.

“Oh,” Mr. Harold purred, grabbing Claudia’s right wrist. “I’ll lead the way, then,” he said, sounding delighted for reasons known only to him.

Mr. Harold led her toward his room, opened the door, and stepped inside.

Claudia followed behind.

Once inside, he shut the door, let go of Claudia’s wrist and walked over to the bedside table.

With Mr. Harold back turned to Claudia, he opened a drawer and pulled out a file.

‘I feel like throwing up,’ Claudia thought as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

Sensing that Mr. Harold was about to turn around, she quickly dropped her hand away from her lips  and forced a smile.

“So, Claudia,” Mr. Harold began as he scanned Claudia’s body from head to toe before taking a seat on the bed.

His intense gaze made Claudia fidget with her fingers as she stared at the floor, biting her lower lip.

“Like I said earlier, your father is cruel,” Mr. Harold spat, pausing to gather his thoughts while opening the file. “Claudia, I’m aware that you’re young and don’t know much about what’s expected in a marriage.”

Claudia nodded, agreeing to Mr. Harold’s words.

“In order for this marriage to work, Claudia, I’ve created a few simple rules you’re expected to follow,” he said, lifting his head to meet her gaze.

She nodded again.

“Take it. Read it,” Mr. Harold said, handing her the file.

Claudia quickly took it and began reading as instructed.

“The first rule states that you must please me whenever and however I want,” Mr. Harold declared while Claudia’s eyes scanned the text.

Her breath caught in her throat, and Mr. Harold immediately noticed the shift in her posture.

“You don’t have to be scared, Claudia,” he purred, rising from the bed and closing the distance between them.

Staring into her eyes, he tried to offer words that might sound reassuring. “I’ve sent Eve to get you a new phone, fill your wardrobe with beautiful clothes, and prepare a delicious meal for you.”

Claudia swallowed hard. Does he really think his words will make me feel less tense? she wondered, but kept her thoughts to herself.

Mr. Harold leaned toward her, letting his breath graze her neck in a soft, unsettling way.

That single act made Claudia silently wish the ground would open up and swallow her whole.

“All you have to do as my wife is satisfy me in bed. Do that, and you’ll enjoy the privileges of being Mrs. Harold,” he purred.

Then, without another word, he stepped back and returned to his seat on the bed.

“I might seem old, Claudia, but I’m more active than any youngster, and I’ll try to treat you with care, unlike the way your father treated you.”

Claudia became speechless. She had no idea if Mr. Harold expected her to applaud him for his words.

‘Besides, he said I’m expected to sexually pleasure him whenever and however he likes, so why is he sounding proud of himself?’ Claudia questioned silently.

She continued staring at Mr. Harold as she watched him take off his red shirt and toss it onto the floor.

“You’re free to go through the file some other time,” he purred, licking his lips like a maniac. “But right now, I want you to take off that bathrobe and pleasure yourself.” He purred, licking his lips like a maniac.