Chapter 5

• "Dinner is almost ready, I presume?" Her husband's voice was now low and mandatory as he did that very thing. Demanded. Because Leopold's questions were never full questions toward Regina. They were demands.
• "It's ready. No need to worry. Dear." Regina takes the opportunity to throw a hateful glare his way, given that Elise and Sophia are clear out of sight.
• Leopold smiles, "I wasn't. I have faith that you will make dinner spectacular tonight. After all…" His hand slowly moved up Regina's right arm, causing Regina to grunt softly in pain, her body slightly shifting as she felt his fingers give her fresh bruise a gentle yet firm squeeze as a reminder of the consequences if things didn't go particularly right tonight.
• The pain was too much, that Regina couldn't help but place her hand over his in a pleading manner.
• "Our daughter is home, and as it would seem she deemed it so that we attend to her guest." His voice remained low, just as his eyes remained trained on the evident pain that displayed on her face as he gave her battered shoulder another squeeze.
• Regina could swear the bastard gathered pleasure in seeing her squirm under his touch.
• "And that is what we are going to do. As extraordinary parents. Aren't we?"
• Regina let out a light grunt, her eyes momentarily closing as she felt one last squeeze against her injured shoulder. Right before she glared into the man's eyes again.
• "I have dinner to attend too first, sweetheart. So if you please…?" Her eyes looked down at his hand that was placed against her shoulder. "Kindly let go of my shoulder." She hissed.
• There was a smug grin on Leopold's face right now that Regina grew to detest. It was that smug look that told her, 'I'm in control around here. We are bound by marriage and by our daughter, and the sooner you come to realize that, the better things will be for you.'
• That's right. Leopold didn't care that Elise was a twenty-four young adult woman. He would use her as long as he could to bind Regina to him, just as he would use the reminder of that fucking ring glued to her damn finger. Or the fact that she had a pretty good roof under her head and didn't have to worry about anything else as long as she was with him.
• Now, this didn't mean Regina couldn't provide for herself if she damn well needed to. She could. In fact, she thrived for it.
• After all, what woman didn't want to feel independent and free of a loveless marriage?
• That's right. Regina never grew to love Leopold.
• But how can you possibly love someone who from day one after their marriage turned around completely in a one-eighty rotation? It was impossible.
• Leopold's footsteps were heard next as he finally let Regina be, enough for her to relax. His footsteps could be both a blessing and a curse to hear, depending if they were either leaving or approaching a room.
• "Ma'am?" The brunette turned to the sound of Sidney's kind voice, flashing him a little smile. "Would you like me to see that dinner is served?"
• "No, don't trouble yourself, Sidney. I'll go. You just make sure the table is set," she nodded. "You know how Mr. White likes it."
• "Yes, ma'am." Sidney nodded curtly and went on his way, allowing Regina to go on about her 'good wife' duties.
• Sophia took in all of the second floor surroundings as she walked along the long stretched hallway, hand in hand with Audrey.
• "So, what do you think? You like it?" Elise grinned happily at her girlfriend.
• "Yeah, it's very…" The blonde takes another good look around before answering that question. What was the correct way to describe this house? "Massive." She settled for that, earning a light chuckle from Audrey. "You're parents sure like to show off how much money they make, don't they?"
• "That's more my father's department." Elise links her entire arm around Sophia's.
• "Oh? So, your mom…?"
• "Her and my father agreed that he would work well enough for the both of them." She informed Sophia,coming to halt as she allowed her girlfriend to have a good look at a massive portrait of the three of them.
• "So, all rich people do have one of these somewhere in the house, huh?" Sophia joked, looking up at the family portrait.
• It was a beautiful painted portrait. The frame was a very Victorian style type, a vintage resin golden kind of frame. And in the middle was the painted family portrait. Leopold was sitting in one of those wooden chairs with a burgundy cushioned seat and back, while Regina stood behind him with an arm elegantly resting against the shoulder of his favorite gray suit, and Audrey stood on the other side wearing one of her best dresses that went well with her mother's. They were black, fitting dresses, sleeveless, real cocktail type.
• Elise smiles as she looks up at the portrait. "Come on, I'll show you our room." She moves along, releasing the blonde's arm.
• Sophia takes one last look at the portrait, studying it until her gaze ends right on a pair of brown eyes. Eyes that belonged to Regina. Eyes that told a thousand stories just with their stare alone.
• Paintings never lied. As far as first impressions go, Leopold seemed to have been every bit as important as he seemed to be in this painting. Clearly proud of his family and the possessions he had, while Elise's mother… The woman looked regal, but also like a mystery that was just waiting to unravel-
• Sophi ? Sophia turns to her name being called by her girlfriend