The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325: Hurtful Past

Oriana hesitated, but Arlan continued to gently caress her hands, trying to provide comfort and encouragement.

"You can take your time," Arlan said, his voice steady. "I can wait, unless you do not trust me enough?"

She pursed her lips, reluctance evident on her face. It was not a matter of trust. This was a secret she had never shared with anyone, not even her grandpa. Arlan’s persistence, however, encouraged her to speak, even though finding the right words was a challenge.

"It’s just...No one knows about it," she began, her head still lowered.

"Let me be the first," Arlan’s voice was soft, his touch reassuring.

Perhaps it was the gentleness of the evening breeze, or the earthy scent lingering in the garden, or his comforting warmth presence—maybe a combination of all three—but the barrier in her heart began to lower.

Taking a deep breath, Oriana chose to open up. "I...I was abducted when I was a young girl."

"Abducted?" Arlan’s grip on her hands tightened. A flash of anger appeared on his face, but his expression went unseen by her, who kept her gaze fixed on her hands..

"They were slave traders...and I was abducted to be sold to a nobleman..."

At this revelation, the comforting touch of Arlan’s hand shifted into a tense grip.

Oriana raised her eyes to meet his gaze. She could see a fleeting coldness in his eyes, quickly replaced by a calm and understanding expression. "Please, go on."

"Being abducted like that... it’s terrible..." Oriana continued, her voice shaky. "It’s something I’ve never shared... because the moment I speak of that time, it’s like I’m reliving that nightmare all over again."

Arlan’s gaze remained focused on her, his patience unwavering. He didn’t wish her to feel hurt by recalling anything hurtful, but she was his, his mate and he needed to know everything about her. If someone had hurt her, he needed to pay them back.

"What happened, exactly?" His voice was cold, though he tried to sound gentle.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Oriana reluctantly began to recount her painful memories. "When I was taken, I tried to fight back. Because I ran and screamed, I was beaten badly as punishment. They made sure not to touch my face because I was a high-quality good, but the rest of my body..." She inevitably shivered. "They locked me up in a dark room without food or water. I don’t know how long I was kept captive, but I was all alone, terrified and hungry and cold and in pain...until they brought in a nobleman."

Arlan’s eyes darkened with anger as he listened, his grip on her hands growing tighter.

Oriana noticed his reaction but found a strange comfort in his presence. She pushed forward, needing to share her story.

"One of the slave traders completely tore away my dress, leaving me naked, as they commented on my body, discussing me as if I was mere cattle, not a person. How expensive I am because of my appearance and age, how the price should be lowered because of the bruises, the fare to smuggle me into the buyer’s mansion..."