ica'

a lost shadow, his presence commanding the room as he spoke to different guests. His grip on my hand

an older man with silver hair and s

e said with a charming s

my stomach twisting in di

sipping his wine. "Being married to

ff like a piece of property? That I was standing here in a

p on my wrist tightened. "That's enough, Mr. Benn

he older man chuckled, raising his glass in surre

away, his fingers digging into my skin. The second w

allow it," he murmured agai

breath catchin

sine waited for us, and without another word, he pushed open the door, motioning f

the window. I stole a glance at Raymond, who had already poured himself a g

hering my courag

speak?" he cut me off coldly

y went

stay at bay. I turned my face away, staring out the window. The reality of my situ

p. One of the guards opened the door, and as

something out of a dream

, the marble pillars, the cascading waterfall in the ce

f it felt

aring me a glance. I quickly followed, my

ld chandeliers, polished wooden staircases

t a guest. I w

oward us, bowing deepl

his tone low. Then, without anothe

. "Mr. Shaw has instructed me to show you

lowing her through t

oks I'd probably never touch, the massive kitchen where chefs prepared gourme

d in front of a doo

your room

the first time that day,

t filled with expensive dresses, a balcony overlooking a beautiful gard

word. The maid hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to say someth

om was

, my wedding dress pooling around me.

s my li

pulling out my belongings, placing them in the wardrobe even though I knew n

my phone and turned it on

's name over and over. My fingers

on? Why are people saying yo

her

e back.

anot

rents but they refused to l

him, to explain everything, to beg h

was t

ion as I clutched th

e bed, exhaustion

t when I woke up, the room was dark. My

e soft creak of my

steps, Slow a

before I could react, a hand gra

ym

grip firm but not painful. His lips cu

, my pulse hamme

ne before he leaned down, h

nstairs f

me and walked away, leavi