y ribs, gasping for air as if I am still running away from the wedding altar. For a second, I forget where I am. I look around the quiet, luxurious bedroom, seeing the dark wood furnit

my life. I refuse to be a prisoner in a golden cage, no matter how rich or handsome my new husband

right, open-concept kitche

leeves rolled up to his elbows. He isn't working on a computer or reading business papers.

eel my footsteps on the floor. "I figured you would want your coff

g at him with wide eyes. "How... How could you possib

a soft, knowing smile playing on his lips. "You like it

ms. How does he know that? I only started drinking my coffee that way during my final year of college when I was pulling all-night

er, my voice shaking as I pull back. "It's c

n speakers in the ceiling. It is my favorite instrumental track, the exact song I p

id splashing over the rim. "Stop it! Turn that mus

ing surrounded by noise when you're upset," he says softly, his deep

this! I didn't ask to marry you, I didn't ask to be traded like a piece of busin

fingers. I dial Celeste's number for the hundredth time since yesterday. Please pick up

raight to voicemail again. "Hi, you'

y head back in frustration. Why won't she answer me? Why did sh

t. I peek around the corner and see Adrian standing near the entryway, hol

nto the phone, his voice cold and commanding. "I don't

ng his tailored suit jacket off the back of the couch. He

d onto mine. "I have to go out for a couple of hours. Do not try to leave the buildi

oner?" I snap, marching

y, before turning and walking out the doo

adrenaline takes over. He thinks he can lock me in? He thinks I'm

hairs. I start pulling open drawers, searching for anything that can help me understand what is go

half-hidden beneath a stack of old financial re

It is a thick,

ef. It is a photograph taken at a high-end charity gala at a luxury hotel. Three years ago. The exact night I tried to escap

stone fountain, the hanging ivy, and the glowing fairy l

he photograph against my che

s impos

voice echoes f

ng the edge of the heavy wooden bookshelf. Adrian is standing in the doorway. He didn't go t

armth. He slowly walks into the room, his dark

d the words barely make a sound. "You were the man in the

it. He just stands there, looking at me with an intense

. "Why did you pretend you didn't know me at the dinner? Why did you

taking one slow, deliberate step toward me, "are danger

My whole life is a lie! My sister is missing, my family is ruined,

he can say another word to defend himself, my

e screen lights up with an incoming

Adrian, before pressing the accept b

eathe out, my

other end of the line. Then, a soft, terrified whisper cut

Elena, listen to me carefully. You cannot trust Ad