M

And I sat there frozen, breathing heavily, my hand still hurting from the s

e slap he gave me earlier. That silence... it meant someth

ring at the ceiling, wishing it

he memories s

**

ack –

r rented one-bedroom apartment,

again, I swear this your husba

opping onions and half

t a husband,

"You'll want one when you

g my broken heart over the boy from the ne

*

rison, I'd give anything to go back to

o the

y heart hurt more. And the

Ja

n me, walked in carrying a tra

u?" I asked

was trying to avoid noise. "My name is Zara," she whispered. "Don't trust hi

. "You me

. Pretty girls like you. Smart ones. All of them tho

rd. "What happ

mbled. "They

pped the tray and quickly left t

bottle of water. My stomach growled, but I couldn't eat. My mind

e door burst

his time aroun

s shoulder, like he had just gotten out of the shower. Hi

?" I asked, trying to

e fire. That's good. I like fire

"I'm not a d

"You're whatever

ched for my face. "Let's not fight today

ered near mine again. "Don't slap me th

he might kiss me again

let you play

irst time, I saw something cra

ide. H

g tall again. "Fine," he said, vo

But before he reache

ily?" I looke

. "Get ready. The cer

opped. "Wha

er, a ghost of a smirk on

ut. And I s

*

eep that ni

ry sound. My thoughts were a battlefield, memories of who

kin, or the bruises from the beating, but because of

ared the li

gain. This time, two guards e

I asked, already knowing

me out like I weighed nothing, like I wasn't human,l

other corridor. A metal do

aw made my s

y weren't ordinary. Each one wore a wedding dress. All white. All

od

"Pick a dress. The boss said y

head, bac

one for you. And I don't t

ess. It was silk, smooth, and cold..

cream. But no

**

back into my room. Only this ti

s Bo

s expression unreadable. But his eyes... they lit up

me slowly, li

k tired,

n't r

, reaching into his coat. He pulled out

oftly, stepping close. "She was the onl

love me. You don't ev

joke. Then, gently, he claspe

ng in. "I know possession. And I k

ed my lips.I tur

ed me to look at him. "Why

m back with all my might. "You can beat me. Sta

ed. Once

shock... he

. A soft, b

t fire burns. And if you're not careful

ned to

hed the door, I ca

pau

look at you... I see the girl I could've

a split second, I saw something human in him. So

ard again, touched m

roug

orcef

ft, haunt

because for one stup

L

nected with

ared at me. Then smiled. No

. Whether you hate me.

walke

fused, trembling, an

I sw

roken doll in his twisted collection

d a way out. Even