Chapter 2 A Caged Bird

Caroline Alexander sat at the long, polished dining table, staring at the untouched meal before her. The aroma of the freshly prepared dishes filled the room-succulent steak, mashed potatoes, a delicate side of vegetables-but she had long since stopped associating food with comfort.

It was a rule.

Breakfast and dinner were sacred in Hitler Beckenham's house-not for her, but for him. She could eat lunch while he was away, but in the mornings and evenings, she was to wait. No matter how hungry she was. No matter how long it took.

And tonight was no different.

She had spent over an hour in the kitchen, preparing his meal with careful precision. He could have had the maids do it-should have had the maids do it-but he insisted that it was her wifely duty.

It wasn't about the food. It was about control.

The front door creaked open, followed by the sound of expensive leather shoes clicking against marble floors. She sucked in a slow, measured breath.

He was home.

She heard him walk past the dining room without sparing her a glance, his heavy steps echoing through the grand house. He went straight to their bedroom, and moments later, the sound of running water filled the air.

Caroline clenched her fists beneath the table. This was her chance.

She had spent the past hour gathering the courage to confront him. The messages were still burned into her mind-Polar Bear, my love. I miss you. Last night was incredible.

Her body trembled as she pushed herself up from the chair, her hunger long forgotten. She walked toward the bedroom, her heart slamming against her ribs with each step.

The bathroom door opened just as she entered. Steam rolled into the room, and Hitler stepped out, his tall, muscular frame wrapped in nothing but a towel. Water dripped down his sculpted chest, but there was nothing remotely attractive about him.

Not to her. Not anymore.

She swallowed her fear and moved in front of him before he could walk past her.

"So," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "You've been texting another woman."

Hitler didn't react. He simply looked at her-his gaze void of emotion, his face unreadable. Then, without a word, he walked past her toward the wardrobe.

Her fingernails dug into her palms.

"Why won't you just let me go?" she demanded, following him. "I already asked for a divorce. Why won't you just let me go?"

Hitler pulled open the wardrobe, taking his time selecting his nightwear. He didn't look at her. Didn't acknowledge her pain.

Caroline's voice cracked as she pressed on, desperation creeping into her words. "I have done everything you asked of me. I have been a submissive wife. I have been devoted. I have never cheated on you. So why in hell's name won't you just let me breathe?"

At that, he turned around. Slowly.

For the first time, his lips curved into something resembling a smirk.

"You still don't get it, do you?" he murmured.

Caroline stiffened.

"You were never supposed to be anything more than a decoration in this marriage," he said, stepping closer. "A piece to make me look good in public. A married billionaire who finally settled down after his multiple escapades with women-that is the role I play."

She felt her stomach twist.

He leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against her skin. "So tell me, Caroline, after everything I did for you-after I paid off your father's $500 million debt-this is how you repay me? By whining? By making my life a constant hell?"

Her hands trembled. "I never asked you to-"

"You disgust me," he cut in, his voice sharp as a blade. "Every time I see you, I regret ever making that deal."

Her breath hitched.

Hitler exhaled, as if merely being near her was exhausting. "You know, the funny thing is, I hate freckles. And look at your face. You've got them everywhere."

Caroline blinked, her fingers instinctively touching her cheeks. "What does that have to do with anything?" she whispered.

But Hitler was already shaking his head. "I don't want to do this tonight. Just leave me alone."

He turned to walk away, but she stepped in front of him again.

"Give me the divorce I want," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "Just let me go, Hitler. Please, I am begging you."

His expression darkened. "Move."

"Hitler, I promise I'll work to pay you back-"

He laughed. A cold, merciless laugh that sent a chill down her spine.

"You?" he mocked. "You don't even work. How do you plan on paying me back?"

Caroline lifted her chin. "I'll get a job. I'll-"

"Tell me," he interrupted. "How do you plan on paying back half a billion dollars?"

Her throat tightened, and a sob escaped her lips. "Hitler, please. I-I'm tired of this marriage."

His smirk returned. "Exactly what I thought."

He walked away, and something inside Caroline snapped.

"You are the worst thing that God has ever created," she whispered.

Hitler stopped mid-step.

He slowly turned to face her, his jaw tightening. "Excuse me?"

She wiped at her tear-streaked face. "You heard me."

She was shaking now, her voice rising with each word. "You have brought nothing but misery, sorrow, and pain into my life. And now, you won't even let me go."

Something flickered in his eyes. Something dark.

He took a step forward. Then another.

"What gives you the audacity to talk to me that way?" he murmured.

And then-his hand flew across her face.

The impact sent her stumbling to the ground, her cheek stinging, her ears ringing.

Tears blurred her vision as she looked up at him, her breath ragged.

Hitler adjusted the towel around his waist. "I paid for you to be my wife. I settled all the bills."

Caroline let out a weak, bitter laugh. "That's it? That's what you are? A despicable, pathetic excuse for a man?"

His expression darkened, and he slapped her again.

Her head snapped to the side, pain exploding across her skin.

Another slap. Harder.

"Do not test me tonight, Caroline," he growled. "Do not."

She flinched as he crouched down, gripping her chin tightly.

"I am this close to actually beating the crap out of you," he whispered. "Do you understand?"

Her breath came in shallow gasps, but she held his gaze.

For the first time, something in her eyes made him pause.

Because Caroline wasn't just broken anymore.

She was done.

Hitler released her roughly, standing to his full height. Without another word, he walked out of the room, leaving her on the cold floor.

Alone.

But as the silence settled around her, Caroline Alexander made a vow.

One day, he would regret this.

And she would make sure of it.