Chapter 3 Shadow's from yesterday

EMILY

The door slammed shut behind me, sounding like a gunshot in the stillness. And I sat there frozen, breathing heavily, my hand still hurting from the slap I'd given him. James Bolton. The man who held my fate like a loaded gun.

He didn't retaliate this time. That scared me more than the slap he gave me earlier. That silence... it meant something. Something dark and it really terrifies me to the brim.

I laid back on the soft bed, staring at the ceiling, wishing it would collapse and bury me alive.

And then... the memories started coming.

*******

Flashback – Age 16

I was in the small kitchen of our rented one-bedroom apartment, my mom yelling from the backyard.

"Emily! You put too much pepper again, I swear this your husband will leave you in one week!"

I had laughed, half-chopping onions and half-dreaming of the future.

"I don't want a husband," I told her.

She burst into laughter. "You'll want one when you fall in love my darling."

"Love is for fools," I had muttered, hiding my broken heart over the boy from the next street who kissed me and never came back.

*****

But now, lying here in this expensive prison, I'd give anything to go back to that kitchen. To her shouting. To peace.

Back to the present.

My body still ached, but my heart hurt more. And then... the door opened again.

Not James.

A young maid, barely older than me, walked in carrying a tray of food. She avoided my eyes.

"Who are you?" I asked, voice low.

She hesitated, glancing behind her before shutting the door closely like he was trying to avoid noise. "My name is Zara," she whispered. "Don't trust him... don't fall for anything he says. They always pretend in the beginning."

I blinked. "You mean James?"

She nodded. "You're not the first. There were others. Pretty girls like you. Smart ones. All of them thought they could handle him... none of them made it."

I swallowed hard. "What happened to them?"

Her lips trembled. "They disappeared."

Before I could ask more, she dropped the tray and quickly left the room shaking like dry leaf....

I looked at the food, steaming fried rice, grilled chicken, and a bottle of water. My stomach growled, but I couldn't eat. My mind was spinning with so many thoughts I was unable to put together.

Suddenly, the door burst open again.

It was James this time around, that bastard.

This time, he looked different shirtless, a towel over his shoulder, like he had just gotten out of the shower. His eyes trailed over me with a heat that made my skin crawl.

"What do you want now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

He walked closer. "You still have fire. That's good. I like fire... it makes the taming sweeter."

I stood up. "I'm not a damn animal."

He laughed lowly. "You're whatever I want you to be."

He stepped closer again, slowly, and reached for my face. "Let's not fight today. Let me show you... I can be gentle too."

His hand slid to my waist. His lips hovered near mine again. "Don't slap me this time," he whispered, almost pleading.

And just as I thought he might kiss me again... I pushed him away.

"No. I won't let you play with my head."

He stared at me, and for the first time, I saw something crack in his expression. Not anger.

Not pride. Hurt...

But he masked it quickly, standing tall again. "Fine," he said, voice cold now. "Have it your way."

He turned to leave. But before he reached the door, he paused.

"Oh... and Emily?" I looked up, waiting.

He didn't turn around. "Get ready. The ceremony is in five days."

My heart dropped. "What ceremony?"

He looked over his shoulder, a ghost of a smirk on his face. "Our wedding."

The door shut. And I screamed....

*****

I didn't sleep that night. Again.

I just sat in the dark, hugging my knees, flinching at every sound. My thoughts were a battlefield, memories of who I used to be clashing with the horror of who I was becoming.

I felt dirty. Not because of the blood dried on my skin, or the bruises from the beating, but because of how part of me... was starting to get used to this.

And that scared the life out of me.

By morning, the door opened again. This time, two guards entered. Cold eyes. Rough hands.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, already knowing I wouldn't like the answer.

They didn't say a word. They just grabbed me, dragged me out like I weighed nothing, like I wasn't human,like I was some garbage that needed to be disposed of.

Down the hallway. Left. Another corridor. A metal door. Then they threw me in.

And what I saw made my soul shrivel.

A large room. Filled with mannequins... female mannequins. But they weren't ordinary. Each one wore a wedding dress. All white. All perfect. And on every single one... was a name written in red ink.

Blood red.

One of the guards leaned close. "Pick a dress. The boss said you should choose your favorite."

I shook my head, backing away.

He smirked. "Or I'll pick one for you. And I don't think you'll like my taste."

Tears filled my eyes. I touched a dress. It was silk, smooth, and cold... like the man I was about to marry.

I wanted to scream. But nothing came out.

******

An hour later, they dragged me back into my room. Only this time, someone was waiting for me.

James Bolton.

He was leaning on the bedpost, wearing all black, his expression unreadable. But his eyes... they lit up when he saw me. Like I was a trophy he has just won.

He walked to me slowly, like a predator.

"You look tired," he said.

I didn't reply.

"I brought something for you," he added, reaching into his coat. He pulled out a silver necklace with a black diamond.

"This belonged to my mother," he said softly, stepping close. "She was the only woman I ever loved... until I met you."

I flinched. "You don't love me. You don't even know what love is."

He smiled like I just told a joke. Then, gently, he clasped the necklace around my neck.

"I know pain," he whispered, leaning in. "I know possession. And I know obsession. Isn't that enough?"

His breath touched my lips.I turned my face away.

He cupped my cheek and forced me to look at him. "Why do you fight so hard, Emily?"

"Because I'm not yours!" I screamed, pushing him back with all my might. "You can beat me. Starve me. Humiliate me. But you'll never own me!"

He blinked. Once. Twice.

Then, to my shock... he stepped back.

And laughed. A soft, broken laugh.

"I like the fire," he said quietly. "But fire burns. And if you're not careful, I'll be forced to turn you into ashes."

He turned to leave.

But before he reached the door, I called out. "Why me?"

He paused.

Then turned around slowly. "Because when I look at you... I see the girl I could've loved if life hadn't turned me into this."

I didn't know what to say. My heart hurt. And for a split second, I saw something human in him. Something shattered, something sad and what more.....

Then he stepped forward again, touched my chin, and kissed me.

Not roughly.

Not forcefully.

Just a soft, haunting kiss.

And I hated myself... because for one stupid second, I let him.

SLAP!

My palm connected with his cheek.

He didn't flinch.He just stared at me. Then smiled. Not cruelly. Almost... sadly.

"You'll be mine, Emily. Whether you hate me... or learn to love me."

And he walked away.

Leaving me there confused, trembling, and crying in silence.

But I swear...

If this man thinks I'll be another broken doll in his twisted collection... he's not ready for what's coming.

Because I will find a way out. Even if it kills me....