Prisoner In Silk Sheets: A Wife With No Way Out

On the day Anna Hart was meant to be married, the hall stood decorated and waiting, but there was no groom at the end of the aisle.

Julian Ashford, the man chosen to be her husband, had spent six months in a vegetative state after a devastating car accident. The doctors had given him little time to live, and Anna's mother, overwhelmed by grief, wanted her daughter to at least experience the illusion of a wedding before the end came.

The Ashford family counted among the wealthiest in Avonsville, but no rational person would have agreed to marry a dying man.

Sitting in front of her mirror, Anna carefully adjusted the folds of her white dress. The satin's soft sheen traced the outline of her slender figure, and her delicate makeup brought out the smoothness of her complexion, making her resemble a fragile flower on the verge of blooming. Still, an uneasy glow flickered in her eyes.

Only twenty minutes remained before the ceremony. Her hands shook as she stared at her phone, hoping for a message that never appeared.

Before this marriage had been forced upon her, Anna had loved someone else. That man was Noah Ashford, Julian's nephew. Their relationship had been hidden from everyone, but just the day before, Anna had written to him, pleading for him to take her away from Avonsville so they could begin a new life together. She had spent the entire night waiting for his reply, but no answer ever came.

Unable to wait any longer, Anna stood up, gripped her phone tightly, and left the room, offering only a vague excuse.

In the hallway, a sudden burst of laughter made her stop in her tracks. Through the slightly open door of a nearby room, she heard the voices of her half-sister Mia and... Noah.

"I bet my poor sister is still watching for your message," Mia said with a laugh. "You should go and charm her with a few more sweet words." Then she paused. "What if she changed her mind at the last minute?"

"Do you think she still had a choice?" Noah replied as he hugged Mia. Even if Anna tried to run, they would have dragged her to the altar by force.

Mia's cruel laughter echoed again.

"Wait until she discovers you spend every night with me!"

Anna staggered, dizziness overwhelming her. She steadied herself just in time, tears burning in her eyes. Her fists tightened around the folds of her dress.

Her father, having lost everything, remained bedridden in the hospital. Her stepmother, Alice Hart, had insisted on this arranged marriage, claiming it would save their family. In reality, it had been a cunning way to cast her aside. Now, even the man she had once loved had turned against her, plotting with Mia in secret.

Noah had filled her with promises of a new life once Julian was gone, but those hopes had been nothing more than empty illusions. In the end, everything he had told her had turned out to be a lie.

Crushed but swiftly growing cold, Anna made a silent promise never to let herself be used again. For too long, she had suffered humiliation to shield her father. From that moment forward, she refused to give in to anyone.

A few moments later, the ceremony began.

Dressed in white and clutching her bouquet, Anna made her way to the altar by herself. Beneath the bewildered stares of the crowd, she recited her vows and placed the ring on her own finger. However shocked the guests might be, from that moment on, she carried the Ashford name.

Her husband, once the unquestioned master of Avonsville, now had only a few months remaining in his life.

As evening settled in, Anna was brought to the Ashford manor, a lavish palace standing at the center of the most exclusive district. Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper, escorted her straight to the master bedroom.

Julian lay motionless on the grand bed. Anna approached, an uneasy feeling twisting inside her. His sharp features, high cheekbones, and noble bearing still left an impression, even though his face had grown deathly pale. If he had not been reduced to this state, Anna would never have been forced to become his wife.

Before the accident, Julian Ashford had ruled the powerful Sterling Group, one of the country's ten largest companies. People said he was ruthless in business and even more dangerous in his dealings with the underworld. Anyone who had ever betrayed him had known no peace afterward.

Anna could hardly believe she had become the wife of such a man.

Suddenly, the door flew open. Noah stepped inside.

"Forgive me, Anna!" he cried, pretending concern. "I was busy the whole day, but I just had to come and see you."

"You seem to forget that I am now your uncle's wife," she answered coldly. "You would do well to speak to me with the respect I deserve."

Noah offered a gentle, but insincere, smile.

"I chose not to run away with you because I wanted to spare you a lifetime of misery. This marriage is a blessing-Julian is nearly gone, and you won't have to do anything. When he passes away, I'll help you settle all of his affairs. Then everything will belong to us."

He grabbed her hands with greedy intent. Anna, filled with disgust and unable to forget his betrayal with Mia, yanked her hands away.

"Get your hands off me!" she demanded.

Noah froze, startled by her harsh tone. She had never raised her voice to him before. For a moment, uncertainty flickered across his face-did she know the truth?

He stepped closer, attempting to soothe her. But his attention shifted abruptly over her shoulder, and his expression changed to terror.

Julian Ashford opened his eyes as he lay on the bed.

Bathed in the cold light of the crystal chandelier, his black eyes flickered open. Their dark, obsidian sharpness radiated a frosty intensity that seemed to chill the entire room.

Noah turned pale at once. Gripped by panic, he staggered backward, nearly tripping as he tried to speak.

"Anna..." he finally stammered. "Aunt Anna... it's getting late. I'll leave you now, and... Uncle Julian!"

Sweating, he rushed out of the room without looking back.

Left alone, Anna felt her heart pounding. Her body trembled. Julian... had he really just awakened? But hadn't the doctors said he had no chance of survival?

She wanted to go to him, to speak, but her legs refused to move. Panic rose within her, and she fled down the hallway, calling out as loudly as she could, "Mrs. Miller! Julian opened his eyes!"

The housekeeper rushed to her side, though her tone softened, sounding almost resigned.

"Do not worry, Mrs. Ashford. Mr. Ashford opens his eyes every day, but it is only a reflex. The doctors believe there is little hope for someone in his condition to ever truly regain consciousness."

Anna still felt unsettled, but she nodded.

"Would it be alright if I left the lights on tonight? I... feel a bit scared."

"Of course," Mrs. Miller replied kindly. "Try to get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll need to visit the old manor and meet Mrs. Hilary Ashford."

After leaving the room, Anna changed into her pajamas and sat quietly at the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on the unmoving man before her. Even in stillness, Julian's stern features held an almost daunting sense of nobility. She passed her hand in front of his face, but he didn't respond.

"What are you thinking about, Julian?" she whispered.

A deep sadness washed over her. Her own hardships now seemed insignificant compared to everything he had endured.

"Please wake up soon," she pleaded softly. "If Noah gets control of your fortune, it would be a disgrace. You wouldn't find peace."

As she spoke, Julian's eyelids slowly twitched.

Anna froze.

Had he heard her?

With her heart pounding, she lay down beside him, unsettled by the thought.

No matter what happened, she was now Mrs. Ashford. As long as this marriage continued, no one could humiliate her. But what would become of her once Julian's death unleashed the family's greed?

She clenched her fists, determined. She needed to use her status while she still could and reclaim everything that had been stolen from her. Those who had broken her spirit would one day pay for what they had done.

The following morning at eight, Mrs. Miller escorted her to the old manor. In the wide living room, the whole Ashford family had assembled. Anna bowed politely and poured the tea with careful hands, her refined manners clearly pleasing Hilary, Julian's mother.

"How did you sleep?" Hilary asked, her smile gentle.

Anna felt warmth rise to her cheeks.

"Very well," she answered.

"And Julian? He didn't trouble you?"

"No," Anna replied softly. "He didn't move all night."

She chose not to admit that, while she slept, she had instinctively clung to him as if he were a warm pillow.

Hilary nodded and signaled to a maid, who brought over a violet box. Opening it, Hilary presented Anna with a delicately crafted bracelet.

"This piece of jewelry will look beautiful with your complexion. Do you like it?"

Surprised, Anna did not dare to refuse with everyone watching.

"Yes. Thank you very much."

Hilary's smile grew broader.

"I know your situation is difficult," Hilary began. "With Julian in this state, you cannot expect the care a husband should give. Still, you can be of great help to him..."

Her voice grew more serious.

"Julian had never had a romantic life. Now time was running out for him, and he had never been given the chance to start a family. I wanted you to give him a child, Anna, so that his lineage could continue."

Anna sat frozen in shock. The room grew silent until Enzo, Julian's elder brother, finally spoke.

"Mother, his condition likely means he is infertile."

But Hilary gave a short, humorless laugh.

"I have more than one solution. With all that Julian owns, he must leave behind an heir. Even a daughter would do."

All eyes turned at once to Anna.

The atmosphere in the living room had settled heavily over Anna. Her heart pounded nervously, and she felt every gaze fixed on her.

"You are still a college student, are you not?" Enzo's wife spoke with a forced smile. "If you have a child now, it will jeopardize your studies."

Enzo quickly supported her point, eager to strengthen the case. "Yes, Anna is too young to give up her education and stay home with a baby."

Hilary remained composed, as if she could see through their every word. She understood exactly what her son and daughter-in-law were thinking, and that was why she held firm. An heir had to be secured, no matter the cost.

She turned toward Anna and asked her without any pretense, "Are you prepared to give Julian a child? Remember, if you do, you will inherit all of his fortune. You and he will never want for anything."

"Yes," Anna answered without hesitation.

She gave her answer firmly. She would never allow Noah to claim a share of the Ashford estate. And even if she objected, the family held enough influence to force her compliance.

A look of satisfaction brightened Hilary's face.

"I knew you were wiser than all those foolish women who never realized what there was to gain from Julian's death."

After finishing tea, Anna left the old mansion. The sunlight bathed everything in warmth, and the sound of cicadas filled the air. As soon as she stepped outside, Noah appeared in front of her.

The sight of his face twisted something inside her.

"Mrs. Miller, please take these gifts home," Anna said.

The housekeeper nodded, took the boxes, and walked away. Once they were alone, Noah leaned in and whispered, "You're hurting me, Anna! You've never let me get close, and now you're willing to have Uncle Julian's child!"

Anna responded with a cold laugh.

"This child will secure my claim to everything he is set to inherit. Why would I turn down such an opportunity?"

Noah's face lost all color, and his lips trembled as he replied, "You could have my child instead and pretend it was my uncle's! Even if Grandmother discovered the truth, she would never dare force you to end the pregnancy."

Anna's ironic smile faded at once.

"You are acting recklessly, Noah. Chasing ambition without any foresight only ends in disaster. You know just as well as I do that Julian's men show no mercy. Even now, they're waiting for him to return. If you tried to fool them, do you really believe they would let you walk away alive?"

Her cold words struck him deeply. He understood all too well the fierce loyalty his uncle's men possessed. After the accident, they had kept a low profile, but they never truly disappeared.

"I was only joking," he stammered, trying to regain his composure. "It doesn't matter whether the child is his or mine. Once he's gone, I'll treat the child as my own."

Anna sighed and shot back sharply, "That child would be your cousin, Noah. He's your uncle's, after all."

He fell silent, stunned by her words.

"Let's not fight," he insisted, his voice tense. "We can talk about this after he's gone."

"And what if he never dies?" Anna asked with a sharp glint in her eyes. "Will you wait for me forever?"

He could not answer. Anna, brimming with contempt, gave him one last look.

"I have to return now. Your grandmother has already arranged for a doctor to go check on your uncle."

Back at the manor, two medical practitioners awaited her. They hurried her to the hospital for tests.

If she happened to be ovulating, they would collect her eggs. If not, they planned to use an injection to stimulate her body.

"Please do not worry, Mrs. Ashford," one of the doctors said in a calm, reassuring tone. "There may be some pain, but once you deliver Mr. Julian's child, your position in this family will be firmly secured."

As Anna lay on the medical bed, her heart pounded wildly.

"How long will it take for... it to work?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"It's hard to say," the doctor replied. "If you're lucky, three or four months might be enough. Otherwise... it could take much longer."

She paused briefly before adding gently, "You're still young, Anna. Everything will turn out fine."

The weeks passed quickly. Autumn settled over Avonsville, bringing cool showers and golden skies.

One evening, after finishing her shower, Anna stepped out of the bathroom. She sat on the edge of the bed, opened a small jar of cream she had just bought, and gently applied it to her face.

She glanced over at Julian, who remained motionless in his large bed.

"Julian," she murmured, "would you like me to put some on you as well? The air is so dry lately..."

Without waiting for a reply, she moved closer and sat beside him. She dabbed some cream onto her fingertips and gently massaged it into his cold skin.

Right then, his eyelids fluttered, and his eyes snapped open.

Anna caught her breath. She was not unfamiliar with these brief awakenings-he occasionally opened his eyes, but the vividness of his gaze always startled her. Yet this time, something felt different. His amber irises, bright as gemstones, appeared to ignite with a fresh intensity.

"Did I press too hard?" Anna asked, unsettled. "I don't think I did..."

She kept massaging his face, her lips moving with words meant as much for herself as for him.

"I read online that you've never had a girlfriend because of a certain illness... But I have nothing to find fault with. Your arms are strong... your legs are sturdy..."

She gently tapped his limbs, as if to underscore her words.

Suddenly, she thought she heard something-a deep voice, faint but unmistakably real.

Anna froze, her heart racing.

"Julian? Did you say something?!"

She jerked backward, her eyes wide with shock. The look he gave her was no longer vacant. It brimmed with anger, hatred, and suspicion.

"Mrs. Miller!" Anna cried out, breathless as she hurried down the stairs. "Mrs. Miller, Julian is awake! He spoke! He's really awake!"

Her cheeks turned bright red, and her chest heaved with excitement. She felt certain that Julian had truly regained consciousness.

Her shouts stirred the entire house. Mrs. Miller, the doctor, and the bodyguard all rushed in. Before long, the manor was buzzing with activity.

No one had dared to believe it could happen. Yet there was Julian Ashford, his eyes open, breathing, and speaking.

"I knew you would come back to us, my son!" Hilary exclaimed, tears streaming down her face.

"It's a miracle," Enzo added. "You have no idea how terrified we've been... Mother lost sleep, and even her hair turned gray."

After a quick examination, the doctor confirmed the impossible.

"It's truly remarkable. Last time, there were no signs of recovery. Now, with proper rehabilitation, he will regain his strength quickly."

The news came so suddenly that Hilary fainted. Enzo caught her just in time and led her out of the room.

Inside, only Anna remained, frozen by the door, and Julian, propped against the pillow, his eyes cold and sharp.

He fixed his piercing gaze on her.

"Who is she?" he asked, his deep voice laced with contempt.

The doctor froze, his words caught in his throat, and he could not bring himself to respond. Mrs. Miller, with her head bowed, replied quietly, "Master Julian... she's your wife. Mrs. Hilary arranged your marriage while you were ill. Her name is Anna..."

Julian's lips parted only slightly. His voice, icy and emotionless, cut through the silence like a sentence. "Get her out of here."

Anna instinctively retreated, stunned by the cold fury in Julian's eyes. While he slept, he appeared fragile, but awake, he radiated the silent threat of a predator.

Mrs. Miller quietly closed the door and offered Anna a reassuring look while Anna stood motionless, like a hunted animal.

"Do not be afraid, Ms. Anna. Master Julian has only just returned to consciousness. He needs time to recover. For tonight, please rest in the guest room. We shall see tomorrow. And keep in mind: Hilary holds you in high esteem. You are not without support."

Despite the gentle words, Anna's thoughts raced. She had prepared herself for the possibility of Julian's death, not for his sudden return to life.

"My things are still in his room..." she whispered, uncertain if she should retrieve her possessions.

Julian's hostility had already convinced her she might never belong in this house. She wondered if it was best to leave before being cast out.

Mrs. Miller responded with a tired sigh.

"Leave them for now. I'll collect them and bring them to you tomorrow."

Anna simply nodded, weighed down by a sense of dread.

"Are you frightened by him?" she asked abruptly.

"I have served him for many years," Mrs. Miller replied. "He can be intimidating, yes, but he has never done me harm."

Anna did not answer. She wore his ring, but in truth, this was the first time they truly faced each other. It was only natural for her to feel distant.

Anna barely slept that night. Julian's unexpected awakening had upended everything she had prepared for.

The following day, Mrs. Miller came at eight and handed Anna her belongings.

"It's time for breakfast," she announced. "Master Julian is already at the table. You should join him."

"I doubt he wants me there," Anna replied, unable to hide her bitterness.

"Come anyway. When I mentioned Hilary's fondness for you, he didn't object. Maybe today he'll show some willingness to accept you."

With no other choice, Anna made her way to the dining room. Julian waited, seated in a wheelchair, posture upright and frame imposing despite his condition.

Anna sat down quietly, nerves on edge, as silence lingered between them. At last, he lifted his dark, unreadable gaze to meet hers.

"Morning, Julian. I am... I'm Anna Hart," she managed to say, her voice unsteady.

Julian lifted his coffee and took a slow sip before speaking in a voice as cold as ice. "I've been told you may be carrying my child."

Anna's stomach twisted into a tight knot.

"Which do you prefer? A surgical procedure or medication for the abortion?"

He delivered the words with chilling detachment, and the impact left Anna pale and speechless.

Mrs. Miller quickly stepped in, her tone gentle but firm. "Master Julian, this was all your mother's idea. Anna had no part in the decision."

"Don't use my mother as a tool to sway me," he snapped, shutting down the explanation.

He turned on Anna just as she tried to respond.

"Who said you could use my name?"

"Would you rather I call you 'darling'?" She tried to deflect, half in irony, half in desperation.

Anger flashed in his eyes. Anna, realizing her mistake, rushed to clarify.

"I'm not pregnant. My period started this morning. If you don't believe me, you can ask Mrs. Fisher, the housekeeper."

Julian offered no reply. He simply took another drink of his coffee.

Anna finished her breakfast in silence and stood up, the oppressive atmosphere in the house pressing in on her from all sides.

"Get the paperwork ready. We'll be getting a divorce soon," Julian said coldly.

She halted, unsurprised by the announcement.

"When will it happen?" she asked.

"In a few days," he answered. "Not until my mother's health improves."

"All right. Just let me know," she replied, then quietly returned to her room.

A short while later, she gathered her bag and headed downstairs... only to find Noah standing awkwardly in the foyer.

The young man approached Julian's chair, as tense as a child caught misbehaving.

"Uncle Julian," he said, forcing a respectful tone, "my parents are with Grandma at the hospital. Dad asked me to check in on you. I brought some supplements."

Without a word, Julian gestured to his bodyguard, who accepted the box and promptly tossed it into the trash.

"Uncle Julian!" Noah protested. "Those are high-quality products! If you don't want them, I can bring something else..."

A vicious strike to Noah's legs sent him crashing to his knees.

The sound startled Anna, who flinched in alarm.

Julian, holding a cigarette between his fingers, gazed down at his nephew with icy detachment.

"Are you disappointed to see that I survived?" he asked.

Noah began to tremble.

"N-no, of course not! I'm actually relieved..."

"So you're contradicting me now? Julian interrupted, his tone deceptively calm but dripping with menace. "Do you also deny paying off my lawyer?"

He let the ash from his cigarette fall, watching as it landed on Noah's pale face.

"Leave. If you test my patience again, I'll feed you to the dogs."

Panic seized Noah and he staggered out of the manor in terror.

Anna, left reeling by the harsh encounter, felt a wave of fear sweep through her. Even someone as repugnant as Noah had become utterly powerless before Julian. She silently vowed never to draw his wrath.

Clutching her bag, Anna hurried out of the house.

At the hospital, she confessed to her doctor that her period had been late and oddly light. The doctor ordered an ultrasound for her.

An hour later, Anna received the results.

There was no sign of uterine bleeding, but the ultrasound revealed a gestational sac.

Anna stared at the screen, frozen in disbelief.

She was pregnant.

The diagnosis struck her like a blow: since she had experienced some bleeding, steps needed to be taken to safeguard the pregnancy.

"Doctor, what if I don't want to keep the baby?" she asked, panicked.

The prospect horrified her. With divorce looming, the idea of carrying Julian's child felt like the worst possible outcome.

The doctor fixed her with a serious look.

"Do you know how many women long for a pregnancy and never get the chance? Why would you turn away from what life has given you?"

Anna lowered her gaze, at a loss for words.

"Where is your husband?" the doctor pressed. "Even if you don't want the child, you should discuss it with him."

Anna's brow furrowed in frustration.

"You're only twenty-one," the doctor continued, glancing at her file. "Are you not married?"

"I'd rather not be," she whispered under her breath.

"In any case, an abortion is never a trivial procedure," the doctor said calmly. "You need to think very carefully before deciding. No matter what your relationship with the father may be, the child is innocent."

He handed her the medical file and concluded, "With this bleeding, the outcome of the pregnancy is still uncertain. If you wish to protect the baby, I can prescribe treatment. However, you will need to remain on bed rest for an entire week and then return for a follow-up examination."

Anna hesitated, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

"What do I need to do to save them?" she finally asked.

The doctor allowed himself a faint smile.

"That sounds like a change of heart. You're young and healthy, and your child will likely be just as strong. Take the medication, get plenty of rest, and we'll see how things progress."

Beneath the harsh glare of the sun, Anna stepped out of the hospital, drained and soaked in cold sweat. She wandered without direction, her thoughts in chaos. One truth settled heavily in her mind: Julian could never find out about the pregnancy. If he did, he would not hesitate to force her onto an operating table.

She took a taxi to her Uncle Morgan's house. After her parents' divorce, her mother, Ambre Garcia, had moved in with her brother.

Zoé, Morgan's wife, met Anna at the door. Her welcoming smile vanished the instant she noticed Anna had arrived empty-handed.

"Really? Not even a small present?" Zoé scoffed. "I heard you spoiled your father with expensive gifts, but you show up here with nothing?"

Anna's cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Zoé. I'll bring something next time."

"There's no need!" Zoé snapped, her voice cold. "The Ashfords must have cast you out. If Julian actually cared about you, you wouldn't be running back here for shelter."

Ambre quickly stepped in to defend her daughter. "Even if Anna left that family, that's no excuse to humiliate her!"

Zoé shot back, "Oh, spare me, Ambre. You're living in my roof. If you're not happy, the door is open."

Ambre's face flushed with anger, but she kept quiet. Anna, distressed by the argument, leaned close to her mother.

"Mom, maybe it's time for you to find a place of your own. I have some money saved..."

Ambre didn't hesitate. "Alright. I'll start packing my bags now."

Within half an hour, the two of them had left the house and climbed into a taxi.

"Don't worry about me, Anna," Ambre said bitterly as they rode away. "I've got some savings put aside. The only reason I stayed there was because your grandmother wanted someone to care for her. Otherwise, I would have left ages ago."

Anna stared down at her hands.

"Aunt Zoé wasn't completely wrong. I'll be divorcing Julian in a few days."

Ambre looked stunned for a moment, then gently squeezed her daughter's hand.

"It's not the end of the world. You still have your studies. Once the divorce is final, you can focus on your degree."

Anna nodded. "Yes. And I'm not going back to the Harts. From now on, it will just be us-living together."

Anna kept her pregnancy secret, determined not to burden her mother with any more worries.

When she returned to Ashford Manor that evening, she found the house shrouded in a strange, oppressive quiet. Mrs. Miller emerged unexpectedly from the shadows, causing Anna to jump in surprise.

"Have you had dinner, Ms. Anna? I left some food out for you. I also brought you a few tampons, just in case."

"Thank you. I've already eaten. Why is it so quiet tonight? Isn't Julian here?"

Mrs. Miller shook her head. "No, he's not. The doctor told him to rest, but as usual, he ignored the advice. No one can control him."

Anna nodded, already well aware of Julian's stubborn pride and refusal to listen to anyone. Any sympathy she once felt for him had long since vanished.

That night, she lay awake, turning over thoughts of the child inside her. Her worry only grew deeper.

The next morning, Anna avoided leaving her room, afraid she might run into Julian. At half past nine, Mrs. Miller came to her door and knocked gently.

"He just left, Ms. Anna. You can come down for breakfast now," Mrs. Miller informed her.

Anna couldn't help but smile, grateful for the housekeeper's kindness.

After eating, she received a call from a classmate who needed an urgent translation. The payment was generous, but the job had to be finished by noon. Anna accepted without hesitation.

By eleven thirty, she had completed the work, reviewed the file, and was about to send it off. Suddenly, her laptop froze, the screen flashed blue, then faded to black. The entire system crashed.

Luckily, Anna had saved the document on a USB stick. All she needed was access to another computer.

She hurried to Mrs. Miller and explained, "My computer just broke. Is there another one I could use in the house?"

"Yes, but it's Master Julian's," Mrs. Miller replied.

Anna's heart went cold at the thought.

"It will only take a minute to send it. I doubt he'd mind if it's just for a moment." The housekeeper tried to reassure her, sensing her distress. "You're pressed for time, aren't you?"

Anna glanced at the clock-eleven fifty.

Determined, Anna climbed to Julian's office. The room had been left undisturbed, locked away throughout all the months of his coma. Her hands shook as she powered on the computer.

To her astonishment, it didn't ask for a password. The screen flickered to life right away.