Stolen Wife

"Fucking useless!" He slapped her one more time and she fell back on the bed.

He pulled her up to her feet and slapped her a second time.

"Stand on your feet when I talk to you!"

Hannah did not realize that they were having a conversation. It looked like she was getting beaten.

Her vision grew blurry and she had to shut and open her eyes a few times to bring the room back into focus.

It didn't feel right that she was standing in a bedroom as big as most people's living quarters, standing atop marble floors and under the warm glow of the chandeliers up ahead.

It didn't feel right that she was wearing a dress that could pay off a person's college tuition. It didn't feel right that she was here.

It didn't feel right that getting beaten was something that she had grown accustomed to.

It didn't feel right that she was with him. Nothing felt right.

"A fucking disappointment! Nothing but a stain on my legacy!"

Hannah swallowed hard and focused her gaze on the floor. She hated her reflection. She didn't recognize that person.

"Did you see those other women, Hannah?"

She knew what was coming next, the comparison.

"Did you see how amazing they looked? How perfectly their bodies fit in the dresses?"

When she did not respond he shoved her and she almost lost her balance.

"Answer me!"

"I saw them" she responded quietly.

"Did you see how you could not compare? See how your ugly self did not even stand a chance next to them?"

"Yes" she replied as her lower lip quivered.

"Ugly thing" he spat.

Her husband was quick to compliment the beauty of other women and even compare her to them but never acknowledged her looks. If anyone else did he would beat her and tear whatever confidence she had in stock.

She hated it. Hated how she had grown accustomed to the situation and how sometimes, when she hit a particular low she would agree with him.

Tonight he hit her because his business partner's wife dressed better than her at a company dinner. Hannah did not understand why that infuriated him.

She didn't even want to be there but she tried to look good and even got compliments on her outfit from the woman in question.

Why wasn't anything enough? She lived in a mansion but woke up every morning feeling suffocated and desperate to escape her gorgeous prison. Theodore had broken her and she knew in time that she might be pushed to take her life.

The blow and the words that followed flooded her mind and spirit with an intense amount of pain. But the pain carried anger that was foreign to her.

Anger born from years of mistreatment. It had begun to blossom in the shadows of her broken heart and watered by the fear that she had lived in for so long. Taking in a deep breath that seemed to hurt her lungs, she pushed the hair from her face and looked up at her husband.

She struggled to fathom how he had changed so much. How did he manage to go from a man she was willing to spend forever with to a raging monster?

What changed? What did she ever do to him?

Theodore continued to rant about how she was a disappointment to him but she couldn't hear him. The world seemed to disappear and all she could think of in that moment was how badly she needed to leave this man.

Fear began to give way to resolve. She was going to leave, dead or alive but she would. She'd had enough. But first, she needed to pacify him.

"I'm sorry " she said meekly.

"You'd be nothing without me, do you know that?"

Hannah nodded. How could she forget when he had a habit of reminding her.

"I know"

"I picked you from the gutters and cleaned you up. You owe your life to me!" He inched closer, "you owe me your obedience and submission!"

"I'm sorry"

"You let that bitch steal the show with her cheap dress!"

Hannah knew there was nothing cheap about the dress that woman wore.

"Why give you money if you can't make me look good in public!"

"It will never happen again"

He scoffed and shook his head. "I knew I should have taken Sierra"

Hannah tried to not cry at the mention of his mistress. It didn't matter, she'd be gone soon anyway and he could turn Sierra to his new punching bag.

"I'm sorry"

Theodore glared at her, unable to find more debasing words. Meanwhile her heart raced as she envisioned the possibility of an escape. The idea was intoxicating and filled her with an adrenaline rush.

She would be free soon. She could almost taste it.

Finally, her husband seemed to calm down.

"Go change. You look like shit. I have to go find a way to make that bastard Collin and his wife pay for what they did to me"

With that, he walked out of the bedroom, slamming the door loudly behind him.

As he left, Gina, her personal maid walked into the room. She rushed to her madam's side and unsure of what action to take just stood and looked at her with eyes full of concern.

"I'll be fine, Gina" Hannah said as she wiped a tear.

"I'm so sorry madam," Gina placed a cautious hand on Hannah's shoulder, "Do you need anything?"

"I'll be fine" Hannah repeated. She assured herself that she would be once she was out of the house. Out of Theodore's grand prison.

"Your face, madam" Gina exclaimed.

"Is there swelling?"

The older woman nodded and Hannah pursed her lips. How many times had she endured bruises and swollen skin she did not know. It had almost become a ritual.

Clear skin today, swollen face the next week.

"What happened?"

"His colleague's wife dressed better than I did tonight" Hannah almost laughed.

She was in pain because her husband took competition way too personal and expected her to act the same. He beat her over a dress that he chose for her because her style was "classless and embarrassing to his person"

Gina cursed Theodore under her breath and Hannah couldn't help but smile even though it hurt to do so. The woman loved her like a daughter and Hannah was grateful.

"I'll get some ice for you"

"A bottle of whiskey would do. I don't need a glass"

Gina looked like she wanted to object but thought better of it.

"I'll have some painkillers brought up as well" she said and Hannah nodded slowly.

Everything hurt.

Gina left the room, giving Hannah one last 'please be strong' look before shutting the door gently behind her.

With Gina gone, Hannah, moving with quiet determination, went into her walk in closet and With trembling hands,gathered a small bag, stuffing in a few essentials.

There was some cash she had secretly saved, clothes, and the precious locket her father had given her before he passed.

Theodore had forced her to stop wearing it because he didn't appreciate cheap, ugly jewelry and beat her when she attempted to defy him.

She prayed to her father to grant her his strength as she placed the locket around her neck. It felt like a talisman against the darkness that had engulfed her life.

"Soon," Hannah whispered to herself as she put the bag away, "soon"

The living room was modest and homely, the type of environment to place anyone at ease but Ramon Garcia was a far cry from being at ease.

He paced the small confines of the living room, anxiety twisting his gut and worry filling his heart as he watched his sister.

The eleven-year-old lay on the couch, her eyes barely open. The sunlight phased through the closed curtains and cast a hue on her pale skin that made her appear even more sickly.

He watched her stifle a groan. Theresa did not want him to know she was in pain but he knew better and had to force his tears to stay at bay. The poor girl was going through what no child ever should.

Sometimes he feared he would never get to see her play and boss him around. Loss had been a familiar companion to him but he knew losing his sister would kill him.

She was restless but too tired to even toss and turn. The burden that came with the situation felt particularly unbearable today as he stared at the small pile of medical bills on the dining table.

Theresa needed surgery and there was only so much a carpenter could afford, the bank would not even grant him a loan. It was the kind of money that they were certain he could not repay no matter he assured them that he could.

The last time he was at the bank he was escorted out by security for causing a scene. He cried in his car for a good ten minutes afterward.

The clock was ticking and the doctors had given him a grim ultimatum. If he could not afford the surgery, he would have to afford to bury his sister. The last member of his family.

His heart clenched painfully as he knelt next to his sister, brushing a wet strand of hair off her forehead. She looked just like their mother but had their father's eyes. He wished his parents were here. It would have been easier.

"Hey, T," he whispered, forcing a smile, though it felt brittle against the backdrop of his fears. "How are you feeling chica?"

She opened her eyes slowly and forced a smile of her own. Ramon could picture the beautiful woman she'd grow into someday. He would not let her die. She had too much to live for.

"I'm good, Hermano," she murmured, her voice filled with weariness, "I just feel a little tired"

"Theresa....."

She placed a comforting hand on his face and smiled. "I'm fine. It's your terrible cooking that's making me this way"

Ramon chuckled. Even in pain she still tried to make him smile. He had to look away to wipe a stray tear.

"My cooking isn't that bad, chica"

"Yes, it is. You need a girlfriend"

"What if i like boys?"

"As long as he cooks better than you I'll take it"

He fought back the swell of emotion. He had to be strong for her. "I'm going to take care of you, prometo," he vowed, squeezing her hand gently, wishing he could take the burden away.

"Do you think I'll see mama and papa when I get to heaven?"

The thought of her death and hearing her expect to die destroyed whatever strength he was holding on to.

"You stop that! You stop saying that right now!" His eyes began to flood, "I will not bury you! You hear me? I won't let anything happen to you. I'll save you"

"Sé que lo harás," she kissed him on the cheek, "I see you trying, Ramon. Gracias"

Ramon wrapped his arms around her and cried. He felt powerless-a feeling he loathed.

The medicine costs had mounted and desperation gnawed at him. He had never felt this way before. Suddenly he was willing to make choices he never thought he would.

He had always been a honest man that took pride in his morals but he was willing to toss that moral compass in the ocean. No morals compared to his sister's life.

She let her hand feel the shimmering silk fabrics of the dresses that hung on the racks. She'd been shopping here since she married Theodore and thought it was a perfect place to enact her plan.

Her heart pounded, the beat of rebellion

thrumming in her chest and head. She recalled her joy the first time she made a purchase here. But now, the opulent establishment seemed to remind her of a life she was desperate to escape.

She smiled tensely at the other shoppers while her eyes darted to the huge guards that her husband placed to watch her every move.

"Welcome, Madam Hannah" one of the workers greeted.

It was a young lady a few years younger than her, the name tag on her shirt read 'Dalia'. She wondered if Dalia looked at her with wonder and envy?

She wondered if the girl looked at the designer clothes, the expensive cars and bodyguards and wished that it was her.

"Thank you, Dalia"

"Is there anything in particular that I can help you find? We had some new items brought in from France just the other day"

"Is that right?"

Hannah tried to lengthen the conversation so the guards would get bored and it seemed to be working.

"Yes, ma'am. I believe you'll find them worth a look"

"Where did you place them?"

"I could lead you there"

Hannah laughed and shook her head. "Just point me in the right direction. I like to connect with the clothes on my own"

Dalia had a momentary look of confusion on her face but quickly checked herself and smiled.

"Of course," she pointed straight ahead, "Just right down this aisle ma'am"

"Thank you, Dalia" Hannah turned to the guards, "You two wait here"

Both men exchanged nervous glances. The first guard cleared his throat, mentally weighing his words.

"With all due respect, ma'am that's not possible"

"As impossible as you losing your job, Marco?" Hannah made sure she looked as menacing and commanding as possible. She hated talking to her employees like that but what she needed to do was more important.

"I.... I meant no disrespect madam. I apologize"

"As you should," she said and waved a dismissive hand, "Go find something to do. You can do your jobs without ruining my shopping experience"

Their muscles seemed to twitch under their well tailored suits. She knew that these were trained security personnel that she had to slip past. She had to be swift, quiet and brave if she truly needed to slip through the cracks of her gilded cage.

Marco and his colleague looked at each other again and nodded.

"Of course, madam" He said with a short bow.

Hannah watched as they walked away but not too far enough to let her out of their sight. That was fine. It was something that she could still work with.

The chandeliers cast a warm glow over her and seemed to encourage her. She gently tapped the small bag that she hung over her shoulder. Nobody had questioned the bag, she was the madam after all and she could do as she liked.

Hannah thought of what she placed in there. It was not much but it was enough to buy her freedom. She could almost feel her heart breathe as she envisioned the icy grip of her husband over her soul loosen.

She paused near a display of shimmering gowns, her breath coming quick and shallow as she weighed her options. The guards' laughter, a melodic yet jarring sound, echoed off the marble floors.

She was grateful for whatever amused them and as one turned momentarily, she seized her chance, slipping past the cluster of shoppers enthralled by the latest collection of clothes.

She had been coming to the store for so long she knew the building pattern. She made a run for the rear exit and all but threw the door open and began running down the street; blending in with the people that filled the roads.

The more she ran, the more the cool air hit her face like a splash of cold water. Was this freedom? Hannah ran half laughing and was almost tempted to kiss a random stranger from the joy of it all.

She was free. It felt invigorating and yet terrifying.

The world was a chaotic blur. She had been so confined for so long that everything felt alien. The guards must have realized that she was missing by now or at least suspicious of her whereabouts. She needed to get off the street.

Taking a deep breath and encouraging herself to be brave, she rounded an isolated corner. Her heart pounded like a drum in her ears and her footsteps echoed against the pavement.

It was then that she saw him.

A handsome man standing by a car that seemed like it needed to visit the mechanic a lot more, his silhouette striking against the sunlight.

He took several steps towards Hannah who was too terrified to move. Her pulse quickened as she noticed the gun that in his hand.

"I don't want to hurt you ma'am" he began as he made the gun a lot more visible, "rich girls like you have no business being around here"

Rich girls? Did he know her? Did Theodore send him?

"Theodore won't like you pointing that at me," she almost started crying, "I'll go back just don't kill me"

"I don't know what you're talking about lady. Get in the car"

Theodore didn't send him? Was she really getting kidnapped?

"Get in," he commanded, his voice low and firm, eyes cold and calculating, "I don't want to have to hurt you but if you give me a reason......"

He cocked his gun to pass his point across.

Hannah's instincts screamed at her to run, but her body betrayed her. Fear and adrenaline surged through her veins, freezing her in place.

What did he want? She glanced frantically around the street, searching for help, but the bustling crowd seemed oblivious to her plight.

"Now!" he barked, taking a step closer, gun unwavering.

She felt her heart drop. She thought of the guards, if she'd stayed put she would have avoided getting into this chaos in the first place.

But as she glimpsed the threat in his stance, the resolve in his dark eyes, she felt the stark realization that getting in the car was her only option.

With shaky breath and wobbly legs, she edged closer and opened the door, slipping inside the car. The smell of leather filled her nostrils, mixed with something distinctly masculine.

The man slid into the driver's seat beside her, the engine purring to life as he slammed the door shut and locked it.

Panic fluttered in her chest as she caught sight of one of the guards from the boutique, scanning the street. Her blood turned to ice.

"Wait!" she cried, adrenaline fueling her voice as her mind raced. "You can't drive away yet-they'll see us!" She bit down on her lip, "They'll see me"

His jaw tightened, and for a split second, she caught a glimpse of something beneath-an unspoken worry? "Keep your head down"

Hannah obeyed and as he pressed on the gas, Ramon wondered why this woman would gladly pick being kidnapped over being saved by her own bodyguards.