The Captives of Love

Chapter 1

I discovered my husband Mathias's secret on that night three months ago.

It was a breezy summer night, and a power outage had interrupted the article I was writing. Perhaps due to the persistent rainy days lately, my migraine had flared up again. After taking a sleeping pill, I went to bed early.

Our apartment was on a high floor, so we never had issues with insects. Yet, I felt an incessant itch on my face, as if something was lightly brushing against it. Annoyed, I waved my hand, only to be cut by something sharp.

The pain jolted me awake, and I opened my eyes in confusion. What I saw were a pair of bloodshot eyes staring intently at me. I screamed and scrambled to the other side of the bed.

My husband, Mathias, remained in the same position, holding a gleaming fruit knife. His body was bent in a twisted posture, and his expressionless face was almost touching my pillow. It was his bangs that had woken me up.

Fear consumed me instantly. I was too scared to make a sound and just trembled in the corner. Was this sleepwalking? Or did he really intend to kill me? My mind was a chaotic mess, unable to think clearly.

I didn't know how much time had passed when Mathias suddenly moved. The knife in his hand slowly descended, embedding deeply into the thick carpet. Watching him collapse onto the bed, I didn't dare make a sound and fled the room.

I stood at the street corner, lost in thought for a long time before deciding to go to my best friend's place. Clara and I had always been close, but after getting married, I had gradually distanced myself from her, focusing on my married life. Now, I truly realized the value of friendship.

The next day, Clara accompanied me back home, my heart racing with anxiety. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Mathias's handsome, gentle face. He was as gentle as ever, placing a fried egg on a plate, showing no sign of the terrifying behavior from last night. But the itching wound on my hand reminded me of how terrifying he had been.

After hearing Clara's account, an indescribable expression flashed across Mathias's face. But he quickly composed himself and smiled lightly. "Hannah, you must have had a nightmare. The cut on your hand happened while you were chopping vegetables yesterday. Look, the bandage is still in the trash can."

I was stunned and looked at the bandage stained with dark red blood. It lay in the trash can, mocking my suspicious mind. Clara also tried to comfort me before heading to work. I stared at Mathias's perfect smile for a long time before heading to work myself.

Sitting at my desk, typing busily, my thoughts drifted far away. "Hannah, did you see yesterday's news?" A colleague approached with a gossiping look. I wasn't in the mood for gossip and just shook my head dismissively. The colleague didn't mind and continued with enthusiasm.

"A husband cheated and killed his entire family in their sleep, even his twin sons! The scene was gruesome; the bodies were so decomposed they were stuck to the floor. The police had to scrape them off!"

I was stunned, a sense of dread rising in my chest. Seeing my pale face, the colleague quickly added, "Oh, it's just a jerk. Hannah, your husband picks you up from work every day. He seems like a good man."

Yes, we've been married for two years, and our relationship has always been as sweet as when we first started dating. Maybe it really was just a nightmare. Feeling slightly relieved, I quickly finished my work and took a leave to go home early. To make up for it, I even bought a small cake on the way.

Holding the cake, I opened the door to see a familiar figure standing at the window, back facing me. I smiled and approached, hugging him gently. "Why are you home so early?"

Mathias slowly turned around, and I instinctively glanced up. My smile froze. His eyes were rolled back, showing only the whites, with eerie blood vessels, almost obscuring his pupils. In his hand was the knife that had cut me the previous night, still stained with suspicious blood.

I instinctively took a step back, dropping the cake, which splattered on the floor. He didn't seem to want to let me go, lurching towards me in a strange way. My survival instinct kicked in, and I quickly grabbed anything within reach to throw at him. Soon, the room was in chaos.

Seizing the moment when a cushion hit him, I dashed towards the door and fled. Only after catching my breath at a nearby café did I shakily ask a passerby to call the police.

The police arrived quickly, approaching cautiously with their protective shields. They kicked open my apartment's door, but the room was empty and immaculate, with no sign of a struggle. Even the broken tea set was neatly arranged back on the table.

The police gave me a suspicious look and called Mathias. He arrived soon after, looking a bit tired. "I've been preparing lessons at school the whole day. The school has surveillance cameras; you can check."

The police reviewed the footage and found that Mathias was indeed at school, just as he had said. I looked at my husband, who continued apologizing to the police, in disbelief, but I couldn't let my guard down. Something was definitely wrong.

Chapter 2

I quickly told Clara about the situation.

Clara looked a bit tense but still comforted me thoughtfully.

I clenched her hand tightly, my fingertips devoid of any warmth.

At this point, my best friend was the only one I could rely on.

I told her my plan, but she shook her head in fear.

"Hannah, have you been too tired lately? Even the surveillance footage is there; how could it be fake?"

I knew she was right.

But every time this thought crossed my mind, the eerie scenes from that time would flash before my eyes.

"I have to follow him and see what he's really up to. Clara, if it turns out that I'm the one with the problem, having you by my side will keep me safe!"

Seeing my determination, Clara had no choice but to sigh, tie her flaxen hair into a ponytail, and say with determination.

"Alright! I'll join you in this madness one more time!"

My eyes welled up with tears, and I leaned gently on her shoulder.

I knew Clara would definitely help me.

Soon after, I took leave from my editor and secretly followed my husband in the car Clara lent me.

It wasn't until evening that Mathias, who claimed he had a seminar to attend, finally emerged from the school.

Ha, he even told me he was staying in the dorm to avoid disturbing me.

I gripped the steering wheel tightly and followed him immediately.

Mathias's car drove further and further away, eventually stopping at the entrance of a psychiatric hospital.

A psychiatric hospital? Could he have some mental illness?

Clara and I exchanged a glance and then sneaked into the hospital by climbing over the wall.

Perhaps it was because the place was used to being unguarded, our sneaking in went surprisingly smoothly, without encountering a single security guard.

We crouched to avoid the windows of the duty room and quietly slipped into the building.

But Mathias walked quickly, and we lost him as soon as we got inside.

In the darkness, I shuddered and clung tightly to Clara's sleeve, asking if she heard any strange sounds.

Clara just shook her head in confusion and looked at me with increasing concern.

"Hannah, have you not been resting well lately?"

I paused and massaged my aching temples.

Indeed, I hadn't slept well for days.

But I was also very clear that my condition hadn't reached the point of hallucinations.

Clara didn't say much more, just took out a spray bottle and spritzed some on my forehead.

"I get like this when I work overtime too. Here, this is what I often use; it might help."

The faint scent of mint calmed my nerves considerably.

We wandered around the hospital like headless chickens and unknowingly stumbled into the morgue.

The cold air from the mortuary cabinets made me want to flee.

But I felt a strange compulsion to open one and take a look.

Could it be... hidden here?

Just as my fingers touched the handle, footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the door.

Oh no! It's the security!

The sound grew closer, and there was nowhere to hide.

I scanned the room and spotted two ventilation ducts not far away.

They were very narrow but could barely fit one person.

I pointed to the other duct, signaling Clara to split up and escape. Without waiting for her response, I crawled into the duct.

After crawling through the duct for what felt like ages, I finally saw an exit.

In the dim light, I could make out the furnishings of the room.

It was clearly a records room.

An old-fashioned, dimly lit pendant lamp hung from the ceiling, indicating that this psychiatric hospital had a long history.

I calmed my pounding heart, quietly closed the door, and began to search the shelves one by one.

Most of the shelves were covered in a thick layer of dust, except for one that was recently polished.

My eyes quickly scanned from top to bottom, finally stopping on a blue file folder hidden in the lower right corner.

Seeing the familiar name on it, my breath caught, and I hurriedly opened it.

The patient had schizophrenia, accompanied by sleepwalking and violent tendencies...

I bit my lip, feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

I never expected that my husband had a hereditary mental illness!

Before I could recover from his deception, I saw an even more shocking note.

Died on... June 15th!

My eyes widened, staring at the four large characters written in red ink.

The handwriting was very sloppy, but the force was so strong that it went through the paper.

Today... is July 15th.

If the record was true, my husband had been dead for a month!

Then who was the person who had been with me all this time?

Chapter 3

I steadied my trembling hand and quickly took a photo as evidence.

Just as I was about to leave, someone suddenly patted my shoulder.

I jumped instinctively and threw a punch.

"Hannah, it's me!"

Clara dodged my attack, her face pale with fright.

I hurriedly hugged her, anxiously asking where she had been.

But Clara just looked at me suspiciously.

"You really scared me! Why did you run instead of hiding? And why didn't you answer my calls?"

I swallowed hard and quickly took out my phone.

The signal showed a small cross, indicating it was out of service.

Before I could explain, the patrolling security guard seemed to be heading our way.

What bad luck!

I interrupted Clara, who seemed about to say something, and dragged her outside without a second thought.

Though it was a bit rushed, it was enough.

These pieces of evidence were enough to prove that this so-called "Mathias" was definitely problematic! I spent the night organizing the evidence I had captured, converting the contents of the files into text, working until the first light of dawn.

Although the psychiatric hospital's management was lax, someone might still review the surveillance footage and discover traces of our intrusion.

I had to act quickly and get someone to conduct a thorough investigation.

After being brushed off by the police last time, I couldn't fully trust them. I had no choice but to take the materials to Eliza, a journalist I had long collaborated with.

Upon hearing about my recent experiences, Eliza's eyes immediately gleamed with journalistic acumen.

"Take it easy, let's sit down and discuss this calmly."

She led me to a closed-off break room and personally made tea.

The scent of green tea calmed my nerves considerably.

"So... you suspect that your husband has been replaced?"

I nodded, handing the evidence to Eliza. As she flipped through the files, her expression grew increasingly grave.

If this were true, it involved more than just infidelity-it was a matter of life and death!

"I'll help you investigate this thoroughly. For now, can you write down a brief account of the events for me to record?"

Biting my lip, I took the paper and pen she handed me and began writing.

I worked as a writer for an emotional magazine, often recording stories, so this wasn't difficult for me.

Soon, I had organized the events and handed the notes to Eliza.

Just as she was about to thank me, her gaze suddenly froze.

Puzzled, I looked at her and asked what was wrong.

Eliza quickly composed herself, smiling and shaking her head.

"Wait a moment, I'll get you some more water."

Watching her leave, I fidgeted uneasily on the soft leather sofa in the newsroom, a sense of foreboding rising within me.

That strange look in her eyes... it sent chills down my spine.

Could it be... I dared not think further and grabbed my bag, ready to leave.

But just as I reached for the door, it creaked open.

Standing there was a face I knew all too well.

Mathias!

I looked at him warily, ready to bolt.

But Eliza just looked at me with a complicated expression, holding the photos and notes I had given her.

"Hannah... you should seek treatment soon. It's okay, medicine is very advanced nowadays."

I stared in shock at the two pieces of paper, suddenly realizing something.

The handwriting on both materials was identical...

I opened my mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Mathias's expression remained gentle as he extended his hand to me.

"Hannah, let's go home."

As if possessed, I obediently let him pull me up and lead me back to our familiar house.

Once inside, I could no longer contain my doubts.

Listening to my stammered questions, Mathias just looked at me with a tolerant gaze.

After I had vented my emotions and collapsed on the sofa, he gently wrapped his arm around my shoulder, half-hugging me.

The warm, familiar scent of my husband enveloped me, and my taut nerves gradually relaxed.

He took out his phone and showed me a photo.

The background was still that psychiatric hospital, and the person in the hospital gown... was me!

I looked at my husband in disbelief, hoping for a reasonable explanation.

Mathias gently rubbed my head and began to speak softly.

In his account, I was the one with a hereditary mental illness, and I was the one who had been sent to the psychiatric hospital.

But a few days ago, I had escaped.

The doctor had told him that the new medication I was taking had side effects, causing memory confusion and mixing dreams with reality.

So, my recent "experiences" were likely due to the medication's side effects.

Mathias exhaled slowly, his smile gentle.

"Since you're out, just stay home. I'll take care of you."

Hearing his gentle voice, my eyes welled up with tears.

I threw myself into his arms and cried my heart out.

No matter what, the joy of getting back what I lost saved me from the brink of collapse.

Mathias gently patted my back, letting my tears soak his shoulder.

After venting all my emotions, I calmed down a bit, tracing Mathias's face with my fingertips, and all my remaining doubts vanished.

My husband wiped away my tears and changed the subject with a smile.

"You should thank Clara later. She broke her phone trying to find you."

Thinking of the long list of missed calls, I felt a pang of guilt.

I clenched my fists and silently vowed.

I would definitely get better and live a good life!