The next day arrives, and I put on my usual act of pretending everything's fine. I watch with a forced smile as Emma and Devon head off to work, completely unaware of what's really going on inside me. They exchange goodbyes and leave happily, but beneath my outward cheerfulness, a deep unease lingers that I can't shake off. As soon as the door closes behind them and they disappear from view, my façade crumbles, revealing a bone-chilling fear that coats my face. I'm left alone with my thoughts, my heart racing and a shiver running down my spine. It's just me now, facing the relentless grip of fear that refuses to let go.With trembling hands, I pick up my phone, staring at the message that has haunted me all morning. Letting out a shaky breath, I read it once more, tears stinging the corners of my eyes which I quickly blink back, pressing my lips together in a tight line."Good morning, Marie. Or should I say, Jessica?" The message reads, and a fierce flash of anger courses through me.
"Didn't I warn you not to tell your husband?" The message reads, and my heart sinks.Oh God, I groan internally, pacing around in the bathroom, my heart pounding and cold sweat breaking all over my body. Taking in a deep breath, I make to reply."I didn't tell him anything. He figured it out on his own." I type back to him, holding my breath as I click on send."He did? So he must've known about us beforehand. You've really progressed in your relationship. But I do not care about that." He replies back and I bite my lower lip, awaiting the next text."When I give you an order, I expect you to follow it to the end. For this, you will be punished so you know I am not joking about this."The message causes me to reel to a stop. What the hell does he mean? Don't you dare! I type back, but I'm almost hyperventilating, my hands shaking. The message doesn't deliver and I know he's out of reach once more. Resisting the urge to pull out my hair in frustration, I turn on the tap and let out a s
With Devon gone, I can't keep pretending to be strong. My legs give way, and I fall to the ground, heart shattered and devastated. For the first time in my entire life, I feel a different kind of fear - the fear of losing Devon to this. It must be what Zachary wanted from the very beginning, hence the order for me to keep it all a secret, knowing fully well it won't work out."Please, don't hate me," I whisper to myself as I cry, tears still streaming down my eyes. "I don't know what I would do without you," I murmur, burying my face in my hands. I don't know for how long I sit there, just crying, but soon the door opens and Devon walks back in. I snap my head up, looking at him through the blurry gaze.His focus is on me, but he is holding something else in his hands. I soon recognize them to be tiny cameras, and my heart skips a beat. Without another word, he destroys them and disposes of them. Then he walks back to me, a furious look on his face. For a while, I'm frozen, just stari
Working hard in my office, my brow furrowed in concentration, as I try to locate Zachary's whereabouts. Just as I'm about to immerse myself in the sea of information, a gentle chime pierces the silence, signaling the arrival of a new message. I glance at my phone, watching it vibrate on the table. Picking it up, I open the message and discover it's a text from Jessica, my wife. My heart skips a beat, a mixture of anticipation and worry flooding through my veins.Upon opening the message, I read it quickly and a frown creeps onto my lips. The message reads, "Heading out to get meds for Emma." However, it sounds strange. Why would she suddenly decide to get medicine for Emma? She has never mentioned this before. With pursed lips, I try to call her, but her phone is unreachable. A nagging suspicion begins to take root in the back of my mind. Something is definitely not right.I stand from my seat, but my phone rings again. This time, it's Emma calling. I quickly answer, pressing the pho
I wake up, my body aching all over, and a throbbing headache pulsates on the side of my head. I glance down, my vision blurry, and I can make out bloodstains on my clothes. I'm soaked to the bone, and my teeth are clattering, the cold seeping into my bones. The lights above me flicker, casting eerie shadows that dance around the room. The air is musty, and the room's smell invades my nose, making me scrunch them up in distaste. Instinctively, I reach out, searching for the gun I had taken earlier in my body, but it's nowhere to be found. Someone must have taken it. Panic bubbles up inside me as I frantically look around. I'm in a windowless room, the dim light adding to the sense of foreboding. There's an empty bed frame at the corner of the room and different kinds of whips are hanging across a rack. How did I get here? The last thing I remember is driving through the rain. I try to move but note to my horror that I've been tied to the chair... Firmly. My wrists secured tightly to t
Warning ⚠️⚠️: Some parts may be triggering to some readers. Readers discretion is advised.Enjoy reading!Reeling from the effects of the electrocution, my entire body convulses uncontrollably. It feels as though a thousand red-hot needles have been thrust into my skin, their fiery tips piercing deep into my muscles. Tears stream down my face, mingling with the sweat that beads on my forehead, creating a salty river that slides down my cheeks. The spot where he shocked me hurts a lot, making it difficult to breathe."That wasn't so bad, was it?" Zachary asks, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. He walks closer to me, his face hovering just before mine. "Look at you screaming, just the way I remember it. Music to my ears.""Fuck you!" I growl, my voice already hoarse from all the screaming."Oh, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be begging me to do exactly that." He utters, his eyes glowing with lust."Not on my life," I mutter underneath my breath, making sure he doesn't hear. He
I notice the exact moment Jessica goes limp in my arms, her words faltering and grip loosening. Stiffening slightly, I pull her away and see her eyes are closed, and she's not moving, dried tears on her terribly pale face. Her body feels cold and lifeless against mine."Jessica?" I call out, gently shaking her, but she's unresponsive. Placing her back on my chest, my gaze darts around, and I start to panic. "Is there a doctor here!? My wife has fainted!" I call out, lifting her up from the floor and cradling her against me as I run out of the underground bunker, careful not to jar her.Once I step outside, the frigid air hits me, the sky is still dark and stormy, but there's no rain anymore. I spot the paramedics amidst and sprint towards them, cradling Jessica's lifeless body in my arms. The biting wind stings my face, but I barely register it. All that matters is getting her the help she desperately needs.They immediately swing into action once they see me coming; their faces are et
The very next day, after taking a shower and feeling refreshed, I head to the hospital. The chaos from yesterday has left me feeling a bit uneasy, and I really want to see Jessica's face to make sure she's okay. I go along with Emma, who has decided to skip school so she can spend more time with her sister—an idea that sounded splendid to me.Getting to her ward, I knock a couple of times before pushing the door open, walking in and meeting her sitting, discussing with the doctor. She sees us, and her face lights up, a gentle smile adorning her face. She looks so much better today, the pallor of her skin replaced by a gentle glow. Emma immediately rushes to her, giving her a quick hug, while I take a more leisurely stride towards her."Good morning," I call out softly, reaching out to kiss her forehead, a rush of affection warming me from the inside out. She smiles at me, her gaze never leaving mine. "How are you feeling?" I ask, holding her hands."I feel much better," she announces,