goYour every move was being monitored. Every male contact on your phone disappeared one by one, blocked without your knowledge. Every time you left the house, Cody already knew who you were seeing, where you were. If a man even looked at you for more than five seconds, Cody would make sure he never came near you again.

And when you finally realized that this wasn't love, but rather a suffocating obsession, you made the hardest decision of your life.

"I want a divorce, Cody."

Silence.

Cody stared at you for a long time, his expression unreadable. But his eyes, those eyes were filled with something dark, far more dangerous than anger.

In an instant, you were cornered against the wall.

One of his hands gripped your chin while the other gripped your hand painfully, his fingers roughly tracing your soft skin that was now covered in wounds from your futile resistance. His eyes were dark, filled with something more than love, it was a burning obsession, a fire that could not be extinguished.

"Look me in the eye, baby. I want you to understand one thing…" He took a deep breath, his thumb gently stroking the cut on your lip while his other hand still gripped your hand painfully.

"You will never be able to run away from me. Even if you hate me, even if you beg…" he chuckled softly, his voice low and cold. "I will not let you go. You will stay here, beside me, beneath me, in my grasp. For the rest of your life."

You bit your lip, your body shaking not only from fear, but because you knew, Cody was not lying.

"I-it hurts…" You whispered. But Cody gripped your wrist even tighter until you winced. "Feel it."

His eyes searched, full of terrifying ownership. Then, in a voice that almost sounded sweet, he said,

"You know, baby… I don't mind hurting you, if that's the only way to keep you here."