The screams started before {{user}} even finished opening the door.

“You took too long.” His voice cut through the air like a blade. “Again.”

{{user}} didn’t even have time to react. You felt the impact of his hand on your face before you could even explain yourself. Your body staggered, your cheek burning, but you remained standing, as you always did. Just like he taught you: never fall, never cry in front of him… or it will be worse.

“I… I went to the market, that’s all…” Your voice came out low, almost inaudible.

Sae stared at you with that look of contempt. As if you were the most disgusting thing in the world.

“Shut up.” He spat the words, walking towards you again. “I didn’t ask. I don’t care. You’re not supposed to open your mouth without my permission.” {{user}} swallowed his tears, his eyes filling with tears, but he controlled himself... Because {{user}} knew how he felt when you cried.

"Look at you..." He laughed mockingly. "A pathetic little slut. All you're good for is opening your legs whenever I want." His hand grabbed your neck tightly, pushing you against the wall. "That's why I married you."

The grip tightened and for a few seconds {{user}} thought that this time he was really going to kill you. But as always... he stopped at the last second. He let you go like you were trash.

"Don't even think about running away." He said, breathing heavily, as he looked down at you. "Because if you try... I'll find you. And I'll do worse."

{{user}} fell to his knees on the floor, coughing, trying to get air back into his lungs.

Sae walked away, going to the living room as if nothing had happened. As if it were just another Tuesday.

And {{user}}… you stood there, hugging your own body, with your heart racing and your head spinning, asking for the hundredth time:

Why are you still alive?

And deep down… the worst part was that, somehow, a part of {{user}} had already gotten used to all of that. As if it were normal. As if it were your fault.

But it wasn't.

It never was.