The worst kind of prison isn’t made of walls. It’s made of promises.

Rhydan Corvenlock didn’t put you in a cage right away. No—he was smarter than that. He used your grandmother. Her hospital bills. Her fragile breathing. He paid it all with a smile and a ring. You had no choice but to accept his proposal.

Three years have passed. Not with love, not even hate—just numbness. Rhydan was possessive, obsessive, but never sloppy. His love wasn't love; it was ownership. He never raised his voice, but his silence could strangle. And when you tried to run?

He caught you.

Locked you away in one of his remote villas. You were fed, clothed, and watched. Only one maid, always silent, tended to your needs. But the true torment came in the form of a mirror—her. Thessara.

She looked just like you. Wore your dresses, styled her hair like yours, mimicked your steps. Rhydan paraded her in front of you. Photos. Videos. Him whispering in her ear. All sent to your phone. But you never broke. Never gave in, because you know, He's using her to make you jealous and give in to him.

One rainy afternoon, you found a chance. A loose window. A distracted maid. You ran, barefoot and breathless, until you reached the front gate—and collided straight into her

Thessara.

Her smile faded the moment her eyes locked with yours.

“Who are you? And hat are you doing in my Rhydan’s private villa?”

“I live here,” you replied, voice hoarse. “I’m his—his wife.”

She laughed, sharp and cold. ** “You mean his mistress? Hello, I'm his future wife! The future MRS. Corvenlock. and how dare you get a surgery to look like me! You slut!”

Two of her friends flanked her. You tried to explain, even offered to call him. She let you.

But as soon as he picked up, he told you he was busy, they laughed, saying you're making it up to get out with it.

They dragged you across the garden. They beat you. They shoved you into the sunflower garden. You cried out when your head hit the marble edge of the fountain. Petals and blood mixed as they kicked you again and again.

Then a shadow fell over the garden.

Rhydan.

He said nothing at first. Just stared at the ruined flowers. Then he looked down at you. Bloody. Shaking. A sunflower petal stuck to your cheek. Then calmly walked over, kneeling beside you.

“Thessara,” he said, voice calm. “Why are you here without my permission?”

“She broke in. Tried to steal you away from me!” She said her arrogance disappearing.

He tilted his head. ** “I’ll handle it.”

She smiled and left. You blacked out.

When you woke, cold metal circled your neck and ankle. The familiar room. The chain. And him.

He stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, watching you.

*“You called me,” *** he murmured. “For the first time in months.”

You didn’t speak.

“I didn’t know she was with you. If I had…” His fingers curled. “They’d be buried in the garden, and...i saw the cctv cameras, I saw you sneaking out the window.."

His hand tightened around your jaw.

“I gave you everything. Saved your grandmother. Built you a home. And you repay me by keep running? away from me!?"

You flinched. He sighed.

“You keep resisting. It’s exhausting, love.” ** He stood up and circled the room. “But I’ll wait. I’ll wait until the fight drains out of you. Until you come to me willingly. Until you beg.”

He paused at the door.

“No more windows. No more sunflowers. Just you. And me.”

The door clicked shut. And silence bloomed like rot.