Bound by Madness
When Chloe Samson married her childhood sweetheart, CEO Tom Hayden, at twenty, she thought she'd found her forever. But forever shatters fast when April Sunday—Tom’s enigmatic childhood friend—accuses Chloe of a violent assault and has her committed to a mental hospital.
Now, trapped between the sterile walls of the institution and the crumbling illusion of her perfect marriage, Chloe must piece together the truth. Is April lying? Is Tom hiding something? And how much of her own past can Chloe trust? To survive, Chloe must confront betrayal, untangle buried memories, and find the strength to escape—not just the hospital, but the life she thought she wanted.
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Chapter: The MeetingTOM’S POV“Did you get what I asked for?” Tom asked Hendrix as Hendrix drove them towards the company.Tom needed to grab a contract for a business dinner later that night. After picking it up, he’d meet Chloe for the first time since the vacation house. Anna’s fiancé, Victor, was hosting the meeting at his office.Tom didn’t mind them having the home-field-advantage. He couldn’t imagine what they could have to use against him.Tom was flicking through his phone when Hendrix answered, “I did sir. It’s in the bag.”Tom nodded. He grabbed the bag and pulled out the velvety silk covered bracelet box. He opened it and paused.“Why is this green?” He asked.Hendrix looked into the rear-view mirror, “you asked for something Mrs. Hayden would like. She likes green.”“She likes pink.” Tom said, somewhat annoyed, “and she doesn’t like daisy’s. What’s with this design?”Hendrix hesitated. April liked the green and she liked the daisy’s. Isn’t that who he intended to gift this to?“If I give thi
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-08
Chapter: ProofI shift. I try to sit up but he holds me down and pulls me closer.“I don’t like when you run away from me,” he breathes.“How did you get in here?” How did he know where I was?“Have you been eating?” He ignores my question. His hand lowers to my stomach.Again, I try to break free of his grasp. I have to shake harder but I finally manage and sit up. I turn on the side table light and turn back to look at him.He lounges beside me, rubbing his eyes a little at the sudden light. He shakes his head and looks up at me.“What are you doing here?” I ask in a hard voice. I try, but fail, to control the panic starting to seize my body.“I missed you,” He let the hand still resting on my stomach lightly play with the fabric covering my body. “I know you don’t like hospitals. I’m not mad.”His voice remains unexpectedly smooth.How can he be this calm? I ran away with another man. He should be…A new thought takes over my mind. I look around the room as if there may be answers as I ask, “wher
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-06
Chapter: The RunawayCarson brings me tea and breakfast in bed. He doesn’t let me stand up and helps me when I finally need to use the washroom.I look at him, confused as to why he’s so dedicated to helping me.“Chloe,” he says while peeling an orange for me, “why don’t you divorce him?”“It’s not that easy.” I say, “he won’t agree. And ever since the first time he’s become obsessive. If I want a divorce I probably have to trick him. But it’s hard to do with April around. She makes him paranoid.”I accept an orange slice he offers me and take a bite.Then I ask, “do you need to go to work?”“I took a few days off.”“Where are we?”“My friend’s summer home. Tom shouldn’t be able to track us here.”I still, my body trembling lightly as I ask, “does he know we’re together?”Carson watches me. Then he breathes, “he probably knows. But he doesn't know where I am and I have an excellent reputation in the medical community so I’ll be fine even if I lose my position at the hospital.”“I don’t want you to struggl
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-04
Chapter: Retribution TOM’S POVTom paced the kitchen of his new home, lost in thought. The home staff, Hendrix, and April lined up nervously watching him. Uneasy side glances to one another. Biting lips and trembling hands. Restlessly wondering who would be the first to crack“What happened?” He finally asked.He’d asked the question 50 times on the ambulance ride to the hospital. He’d felt his heart shatter with every word from the doctor’s had said.Malnourished? Rotten food? Dehydrated? Bruises on her wrists and ankles?The baby was now in a more critical condition.The stuttering voices of the shaking staff never formed full sentences.“WHAT HAPPENED?!” He bellowed. They all flinched back.Her voice shaken and showing true concern, April stepped forward.“W-wh-when you were gone…. Mrs. Yana—” The head housekeeper looked sideways at April with wide, warning eyes. April met this side stare and continued, “Mrs. Yana informed me that Mrs. Hayden refused to eat in protest. She said you’d punish the staff f
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-10-29
Chapter: FuryI refuse to speak. He has a camera.“How did she call you?” Tom’s voice was low and menacing.“We found this—” April walks in with a burner phone. My heart stops. How did she find it?But when Tom takes it and looks at it, I see it’s a decoy. Meant for their story. They don’t know about my phone. Fine. So long as I’m not going to be assaulted, just divorce me. If he’d rather be cheated on than to be amicably separated, that’s his choice.Tom examines it for a bit, running through messages that are either imaginary or briefly reading prearranged texts. I don’t know which.Tom throws the phone to the floor and then looks at the men begging forgiveness.“Take them to the cabin. Let them be eaten by animals.” Tom orders and a group of men in suits grab the men as they thrash and argue.They yell, “Mrs. Hayden!”“You said this wouldn’t happen!”“You promised!”“Mrs. Hayden!”“We did what you said—stop him!”“Mrs. Hay—”Tom turns directly to me, his cold eyes hard and emotionless.“Everyone
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-09-24
Chapter: Rotten FoodI am tied to the bed in the master bedroom of the otherwise entirely barren house and abandoned. My screams and cries go unheard. By the third day, when I think I’m finally about to die due to dehydration, the door finally opens.April and Hendrix saunter inside.“Oh, my back hurts,” she moans, putting a hand on her back, “he had so much pend up frustration…. I shouldn’t have let him go so long without.”My mouth feels dry and my throat cracked. I want to ask for water but I can’t. My lips threaten to crack and bleed if I open my mouth.April sits on the side of the bed and smiles at me. She puts a hand on my stomach and says, “Nothing can happen to my beautiful baby.”Then Hendrix walks over holding a thermos and puts it to my lips. I can smell whatever’s inside and it’s vile. I want to protest but too fast he pours it into my throat.Although—even starving—I can taste its rancid flavour, I let myself swallow it because my alternative is choking.I gag, though, wanting it to stop but
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-09-23
The Price of Forgiveness
My name is Cassie Aster. I was born Cassandra Burton.
I wasn’t born rich, or with a powerful name. But I was born smart—some would say lucky.
At fifteen, I entered a contest for a scholarship to the most prestigious school in the country: Aster Academy of Excellence. Out of more than four hundred applicants, only five were chosen. By sixteen, I was walking through its gates.
That’s where I met him—Jacob Aster. The son of the school’s owners. The heir to one of the wealthiest families on Earth.
I fell for him immediately, but I rejected him—over a hundred times. My studies, my scholarship, my future came first. To him, that meant only one thing: he had to buy my love.
Over a decade later, we’re married. And to the world, I’m the luckiest girl alive—proof that fairy tales come true. From rags to riches, just like that.
But I never thought of myself as having only rags. And I didn’t marry him for his riches. Still, every time he strays, he buys my forgiveness—for $100,000.
For him, I gave up my career. For him, I live like a caged bird, taken out only for display. For him, I die a little every day. Every time my card doesn’t decline, my heart does.
Most of his women at least have the shame to stay out of my sight. But not her.
Coral Monroue is shameless. He favors her now. And I can’t help but wonder—
will she be the one who finally pushes me to leave?
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Chapter: Chapter 43JACOB POVJacob was seething as Cal drove him home. He’d tolerated Coral for so long because she was carrying his and Cassie’s child. But the kids was gone now. And he was closer than ever to losing her.He hadn’t expected Coral to be bold enough to lie like this. He was willing to be angry at Cassie.He was angry at Cassie. Furious. Beyond reason but that didn’t mean he was willing to pretend she was some mistress.During his time mourning the baby he’d convinced himself that at least this was a sign Cassie still loved him. She had to.How else could she be driven so mad that she’d poison a pregnant woman? She had to love him. Love him so much it had driven her crazy. Crazy and homicidal.He couldn’t fault her for that.He needed to keep the truth from Coral so she’d carry the baby. If Cassie knew and got angry, she could reveal the truth and wreck everything. However, how else was he supposed to take care of their child without keeping Coral close.Of course Cassie was driven mad.H
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-14
Chapter: Chapter 42CASSIE POVIt was funny to picture how Jacob would react to finding out his precious lover was the one who told me we weren’t together. Or that she’s the one who helped me pack my bags and bring them to my apartment.I had even “coincidentally” thought to call my realtor, Mr. Andrews, to meet me there and help me evict my current tenant.He was more than willing to find a loophole in our contract.Joanne was surprised to see me walk in so level-headed. Coral had called her on the way to warn her about my amnesia. She seemed pleasantly relieved.“You were actually planning to move out.” She explained to me as I walked in and saw boxes near the entrance.Mr. Andrews walked in behind me. Joanne went momentarily wide eyed and said, “Mr. Andrews. I wasn’t expecting you.”“I’m here on behalf of the property owner. There was a disturbance here a few nights ago. The building received a few noise complaints and the owner is concerned about the damages and future damages that may occur. Since t
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-12
Chapter: Chapter 41“Who are you?” I asked again as he didn’t react. His eyes narrowed and he looked across the bed. On the other side stood Teresa. Her arms were crossed over her chest. She wore a scowl on her face but it lightened slightly as I asked.“What game is this now?” She demanded.I sat up, continuing to trust my instincts.“What are you doing here?” I asked.“Who else would be here?” He demanded lightly, then looked at his mom, “if I find out this was you—”“I’ve already told you that it wasn’t.” Teresa snapped. “She’s doing this for attention.”Jacob slid his chair closer to me and put a hand in my hair, “you can’t be mad at me. You killed our child out of jealousy. You deserve this.”“I don’t know who you are.” I pulled my face from his hand and he made a face. Then he looked at him mom again.“Cassandra, this isn’t a time for jokes.” She snapped at me.“Can you people please leave my room. You’re scaring me.” I asked.“I’m your husband.” He stated.“I’m not married.”“You know who I am.” H
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-10
Chapter: Chapter 40I wasn’t expecting my first visitor to be Joanne. Two days in a holding cell. They wouldn’t give me a lawyer—they said my husband declined the lawyer on my behalf.“Why did you lie?” I asked. My voice was unreasonably calm.She shook her head, “Coral offered me a lot of money and a chance to work in Aster industries. I needed the money.”“I’m in a jail cell—was this worth some money and a job?”“You don’t understand how hard it is to get an opportunity like this.”I looked away. She could’ve asked. I would’ve helped her. I had as much control as Coral… or at least I once had.“I also needed to let you know you have to move out.” Joanne said.“Excuse me?” I tried to keep the anger from my voice.“Coral says they own the apartment.” Joanne didn’t meet my eyes, “”and it would make them uncomfortable to keep you there.”It was my apartment. But how could she know that? Still, I wouldn’t be forgiving anymore. I’d learned my lesson.“I can give you some money,” She offered, “once Coral pays
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-09
Chapter: Chapter 39“This is my friend Coral. We met in yoga. She’s the one staying with us tonight.” Joanne explained.Of course she was. And from the look in her eyes, I think Coral had been planning this for a while.The proud, smug look brightened her face as she stood, her hand on her stomach, and she said, “you must be Ms. Bulton. Joanne told me so much.” She held out her hand to me.I refused to take it.Coral continued despite this, “thank you for letting me stay here. My husband is very protective of me and the baby.” Her hands circled her stomach, “and his ex-girl friend is really deranged. She can’t handle seeing us so happy.”The smile on her face was sickening but I refused to react.Instead, I said, “I understand. Even post-separation, my ex-husband’s mistress is still trying to convince me he loves her. It’s pitiful”I shrugged and held in my smile as I watched her face fall.I walked into my bedroom and hid there. It took two hours for most of them to leave. I guess this made it the perfe
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-06
Chapter: Chapter 38CASSIE POVIt was hard to think about the things that should’ve warned me not to marry him. It was hard remembering the chances I’d had for escape.Joanne continued eating, her eyes on me curiously.He wasn’t willing to leave me alone… but no messages meant he had nothing to say.He would have this baby with his mistress. Regardless of what I wanted. He was set in this decision. There was no point in him explaining this to me. But that didn’t mean he’d leave me alone.So although he had nothing to tell me, the moment I turned my phone back on his name lit up on my phone screen once more. I flipped it over and focused my attention back onto Joanna.“Who’s that?” She asked.“My ex-husband.” I said quickly cutting at my dinner so I could distract myself, “I don’t think he regrets anything. He just gets annoyed when he doesn’t get what he wants.”“He’s very persistent.” She mused.“Very.” I agreed without emotion.“So maybe he does regret it.”I met her eyes, “he’d have to care about me t
Dernière mise à jour: 2025-12-04
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