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 BabyI shake my head.It’s been 20 minutes since the doctor left but they won’t let me leave my bed and they won’t bring me my baby.“He can’t be dead!” I scream at Tom who sits beside me, holding my arm with his eyes closed.“He had trouble breathing.” Tom whispers.“He was breathing in my arms!” I scream. “He was okay when he was in my arms!”This was it. This would be the straw that broke the camels back. This will be the thing that truly destroyed me. I can feel it.“I had him—” I cry.Tom doesn’t know what to say and so he sits in silence and says nothing. Time seems to stand still until his lawyer walks in holding a folder. He takes it, signs it, and then gives it to me.By this time my eyes had run out of tears but they were still crusted and burning.I take the forms and blink at the key word I’ve been waiting to see “divorce.”My hand shakes. Did he think this would make me feel better about our child? The void just feels empty. Endless.I take the form and sign it. I don’t read t
Last Updated: 2026-03-05
Chapter: Birth of the HeirTom sits with his head in his hands and his elbows propped up on the long table. Despite this, he keeps his eyes on the screen as Victor goes through more and more evidence of his and April’s affair, their plot to steal my child, and my unjust imprisonment at the mental institution.“Chloe—” Tom says when Victor ends another section. I look at him with as much indifference as I can manage, “None… I didn’t do any of this. I d-didn’t know.”“I told you.” I say in a cool voice.“You didn’t—”“If the roles had been reversed, I would’ve noticed something was wrong.” I decide because it feels harder to argue with.Tears start to slowly fall from his eyes as his voice breaks, “Chlo—I was trying to protect you.”Victor interrupts, “let’s move to division of property. My clients is only asking for the apartment—”After the meeting I walk out and break fresh air for what feels like the first time in years. Anna offers to bring me to my car but I ask to walk alone. I want to enjoy the sun filled
Last Updated: 2026-02-04
Chapter: DivorceTom sits with his head in his hands and his elbows propped up on the long table. Despite this, he keeps his eyes on the screen as Victor goes through more and more evidence of his and April’s affair, their plot to steal my child, and my unjust imprisonment at the mental institution.“Chloe—” Tom says when Victor ends another section. I look at him with as much indifference as I can manage, “None… I didn’t do any of this. I d-didn’t know.”“I told you.” I say in a cool voice.“You didn’t—”“If the roles had been reversed, I would’ve noticed something was wrong.” I decide because it feels harder to argue with.Tears start to slowly fall from his eyes as his voice breaks, “Chlo—I was trying to protect you.”Victor interrupts, “let’s move to division of property. My clients is only asking for the apartment—”After the meeting I walk out and break fresh air for what feels like the first time in years. Anna offers to bring me to my car but I ask to walk alone. I want to enjoy the sun filled
Last Updated: 2026-01-22
Chapter: EvidenceCHLOE’S POVI watch Tom’s face as Victor reads and presents the conversations with April. It’s a mix of horror and disbelief. It is gratifying to watch.At least he now gets to know how it feels to be betrayed by the person you loved and trusted most.“May 28th – we have the airline records and receipts from your trip to Bali—” Victor says.“I went there for business.” There’s venom in Tom’s voice when he says this.“These are the messages shared by Miss. Sunday to my client. My client had been institutionalized at the time and wasn’t able to respond.” Victor showed the online messages with April lounging in a bikini against Tom who was laying with sunglasses on in his swim trunks with no shirt. “The message attached says : we hope you’re enjoying all the needles and tests. Next time don’t get in our way – then there’s a winky emoji.”Tom reaches to take the photo but Victor pulls it back too quick and leaves it on the table before picking up another, “May 30th – Tommy feels bad that
Last Updated: 2026-01-07
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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 2025-12-06
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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 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
Last Updated: 2025-12-04
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