LOGINJust then James called me over to the dining table to eat. I walked there absent-minded, my head full of questions that refused to settle. I sat down, staring at the food but not really tasting it. My eyes found James, and for the first time in weeks I looked at my husband’s face. It dawned on me that the change in him, in the way he touched me, the way he made love to me, hadn’t been in my head. Something had shifted and with how he was so accommodating of my changes too then I should have known.He was quieter now, his thrusts rougher but emptier,he did hints we never did before and now it’s like his mind was somewhere else while his body was just performing a duty. I chewed slowly, bitterness filling my mouth instead of food.I watched him eat, wondering how much of the man in front of me was mine, how much was left for me. My lips parted to finally ask him about the house, about the things I’d been avoiding but before I could speak, my phone buzzed on the table.A text.My pulse k
The villa was quiet once his men left, carrying files and evidence. The masked man leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching me with that predatory calm that always made my skin tingle.“You can leave now,” he said, voice low and commanding. “I have what I need.”I froze, my chest tightening. My fingers trembled, but not from fear. “No,” I said, sharper than I expected. “I *need* to know.”His brow arched beneath the mask. “It’s done. The investigation finished. You’re safe now.”I took a step closer like I wasn’t scared of him.“It concerns me I won’t just walk away because you say so. I’m done being afraid of everything.”He tilted his head, amusement flickering in the dark curves of his mask. “Afraid? Of me?”“Yes!” I shouted, throwing my hands in the air. “Of James, of everything! I’ve been hiding behind fear for too long. Not anymore. Tell me!”For a long moment, he didn’t move. Then he pushed off the doorway and approached me slowly, his presence heavy and commanding. M
I thought I was going to die when the chandelier finally hit me , but someone pushed me out of the way as both crashed on the floor. I saw blood flowing from as the wound from his shoulder tore open again.Yes it was the mask man he had saved me and I was in shock I sobbed as I hugged him I held his shoulder trying to stop the bleeding with my hand why James was shouting and screaming demanding for the manager.The mask man whispered seems you still care about me and then I remembered who this was. He was a bad person, he wouldn't just let his prey die like that.James thanked him as we left that day after taking him to the hospital. As I got home I was scared and still in shock so I just showered and went to bed as my anniversary turned into a total chaos and someone wanted to kill me or was it me or the mask man I blamed him as trouble was always lurking Around wherever he went to even that day at the boat cruise too.The next day I didn’t see James when I woke up not forgetting abo
I barely had time to breathe before I felt strong hands grab me from behind, dragging me down the narrow passage of our house as the knife dropped from my hands . My heart leapt into my throat, panic rising like wildfire.And then I saw him. The mask man.“Miss me?” His voice was low, teasing, almost dangerous. Before I could answer, he pulled me into his chest, hugging me tight. “I just love seeing your reactions,” he whispered. “Even at the church the other day I wanted to see your face.”I pushed him but he didn’t budge. Was my reaction worth you scaring me? I had fainted and was rushed to the hospital. I told him but he just chuckled, what a psychopath.Before I could process, he pressed himself against me, his hands roaming my body I tried to push him I panicked this was my house James could come down at any moment but he kissed me as I swallowed all my complains the kiss was fierce I kissed him back to subconsciously as our tongue tangled.His hand grabbed my ass, squeezing them
I woke up looking confused as memories of what I saw in the bathroom hit me. I quickly looked around but he was nowhere. I was brought to the hospital again by someone from the church who had seen me lying on the ground. I quickly got up. I wasn't sick, just fainted from shock despite the warning from the nurse. I still came out from the hospital. I had to find him.He wasn’t there. I searched down the hallways. Maybe he came to the hospital but I didn’t see him, not even his shadow. I sighed as I returned to the hospital desk to finish all the process before leaving. A small part of me was relieved. Relieved he had survived. I didn’t know why but I was happy I just wanted to see his face.By midday, I finally made it home. James wasn’t there, and I collapsed in the guest room, the sheets tangling around my legs as I tried to rest. I was exhausted , gathering the fragments of my sanity. The house felt heavy, each tick of the clock a reminder of the chaos I’d survived. I avoided the ma
The rope burned against my wrists as they loosened it, rough hands freeing me only after the masked man barked an order, he quickly picked his gun as he barged out with his men following behind him leaving us there. Jessica’s cousin whimpered beside me, tears smearing her mascara, while Jessica leaned back against the wall, her breath ragged and clearly panicked.We ran out and followed behind them closely. We needed to survive. “Move,” the masked man snapped, shoving one of his men away. His voice was sharp, edged with anger, but his eyes never left me.The boat swayed under our feet, music still playing from the party above deck like nothing had happened. My heart was hammering too fast, as people ran past me pushing us further apart.“Bang.”We heard another gunshot as it echoed everywhere.Screams erupted instantly. I’m sure no one was in the party upstairs anymore, heels clattering, bodies pushing against each other in a desperate rush to the exit. The whole place fell into chaos
I wanted things to work between James and I. I wanted so badly for him to see me as more than just a woman he married, more than just a possession he could bring out, decorate, fuck, and tuck away when he was done. Maybe if he ever looked at me like I mattered, like I had desires too, I wouldn't h
I stared at the text. “Don’t be late.”I knew I didn’t want to find out what my lateness would cost, so I got dressed and left without the driver. I boarded a cab and went there.I was scared and uncertain, but I still went. I got there and walked into the apartment in this lonely off-town place. A
Scared I was exposed. I got up quickly and hid away the package I got and went to freshen up. I was panicking so bad, thinking: who was this person? Who saw me? I had a lot of questions, and I needed to uncover this secret. Nobody was supposed to find out about my secret.James got back. I kept on
“Shame is a collar they give you young. I didn’t know how good it would feel to take it off.”I remember the first time I had sex.I didn’t want it.And James didn’t care.He moaned in pleasure while I cried beneath him.I also remember my mother’s words about sex:“It’s not for you to enjoy,” she







