Bound by Madness

I married Tom Hayden when I was 20 years old. He was the love of my life. Our marriage was bliss. No one bothered to tell us we were too young. We were too inseparable. We’d met at 15 and had been so completely infatuated with each other, there was never a question we’d be together forever. Everything was perfect—until my 22nd birthday.That was the day April Sunday, Tom’s close family friend from childhood, was in a horrible accident. Tom blamed me and had me committed to an asylum for the criminally insane. I was punished for a crime I didn’t commit and held there for three months before he finally came to get me.By then, April had become his personal assistant. They were inseparable. It took two more months before I reached my breaking point.It was obvious, at least to me, that April’s goal was to shatter my marriage, but Tom refused to speak to me anytime I brought up April. I finally served him with divorce papers. The next day, I was sent back to the asylum.It’s been nearly t

I barely sleep at night.An aftereffect of the tranquilizer. Partially due to the severe nightmares. And the fear that someone might try to enter my room at night. I’ve grown accustomed to this. I don't need sleep.The sleepless nights make me pale and the skin around my eyes dark. The less attractive I am in here, the better anyway. The only reason I haven’t scarred my own face is because the won’t give me forks or knives, and they keep my nails too dull to cut anything.The next morning is different from most. Usually, my door is unlocked, I’m given my medication, and then left alone. Today, I am picked up and walked through the halls and back into the main medical unit. It’s the same room as yesterday.No one tells me what’s happening, but I assume it’s the paternity test, so I don’t fight. My baby will be safer attached to Tom’s name.“Are we set up for this?” A nurse asks, “maybe we should transfer her to a hospital.”“I’ve brought in Dr. Kyle. She’s more than qualified.” Dr. Gol

TOM POVTom pulled out his phone as he walked out of the hospital. He had 6 missed calls and 5 new urgent emails, but he wouldn't let that bother him.He’d missed his morning meeting with a powerful potential partner, and he had no way to explain why unless he wanted to publicly admit his wife was in an asylum.He’d meant to see Chloe after work. They were finally going to have a baby. He wanted to take her out of the hospital and see if being at home helped. But when he mentioned this to April, April informed him that Chloe had decided she was getting an abortion today.Tom was livid. He'd lost all concept of time and seemed to forget anyone or anything else existed.He'd expanded his family's company into a multi-billion-dollar international corporation so he could care for and protect his wife and family. He wouldn't let this very same company be the reason he lost them.“April,” He called as he approached the car. She got out of the back seat and smiled sweetly at him. She held a

I look at her, still confused. She tightens the shirt around my throat, ignoring the fact that it can’t fit right. I slap her hands away and unbutton the top few buttons.She giggles excitedly, her eyes locked in mine. She’s drinking in whatever reaction I am giving her.She says, “A little while ago, my doctor said I can’t have kids. Luckily, you’re pregnant now. That’s why I asked them to cancel your abortion. Tom was angry until he understood.”“That’s not what happened,” I remember that operating room clearly. There wasn't.... Suddenly, it's hard to remember exactly how Tom looked when he barged in.“Yes it is,” her voice is sickeningly certain, “are you remembering it right? He barged in after Dr. Kyle started again because I changed my mind. I want your baby.” Her smile widens, cutting across her face wickedly. The giddy excitement in her eyes makes my stomach churn. “I mean… I already have your husband. Why not make it a set?"I push her back and raise my hand to slap her, but

April walks in with a smile and a yogurt bowl. “What do you need?” Tom asks her. “I saw online that protein bowls are good of a growing fetus. I wanted to bring Chloe one. It might also help with morning sickness.” As she steps closer I feel a light stinging in my nose. Almost like it had gotten so cold it had gone numb, but I’m not cold. The scent of the room covers the smell of whatever’s in the bowl, but whatever it is bothers my nose instantly. Tom takes the bowl and lowers it to my eye view. The excited grin on April’s face is unavoidable. Why is she looking at me like that? I can’t trust whatever she did to the food. I shy away from the bowl. As I do, I see the slightest brown smudge above the yogurt in the bowl. Peanut butter, I realize instantly. I look up at her in horror and she seems to notice. Her smile grows as Tom steps closer to me. “I can’t eat that!” I wail. He ignores me, taking a scoop of the dish and shoving it towards my face. I dodge it but he puts down t