LOVE OR POSSESSION

EPISODE 1: THOU SHALL NOT

I had almost eaten all my fingernails the moment I heard the news of my husband’s arrival from his business trip.

Normally, I should be happy—excited even—like every other married woman welcoming her husband home. But I wasn’t. I hadn’t been happy for a long time. Somewhere along the line, marriage became a cage, and I became the prisoner.

Maybe that’s why people say marriage isn’t for everyone.

What exactly is the gain?

Why must a woman marry at all?

Israel—my son—burst into the room and jumped happily onto my lap, pulling me back to reality. His small arms wrapped around my neck, his laughter light and carefree.

He, and only he, was excited about his father’s return.

Israel was always like this whenever Logan went on a business trip. Toys, sweets, and expensive gifts always followed.

“Mom,” he asked, tilting his head sideways, “did you miss Dad?”

“Of course,” I replied quickly, forcing a smile. “Why do you ask such silly questions?”

I pinched his cheeks playfully, and he giggled.

Moments later, Gena walked into the room to inform us that my husband had arrived.

Israel jumped down immediately and ran downstairs to meet his father.

I stayed back, fixing the bedsheets and straightening the walk-in closet—making sure everything was perfect. Only then did I gather enough strength to go downstairs.

Logan was already opening his luggage, handing Israel his gifts when I walked in.

“Mom! Look at what Dad bought me!” Israel exclaimed, proudly displaying his new toy cars.

“They’re nice,” I said quietly, then sat on the couch.

Logan handed Israel a small box and told him to give it to me. Inside was a beautiful, expensive necklace—exactly my taste.

But I couldn’t remember the last time my husband had bought me anything out of love.

Everything seemed calm. Logan looked pleased. I felt… peaceful.

Until my phone rang.

I reached for it instinctively, but Logan’s voice cut through the air sharply.

“Stop.”

I froze.

He walked toward me, picked up my phone, and checked the caller ID. Slowly, he turned to me, his eyes darkening.

“Who is this?” he asked, showing me the number.

“I don’t know,” I replied truthfully.

His face twisted with rage.

“You’re lying.”

Before I could explain, he called the number.

A man answered.

Fear shot through my spine. My breathing became uneven, sweat forming on my forehead.

Logan ended the call immediately.

“Is he your boyfriend?” he demanded, stepping closer.

He raised his hand, and I flinched, expecting a slap.

Instead, his fingers wrapped around my neck, pushing me down until I fell to my knees.

“Logan, please!” I begged. “I didn’t do anything!”

But he wouldn’t listen.

I knew it then—I was going to be punished.

He ordered Gena to bring his cane. She hesitated, fear written all over her face, but no one dared defy him.

I remained on my knees, begging until my voice cracked and dried up.

“Lie down,” he ordered.

Like the obedient wife I had been trained to be, I lay flat on the cold floor.

I heard the sound of his belt loosening.

The first strike landed on my back.

I bit my lower lip, enduring the pain silently. In his mind, I had betrayed him—and he was teaching me a lesson.

It continued until he was breathless, yet still merciless.

Gena finally intervened, risking her job. Logan ordered her to clean my wounds and make me presentable—his friends were coming over.

His voice was calm. Casual.

I almost blacked out.

Later, hidden in Gena’s room, she treated my wounds carefully, keeping me away from my son.

“How long will you stay in this marriage?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Do I even have a choice?”

“You’re not happy,” she said firmly. “Divorce him.”

I laughed bitterly.

“I wish I could,” I replied. “But I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Because if I leave, I lose my son.

Logan was once the man I loved. The man I trusted. But people say a man has many faces—and I only met the monster after marriage.

He looked like a god to the world.

But gods don’t leave scars like this.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Alice is married but deeply unhappy.

Will Gena be able to convince her to divorce her abusive husband—or is it already too late?