Chapter 7

Silvia’s eyes watered immediately, but she sniffed in the tears as quickly as they came. She was only given a little food before bed, and when it was time to sleep, she could barely get a wink of rest. She cried all night long.

With the ache in her heart—a now familiar, relentless companion—she wondered how she got here? She had imagined one centered on partnership and love, not servitude. Though the notion of marrying Ralph had once posed desirable, now the ring on her finger felt heavy, as if an iron chain linked her to this gilded cage.

The next day loomed before her like a shadow. She had to cook and then shop for things needed at the villa. Although there were numerous cars, she had been told that Ralph had strictly forbidden her from using any. She had no other choice but to walk to the supermarket, as she was not given money to board a cab either.

Silvia trekked for close to an hour before she finally spotted a nearby supermarket.

She noted the chatter and laughter of happy families loading their carts with goodies while she bought the necessities.

'How do they not see me?' she wondered. She felt unseen, a ghost haunting the aisles —almost but not quite fitting in the society surrounding her.

After shopping for everything she needed, she trekked back as well. Her feet were throbbing from sheer fatigue and exhaustion. She was extremely tired from the stress, but she wasn’t given a break. Instead, she was asked to resume cleaning.

As Silvia dipped the mop into the soapy water, she wondered why Ralph never bothered to tell her that she was not becoming his wife but a full-time maid in his villa.

What was the essence of putting a ring on her finger? He should have just plainly told her the truth, and she would have taken the offer anyway. She knew she wasn’t in a position to complain—not when he had personally taken care of her mother’s bills. Perhaps if she gathered enough money, she could free herself from this place. But who would willingly give her a million dollars?

Rebecca was her only hope, but she had already told her she didn’t have any money. Silvia was left with no other choice but to keep suffering here.

……

Rebecca’s Apartment…

In a sleek apartment in New York, a man who owned one of the most luxurious and popular boutiques in New York stood in front of her, explaining his new collection, hoping his favorite customer would take an interest in it.

Three bags worth two million dollars each were already wrapped up, and the expensive gowns and shoes she had bought hadn’t even been calculated yet. What could she say? Being the girlfriend of one of the richest CEOs came with its perks. Ralph funded her luxurious lifestyle, while she kept the huge amount of money she earned from his company to herself.

That’s life—total luxury.

She wished she could brag and tell the whole world that Ralph was her boyfriend, but she knew how important keeping things a secret was to him.

“Let me show you our most exquisite jewelry—one that is definitely to your taste, ma’am,” he said. She said nothing, just continued sipping her red wine. She felt the rush of power surge through her.

She loved how all these people were willing to kiss her feet just for money. She loved being rich and having so much control over people. And over the years, her naive friend Silvia had been her number one target.

She hated whenever good things came Silvia’s way, and she derived so much twisted pleasure from seeing her suffer. Yes, she wanted her to remain beneath her for eternity. That’s what she really wanted.

When Silvia had asked for money to pay her mother’s medical bills, Rebecca had lied, saying she didn’t have any. Meanwhile, she had bought items worth millions of dollars right after the call ended. Watching Silvia suffer was her favorite hobby.

“This is the emerald chain,” the boutique owner continued. “It was once displayed at the museum for people to admire, but it is now in our possession. If you buy it now, you’ll be the first person to ever wear it.”

Rebecca’s eyes lit up.

“I’m paying for that,” she said, taking out Ralph’s black card from her purse.

The man gingerly took it and made the payment. “Thank you very much, Madam Rebecca,” he said before packing up his things and leaving.

Rebecca chuckled as she remembered the time Silvia had asked for assistance with a scholarship to medical school. That was years ago, and she had helped her apply. Silvia had passed the exam with flying colors and was awarded the scholarship, but Rebecca had lied, telling her she didn’t make it—just so she could watch her struggle all these years. And she had enjoyed every bit of it.

Her mother was just as foolish, thinking Rebecca was some kind of saint in their lives.

Rebecca laughed heartily as she downed the contents of her glass. After that, she began getting ready for her dinner date with Ralph.

~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the villa, Silvia tried to finish up her work as quickly as she could. Her body ached as usual, and when she had asked Donna for some pain killers, she was strictly told there was none available.

With their opulent decor and crystal chandeliers, the grand surroundings laughed at her as she swept floors and washed dishes. When it glowed with riches, how could this place seem so oppressive? It was a reminder of her status—that of a woman stuck in a life in which the only appearance of love was a lie coated in gold.

Silvia swallowed her tears. She knew crying would only make her head throb more, and there was no medicine. She was too broke to afford any herself.

That night, Silvia decided to wait outside for Ralph to return from work. Having worked at his company before, she knew he stayed out late whenever he had a project to complete. But she hoped he wouldn’t be too late tonight—she was too weak and desperately needed rest.

As the bright stars twinkled mockingly in the vast sky, she whispered a desperate plea for just a moment of compassion from her boss.

Thankfully, Ralph arrived home earlier than expected, but only because he was in a hurry to get to his dinner date with Rebecca.

As Ralph emerged from the car, Silvia quickly stood in front of him, politely greeting him with a forced smile.

“What is it? Be quick, I don’t have time to waste on you,” he snapped, making tension sweep over Silvia.

“I was wondering when I would be able to go home and see my mother. Please, I just wish to know,” Silvia said.

Ralph’s eyes swept over her from head to toe as if she had just said something only a mad person would. His glare was so intense, Silvia felt as though his eyes were burning holes into her skin. She wondered if she had said something wrong.

“Are you foolish? You’re not to step out of this house, nor are you to receive any visitors. Is that understood?” he barked.

Silvia's body tensed at his heartless, frigid remarks. Her chest contracted and a lump formed in her throat as she realized the gravity of his judgment.

Not to step out.

Her hands tightened into fists beside her. "This means I am a prisoner," she said to herself.

"But...," she struggled to whisper, voice shaking.

Ralph's grey eyes darkened; his lips turned into frowns. "You signed those papers. You fit here now."

Fit.

The word played in her head like an insult. She had no place here. Not in this home. Not in his world.

Her heart raced as she resisted the impulse to shout, to plead, to collapse. She nonetheless knew better. He was a man who would not bend; his stare exuded only hard-edged power.

He briskly walked past her toward the door with a dismissive look.

Silvia's mouth went dry as she realized the gravity of her situation. It hit her hard, as a crashing wave. She stood there and waited for him to come back out because she knew he had an appointment that night

Before she could make sense of the shock, her mind spun; then Ralph's voice slashed through the night like ice, jolting her from her spiraling thoughts.

"Silvia, you're wasting my time."

With that, he entered his car, the door slamming shut like the last chord of a funeral hymn.

Silvia stood frozen, the cold wind stinging her skin, but it paled next to the chill seeping into her bones.

This was more than just a contract.

It was a prison.

And as the car drove into the night, she knew then that was completely by herself...helpless