All Chapters of His Terms, My Surrender: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Theo’s grip on my arm was unrelenting as he dragged me down the stairs, each step heavy with his anger. His fingers dug into my skin, the pressure sharp and unforgiving. I stumbled, trying to keep up, but he didn’t slow down.When we reached the first floor, he stopped abruptly. Without a word, he dismissed the men from his meeting, his icy glare silencing any protests before they began.Theo didn’t say anything as we walked out to the car. He opened the door, practically shoving me inside before slamming it shut. The ride home was silent, but his anger was palpable. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white, his jaw clenched.I sat frozen, afraid to speak, the tension between us growing thicker with each passing second.As the car sped down the darkened streets, Theo’s silence became more suffocating than his words ever could. The air inside felt heavy, his anger radiating like a storm waiting to break. I kept my hands folded tightly in my lap, my fingers tremb

It had been two months since that night. Two months of endless pain, both physical and emotional. The beatings, the yelling, the control-none of it shocked me anymore. Even the worst of it-the nights Theo forced himself on me-had become something I expected. I didn't cry anymore. I didn't fight. I didn't even dream of escaping.I was tired.Resisting him just made him more stronger, crueler, and always in control. The punishments harsher. The nights longer.I just existed, moving through the days like a ghost. My body doing what it was told while my mind stayed numb. It was the only way to survive.The only time I felt a bit of happiness was when Theo’s mother came to visit. Her presence was like a break from the nightmare I lived in.When she was around, it felt like I could breathe, even if just for a little while.But those moments also brought something else—Theo’s fake love.Whenever his mother visited, Theo pretended to be a perfect boyfriend. He would hold my hand, smile at me

As the black sedan rolled to a stop in front of the house that once used to be mine, nostalgia hit hard. Nothing had really changed. The worn porch, the creaky front steps, and the old garden that still bloomed with wildflowers—it all felt eerily familiar, yet distant.I stepped out slowly, my heels clicking against the pavement, memories flashing before me. This wasn’t the environment of wealth or extravagance, but it had been mine, filled with simpler, happier moments.Mrs. Rodriguez turned to me, her tone calm and curious. “Is this where your father stays?” she asked softly.I nodded quietly. “Yes,” I said, pointing towards the front door.We moved towards the door, and as I reached it, I knocked gently, hoping he would recognize my presence. The wait stretched on for what felt like an eternity—ten minutes at least—before the door creaked open.My father stood there, cigarette hanging loosely from his lips. His voice was harsh, almost bewildered. “I’m coming in, coming!” His brow f

Mrs. Rodriguez clapped her hands softly, her cheerful tone cutting through the lingering tension. “Alright, enough stories for now. Let’s make this more interesting. It’s time for some questions,” she said with a smile. “I’ll ask, and you all have to answer. No skipping!”Theo groaned, clearly unimpressed. “Oh, great,” he muttered under his breath, leaning back on the stool.Mrs. Rodriguez ignored him and turned her attention to my father, her smile still kind but her gaze sharp. “Let’s start with you. Here’s the question: what’s the biggest regret you have in life?”My father’s face froze, his eyes darting to me briefly before looking away. He shifted in his seat, his discomfort plain as day. “Uh… I don’t know if I can answer that,” he mumbled, his voice low.Mrs. Rodriguez tilted her head, her tone gentle but firm. “There’s no judgment here. We’re just getting to know each other better.”My father hesitated, fidgeting with his hands. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice s

Mrs. Rodriguez shook her head, her voice laced with frustration. “Why didn’t you ask for help? Theo could have helped you. You didn’t have to do this.”I scoffed under my breath, barely able to contain my bitterness. If only she knew. If only she understood why we were even here in the first place.Theo? Help? That was almost laughable. My father let out a weak chuckle, shaking his head. “I didn’t want to bother my son-in-law,” he said, forcing a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.Theo scoffed, muttering under his breath, “As if I’d waste a dime on you.”I heard it, even if his mother didn’t. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, but I bit my tongue. Now wasn’t the time.Mrs. Rodriguez, completely unaware of Theo’s remark, sighed and gave my father a disapproving look. “You would never be a bother,” she insisted. “You should have come to us. We could’ve helped.”I fought the urge to roll my eyes. If only she knew the truth.Mrs. Rodriguez let out a deep sigh before reaching i