The Scorned Bride: His Cruel Vows

Chapter 2: Punished

Thalia's Pov

“You can't be serious.” The words barely left my throat. I stared at him in horror, realizing I didn't recognize the man standing in front of me anymore.

I reached out, desperately grabbing his hands. “You can’t marry me. You hate me, Adrian. Why would you ever want this? You can’t go through with it.”

“Isn't that what you wanted, Thalia?” Adrian questioned, pushing my hands away, “You finally won, you should be thrilled.”

“No.” I shook my head, scrambling up from the ground. I had a feeling that if I got married to Adrian, I was going to suffer. “I don't want to marry you, I don't!”

Adrian stood with me and grabbed my arms. His fingers dug deep, bruising the bone, “Do you think you have a say in this? You don't. Like it or not, we are getting married. Marge—”

He glanced over at the housekeeper standing in the corner.

Marge stepped forward, her eyes full of empathy as she looked at me.

"Take her to her room," Adrian ordered, cutting her a sharp look. "Lock her in. The wedding goes on as scheduled. Same day, same time. Nothing changes."

“What? Adrian, No!” Vivian tried to protest, but one glare from Adrian silenced her instantly. No one else dared to breathe. His word was absolute, and they all knew it.

So I did the only thing I could; I bolted.

I ran upstairs, slammed my bedroom door, and turned the lock. I had to get out of here. I didn't know where I'd go, but staying was suicide. Adrian was angry enough to kill me to avenge Aria, and I refused to die for a crime I didn’t commit.

I threw open my closet, grabbing a backpack and stuffing in whatever clothes I could find. Every noise outside my door made my heart leap into my throat.

As I checked through the bottom drawer of my closet for my documents, my fingers brushed against a smooth, velvet surface. I froze.

Slowly, I pulled it out. It was a dusty wooden box with all the gifts Adrian had ever given me over the years.

I lifted the lid with shaking hands. Inside was a delicate silver necklace he’d bought for my sixteenth birthday, a pressed wildflower from a road trip we took before Aria ever existed, and a stack of folded sticky notes he used to leave on my desk when we were just kids.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I forced back a sob. I slammed the lid shut, slung the backpack over my shoulder, and turned to rush out. But somehow my elbow clipped the edge of the box on the nightstand.

It clattered to the floor, bursting open. Everything inside scattered and the silver necklace broke. I stared down at the mess, a hollow smirk forming on my lips.

"I guess some things aren't meant to last," I whispered to the empty room. I left the pieces lying on the floor and turned away.

I crept to the door, pressing my ear against the wood. Hearing nothing, I slipped out into the hall. But the second I turned the corner toward the back staircase, a shadow moved.

I gasped, my heart stopping dead. I was sure I was caught. But as the light hit her face, I realized it was Marge. She stood quietly; her usually kind face hardened with an angry, defiant expression.

"Marge..." I breathed, my hands trembling. "I…”

"Shh," Marge interrupted in a sharp whisper, grabbing my wrist with surprising strength. "Follow me. I’m getting you out of here."

My eyes widened. "What? No, Marge, you can't. If Adrian catches you helping me, he'll ruin your life."

Marge let out a quiet laugh, her eyes softening as she looked at me.

"Let him try. Sweetheart, I’ve watched you grow up since you were a little girl. I know your heart. I know what you can and cannot do, and I know you didn't do what they are accusing you of." She squeezed my hand, her voice cracking. "I'm not going to let them throw you to the wolves. Now come on, we don't have much time."

Tears spilled over my lashes as I threw my arms around her neck, burying my face in her shoulder.

"Thank you," I choked out. "Thank you, Marge."

"Save the tears for later, Thalia," she murmured, gently patting my back before pulling away. "The guards are all over the main gates. You'll never get past them."

She led me swiftly down the back stairs and out into the dark garden. Creeping toward the far stone wall, she pulled back a thick curtain of overgrown ivy, revealing an old, rusted iron dog-gate at the base of the brickwork.

"You can squeeze through here," Marge whispered, "It pops out right onto the main road outside the estate line. Go, Thalia. Run and don't look back."

I stared at the narrow opening, then turned to the only woman who had actually mothered me since my parents died. I hugged her one last time, squeezing her tight.

"I'll never forget this, Marge. I promise."

I let go and dropped to my knees, ready to crawl through the gap to freedom.

"If you take one more step through that wall, Thalia, I will make sure Marge pays for every single second of your betrayal."

The freezing voice sliced through the dark garden. I froze, the blood draining completely from my face. Slowly, horror gripping my soul, I turned my head back.

“No…” I muttered under my breath, eyes wide with horror.

Adrian was standing just a few yards away, his face as hard as stone. Marge was standing in front of him, her eyes red and teary as she stared at me.

“Come back here, Thalia, or she's going to get punished in your stead.”