Resisting The Wrong Brother

Gilded Cage

Anna glanced around the dazzling room, the luxury brought her no joy.

This was to be her life now. Trapped in a sham marriage, a glorified business partner to Vincent Long. She was living a fairy tale that felt hollow and false.

Anna cried herself out. She was missing the familiar comfort of her bedroom back at home. “We make sacrifices for the people we love.” She said to herself amid tears.

“Sacrifices don’t come easy.” She said as she tried to sit upright propping a pillow behind her back.

“Family is all that matters.” She said as she rose and went into the bathroom. She washed her face and changed into a silk nightgown left folded on a chaise lounge in the expansive walk-in closet opposite her bathroom.

Clicking off the lights, she lay atop the duvet and soft goose-down pillows. Sleep eluded her as she stared up at the ornate ceiling, her mind spinning.

The constant ticking of the second hand of the ornamental wall clock in her room took her mind out of the myriads of nostalgic memories. She looked up and it was sometimes past midnight, restless and unable to sleep, Anna crept out into the darkened hallway. The cool marble chilled her bare feet. She aimlessly wandered the shadowy mansion, marveling at the stark modern art on the walls only visible in the dim night lighting.

Turning a corner, she noticed a reflection of light spilling from beneath an ornately carved mahogany door standing slightly ajar. She inched closer and peered into the room. It was Vincent's study.

Inside, Vincent sat behind a massive desk of dark wood, phone to his ear. Even through the c***k in the door, Anna could hear him yelling angrily.

"I don't care what it takes, just get it done!" He paused, listening to the reply at the other end.

“I don’t care, cross all lines when needed. Nobody rejects Vincent Long.” Vincent replied and slammed the phone down forcefully.

Anna jumped, but it was too late. Vincent had already noticed her. He narrowed his cold dark eyes as they locked on Anna’s through the slit in the door.

"What are you doing?" He rose swiftly and moved toward Anna, towering over her petite frame.

She shrank back against the hallway wall. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...I couldn't sleep..." Her voice trembled.

Vincent grabbed her roughly by the arm, his grip viselike. Anna's heart pounded. Fear flooded her body.

"I'm sorry, I was just...I couldn't sleep..." Anna stammered, shrinking back against the wall.

Vincent's eyes blazed with fury. His hand still clutched her arm in a vicelike grip. He yanked open the study door and dragged Anna inside, then slammed it shut behind them. She heard the definitive click of the lock sliding into place.

"No one comes in here without my permission!" Vincent shouted.

He finally released her arm, throwing her backward. Anna stumbled, barely catching herself. Pain throbbed where his fingers had dug into her soft flesh. She was sure to have bruises. Cowering away from Vincent's imposing frame, her eyes darted around the room, seeking an escape.

But Vincent had positioned himself between her and the locked door. His handsome face was twisted in anger, his glare pinning her in place as effectively as physical restraint. He took a menacing step toward her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean..." Anna's desperate plea was cut off as Vincent closed the distance between them in two quick strides. Her heart fell and her stomach curled into a knot from fear.

Anna's head snapped to the side, as she raised her trembling hands to protect herself from Vincent. Tears sprang to her eyes. Vincent maintained a death stare as he loomed over her.

"Please," she whimpered, shrinking away from him. "I'm sorry..."

Vincent pushed down her hands and brushed her hair out of her face. He tilted Anna's head up as tears rolled down her face. He wiped her tears with both his thumbs and got right in her face, so close she could smell his expensive cologne. His eyes were cold, devoid of emotions.

"You will obey me," he said in a low, dangerous tone. "Is that clear?"

Anna squeezed her eyes shut as she felt his grip on her face. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks. She managed a small, whimpered "Yes."

Vincent held her there a moment longer, as if to imprint this lesson on her mind. Then he shoved Anna away from him as though he was disgusted. She collapsed to the floor at his feet.

Face burning with shame and fear, Anna scrambled to her feet. She fled to the door, but Vincent blocked her, standing menacingly with arms crossed.

After a fraught moment, "You should be in bed," he snarled through gritted teeth.

"Lady, I don't know what kind of game you're playing." His voice was icy. "But this arrangement only works if you know your place and listen to me." He said as he stepped aside and unlocked the door.

Vincent spun Anna around and marched her toward the door. "Go to bed," he commanded, slamming the door in her face.

Anna stood frozen for a long moment, heart hammering. She raised a trembling hand to massage the throbbing pain in her arm. Stumbling on wobbly legs, she made her way back to the master suite. Anna rushed out into the hall the second there was space to slip through. She ran blindly, disoriented by fear and her unfamiliarity with the sprawling mansion.

She realized with dawning horror that her new life as Vincent Long's bride was about to become a living nightmare. Her only thought was that she had to get out of this house. Away from the man who had turned from an engaged fiance to a controlling captor in mere hours. But how? Vincent had made it clear any defiance would be punished.

But first, she needed to clear her head.

As Anna stood in the hall, she heard the cracking of a door and took to her heels.

Anna slowed to a walk when she was far from the hallway. With one hand braced against the wall, she tried to steady her shaky legs. She tried to calm her gasping breaths as she moved through the shadowy corridors. The mansion was a maze and her freedom felt impossibly out of reach.

Turning a corner, she came upon a set of dark wooden stairs leading down. A possible exit? With no better option, she descended cautiously. At the bottom was a long hallway lined with various utility rooms. She opened the doors as she went, finding a laundry, storage area, and a security room. Dead ends, all of them.

Frustrated tears pricked Anna's eyes. She slumped against the wall, the last of the adrenaline draining from her body and leaving her spent. Then she heard footsteps approaching. Is Vincent coming after her? Anna ducked into the nearest doorway just as a tall figure turned into the hallway.