The Charming MCs, Saved By their Obssessive Love

3.QUIET COMPLIANCE

Cold.

Excessive.

And the fact that I was sleeping on just a mattress made it worse.

My sheet was so thin that it felt like I was being covered with just air. Plus, the middle had ripped and I hadn't gotten the time to repair it. I groaned and sat up, reaching for my out-dated flip phone. It was just after two in the morning.

Why did I wake so early?

I slipped off the mattress and grabbed my clothes bag. I dug through and pulled out my oversized sweater. After putting it on, I slipped back under the sheet and pulled my knees up to my chest.

A sigh escaped me as I peered into the darkness. My eyes burned as the thoughts started to consume me. Why was life like this? Just why? Why couldn't I be perfect? Have a perfect family... a perfect life?

Was I cursed?

Or was I the curse?

I turned onto my back, the tears now spilling on each side of my pillow. My chest burned and my heart ached. I just wanted this to end.

Should I end it?

Should I just grant my aunt what she'd always wanted?

More tears spilled. I didn't even bother wiping them.

I flung the covers off my body and stood.

The bathroom light was too bright. Too honest.

I locked the door anyway.

I told myself I wouldn't do this again. That it didn't fix anything. But the ache inside me was loud, and I didn't know how to quiet it.

I slid down until my back hit the door, knees pulled to my chest.

Useless.

That word stuck the deepest.

I squeezed my eyes shut and breathed through it, hating myself for wanting relief at all.

I just wanted one wish. Just one. I want my mom back. I wanted her! I wanted to scream out, but my throat was dry, and my lips weren't cooperating.

I didn't know how long I sat there for. When my body finally felt like it was mine again, I rose to my feet and left the bathroom. I jumped under the blanket and wrapped my hands around myself.

I had to get my energy to deal with the monsters later.

I closed my eyes and let the peacefulness of the dark consumed me.

Hours later, I was almost done with breakfast when my uncle stepped in. His eyes were cold as they raked up and down my body. He scowled and hissed before slipping into one of the chairs.

I quickly served him his tea and then went back to finish tidying the kitchen. I wiped down the counters, arranging the mugs just so, and felt a small satisfaction at the order I was restoring. I was about to leave when he stopped me, his voice cutting through the quiet.

"Where are you going?"

"To work," I replied, keeping my voice low, almost hesitant.

He chuckled, and this time his eyes didn't just glance at me—they held mine, unblinking. "Work? It's Friday. Today is my day off."

My fingers trembled against the edge of the counter, and a cold confusion settled in my chest. I blinked at him, trying to understand. No, I had to go to work; my day off isn't until Sunday. Everything in me said move, move, move—but his gaze rooted me to the spot.

Footsteps echoed softly, and then my aunt and Maya entered. They sat around the table without a word, immediately diving into breakfast as if nothing had happened. I caught Maya's eyes for a fleeting second—she gave me a small, quick smile. I returned it, but my own lips felt stiff, and the unease lingered.

I realized then that something about this morning was… off.

"Sue," my uncle started looking at my aunt," Kae said that she's going to work."

Her gaze immediately shifted towards me, eyes cold and evil. "Work? Have you forgotten that today's your uncle's day off?"

My teeth ground against each other as I shuffled in my spot. "I... I don't understand. My day off isn't until Sunday."

"And?" She snapped. "You have to stay home today."

I froze.

My hammered violently against my chest.

What?

My uncle turned fully towards me, his expression unreadable. "I need you here today."

I shook my head, hands clasping together in front of my chest, the motion almost instinctive—like a prayer. "Please. I can't stay home. I have to go to work."

The words tumbled out of me as I searched their faces, waiting for one of them to c***k, to admit this was some kind of joke. They couldn't possibly be serious. I'd already called out once last month because of a bruise I couldn't hide, and now they expected me to do it again? I couldn't afford that. I didn't want to lose my job. My job was the only thing that felt like it was mine.

"Shut up, Kae," my aunt snapped, her voice sharp and final, eyes blazing. "You're not leaving this house, and that's that."

The tears came fast and hot. I didn't bother wiping them away. What was the point? They kept eating, kept sitting there like I wasn't breaking apart right in front of them. I stood frozen, my hands curling into tight fists at my sides, my chest burning with a mix of anger and helplessness that made it hard to breathe.

"And," my aunt added, her tone dangerously calm now, "if you even think about sneaking out, the basement will be your new bed."

The room felt smaller after that, the walls closing in as her words settled deep inside me—heavy, threatening, and all too familiar.

By the time everyone had left, I was in my room sprawled out on the mattress—with my work clothes still on.

I felt numb.

I'd tried to call Rick, but the phone kept shutting off. I just had to explain to him tomorrow and hoped he'd understand. I couldn't lose my job. That meant staying home everyday and getting double tortured. I wasn't going to let that happen.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear the room door opened. My eyes flicked up and landed on my uncle. I sat up immediately, pulling my knees to my chest.

"What are you still doing in here?" He asked.

I slowly rose to my feet, keeping my eyes from his.

He took a step forward. "You're so obedient, Kae. I like that."

I gulped, the sound loud in my ears.

I didn't like the way his eyes dragged over me—slow, deliberate—like he was measuring something I didn't want him to see. My uncle had never made advances towards me, not directly, but trust was a luxury I didn't have. I was broken and battered in every way that mattered, but I was still pure. That was the one thing I refused to let anyone take from me.

He let out a low chuckle. "Why don't you make yourself useful and fix me something to eat?"

I groaned inwardly. Breakfast had barely been two hours ago, but that didn't matter. What he wanted always mattered more.

"Okay," I said softly, not wanting to give him a reason to get angry.

His lips curled into a smirk. "Good girl."

My skin crawled at the words. I swallowed my fear and turned away before he could see the disgust on my face.

My hands shook as I moved towards the door, heart hammering in my chest. I went straight to the kitchen, his footsteps echoing right behind me.

When the food was done, I didn't wait for praise or permission. I set the plate down, kept my eyes lowered, and slipped out of the kitchen before he could stop me.

I went straight to my room and closed the door behind me, the sound soft but final. Only then did I let my shoulders sag, my breath coming out shaky as I leaned against the wood.

Just a few more hours, and I'd survived another day.