CAGED BY vows

CAGED BY VOWS CHAPTER ONE “Honey, I just prepared dinner. Please come and have some food.” Naomi’s voice echoed through the grand yet lifeless mansion as she called out to her husband. The warmth in her tone clashed against the cold silence that followed. She had been waiting for him all evening, her hands trembling with nervous excitement. Would today be different? Would he finally acknowledge her, even if just for a moment? Her eyes followed him as he entered the house, his broad shoulders rigid with exhaustion. He was still dressed in his crisp navy-blue suit, his presence commanding yet detached. Without sparing her a glance, Drake walked past her as if she didn’t exist. She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried again. “I just prepared dinner for two hours. Please eat—I’ve been waiting for you all day.” He didn’t stop. Instead, he unbuckled his cufflinks and dropped his suitcase onto the floor carelessly before settling into the large, cushiony sofa. The weight of his indifference pressed down on her chest, suffocating her. “Did I ask you to prepare food for me? Did I say I was hungry?” His voice was sharp, laced with irritation. Her fingers curled around the hem of her dress. “Drake, I spent two hours cooking. Could you just eat it, please, and tell me what you think?” Her voice was soft, pleading. Drake suddenly shot up, running his fingers through his thick, dark hair, his patience evidently worn thin. “What is your problem?” he snapped. His voice reverberated through the dining hall, his fury filling the air like a storm ready to break. Naomi flinched as his arm swung violently, knocking the dishes off the table. The plates shattered against the marble floor, food splattering across the surface like the remains of her shattered heart. She stood frozen, her lips parting in shock. Why was she surprised? This wasn’t the first time he had lashed out. It wasn’t the first time she had spent hours pouring her love into something only for him to destroy it without a second thought. But no matter how many times it happened, the pain never lessened. A bitter realization settled in her chest. Hope was a cruel thing. It blinded you into thinking that maybe—just maybe—there could be a better tomorrow. “Why?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Why did you do that? You didn’t have to throw it away, Drake. Two years… two whole years, and you still hate me?” His jaw clenched. “Don’t act like the victim. It was clearly stated in the contract—no love, no s*x, nothing between us. So why do you keep pushing it?” Her breath hitched. “Do you have someone you love?” “Yes.” The word sliced through her like a dagger, leaving her breathless. So, that was it. The problem was never her. He had always belonged to someone else. Her fingers trembled as she clutched the fabric of her dress. “Who?” she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper. “But… I’m your wife. You can learn to love me, can’t you?” Drake let out a frustrated sigh, his face contorting with anger. “What is your problem, Naomi?” It was the first time in three years he had uttered her name. For a fleeting second, something inside her warmed—until she remembered the context. Quickly regaining her composure, she spoke again. “Why don’t you even try to make this marriage work?” “Our marriage is a business arrangement, Naomi. A contract. Do arranged marriages ever work?” His tone was void of emotion, as if he were stating a simple fact. She bit her lip to keep the tears from spilling. “Fine. But cheating is not right.” He shrugged. “So?” “You said you loved someone—” “Enough, Naomi,” he interrupted. His voice was dismissive, final. “Goodnight.” And just like that, he turned on his heel and walked away. Naomi stood there, her body motionless as her mind spiraled. The sharp sting of rejection settled deep into her bones. Her chest tightened, and her knees buckled as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She knew. She always knew he didn’t love her. But hearing it—confirming it—made it all the more unbearable. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she collapsed to the floor, her sobs racking her body. She curled into herself, hiding her face between her knees, the shattered plates surrounding her like the remnants of her broken heart. She didn’t know how long she stayed like that. Ten minutes? An hour? Time had lost meaning. And then—warm arms lifted her from the floor. She tensed as she recognized the scent of expensive cologne. Drake. “I don’t know what your issue is with me and this love thing,” he muttered as he carried her effortlessly to the bed. She didn’t respond. She didn’t even look at him. He placed her down gently, his hands lingering for just a second before he pulled away. “Stop crying and go to bed. It’s getting annoying.” Still, she said nothing. Drake sighed, rubbing his temples. “What is wrong with you?” No answer. He hesitated before speaking again. “Fine. Ask me one question, and I’ll answer truthfully. Just one.” Naomi inhaled sharply. This was her chance. Her voice wavered as she asked, “Who are you in love with?” Drake stiffened. For the first time, his perfect composure cracked. He exhaled sharply, as if annoyed by the question. “Clara.” Her heart stopped. “Your secretary?” “Yes.” She felt the walls closing in around her. “But Drake… when I asked you in the past if she liked you, you always said there was nothing between you two.” He looked at her for a fleeting second before turning away. His silence was all the confirmation she needed. “If I knew you wouldn’t keep your end of the deal, I would have never married you to begin with,” he muttered before walking out. The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Naomi felt something inside her break. A sharp pang of jealousy struck her chest. What was so special about Clara? Why did everyone around her always choose someone else over her? Even her own husband… She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She refused to live like this anymore. She needed to leave. --- The next morning, Naomi woke up to an empty bed, as expected. Drake had left early for work, leaving the mansion as cold and empty as ever. She had tried talking about divorce before, but he always made things worse for her. He never let her work. He kept her phone locked, preventing her from calling anyone. Guards patrolled the estate, ensuring she remained trapped. She was nothing more than a caged bird. But she had to try one last time. Maybe… maybe if she dressed up and looked beautiful, he would finally notice her. With renewed determination, she curled her long brunette hair and applied a deep red shade of lipstick. But despite her bright appearance, her brown eyes held no gleam—only emptiness. She wore a red dress, hoping it would catch his attention. She waited. And waited. Yet, when midnight came, Drake was still not home. A deep sense of dread settled in her chest. What if something had happened to him? What if he had been in an accident? “Oh dear God, please protect him,” she whispered, gripping her hands together. A knock at the door made her heart leap. She rushed to open it, hope igniting within her. But the moment she saw him—her world stilled. Drake stood before her, his lips slightly swollen. And beside him… A woman. Clara. Her lipstick smudged, her dress slightly wrinkled. The only question that escaped Naomi’s lips was: “Why?”