CHAPTER5
1264 Words
POV: Rose Volkov
I woke up to an empty room.
The sunlight streamed through the windows. The couch where Liam had slept was empty, the blanket folded neatly.
For a moment I thought maybe it had all been a nightmare.
Then I saw the wedding dress crumpled on the floor and reality crashed back.
I was married. To Liam Salvatore. And I was trapped in his mansion with no way out.
I got up slowly and walked to the bathroom. It was marble and gold, with a shower that could fit six people and a bathtub the size of a small pool.
I caught sight of myself in the mirror and barely recognized the girl staring back. My makeup was smeared from crying. My hair was a mess. I still wore Liam's oversized t-shirt.
I looked destroyed.
I took a long shower, scrubbing my skin until it was raw. Trying to wash away the feeling of his hands on me. His mouth on mine. The way he'd looked at me like I was something he'd purchased.
When I came out, there were clothes laid out on the bed. Expensive designer clothes in exactly my size. A note sat on top.
Wear these. Breakfast is at eight. Don't be late. - L
I checked the time. Seven forty-five.
I dressed quickly in the dark jeans and silk blouse he'd chosen. Everything fit perfectly. He must have had someone research my measurements.
The thought made my skin crawl.
At exactly eight AM, someone knocked on the door.
"Mrs. Salvatore?" A woman's voice. "Mr. Salvatore sent me to escort you to breakfast."
I opened the door. A young woman in a maid's uniform stood there, smiling politely.
"This way, please."
I followed her through the maze of hallways and down the grand staircase. The mansion was even more intimidating in daylight. Every corner held expensive art or antique furniture. Everything screamed old money and power.
We entered a dining room with a table that could seat twenty people. Liam sat at the head, reading something on his tablet. He didn't look up when I entered.
"Sit," he said, still focused on his screen.
I sat at the opposite end of the table. As far from him as possible.
A different maid brought food. Eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, pastries. Enough to feed ten people.
I wasn't hungry.
"Eat," Liam said, finally looking up. "You barely touched dinner last night."
"I'm not hungry."
"I don't care. Eat anyway." His tone left no room for argument.
I picked up a piece of toast and took a small bite. It tasted like cardboard.
Liam watched me for a moment, then went back to his tablet. We sat in silence.
Finally I couldn't take it anymore. "What happens now?"
"What do you mean?"
"What are the rules? What am I allowed to do? Where can I go?" I set down the toast. "Am I a prisoner here?"
"You're my wife."
"That's not an answer."
He sighed and set down his tablet. "The estate has fifty acres. You're free to go anywhere on the property. But you don't leave without my permission and an armed escort."
"So I'm a prisoner."
"You're protected." His eyes were cold. "There are people who would love to get their hands on you now that you're married to me. The armed guards are for your safety."
"How thoughtful."
"Don't be sarcastic. It doesn't suit you." He stood up. "I have business to attend to today. You'll stay here and get familiar with the house. Maria will show you around."
The maid from earlier stepped forward. "Of course, Mr. Salvatore."
"Wait." I stood up too. "When can I see my father?"
"You can't."
"You promised he'd be safe if I married you. I married you. Now let me see him."
"I promised he'd stay alive. I never said anything about visits." Liam walked toward the door. "He's my leverage, Rose. As long as I have him, you'll behave. If I let you see him, that leverage weakens."
"Please." I hated begging but I was desperate. "Just five minutes. Just to know he's okay."
He stopped at the door and looked back at me. For a moment I thought he might actually agree.
"No." His voice was final. "Get used to disappointment, wife. You'll be experiencing a lot of it."
He left.
I stood there shaking with rage and fear and helplessness.
"Mrs. Salvatore?" Maria said gently. "Shall I show you the house?"
"I don't care about the house." I walked toward the windows. They overlooked the gardens. Beautiful and perfect and completely meaningless.
"Is there anything I can get you?"
"My freedom." I laughed bitterly. "Can you get me that?"
Maria didn't answer.
I spent the rest of the morning wandering the mansion with her as my shadow. She showed me room after room. Library, home theater, gym, indoor pool, wine cellar. Everything a person could want.
Everything except freedom.
In the afternoon I tried to call Marco. My phone was dead. When I asked Maria for a charger, she looked uncomfortable.
"Mr. Salvatore has your phone, ma'am. He said you won't need it for now."
Of course he did.
I was completely cut off. No phone, no computer, no way to contact anyone.
I really was a prisoner.
At dinner, Liam still didn't come home. I ate alone in that massive dining room, served by silent staff who wouldn't meet my eyes.
I went back to our bedroom at nine. The bed had been made, my wedding dress had been removed. Everything looked perfect.
I changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. The sheets still smelled like him.
At midnight, the door opened. Liam walked in, loosening his tie. He looked exhausted.
He started undressing. I looked away quickly.
"Tomorrow you'll meet with a doctor," he said. "Full physical exam. Blood tests. Everything."
"Why?"
"To make sure you're healthy. And to start you on birth control." He walked toward the bathroom. "Very effective birth control."
My stomach dropped. "Birth control?"
"I told you. No children. Ever." He paused at the bathroom door. "The doctor will make sure of it."
He disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door.
I sat there processing what he'd just said. Birth control. Monitored by his doctor. Completely under his control.
This was my life now. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Wait, my phone? I grabbed it.
One new message from an unknown number.
Unknown: I heard you got married, Rose. Congratulations. We need to talk. Soon.
- M
My heart stopped.
M.
That's Matteo. My ex-fiancé who disappeared to Sicily two years ago. The only man who ever truly terrified me. The man I'd been grateful never to see again.
He was back.
And he knew I was married to Liam.
The bathroom door opened. I quickly deleted the message and threw the phone back on the nightstand.
Liam came out wearing only his undies. He saw me staring at the phone.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No." I lay down quickly. "Nothing."
He got into bed beside me. Close enough that I could feel his body heat. Close enough to touch.
"Rose," he said quietly.
"What?"
"Last night... I showed you mercy because you were scared. That won't happen again." His hand touched my waist. "Stand up and strip."
I closed my eyes, my heart beating real hard. "Right now?"
But he didn't answer me. He just stood up, and dragged me up. “ I told you tonight is going to be brutal” “NoW STrIP” He yelled.
- Writer
