chapter 7
1013 Words
Aris was panicking.
He had no idea what had happened to her.
He paced outside the hospital room, running a hand through his hair while waiting for someone to tell him she was okay.
Eventually, the doctor stepped out.
"She's suffering from severe malnutrition and exhaustion," the doctor explained. "Her body is extremely fatigued. That's most likely why she fainted."
Aris's expression fell.
"Malnutrition?"
He couldn't understand.
What had she been going through for her body to become this weak?
When she finally woke up, Aris was immediately at her side.
He took her hand gently.
"Are you okay? What happened? Have you been eating properly? Have you been feeling sick? How long have you been like this?"
She blinked at him.
"Aris..."
He stopped.
"Calm down."
"I'm fine."
"You just fainted."
"I know."
"Then how can you say you're fine?"
She gave him a small smile.
"I haven't been feeling well for a few days. That's all."
He wasn't convinced.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
But the worry in his eyes remained.
After the doctor gave her medication and fluids and confirmed that she was stable enough to leave, Aris offered to take her home.
"Come have dinner at my place."
She hesitated for barely a second.
Aiden wasn't around.
For once, she could go somewhere without having to ask permission.
"Okay."
The answer came easily.
On the drive to Aris's house, she realized just how different it felt sitting beside him.
There was conversation.
Laughter.
Questions.
Stories.
She didn't have to measure every word before speaking.
She could simply be herself.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt free.
When they arrived at Aris's home, she stared in amazement.
The house was beautiful.
Luxurious, but warm.
Everything looked comfortable and lived-in rather than cold and intimidating.
"Come in," Aris said with a smile.
She followed him inside.
He gestured toward the sofa.
"Sit. I'll make something."
She blinked.
"You cook?"
He laughed.
"Why does everyone sound so surprised when I say that?"
She smiled.
"I just didn't expect it."
He disappeared into the kitchen.
Soon, the quiet house filled with the sounds of cooking.
She eventually wandered into the kitchen, curious.
They ended up talking while he prepared dinner, occasionally laughing over small things.
She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this alive.
Eventually, Aris placed the food in front of her.
She took one bite.
Her eyes widened.
"This is really good."
He grinned.
"Really?"
"Really."
They laughed.
For the next few minutes, she forgot everything.
The marriage.
Her family.
The loneliness.
Aiden.
She simply ate and laughed with someone who made her feel like a normal person again.
Across the table, Aris watched her.
He couldn't help smiling.
There was something captivating about seeing her genuinely happy.
She looked completely different when she smiled.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
They both stopped.
Aris frowned.
"Are you expecting someone?"
She shook her head.
He stood.
"Can you get the door?"
She nodded and walked toward it.
When she opened the door, her smile disappeared.
Aiden stood outside.
Behind him were several guards.
And police officers.
Her heart dropped.
Aiden's expression was cold.
His eyes immediately found her.
"You're coming home."
She stepped backward.
"No."
Aiden's gaze hardened.
She shook her head.
"I don't want to go."
Aris immediately came forward.
"She doesn't have to go anywhere."
One of the officers stepped forward.
"Sir, we were informed that she was taken from her husband's residence without permission."
Aris stared at Aiden.
"She came here willingly."
Aiden didn't answer.
He simply looked at his wife.
"Come."
She shook her head again.
"No."
Her voice trembled.
"I don't want to."
Aris stepped between them.
"She said no."
The guards moved forward.
She tried to pull away.
"Don't!"
Her voice broke.
She struggled, desperately trying to remain where she was.
"I don't want to go with him!"
But there were too many people.
And once again, her choice seemed to disappear beneath everyone else's authority.
Aiden watched as they led her away.
She looked back at Aris.
Their eyes met.
There was fear in hers.
And helplessness.
Aris took a step forward.
But the guards stopped him.
She was taken outside.
The car door closed.
And as the vehicle pulled away, she stared through the window at Aris standing alone outside his home.
The moment they arrived home, Adrian's patience disappeared.
He pushed her toward the couch.
"Why did you leave?"
His voice echoed through the room.
"Why did you go there?"
She stared at him, exhausted.
"I told you to leave me alone!"
Her voice broke.
"I just want to be free!"
Adrian stepped closer.
"I'm tired!" she shouted. "I'm tired of being locked inside this house! I'm tired of being told where I can go, who I can see, and what I'm allowed to do!"
Her breathing became uneven.
"I can't keep living like this!"
For a moment, Adrian simply stared at her.
Then he ordered the guards to take her upstairs.
"No!"
She struggled.
"Please, don't!"
But they carried her back to her room.
The door closed behind her.
She immediately rushed toward it and began pounding against it.
"Open the door!"
Nothing.
"Please!"
Still nothing.
She eventually slid down against the door, covering her face with her hands.
The tears came.
She was exhausted.
Her body was weak from days of barely eating, and emotionally, she felt completely empty.
She cried quietly into her hands.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Adrian stood alone in the living room.
His expression was unreadable.
He picked up his phone and made a call.
"I want someone to deal with Aris."
He paused.
His voice became colder.
"Make sure he stays away from my wife permanently."
He ended the call.
She simply sat on the floor of her locked room, crying and wondering how much longer she could survive a life in which everyone else seemed to have control over her choices.
And somewhere outside that house, Aris had no idea that he had just become the target of Adrian's anger.
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