Chapter 2

The results came back quickly.

Olivia called while I was sitting with Edward in the living room, watching financial news.

I made an excuse to go to the bathroom and locked the door from the inside.

"Emily, the results are in," Olivia said, her voice grave. "This isn't vitamins. It's some kind of nerve-dampening drug that messes with your whole system.

"Long-term, low-dose exposure can make you lethargic, weak, slow to react, creating the illusion of a chronic illness."

My phone almost slipped out of my hand.

I pressed myself against the cold wall, trying not to collapse as my legs threatened to give out.

So, I wasn't sick at all.

I was poisoned.

Edward, who always swore he loved me and cared about my health, had turned me into a helpless wreck who couldn't survive without him.

A wave of betrayal and coldness swept over me, but I couldn't shed a tear.

The last spark of love I had for him was snuffed out in that moment.

"Are you still there?" Olivia asked.

"Yeah," I said, my own voice eerily calm. "Thank you, Olivia. And I'll probably need your help with a lot more stuff soon."

"Don't be so formal," Olivia smiled. "Seriously, should I call the police? Edward's been imprisoning you under the guise of love."

"Won't work. My family trusts him completely. They'd never testify against him. I have to escape on my own. I'll keep you updated. Thanks," I said.

After hanging up, I splashed cold water on my face. I stared at my pale reflection in the mirror, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace.

From that day on, I started pretending.

Whenever Edward handed me my "medicine," I'd pretend to swallow it, but secretly stash it under my tongue. Once he left, I spit it out.

And whenever he brought me soup, I'd "accidentally" spill half of it.

On the outside, I kept playing the part of the fragile, dependent Emily who always relied on him.

But behind his back, I quit the meds and started exercising whenever I could sneakily.

I began with the easiest stretches, then gradually managed a few sets of squats in my room.

At first, every move made my muscles ache like they were being ripped apart. But I just clenched my teeth and pushed through.

Little by little, I was getting my body back. That sense of control was more real than anything I'd ever felt before.

I quietly took out the jewelry Edward kept locked in his safe. And then I contacted Olivia to help me sell it in batches.

Those were once his "gifts" of love. Now, they'd become my ticket to freedom.

*****

One day, my brother Charles came to visit.

Edward happened to be home. He put his arm around me, all smiles as he greeted Charles. "Charles, come in. Emily's been doing well lately. I was thinking of taking her out more."

Charles looked at me, clearly pleased. "Edward, you really know how to take care of her."

Then he sat down and started his usual lecture at me. "You don't even realize how lucky you are, Emily. With a husband like Edward, what more could you want?

"Edward told me you wanted to work again. With your health, what could you possibly do? Don't make trouble for him.

"And those friends of yours are all bad news. Edward keeping you away from them is for your own good."

I kept my head down, not saying a word.

Edward was peeling an apple nearby, his tone affectionate and indulgent. "Charles, don't be so hard on Emily. She's just too innocent to think much. I'll take care of her."

He held the peeled apple up to my lips, and I obediently opened my mouth to take a bite.

Charles watched us, looking all pleased as he nodded in approval at our "loving" act.

The second Charles left, Edward's smile dropped.

He shut the door behind him and came at me, slow and deliberate.

I instinctively backed away.

"I only played nice because Charles was here," Edward said, gripping my chin with a force that was gentle yet unmistakably controlling. "But don't forget our rules. Why did you reach out to Olivia secretly?"

My heart dropped—he found out.

"I-It's been so long since I saw her. I missed her," I stammered.

Edward sneered, his voice icy. "You missed her? Or did you want her to help you sell the things I gave you?"

He released my chin, pulled a photo out of his pocket, and threw it down in front of me.

In the picture, Olivia stood with a man outside a jewelry resale shop.

"Emily, you're getting more and more defiant," Edward said, his voice low and dangerous.

His eyes had lost all previous tenderness, now filled only with cold disappointment and furious rage at being defied.

"Looks like I've let you get away with too much," he added.