Forced Marriage.

ainst her ribs, each pulse like a reminder of the cage she was now locked inside. The tears came hot and fast, streaming down her cheeks in a torrent

as like she'd kept a dam inside herself, holding back everything just to survive the day. But Adri

ad promised her to Adrian like a piece of property, sealing her fate with a signature on a contract. She thought she'd be abl

y wiping her tears with the back of her hand. It was Helen,

. She crouched down, pulling Lily into her arms l

t felt raw from crying, and the words were t

s hair, rocking her gently. "Shh,

safe in the lion's den, living under the same roof a

e hoarse. "How do you do it? How do you wor

a weariness that spoke of years of experience. "It's not easy," she admitted. "But I've

ly asked, frowning. "W

n at any moment. "He was different when he was younger. He was kinder, softer. B

doesn't excuse what he's doing to me. Whatever happened t

oesn't. But it might help you un

lf. "I don't want to understand him. I just wan

n. "You're stronger than you think, my dear. I've seen women like you before.

hold back another wave of te

en you fight back. You find your way, even if it take

, heavy and oppressive, but Helen's words lingered in her mind. You're stronger than you think. Was that true?

Her eyes were red and swollen, her face pale. She barely recognized herself. Th

eath. The sheets were cold against her skin, and she wrapped them tightly around herself, curling into a ball. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the

you no

the blanket, her nails digging into her palms. He might have trapped her in this marriage, but she ref

rvive this. She would find a way out of this gilded cage, no matter how long it took. And wh

ffic fading into the distance. But Lily didn't sleep. She couldn't. She was too afraid of the night

exhaustion pulling her under like a tide. And in those few moments of sleep, her dreams were fi

from the tension of the night before. The events of the previous day rushed back to h

pecting Adrian to stride in unannounced. But when the door

ing to eat," she said gently, se

eggs, fresh fruit-but her stomach twisted

mpathetic. "You need to keep up your strength, m

nibbling at the edge. It tasted like ash in

asked quietly, not

"He's in his office. He asked me to let you kn

face him again, not after last night.

," she said, sett

he wanted to say more, but then sh

window, looking out at the city once more. It was a beautiful day, the kin

fall apart, not today. Not in front of him. She had to be strong, had

't, she knew he wou