From Prisoner to Phoenix: His Regret

o jobs to make ends meet, tending to his wounds, believing his love was the only thing keeping h

kins, CEO of Hawkins Industries, announced his engagement today to Vice President Heidi Daniel."

ly made for our anniversary rested against his chest as he kissed her deeply, possessively. My stomach twisted, my head

aw him laughing with Heidi, oblivious to my presence. He silenced my call, texting, "I

ad, and then, the memories flooded back: the car crash wasn't an accident, Heidi Daniel was the dri

f I would still love him unconditionally. He was a monster, and I was his prisoner. But a cold, har

pte

rs, I thought

the worst part of the city. The paint peeled o

y day and cleaning offices by ni

hat he told me. He came home most nights bruised and exhausted, a

ould imagine. He said my smile was

lean. Gavin found me, took care of me, and told me we were m

f our tiny kitchen. I' d saved up for weeks to buy a steak

the corner was on, the local

ies, announced his engagement today to Vice Presi

annoyed at the

I f

he screen was

obably cost more than our apartment. His arm was wrapped around a stunnin

spered. It

Someone who just

ll scar above his left eyebrow from a childhood fall he'd to

was

Gav

Heidi Daniel. It wasn't a quick, po

ted. My head st

I s

in silver chain, was a s

caught in

al piece of wood and painstakingly carved it myself. I gave it to him for ou

housand-dollar suit, while he kissed

r me. I gripped the edge of th

ed to smoke, filling the small s

bing my worn-out coat. I had to

ailed a cab, my hands shaking so hard I c

," I told the drive

mirror, his eyes lingering on m

t dr

l, a world away from my run-down neighborhood. Securit

wkins," I said to the g

smirk playing on his lips. "

'm his...

aid he doesn't have time for..." he trai

ugh the air. "Gavin, darli

e beautiful in person. She walked toward t

Gav

is head tilted bac

iting. He leaned down and whispered something in her

al. It was a cold, sharp feeling

ars... our life..

s about to give out. My s

ed phone. My fingers tremb

t, his smile fading as he looked at the screen. He g

ght he'd see me. Tha

d the call and slid the p

came through

lk. Be home late tonight. Don

ears. A sob escaped my lips, l

standing right ther

re life

e could afford his "training supplements." The way I

all a s

hrough my head, so int

memories came

t three years. But

sh wasn't a

side door. I remember Heidi Daniel's face in the driver's

en his protégé, his most promising student. After my father died i

eld me when I cried. He made sure I ate. He took over my fath

I wanted, I got. He said I wa

long. One night, he confessed he'd loved me for years. I was young, griev

any. Ambitious, beautiful, ruthless. Gavin was intrigued by h

fought. I told him

t him, grabbing my car keys, and storming o

rash. Then

avin by my side, telling me I was his wife, Ainsl

s entire life. Thi

elieve a lie. He built

w me into poverty just to see if I would still love him u

nbearable. It felt like m

ced my distress. "Ma'

troyed my life, who was now stepping into an elevator

Gavin's eyes finally fou

icker of annoyance, as if he were looking at

just break. It

sified, a sharp, twisting cr

the guard

only sound was the roar in

rubbing floors and washing dishes. I thought of th

ggling fighter.

n't just

his pr

settled in my chest

ot get awa

his world t

tart by fakin