I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, gently touching the bruise forming on my cheek. Marcus's ring had left its mark again. Five years of marriage, and the fairy tale had turned into a nightmare.
My phone buzzed. A text from my best friend, Aria.
"He's at the Golden Crown Hotel. Room 506. You need to see this, Sienna."
My hands trembled as I read the message. Deep down, I'd always known Marcus was cheating, but I'd been too afraid to confirm it.
Not anymore.
The hotel was only fifteen minutes away. I grabbed my keys, ignoring the pain in my ribs from last night's "lesson" about burning his dinner.
The receptionist barely glanced at me when I mentioned Room 506. "Oh, Mr. Harrison's room? Go right up."
My heart pounded as the elevator climbed. Five... six... The doors opened, and I heard it immediately. The sounds coming from 506 left nothing to imagination.
I used the key card Aria had somehow obtained. The door clicked open.
"Oh god, Marcus! Harder!"
There they were. My husband and his secretary, Vivian, on the same bed where he'd promised to love me forever.
Marcus's head snapped up. "Sienna? What the fuck?"
"Don't stop!" Vivian whined, then froze when she saw me. Her fake surprise would've been comical if it hadn't shattered my world. "Oh... oh my god."
"You pathetic bitch," Marcus snarled, grabbing his robe. "Who told you I was here?"
I backed away. "Does it matter?"
His hand shot out, gripping my throat. "Answer me!"
"Marcus, baby, calm down," Vivian purred, wrapping the sheet around herself. "Let me handle this."
She sauntered over, her perfect blonde hair barely mussed. "Listen, sweetie. Marcus needs a real woman. Someone who can satisfy him. Not some boring little mouse who can't even cook properly."
"Three years," I choked out as Marcus's grip tightened. "You've been sleeping with my husband for three years?"
"Oh honey, longer than that." Her laugh cut like glass. "Since before the wedding. Why do you think he kept me as his secretary?"
Marcus threw me against the wall. "You shouldn't have come here, Sienna. Now I have to teach you another lesson about privacy."
"No more lessons." I tried to sound brave, but my voice shook. "I want a divorce."
The slap echoed through the room. "You'll leave when I say you can leave. And that's never."
Vivian's laughter mixed with the ringing in my ears. "She actually thinks she has a choice! Marcus, baby, she's even dumber than you said."
"Get dressed," Marcus ordered her. "I need to take my wife home and remind her of her place."
I touched my stinging cheek, tasting blood. "I'll tell everyone. About the abuse, the cheating-"
"Who would believe you?" He grabbed my arm, twisting until I cried out. "The clumsy wife who's always falling down stairs? Besides, you have nowhere to go. No family, no real friends. You're mine, Sienna. Forever."
"Please," I whispered, hating how weak I sounded. "Just let me go."
"Never." His breath was hot against my ear. "You're my favorite toy to break."
Vivian finished dressing, blowing Marcus a kiss. "Have fun, baby. Don't be too gentle with her."
As she passed me, she whispered, "He likes it when I scream. But you already know that, don't you?"
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone with the monster I'd married. Marcus's eyes held that familiar gleam - the one that promised pain.
"Home. Now." He dragged me toward the door. "And Sienna? If you ever spy on me again..." His grip tightened until I felt bones grind. "They'll never find your body."
As he pulled me through the hotel lobby, I caught my reflection in a mirror. A broken woman stared back, her eyes dead and cheek swelling.
I had to escape. Tonight. Or I wouldn't survive another one of Marcus's lessons.
Marcus threw me onto our marble floor the moment we got home. The impact sent shockwaves through my already bruised ribs.
"Strip," he commanded, loosening his tie.
"No." The word came out before I could stop it.
His eyebrows shot up. "What did you just say?"
"I said no." My voice shook, but I stood my ground. Something in me had snapped at that hotel. "I'm done being your punching bag."
His laugh was cold. "Done? Oh, sweetheart." He grabbed a fistful of my hair. "You don't get to be done."
The doorbell rang.
Marcus froze. Nobody visited this late.
"Don't make a sound," he hissed, releasing me.
The bell rang again, more insistent.
"Mr. Harrison?" A deep voice called from outside. "This is Dante Romano. We need to discuss your debt."
Marcus's face went white. "No... no, they gave me another week."
"Time's up." The voice held no emotion. "Open the door, or we open it for you."
"Sienna," Marcus grabbed my arm. "Go upstairs. If they ask, you haven't seen me all day."
"Why should I lie for you?"
His fingers dug into my flesh. "Because if you don't, I'll make sure you never speak again."
The front door burst open.
A man stepped in, his presence filling the room. Dark hair, sharp features, and eyes that seemed to see right through me. Two others flanked him, but my gaze stayed locked on him - Dante Romano.
"Mr. Harrison." His voice was silk over steel. "Running from the Romanos was... unwise."
"Please," Marcus released me, backing away. "I can explain-"
"Save it." Dante's eyes flickered to me, then narrowed at my bruised cheek. "Your wife seems unwell."
"She's clumsy," Marcus said quickly. "Always falling-"
"Down stairs?" Dante's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Strange. The bruise looks exactly like a ring mark."
He stepped closer, studying my face. "What's your name, bella?"
"Sienna," I whispered.
"Beautiful name." He turned to Marcus. "You owe my family ten million. Where is it?"
Marcus swallowed hard. "I... I can get it. Just need more time-"
"Time's up." Dante's voice hardened. "But I'm feeling generous. I'll make you a deal."
"Anything!"
"Your debt for your wife."
My heart stopped. Marcus was actually considering it - I could see it in his eyes.
Dante's expression darkened. "I wasn't asking your permission." He turned to me. "The choice is yours, bella. Stay here with this... creature. Or come with me."
I looked between them - the devil I knew and the one I didn't. But something in Dante's eyes told me he'd never raise a hand to me like Marcus had.
"I'll go with you."
"No!" Marcus lunged forward. "She's my wife! My property!"
Dante moved faster than I thought possible. One moment he was beside me, the next he had Marcus pinned against the wall.
"She's not property," he growled. "And you just lost any chance of mercy."
He released Marcus, who crumpled to the floor. "Pack your bags, bella. You're under my protection now."
As I climbed the stairs, I heard Marcus sobbing. But for the first time in five years, I felt something strange.
Hope.
