Chapter One..

Caitlin's POV:

My heart sprang and bolted in fear, with each step he took towards me.

I thought I had more time to myself. I had hoped our anniversary would bring a reprieve from all the tension, thinking he would be gone for a week.

But, Fuck it! He was home, and I was wrong.

Anniversary or not, tonight would be just as dreadful like all the others.

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the vibrant yellow parrot perched on the window sill. It's eyes a bright, piercing blue.

It cocked it's head to one side, watching me with an unblinking gaze.

As I reached out to touch the parrot's soft feathers, a strong hand grasps my waist, pulling my back against a hard, muscular chest.

"Hey beautiful, I'm home." He whispered.

Aiden's fingers caressed my skin, his touch a mixture of passion and possession. His lips trailed soft passionate kisses along my neck, and brushed against my ear.

But I felt nothing; nothing at all. No spark, no flame, no desire.

"I miss you...miss your scent so fucking much!." His hands roamed my body, pinching my nipples, touching my sex, his fingers digging into me like claws.

But I remained numb and unresponsive.

"Did you miss me?."

I felt a surge of anxiety, My heart raising in my chest somehow. I tried pulling away but Aiden's grip only tightened.

"Let's not play games, Caitlin. I know you missed me. I can feel it."

I took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak.

"We've been together for six years, Aiden. Six years of torture, of pain, of fear... Is this what you call love?".

"Let's get a divorce." I said, my words tumbling out in a rush.

The room fell silent. Aiden's hands froze. His eyes blazed with fury as he turned me around to face him.

"What did you say?"

His fingers grasp my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "I just asked a question". He thundered.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest." I said I want a divorce."

"You want to leave me? On our anniversary of all days?"

I remained silent. I could feel a cold dread creeping up my spine as Aiden's grip on my waist only tightened. I knew I had to tread carefully, or risk facing his wrath.

"You think you can leave me? You think you can just walk away me? From everything I've given you?."

He gestured to the luxurious room, the expensive furniture, and decorations.

"Aren't I a good husband to you, Cait? A house, a car, bags, jewelry...I give you everything a woman can dream of. What more could you ask for?"

"I don't need any of them. That's not what I want."

"What do you want, then?. He growled. "I can give you anything. The whole world? That's an understatement. Just say the damn word."

"I want my freedom."

"I want to be able to walk down the street without you or your rogues by my side. I want to be able to breath without your permission, Aiden. I just want to leave you". I said, my voice a little firm, as I tried walking away.

Aiden's face twisted in rage. He pulled me back, closing his fingers around my neck like a vice. Our faces were inches apart, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Don't ever mention this again". He snared, leaving his hot breath against my skin. "Do you hear me?"

With a sudden burst of strength, he pushed me to the floor and I landed hard as the wind knocked out of me. Pain shot through my body, but I didn't care, I was beyond feeling.

"This is why I want to divorce you".

I looked at Aiden, and saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. He knelt down beside me, his hands shaking as he reached out to touch me.

"I'm sorry, Caitlin. It's my fault. I'm just too scared of losing you. I can swear, I won't hit you anymore….i won't do it ever again".

He slapped himself repeatedly, the sound echoing through the room. I watched him, unfeeling.

Like, how can someone be this broken? One might just think he's a psychopath, seeing how madly he behaved.

"I won't do it again. Please trust me, Cait. You can hit me too, if you want."

He took my hands pressing them against his face… "But don't leave me, I beg you".

I pulled my hands free, my heart heavy with sorrow. "Let me go!"

…"please Caitlin".

"I said let me go". I screamed, struggling to break free from his suffocating grip.

His grip only tightened.

"No way! He thundered. His voice echoing off the walls. You're not going anywhere. You're mine, Caitlin. Mine!."

He left me furiously and stormed the room up and down.

"I'm not yours! I am my own person, and I deserve better than all of this your nonsense charade". These were the words I had wanted to spill, but the nerves...it was gone in a jiffy.

I couldn't utter a single word.

"I'm the best thing that ever happened to you. You'll never leave me. You said so yourself, remember?."

Hell! I hated every single word this crazy berserk frantic used on me. What guts!

"That's not true!. I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a few step closer to me and patted my hair.

"You're just being dramatic. Trying to hurt me, huh? You know It won't work, honey. I'll never let you go".

I wasn't being dramatic though, but this lunatic thought I was. I was obviously telling the truth.

The truth is...I was done with him. I was done with this marriage and I was done with his abuse.!

I honestly wish I could scream these words. They were eating deep within me, but only came out as tears.

Aiden's face contorted in anguish for a moment, and just then, in that eerie moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I once thought I loved. But it was quickly replaced by the monster he had become.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get away from you. Even if it means dying!" I said, amidst tears.

"You'll regret this. You'll regret ever having these thoughts. I'm sure of it."

I jerked in fear, seeing Aiden grow wild with rage.

Get a grip, Caitlin. You ain't allowed to show your fear or give in too easily. I screamed at my inner self.

Honestly, I had always wanted to fight back whenever Aidan bullied me. Did he think of me as his pet or something…? Oh! maybe he already knows I'm afraid of him.

"See how fearful you look, Cait. I haven't even laid a tiny finger on you." Aiden smirked as he bent beside me and stroked my hair softly.

"Is that right? Should I really be afraid of my own husband?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, despite the fear trembling through my body.

"Of course, You should be. He whispered mockingly. You should be afraid of me"

Aiden picked me up, carrying me to the couch..

"Let's have a baby." he said. His eyes wild with desperation.

I immediately felt a wave of revulsion wash over me.

"No. I don't want that".

"It's not even a plea, Cait. I'm not asking, I'm telling you, we'll have a baby. "

"I don't wanna have a baby. Not with you"

"Why? Aren't we a couple?."

"You're a terrible husband, just like your dad" I spat out, my words fueled by anger and hatred. "You won't be a good father either".

As I said those words, I knew I had crossed a line. Aiden looked like he had been punched in the gut, his entire body recoiling in shock, his fist clenching at his sides, and his face contorted in anger and hurt.

He slowly got up from the couch. His movement deliberate and menacing…

"So you think I'm like my dad?... you think I'm a terrible person?."

I turned my face away. And I could feel my heart pounding heavily in my chest.

It seemed I had woken the beast in him..

Of course, I had wanted to return the same energy he brought, but I wasn't ready for the dreadful outcome.

Aiden ripped off his tie, and tied my hands with it, letting the silk fabric dig into my skin.

Then, he took my tied hands across my face and held it behind my head.

"Maybe I'm not now, he snared. But I'll definitely be a good father in the future"

"What does it take for you to set me free?. What would it take for you to let go of my freaking ass?" I asked, my voice a little hoarse.

"Either I die, or you die. And rest assured, you ain't allowed to die without me."

He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine, kissing me rough and hard. I felt like I was being crushed, my breath caught in my throat..

I was suffocating, trapped in this nightmare of a marriage.

I struggled to break free from his grasp but Aiden was too strong. His hands like steel bands around me.

I forcefully removed one of my hands from his grip, but he brought it back and pinned me down, even tighter.

"With a baby, we're gonna be a happy family". He whispered, and chuckled crazily. "Whether your heart or your body, belongs to me only".

"You make me sick." I spat, trying to push him away with every ounce of strength in me.

"I hate you! I hate you for making feel like nothing! You're very wicked and heartless, just like your fa…"

With that, I crossed hundreds of boundaries.

He raised his hand, and I felt a surge of pain as he brought it down, slapping me across the face.

Aiden folded the black sleeve he was wearing, up to his elbow, revealing his muscular arms ripping beneath his skin, and the costly gold wrist watch that gleamed in light.

He was vibrating from head to toe, clenching his fists like he was ready for a fight. I knew how much he hated how I despised him being so close to me, but i still spilled clean trash anyway.

I had obviously touched a sore spot and was already so fucking aware of the grave danger I was in, being in this marriage with a man who's capable of anything...

He picked me forcefully off the couch, carried me to his room, and threw me on his bed.

And yes, I landed hard, the mattress bouncing beneath me a couple of times before it balanced my weight.

Before I could climb down, Aiden pulled me back and leaned over, with eyes that bored deep into my soul, his last words trailed off..

"Get your fucking ass down, bitch! You're gonna pay for saying that, and hurting me".