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Chapter 9
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The morning I woke up I felt awful. Memories of the last night were flashing through my mind. Tears streamed down my face. The way Edric treated me last night was not how a man should treat a woman. What did I do to him? What had I done to make him act the way he did to me?
I turned to my side, creating as much distance between us as possible. Only it hurt, a lot. My whole body felt sore. I could already see the bruises on my wrists. I did not want to know how many more were painted on my body.
I heard a grunt coming from the other side of the bed. My body tensed. Please go back to sleep, I thought.
"You awake?" I heard Edric asking me in a raspy voice.
I did not dare to speak a word. I was afraid if I made a squeak, he might do somet
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The next morning, I again, walked on eggshells around Edric. Fortunately, he did not bother me last night. But I had barely slept. My fears kept me awake. Just when I had managed to sleep, I was woken up by him, the evil man that is my husband.Quickly I made my way to the kitchen to get his breakfast, making sure his coffee was ready when he entered the room.Once again, I had hardly touched my food. Stress did not let me eat. I barely dared to even move. Afraid that with one movement I could make him set off.We ate in silence as there was not a need to make conversation with such a vicious man until Edric himself spoke up."We are going out tonight. So, no need in making dinner." With that, he left the house.When I heard the front door closing, I could breathe again. I sighed. I did not know when he would come home, but I knew I had some hours to myself, free from him. How ironically. All my life I wished for a friend, for company and now
The Caged Bird Chapter 11
We were driving back home, but my mind was still thinking about the conversation during dinner. Edric had not said no to Leo because I was his wife, he said no because he thought I was not pretty enough, and he was afraid of his reputation being damaged.To say I felt horrible was an understatement.When we came back, I immediately made my way inside to take the high heels off my feet. Slowly I headed upstairs as my feet were hurting. Entering the bedroom, I went to the bed to sit. I looked at my feet for the damage, it was not that bad. My skin was a bit red in some places, but no blisters, fortunately.I stood up after I had collected all my energy to make myself ready for the night when Edric walked in. "Where are you going?" He asked me in a dark voice. He loosened his tie and unbu
The Caged Bird Chapter 12
Two weeks. Two weeks went by and my life had not gotten any easier living with the devil himself. I tried to listen to him. I really tried. I did what he asked, what he ordered me to do. Nevertheless, he always found a way to punish me with a slap, a punch, or a kick.My bruises, however, did not increase, he would only hit me once to make his point. Making clear that it was him who was in charge. Not me. So, the bruises stayed on my body, once healed another would be painted on my skin.Most of the days Edric would be away. I had no clue where, but I did not care. I only cared for his temporary disappearance. For a short period of time where I could breathe without having to look over my shoulder. A time of peace.Some days he would be at home, mostly on Sundays, and then people
The Caged Bird Chapter 13
Today was a good day. Edric had said he was home late, so that meant I had the day to myself. In the morning I accompanied Linda, Debra and Stella, in the afternoon I kept myself busy in the garden, and in the evening, I enjoyed reading a book in the library. That was the only place Edric was not fond of, so it was my escape place from him.When I was finishing my last chapter before deciding to go to bed, I heard a noise coming from the foyer. I assumed it was Edric, but judging by the sound of it, it seemed he was not alone. Normally I would let it go, thinking it would be one of the men who came over here from time to time. Only this did not sound like males, but rather like females.I closed my book and carefully made my way to the front door. The closer I got the clearer it got to me it was indeed females. I turned around the corne
The Caged Bird Chapter 14
I liked Evelyn. She smiled and joked all the time. She had taught me a lot of things about tv shows, tv channels, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and all other kinds of social media platforms, while we ate ourselves full of all kinds of snacks. Evelyn really had a sweet tooth. Only my body did not like the sweetness. Shortly after I had to throw up. Maybe I should take it easy with eating so many things at one time, the next time I am eating with Evelyn.When I came back, we finished watching a YouTube video which was a make-up tutorial. I really like those; they were very satisfying to watch. Quite shooting."Tomorrow we should go shopping. We will buy you a phone first. I can't believe how you lived without one. Oh, I can invite some of my friends as well, you will love them." Evelyn kept on babbling during dinner. I did not mind, I loved that she brought some positive energy into this house."I don't think it a good idea to take Ava shopping with you," Edr
The Caged Bird Chapter 15
Yesterday Evelyn left our house. I wanted her to stay longer. She brought a certain brightness with her that I longed for. A brightness that scared the devil away, my husband. He kept his hands to himself while his sister was here, and I enjoyed every minute of it. But Evelyn had really to go. She had not visited her parents yet after her arrival back here.So, with a heavy heart, I waved her goodbye.After she left, Edric left as well. I was again all alone in the house, with the exception of the three maids.I went to the bathroom where I had hidden something Evelyn gave me. A pregnancy test. She had said to give it a try if my nausea did not go away and my period made no appearance. Now, it was two days ago she had given it to me.Should I try it? No, just wait for your period. But what if I am really pregnant? Impossible, that could not be the case. I had watched one movie about women trying to get pregnant and it could take years. But there was still
The Caged Bird Chapter 16
"What's that?" Edric pointed at the pregnancy test. I did not want to show him, but I could not resist him either. Careful he took my hand in his and removed the object from my hand. He was quiet when he looked at it."What is it Edric?" Evelyn now asked. He showed her and she gasped. She took the test in her hands and looked at it multiple times, to make sure it was real. Soon both their parents stood around her, taking in the news as well.Miranda copied her daughter and gasped out as well, but it sounded more out of joy than from shock. "Well, this is wonderful news!""Mother!" Evelyn hissed."Another problem solved, well-done son." Marcus, the father of Edric, muttered. A slap on the back was given and both shared a small smile.How could people be happy about this? How could people even be happy?"I-I need to go... I need my brother." I muttered as I stumbled towards the front door. I did not make it far. Soon two hands were on my shoul
The Caged Bird Chapter 17
Mafia. I had asked Alex for a laptop and he gave me one, not knowing what I wanted to do with it. I had searched for the term. I was finally getting answers, so I thought. Multiple hits came up. I thanked Evelyn silently in my mind for teaching me how to effectively use the internet.Although I knew I still had not mastered it, I knew now better how to use certain sites, like Google.I looked at the hits. The first hits were mostly about a game called Mafia, but I knew that was not what Alex and Edric meant withmafia. They talked aboutThe Businessand that meant a kind of organization.So, I looked further.Then, I stumbled on some hits about definitions. I read them and what I read; I could not believe it. They said the termmafiareferred to a criminal organization that had its own culture, politics, and economy. This organization did business in different areas like gambling, drug trafficki
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The Caged Bird Epilogue
The wedding was done. The dress was shown, the kiss was shared, and the vows were spoken. The guests cheered, oblivious to the silent cries of the bride. The beautiful ceremony masked the impending doom that she felt deep within her heart.The bird was once again caged by a master who wanted to show his prized possession to the underworld of the modern era. He paraded her around, flaunting her beauty and grace to the other greedy men who desperately wanted to hunt down that precious lady. She was a trophy in his eyes, a symbol of his power and status.He pranced around with her, showing her off to the other greedy men, desperately wanting to hunt down that precious lady. Each night was a display, a spectacle where she was the main attraction. The lady felt miserable again. The weight of her gilded cage was suffocating. Never could she really leave her cage. Never could she spread her wings and explore the world. Never did she get the chance to feel the wind brushing through her hair,
The Caged Bird Chapter 34
For two months Nicholas and I were trapped in one of Victor's houses. It was difficult, but I was used to it. This was my life until now, so no differences for me. Nicholas, on the other hand, was going insane. A week ago he apologized to me for having me stay in his home all the time. But being locked up wasn't the only thing that irritated him. Nicholas' business, mafia, went through great losses because of the deal with Victor. It seemed every week went something wrong and he had to pay more and more money and lost many investments. At the same time, we didn't particularly try to get pregnant. I didn't want to be touched and well, Nicholas was a gentleman. He had only asked me once if I was serious to which I replied, "Well, if it really comes to it, yes, but I mostly did it to buy us some time while protecting Evelyn. So I would rather not." Nicholas understood and never spoke of it again. This morning was the same as any other, only it was not. After a quick shower and getti
The Caged Bird Chapter 33
I stood shaking on my legs, never in my life was I so afraid, except for the fact I was kidnapped once. I was back again at Nicholas' mansion. It was still dark and the world had gone to sleep. A cold breeze passed by us, between me, Evelyn and Victor, and my brother and Nicholas. We were both taken out of the car and Evelyn and I looked both panicked. The tension was real. Victor looked at Nicholas with a smug face. He knew he had the upper hand in this. It was not supposed to be this way. Evelyn and I would have been on the boat if it weren't for the cruel man next to me who held my arm in a tight grip.It started when we arrived at the harbor. Like here, it was too quiet when we got to our destination. Nicholas had said there would be multiple guards near us wherever we went, but once there, no one was in sight. The door of the car in front of us was opened by one of Nicholas' men, only to be closed again. The moment he tried to investigate he was shot. I remembered how I screamed.
The Caged Bird Chapter 32
The four of us sat all freshly showered and energized from last night in the living room together. We all looked anxious as we were all shaken up by the events of last night. The ball we held was supposed to be helpful for us, not harmful. My anger towards Nicholas had vanished from the moment he said he did not plan to get me pregnant. Evelyn, however, was still furious at my husband. She knew the most of my past as we had talked about it together these past weeks. She was only trying to protect me, which I appreciated, but I felt sorry for Nicholas as her eyes could kill somebody."So, what's the plan Mr. I-don't-think-things-thoroughly?" Evelyn snapped at Nicholas."Evelyn, please," I whispered. I was already too harsh towards him and Nicholas got already scolded last night by my brother's girlfriend."It's alright Ava. The plan is the following and we have to act quickly. Victor will send his lawyer by any time now. It will be either tomorrow or the day after that. Between now and
The Caged Bird Chapter 31
Meaning the girl is free to claim. No, no not this again. Why can't these people let me be? I hated father after everything he did to me, but I now truly understood why he kept me away from these men. Why can't they just leave me alone?My body started to shake. With my two hands, I had to grip Nicholas' arm to steady myself. I could not believe this was happening again. Again! I wanted to go home and hide from the world. To run away as far as possible."Don't be ridiculous!" Nicholas hissed. "She is my wife not some whore to be passed around." Victor seemed not to be faced by the words Nicholas said. He only laughed and smiled."Well if you are not giving her hand away I will tell your lovely guests that the two of you are not fully married yet," Victor said with no care in the world. I could not believe how he could be so calm while discussing such a horrible topic. Talking about someone else's life like it was nothing at all.Nicholas tensed even more if that was possible. "Don't y
The Caged Bird Chapter 30
Evelyn and I made our way down towards the foyer. Both our dresses moved majestically around our bodies as we made our descent down the stairs. Both men were waiting for us as they stood in their sharp-looking suits. Nicholas was wearing a dark black suit with a matching black dress shirt. Xavier, on the other hand, wore more lighter clothes. His suit was grey with a light grey dress shirt, matched with a burgundy red tie.It was my brother who spoke up first as we got in their eye-sight. "You look lovely, both of you ladies." He smiled. He always smiled when Evelyn was in the room. I wished somebody would do that when I would enter the room.Maybe, someday. After all this is over.When we were at the bottom of the stairs Evelyn thanked Xavier for the compliment. "I think 'beautiful' is a better way to phrase how our ladies look." Nicholas finally said as I stood beside him. "You look really beautiful Ava." He said in a low voice.I did not know how to take the compliment. "Y-You thin
The Caged Bird Chapter 29
"Trouble? What trouble?" I asked.Both men in front of me looked at each other for a second when Xavier nodded his head towards Nicholas. The said men straightened his back and cleared his throat. "I'm afraid I have to tell you bad news, again. It seems that the news of us being married has not convinced everybody. Some think our marriage documents are forged, fake if you will."Nicholas gave me an apologetic look. It was quite frustrating, really. We did all of this so I could have my old life back as much as possible, maybe with even more freedom. But this, this sets us back again. I really do not understand this power hunger of people."So, what now? What do we have to do now, again!" I slightly yelled. Frustration getting to me."Ava please-" Xavier started but was shut down by Nicholas. He held his hand up and said, "Xavier don't, we have talked about this." Nicholas spoke sternly. He continued, "We have to convince, Ava. Convince them that we are married.""Why? Why can we not l
The Caged Bird Chapter 28
The warmth of the sun was kissing my skin as I surrounded myself with plants. Droplets of sweat were dripping off my face, arms, and back. The calming sounds of the birds in the trees and the sky made me relax as I was doing hard laboring work. I carried plants, flowers, dirt, and flowerpots all over the back garden of the massive mansion of now my husband Nicholas. As I was finally married to the man who saved my life weeks ago, I could move more freely around.Once a week I would go to the store, find new plants to put in our garden, and the next couple of days I was busy planting them. Slowly the garden became more and more enjoyable with the many colors that crossed along the grounds.Leaving the house was still a whole other thing. I could only leave if I had at least four bodyguards with me, which meant that going outside to just explore was still difficult. Nicholas and Xavier were still weary to let me leave and only let me when I had a specific goal, like going to the store o
The Caged Bird Chapter 27
Hot tears were escaping my eyes. I felt them slowly rolling down my cheeks and saw them falling down on the ground, making small pools of my misery on the wooden floors. When I thought back on our conversation, I hugged my legs tighter. They want me to marry someone again.I do not want that.I want peace.I want to have a happy life again, with no pain, no fear, and no marriage.I squeezed my eyes shut and laid my head on my knees. Trying to hide from the world. After my outburst I stormed towards my room. Escaping from my problems. I felt betrayed by Nicholas, by Evelyn, and mostly by my brother. Why did he not come for me? Why did he ask Nicholas to safe me? Why not himself?It seems that I have always questions on my mind lately and I knew it was not my fault. Everybody who I met kept me in the dark. I am done living like that. I want to break free from the prison I am right now and spread my wings. I want freedom.I want peace.From now on I will fight for myself. I will not let
