Trapped

CHAPTER 3.

Trapped.

Trapped in the name of marriage

I was trapped within its walls, with no one to talk to, no one to turn to. Zayn had made it clear that I was nothing to him, just a burden he had to bear for a year. But no matter how cold and distant he was, I couldn’t stop the feelings I had for him, the love that had grown over the years.

I knew it was foolish, but every time I saw him, my heart would still flutter, hoping for just a glimpse of the boy I met five years ago. But each encounter only ended in disappointment and pain.

One evening, after yet another lonely day, I made a decision. I couldn’t live like this, isolated and treated like I didn’t exist. I needed to talk to him, to ask for something—anything—that would make this life more bearable. I knew he wouldn’t welcome me, but I couldn’t stay silent any longer.

Gathering all my courage, I made my way to Zayn’s room. My heart pounded in my chest as I approached his door. I hesitated for a moment, but then I knocked, determined to stand my ground.

“Come in,” his voice called from the other side, sounding more irritated than welcoming.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Zayn was sitting by the window, a book in his hand. When he saw me, his expression darkened immediately.

“What are you doing here?” he snapped, closing the book with a loud thud. “I thought I made it clear that you’re not to bother me.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “Zayn, I need to talk to you.”

He scoffed, getting up from his chair and crossing the room in a few quick strides. “Talk to me?” he repeated, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “What could we possibly have to talk about?”

I swallowed hard, feeling the sting of his words. “I am your wife,” I said, my voice trembling slightly.

Zayn threw his head back and laughed, a harsh, bitter sound that cut through me like a knife. “Wife?” he mocked, his eyes flashing with disdain. “You think that just because you wear that title, it means anything? You’re not my wife, Aurora. You’re just a girl I’m forced to tolerate for a year.”

His words hurt more than I expected. I had known he didn’t care for me, but to hear him say it so plainly, so cruelly, made my heart ache. “Why do you hate me so much?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. “Why?” he echoed, as if the answer should be obvious. “Because you represent everything I despise. You’re weak, you’re poor, and you were forced upon me like some kind of punishment. I can’t wait for this nightmare to be over, and you should be rest assured, Aurora, that I have no intention of ever touching you.”

I felt the blood drain from my face as his words sank in. He really hated me. There was no trace of the boy who had been kind to me all those years ago, the boy who had made me feel special. That Zayn was gone, replaced by this cold, heartless man.

But I couldn’t give up. I couldn’t live in this prison for a year without trying to make it bearable. “Zayn,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “the palace is so lonely. I don’t see anyone, I don’t have anyone to talk to. I was hoping that maybe... you could allow me to go outside, just for a little while, to meet with my friends.”

Zayn looked at me as if I had just said something ridiculous. “Friends?” he repeated, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “What pathetic people would be friends with you? Do you think I’m going to let you parade around and embarrass me with your low-class acquaintances?”

His words hit me like a slap in the face. I had known he would be difficult, but this level of contempt was more than I had expected. Still, I couldn’t back down. “I’m not asking for much,” I said, my voice trembling. “Just a few hours outside. I feel like a prisoner here.”

He stepped closer, his eyes cold and hard. “That’s because you are a prisoner, Aurora. You’re here to serve out the debt your father owed, and nothing more. Don’t think for a second that you’re anything special.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let him see how much his words hurt me. “I just want a little freedom,” I whispered. “Is that too much to ask?”

Zayn laughed again, a sound devoid of any humor. “Freedom? You lost that the moment you stepped into this palace. You’ll do as I say, and right now, I say you’re staying put.”

I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. “Why are you so cruel?” I asked, my voice breaking. “What did I ever do to deserve this?”

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “You exist,” he said finally, his tone flat and emotionless. “That’s enough.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer. They spilled down my cheeks as I stood there, feeling more alone than I ever had before. Zayn watched me for a moment, his expression unchanged, then he turned away, dismissing me without another word.

“ Now leave my room!”

I left his room, my heart heavy with despair. I had hoped that maybe, just maybe, we could find some common ground, some way to make this year more bearable. But now I knew the truth—there was no hope. Zayn would never care for me, never see me as anything more than a burden.

As I walked back to my room, I tried to remind myself of the reasons I had fallen in love with him in the first place. But those memories were fading, overshadowed by the harsh reality of who he was now. And yet, despite everything, I couldn’t stop loving him. It was a cruel twist of fate, to be in love with someone who despised me so completely.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out the window at the darkening sky. The palace was beautiful, but it was also my prison, and the man I had once loved was my captor. I had 365 days to endure this torment, and I wasn’t sure if I would survive it. But I had no choice. All I could do was hold on to the hope that somehow, some way, things would get better.

But deep down, I knew better. Zayn was determined to make my life as miserable as possible, and there was nothing I could do to change that. The boy I had loved was gone, and in his place was a man who would never care for me. And yet, I couldn’t stop loving him, no matter how much he was hurting me.