Chapter 4: The Price of Silence

The clock on the nightstand blinked 6:00 PM, a cruel reminder of how quickly everything had unraveled. Marriage. A forced one. It still felt surreal, like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t escape. The weight of the ring on her finger seemed to press down harder with every passing moment.

Lily glanced at herself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back. She wasn’t the same girl from a few days ago, not even close. A wife now, she thought bitterly, though it hardly felt like she’d chosen it. She’d been thrust into it. A part of her longed for some escape, some semblance of control over her life. The bathroom offered a fleeting comfort, a small sanctuary from the looming chaos.

But that moment was short-lived. A knock at the door startled her, pulling her from her thoughts.

Sighing, she opened it. A young maid stood there, her crisp uniform and uneasy expression all too familiar.

“Young Lady, dinner is ready. Ma’am and Sir are waiting for you in the dining room,” she said, her voice soft, almost apologetic.

Lily offered a strained smile, feeling the weight of the situation pressing in. “Please, just call me by my name. We’re the same age. It feels weird to be called that.”

The maid hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the request. “Ma’am and Sir won’t allow that. You’re the wife of the Young Master. It’s... protocol,” she explained. “But my name is Lucy, if that helps.”

Lily nodded, accepting the small gesture. “Thank you, Lucy.”

They walked through the mansion together, Lily’s eyes darting around, each hallway more grand and suffocating than the last. Every step felt heavier, like she was sinking further into a life she didn’t want but had no choice but to live.

The dining room was more like a palace, a space filled with grandeur, yet it did nothing to ease the tension in her chest. Ethan’s family was already seated, their gazes locking onto her the moment she entered. She could feel their judgment hanging in the air like a thick fog.

“Good evening,” she murmured, feeling awkward as she slid into the empty chair. “Sorry, I didn’t realize everyone was already here.”

Maita, always the gracious host, smiled warmly at her. “It’s fine, dear. I should’ve made it clearer. Now, sit beside Ethan and let’s enjoy dinner.”

Her words were kind, but the undertone of expectation couldn’t be ignored. It was clear this was the role she was expected to play.

Daddy Ramon turned to Ethan. “Son, pull a chair for your wife.”

Ethan barely looked up from his plate, his tone as cold as ever. “She can handle it herself, Dad.” He leaned back in his chair, giving off an air of complete indifference, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of his glass.

Lily, not willing to wait for Ethan’s apparent approval, pulled the chair out herself, trying to maintain whatever dignity she had left. Maita, sensing the tension, quickly changed the subject.

“So, Lily, how’s school going?” she asked, her voice soft and welcoming.

Lily forced herself to respond, trying to sound natural. “It’s good. I’m in my second year, studying Accountancy.”

But Ethan wasn’t interested in small talk. He cut in, his voice laced with disdain. “You don’t need school anymore.”

The room fell silent at his words, the weight of his proclamation pressing down on Lily. She could feel the stares of everyone at the table, but she refused to meet Ethan’s cold gaze.

Mommy Maita’s voice broke the silence, her tone firm yet gentle. “Lily is going to finish her education. It’s not your decision to make, Ethan.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his disapproval clear. “I don’t see the point. She’s my wife now. Her place is here, not wasting time at school.”

Lily’s stomach churned, but she didn’t speak. Daddy Ramon, always the peacemaker, wasn’t having it.

“You’re treating her like a servant, not a wife,” he said, his voice low but unyielding. “You can’t keep her locked up.”

Ethan wasn’t backing down. “If you insist on this, I’ll move her to another house. Away from all of you.”

Daddy Ramon’s fist hit the table with a sharp crack, silencing the room. “Enough. She stays here. End of discussion.”

Without another word, Ethan stood up, his chair scraping against the floor as he stormed out. The air in the room was thick with tension, but Maita, ever the optimist, gently placed her hand on Lily’s.

“Don’t mind him. He’ll come around. We’ll make sure you finish your studies, Lily,” she said softly, her words a balm for the wound Ethan had just inflicted.

Lily nodded, the smallest sense of relief washing over her. At least someone cared, someone was on her side. Maybe there was still a chance for her to make something of herself in this suffocating world.

After dinner, Lily retreated to her room, the weight of the day finally catching up with her. Her mind raced, but her body was drained. She’d spent years dreaming of a life of freedom, only to find herself locked in a gilded cage. At least Maita and Ramon were kind to her. They had even handed her a black card for expenses, a small gesture, but one that felt surreal. She had never even touched that much money before.

But the real question lingered in her mind: how would she survive this? How would she live with Robert, a man who clearly despised her, in a house that felt more like a prison?

As she lay in bed, her thoughts were interrupted by a faint creak at the door. Her heart skipped a beat.

She turned her head, and there, standing in the doorway like a shadow, was Ethan.

Her voice caught in her throat. “What are you doing here?” she whispered, fear tightening her chest. The alcohol on his breath reached her before he even spoke.

He walked into the room, his steps slow, deliberate. “Are you happy now?” His voice was dark, like a predator circling its prey. “You think you’ve won because my mom defended you? Think again.”

Lily’s throat tightened as her heart pounded in her chest. “I don’t….”

“Shut up.” His grip was sudden, his hand grabbing her chin with surprising force, making her eyes meet his. “Stop pretending you don’t know what’s going on. You ruined everything. You ruined Rosy. And now you’re ruining me.”

Rosy. His ex. Lily had no idea how she’d gotten caught up in their mess, but Ethan’s fury was unmistakable.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but you need to understand something.” His voice was low and dangerous as he leaned closer, his breath hot against her skin. “You’re mine now. You’re my wife. And you’ll do what I say.”

Lily flinched, pushing weakly against his chest, but he didn’t budge. His hands roamed, sending a wave of panic through her. She shoved harder, finally managing to break free.

“Stop! Please!” she cried out, her voice breaking with terror.

Ethan paused, looking down at her with a sneer. “You’re pathetic,” he spat. “Don’t think this is over. You’ll pay for what you’ve done. One way or another.”

With that, he turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Lily collapsed back onto the bed, curling into herself. The sobs came, shaking her body as she tried to comprehend what had just happened.

What had her life become?

She cried until there were no more tears left, her body trembling in the silence. Ethan’s threats weren’t empty. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach, this was just the beginning.

And she had no idea how she would survive the storm that was coming.