005: Bound by Chains

ANYA

I finally understood why people said Hunter Steele was ruthless. He didn’t just make threats; he acted on them without hesitation. The fear in my mother’s eyes, my father collapsing on the floor, my brother trying to stay strong....it was all my fault. I had dragged my family into this nightmare.

As I stared at Hunter, who stood tall and unyielding, I hated him more than I’d ever hated anyone. But despite my hatred, a few hours later, I found myself standing beside him in court. His presence was suffocating, his control absolute.

The ceremony was brief, emotionless. Before I knew it, the judge pronounced us husband and wife. My heart sank as the reality of my new life hit me. This wasn’t a fairytale. This was a cage.

Once we stepped outside the court, Hunter pulled out his phone and made a call. “Send a hundred-billion-dollar contract to Blake Enterprise,” he ordered. “They’re my in-laws now.”

I stared at him, shocked. A hundred billion dollars? My family’s company had been teetering on the edge of survival, and with that single call, Hunter had saved it. But the price of that salvation was me.

As his driver opened the car door for us, Hunter gestured for me to get in. I hesitated, my thoughts racing. “I’d like to see my dad,” I said softly. “Can you take me to the hospital?”

Hunter’s expression didn’t change, but he nodded. “Let’s go.”

The drive to the hospital was tense. I stared out the window, my mind spinning with guilt and dread. When we arrived, I rushed inside, barely noticing Hunter following close behind.

My heart pounded as I entered my father’s room. Relief washed over me when I saw him sitting up in bed, looking much better than he had earlier. My mother was by his side, her hands clasped tightly around his. My brother stood nearby, his face filled with worry.

“Dad!” I cried, running to his side.

“Anya,” he said, his voice weak but steady. “I’m fine, sweetheart.”

Hunter stepped into the room, his presence commanding attention. “Your daughter is now my wife,” he announced bluntly. “And I’ve secured a hundred-billion-dollar deal for your company.”

Everyone froze. My mother’s eyes widened, my brother’s jaw tightened, and my father looked at Hunter as if trying to read his intentions.

“You’re married?” my father asked, turning to me.

I nodded, unable to speak.

Hunter continued, “I’ll be taking Anya to your home now so she can pack her belongings. You’ll be informed when it’s time for the wedding ceremony.”

My father’s gaze softened as he looked at me. “Anya, take care of yourself,” he said gently. Then he turned to Hunter. “Please, take good care of my daughter. She makes mistakes, but she’s a good girl.”

Hunter gave a single nod. “She’s my responsibility now.”

The ride back to my house was quiet, but my mind was anything but. As soon as we arrived, Hunter walked straight to the living room and sat down.

“I’ll wait here,” he said.

I hurried to my bedroom, shutting the door behind me. The moment I was alone, I collapsed onto the bed, tears streaming down my face. My chest felt heavy, suffocating. Memories of Cross flooded my mind.....his smile, the way I used to steal glances at him in school, the way my heart raced whenever he was near.

How did my life come to this?

I curled into a ball, sobbing into my pillow. "One day," I promised myself. "One day, I’ll find a way to escape Hunter Steele. No matter what it takes, I’ll be free."

After a while, I wiped my tears and packed my belongings. As I stepped out of my room, I saw Hunter standing in the living room, his piercing gaze locking onto me.

He walked toward me, his expression unreadable. Before I could react, he reached out and wiped a tear from my cheek.

“You’re not allowed to cry for another man, Anya,” he said coldly. “Remember, the day you cheat on me is the day you die.”

I pushed his hand away, my defiance flaring despite my fear. "He’s already done his worst by forcing me into this marriage," I thought. "What more can he do?"

Hunter grabbed my bags and strode toward the door. I followed reluctantly, glancing around my home one last time. It hurt to leave the place I loved most, especially under these circumstances.

Fifteen minutes later, we arrived at what I could only describe as a palace.

The house was massive, its walls gleaming in the sunlight. Perfectly manicured gardens stretched out in every direction, filled with vibrant flowers and marble statues. Inside, the luxury was overwhelming....crystal chandeliers, polished floors, and furniture that looked more expensive than anything I’d ever seen.

As we walked down a long hallway, my eyes caught a strange drawing on one of the doors. I stopped to look at it, curiosity getting the better of me.

“That room is off-limits to you,” Hunter said sharply.

I nodded quickly and followed him until we reached what I believed was the master bedroom.

The room was vast, with high ceilings and large windows that let in streams of sunlight. A massive bed sat in the center, draped in luxurious silk sheets. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, and a plush carpet covered the floor.

I set my bags down and began unpacking. When I turned around, Hunter was leaning against the wall, watching me like a predator sizing up its prey.

The intensity of his gaze made me uncomfortable. I wanted him to leave so I could lock the door and find a moment of peace.

“Go take a shower and come out,” he said suddenly, his voice calm but commanding.

“I don’t feel like bathing right now, Hunter,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

He began moving toward me, his eyes dark and unreadable. Alarm bells rang in my head as I instinctively stepped back. He kept advancing until my legs hit the edge of the bed, and I fell back onto it.

Before I could scramble to my feet, he leaned over me, one hand braced on the bed above my head. His other hand slid under my dress, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate circles on my thigh.

I froze, my heart racing in terror.