IAN'S POV

After Masimo left, I decided to dive into my book, hoping it would take my mind off the tangled web of emotions I was trapped in. The book was a BL novel , one of those clichéd love stories between a rich guy and his assistant. The narrative was a whirlwind of drama, misunderstandings, and ultimately, love. It felt predictable, but it was oddly comforting. Within an hour, they had their happy-ever-after, the kind that real life seldom offers. Sighing, I closed the book and placed it on my bedside table, feeling the weight of my own reality creeping back in.

The silence of the room wrapped around me as I stood up, suddenly aware of the emptiness in my stomach. A snack would do the trick, I thought. But as I rummaged through the drawer, all I found were crumpled, empty wrappers. "Great," I muttered to myself. It seemed like even the little joys were slipping away. My last resort was the kitchen, though I dreaded it. Masimo had everyone on some sort of health kick, all the rich, healthy food with none of the indulgence I craved.

I walked to the dining area, where the staff were bustling about, preparing dinner. "Any snacks?" I asked one of the cooks, but he just shook his head and motioned toward the spread of salads and grilled fish. Of course.

My mind drifted to the new general store that had opened nearby. It was small, but given the isolated, forestry area we were in, it was a welcome addition. I figured I could just walk there and grab what I wanted, and no one would bother me. Besides, after the mess with Masimo, I needed a little escape, even if it was just for a snack run.

"I’ll go get it for you, boss," my bodyguard chimed in as I made my way to the door. He was tall, broad, and always looming just a bit too close.

"It’s okay, relax. I’m just heading to the store, it’s like ten meters away." I waved him off, but he persisted, stepping forward.

"No, seriously. Let me do it. It’s my job," he insisted.

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "For God’s sake, it’s just a store. I can go myself!" My voice had risen without me realizing, and the bodyguard immediately took a step back, silenced.

As I stepped out into the cool air, I felt a sense of relief. The tension of always being watched, controlled, suffocated by bodyguards and routines, it was exhausting. A moment of solitude, just me and my thoughts, was something I hadn’t had in what felt like forever.

I popped in my earbuds and began humming along to "Hold On" by Chord Overstreet. The lyrics felt like a balm for my weary soul, the words reminding me of the tangled mess of love, chaos, and demons that Masimo and I had become. But I couldn’t imagine a world without him, no matter how toxic things seemed at times.

"Loving and fighting, accusing, denying..." I muttered, the sound of my own voice blending with the music as I strolled toward the store.

By the time I reached the shop, I realized it wasn’t ten meters away like I had thought. More like a 15-minute walk, but the stroll had done me good. I needed the fresh air. Inside, I grabbed some chips, a chocolate bar, and a couple of energy drinks. The mundane task grounded me.

I walked up to the cashier, placing my items on the counter. "Here you go," I said, handing him my card.

The cashier looked up at me with wide eyes. "Are you the mafia’s wife?"

I froze. That word again, wife. Despite all that had happened, I still hated that people thought of me like that. I gritted my teeth and forced a smile. "I’m his husband, not wife."

The cashier flinched, quickly backtracking. "Oh, I’m so sorry! You’re here for the first time, right? You can take whatever you want. You don’t need to pay. It’s on the house for you."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I felt my frustration spike. Why did everyone think I needed special treatment just because of who I was married to? My life had already changed in ways I hadn’t wanted or asked for.

"I’d like to pay," I said, my voice flat but firm.

"But sir, really, it’s no trou—"

"It’s an order. Charge me," I snapped, my tone more aggressive than I intended. The cashier fumbled with my card, clearly startled by my reaction. After bagging my items, he handed them to me with trembling hands. I sighed, shaking my head as I turned and walked out.

The fresh air felt good again as I started back toward the estate. My earbuds still played softly, but my mind was already drifting back to the complicated mess of my life with Masimo. I wasn’t just his "husband," I was trapped, and sometimes, I wondered if I would ever truly get used to it.

But then, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

Before I could register what was happening, a sudden force struck me from behind. I stumbled forward, my vision blurring. My limbs went limp as darkness overtook me. The world seemed to slow down, and I felt myself being lifted, my body hauled into a vehicle. The thud of the door shutting echoed through the void just before I lost consciousness.

---

When I woke, my heart hammered in my chest. The room I was in was dimly lit, sterile, with walls of cold marble enclosing me. One side was entirely glass. I immediately recognized the kind – a one-way mirror. Someone was watching me. Fear crept up my spine, making my breath hitch.

I blinked hard, trying to shake off the fog in my mind. My body felt heavy, my wrists were sore, and I realized they were bound tightly behind my back. My head throbbed, my thoughts racing, panicked.

The door creaked open, and a man dressed all in black walked in. He placed a tray in front of me, rice and what looked like yellow water, some sort of curry. I stared at it, the smell making my stomach churn.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice hoarse, "Why am I here?"

Silence. No response.

"What the fuck do you want from me?" I yelled this time, but again, nothing. It was as if they were playing some twisted game with me, and I was powerless.

Suddenly, the door opened again, and a tall figure stepped into the room. His presence was unsettling. The lights brightened, illuminating his face. My heart sank as recognition hit me like a freight train. I had seen him before. He had been at the wedding, the one Massimo tried to throw out in a rage.

"Hello there, darling," he greeted, his voice sickeningly sweet.

"Just tell me why you kidnapped me," I demanded, my voice trembling.

He smirked, stepping closer until he was looming over me. His fingers gripped my chin, tilting my face up so I was forced to meet his gaze. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, not from attraction but from fear.

"It’s me. Don’t you remember? I came to bless you and that shitface you call a husband on your wedding day." His voice dripped with sarcasm.

"What do you want?" I whispered, my voice barely audible now, my throat dry with terror.

"You," he replied simply, his smirk growing. "You’re the one who can give me the answers I need."

"I don’t know anything about Masimo’s business," I shot back quickly, my mind racing. "Asking me anything is pointless."

His grip on my chin tightened painfully, and I winced. "I don’t care. You will tell me what I want to know, or I’ll make your life a living hell."

I swallowed hard, fear clawing at my insides. "I don’t know a thing about his deals. I’m not his assistant!"

He slapped me across the face so hard that my head snapped to the side. Pain exploded in my cheek, and I gasped, tears pricking my eyes.

"Don’t lie to me," he growled. "You’re his beloved husband, aren’t you? You must know something."

"I’m telling the truth!" I cried out, but another sharp slap silenced me. The taste of copper filled my mouth as my lip split.

He leaned in close, his breath hot on my skin. "I’ll give you one more chance to tell me, or I’ll start making this very, very painful for you."

"I don’t know!" I sobbed, my voice shaking uncontrollably. "Please, I don’t know!"

He stepped back, scanning my face for a moment before letting out a low chuckle. "I believe you," he said, his tone eerily calm. "But don’t get too comfortable. I’ll get my answers from Massimo soon enough. It’ll be fun to watch him squirm when he realizes how long it’s going to take to find you."

I stared at him, horrified as he turned to leave. Just before stepping out, he glanced back with a chilling smirk. "Rest up. You’re going to need your strength." Then, he was gone, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence.

I collapsed, my mind spinning with terror. How long would it take for Massimo to find me? Would he even care? I curled up on the cold floor, exhaustion and fear weighing me down, but sleep was inevitable.