I sat in the dark cell looking to the only light visible, it was glowing through a crack in a wall dimly illuminating the grubby room.

I felt weak, it had been give or take two days since I have been here. I hadn't eaten or showered since then. I was still in the black dress from that block party we went to and it was brown with muck and wet from urination.

I screamed each time I thought about my position; how did I find myself here?

Just as I was about to curl into a ball and sob, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and towards the door. The lock clicked and the door screeched as it opened. I looked up to see my lovely wedded husband, note my sarcasm.

"Are you ready to behave yourself and come up?" he asked sternly but the flicker in his eyes read- wait...was that guilt?

Now he feels guilty, I mentally laugh. Where was this guilt that night?

My body tensed as I heard his voice. I feared this man. No, I hated him, loathed him. He did this to me and he was the reason I was here.

I used what was left of my voice to croak a reply. "Yes."

He came over to me and freed me from the rusty chains that bounded my wrists. As the chains fell off each wrist, I could see bruises around them. He took the dress off me, placed me into one of my bathrobes, and then carried me up the stairs at the left side of the basement.

He carried me into the living room and upstairs into our bedroom. I hid my face in his chest as the light hurt my eyes but flinched as his hands tightened on me.

Our bedroom was the second biggest room in the house; it had a king-size bed covered in red and white sheets, a mahogany dresser, nightstand, chest of drawers, and wardrobe. To the right of the room was the balcony and the bed was in the centre of the room. The bathroom is to the left of the room and is marked with a brown door.

Brad took me to the bathroom took off my robe, drew me a bath and placed me in.

"This will help with the bruises and the scars," he said his voice lowering at the words bruises and scars.

I remained silent not wanting to speak to him.

After the bath, he dressed me in a short black silk nightgown that thankfully didn't irritate my bruised skin and laid me down on the bed.

"I hate to hurt you Shania but what happened caused me to get angry and I couldn't stop myself. You know how losing my mom affected me; I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you nor you cheating on me. I shouldn't have done that- I'm sorry," he said as he cupped my cheek.

I said nothing.

With a sigh, he turned and left the room saying he will be back with food.

I managed to get off the bed, even though I was in severe pain. I walked over to the mirror and my heart jumped at the sight that greets me. My eyes were swollen, my lip was cut, my skin was bruised and as I turned to look at my back I saw a large swelling running from my shoulder to my waist.

I whimpered falling to the ground as I tried to push away the events of that night out of my head but they came flooding in. I was unable to stop those images from plaguing me, reminding me of the horrors that I suffered that night.

I remembered getting ready for the Drews' block party. I was in a black, backless dress that hugged my body and I wore my hair in a messy bun. For jewellery I had on my gold necklace with my name on it that Brad got me with matching gold earrings and I wore black wedges. Brad, however, wore a black muscle shirt with black leather pants and a gold wristwatch.

"Hi!" screamed Charlotte; she was a short, round and perky woman.

She throws the best parties and she had four children. Her husband on the other hand was tall, slim and was a bit miserable.

"Hi Carol," I said giving her a friendly hug.

"Jim," said my husband.

"Brad," said Jim, as they shook each other's hand.

"Come in," said Carol excitedly. "The ladies are in the kitchen and Brad the men are in the game room. Jim be a dear and show him where."

As I entered the kitchen, I saw Rosie Derkins, our Asian neighbour. She was a tall, slim, brown-haired woman in a red dress; Tammy Lee, our Chinese neighbour with black short hair, green eyes and in a green dress and finally Dani Fagan, she wore a pink dress that hugged her body, her brunette hair rested on her shoulders and her blue eyes were staring at me. She was all-American.

I hated her. Dani was just a damn slut, she slept with most of the men in the neighbourhood for fun, and most if not all of them were married.

"Hi, Tammy, Rosie and oh, Dani I see you're still healthy and fine. I thought you would have caught HIV and be slowly fading away." I said.

"Oh no, you thought wrong, Shania. Hm, I think that dress is too much for you, darling. You look like a bobble-head. Remember black is a slimming colour and you're a thread so you should stay away from it," she replied sipping on her alcohol.

"I don't think you should be telling me to stay away from things. I think you have a problem staying away from men even when they are wrinkled and can barely raise it."

"Okay!" butted in Carol. "Anyone for drinks?"

"I can't. I have a big day tomorrow with the boss. I need a clear head," I replied while Dani rolled her eyes.

Just that minute I felt my phone vibrate in my hand. It was a message from Brad.

Brady Boo:

Meet me in the closet beside the bathroom.

Me:

What are you planning? :/

Brady Boo:

Just do it. It will be worth it ;)

Me:

Okay... I'll be there.

"Um, Carol where is your bathroom?"

"Down the hall, first door on the left," she replied and I thanked her.

I left the kitchen, went down the hall and beside the bathroom where the closet was.

I entered the closet; it was dark and a bit clustered. I searched for the light switch and as I did I felt someone grab me and kiss me.

His lips were on mine demandingly and I could feel the passion in the kiss. He bit my bottom lip causing me to give him entry to my mouth. Our tongues danced together until my tongue felt numb but there was something off about this situation.

Why would Brad need to kiss me here? He enjoyed Public Displays of Affection.

He held my waist and pressed me on the wall forcing his body on me.

Finally, my brain clicked and I realized this wasn't Brad, this body was too thick and the kiss was different. I pushed this man off me in anger.

"Who the hell are you?!" I yelled.

"Calm down or they will hear you," he replied.

"I said, who the hell are you?!" I repeated my voice stronger.

"I am Deron, Dani's brother," he replied and my eyes widened.

"How did you know I was going to be here?"

"I borrowed Brad's phone and texted you," he answered as if it was the most normal thing to do.

"Are you mad? He will kill you if he knew what you just did!" I was getting angry. What in the name of god could possess him to do this?

"He won't," he said moving towards me.

"Stop! Don't come any closer," I said holding out my hand only for it to touch his chest.

"He won't find out unless you tell Shania. The ball is in your court," he reached out ready to grab me again when the door flew open and my face went pale.

There in the doorway stood a frighteningly furious and hard-faced Brad. His eyes were locked on Deron and my mind went blank at the murderous glint in his brown eyes.

Oh shit!

He grabbed Deron by the collar before he could react and pulled him back. Deron fell on the floor and Brad jumped on him punching him in his face.

Suddenly, Deron flipped Brad over and started punching him.

"Stop!" I yelled.

Everything happened so fast, people around me gasped and screamed in horror. I heard Carol and her husband demanding to know what was happening.

I heard them but my eyes were locked on the two men fighting in front of me.

Brad used his legs to push Deron off him onto the wall, Brad then got up and started punching and kicking Deron as if he was a punching bag.

"Brad stop!" I yelled but he continued not paying me any mind.

Out of nowhere, Jim grabbed Brad and pulled him off Deron.

Dani screamed for her brother, as she shook his body but he wasn't moving and I feared he was dead.

"Let me go!" screamed Brad as he fought Jim off him. "Let's go Nia, Now!"

He stormed out the hall and I followed him trying to calm him down.

"I'm so sorry Carol," I said as we passed her.

"I-I know Shan, it is best you leave before this gets worse," she replied. I could see the fright in her eyes.

"Sure," I replied and hugged her tightly. "I'll see you later."

***

"How could you do this to me?" he shouted. "After everything I've done for you!"

"I didn't know he was there. I thought it was you!" I replied, swinging my purse on the couch.

We were at home in the living room cursing each other about the incident that just took place.

"You kissed him!" Brad shouted in disgust. His eyes stared at me, the anger in them building up.

"I didn't know it was-" I started to say when he slapped me across my face.

"You lying bitch!"

I looked at him shocked; I went to reply again but was silenced. He slapped me again- this time harder. He grabbed me and threw me into the wall and as I fell to the ground, he kicked me repeatedly. I tried to fight him off but I was weak.

"You want to misbehave?" he chuckled humourlessly. "Then I'll discipline you."

I laid there injured, watching as he took one of his riding crops from off the wall. No! This was okay when we were taking a walk on the kinky side occasionally but now it wasn't consensual nor would it be pleasurable.

He walked over to me and used his foot to turn me on my stomach.

"Brad, don't!" I pleaded but he didn't listen.

Brad hit me across my back down to my ass once lightly, then twice harder. I yelled out in pain and he spun me around, straddling me and held my neck.

"If you ever do that again, you'll pay and you're not leaving me, ever! Try and I will kill you and everyone you hold dear to you."

This wasn't him. This wasn't the man I married. I looked at him and couldn't recognize who I was looking at. This wasn't the Brad I knew. Those words were bringing back memories, memories I buried long time ago.

"They're already dead, you piece of shit," I said as I spat in his face.

His grip tightened farther. I could barely breathe; his grip was killing me.

He finally released me, I breathe heavily trying to regain my breath, and he grabbed my hair, pulling me from the living room down to the basement. He put me into a cold room with nothing in there and chained me. I kicked as he tried to chain me and in the struggle, my head hit the wall causing me to blackout.

As the room went dark, I could see the rage yet a glint of fear in his eyes.