The house is far away from where I live. The rest of the ride was quiet. When we arrive there is an enormous mansion in front of me. A white one. I don't know why I'm shocked maybe because I thought his house would be black too?

He opens the door and steps in, not holding it up for me so the door almost slams right at my face. I follow him up a big staircase. And walk towards a door. "This is your room, get in and don't disturb me, ever." he says pointing at the door. I already hate this man.

"Are we staying in separate rooms?" I ask not because I would want to stay with him but that's just not what I thought. I guess everything here is shocking me now, since I thought Ezra would be an old man. I'm happy he's not.

"Did you have something else in mind" he says. And suddenly I feel embarrassed. "No of course not I'm relived actually" I say crossing my arms.

"You can sleep where you want" he says and I nod as I get inside my room.

I don't want to make him angry. He could do anything at anytime. And it seems like he also hates me, so I should probably be careful.

My room is cozy. It has a big bed in the middle, many pillows to sleep with. If it was not the Perez home I would actually like this place. I open the wardrobe and find all types of clothes. From dresses to jeans to underwear. It has everything.

***
Hours pass and I have absolutely nothing to do. They took my phone. I am so bored there is no books or games. Nothing to do.

I decide to talk to Ezra. I knock on some doors since I don't know which one he's in. When he finally answers I walk in. It looks like this is his office. It's very clean. "What? I'm working." He says looking at some papers. "Oh sorry I just..." I pause scared to ask.

"You can ask" he now looks at me. Well I now have to get permission to talk. What the hell.

"I am very bored and thought maybe I could have my phone back. Or if you could get me a book or something." I say.

Ha stands up and opens one of his drawers. He takes out a phone but it's not mine this one is new I think. He hands it to me and I take it. "Thanks" I say as he sits back down behind his desk.

"You are allowed to message only your family. If you call someone I want the call to be short and quick. I will know when you do message someone I do not like. Understood?" He asks.

"Am I allowed to message my friend?" Because I need to tell Jayden everything.

"Is this friend a boy" he asks

I panic "yes"

"Then no"

How can someone enjoy controlling other people like this. "This is insane." I say throwing my arms in the air. "You can't just tell me who I can and cannot call" I slowly walk toward his table.

Shaking his head, he says,
"I do what I want, love." The way he calls me love makes my skin crawl. I feel a surge of disgust and, before I can stop myself, I blurt out,
"I hate you." He just watches me, his eyes cold and unfeeling.

"Good thing we feel the same then" he replies, a smirk playing on his lips. "What a perfect match." His words are laced with sarcasm, and it only makes me angrier.

I get annoyed and get out of his room as fast as I can, before I decide to argue with him. I pull out the phone I got and make a group chat with Alex and Eloise.

"Hey guys it's Amelia, this is my new number " I text

"How are you, has anyone done something to you?"

"No, I'm fine. Everything is fine, I'm just sad it had to be this way." I text.

"I miss you already" Eloise writes and I want to cry but try to stay strong.

We text for awhile when I hear a knock at my door. It's a woman telling me to get ready for dinner. Apparently there will be a dinner to celebrate me and Ezra. God what have my life become.
I open the wardrobe and take something I like. It's a white silk dress. With white heels. Is this too much? I hope not.

I meet Ezra on top of the stairs. We walk down together. He didn't even look at me. Not even a glance. Not that I care but I do look hot today. I'm just not his type I guess. When we reach the table there is like 15 people sitting down. I take a seat across from Ezra and wave to some people who looks at me.

Kendric Perez walks in and takes the seat on the largest chair. Almost like a throne. He acts like he's some king. It scares me how much power these people have. After a while Kendric decides to speak. Everybody is watching him as he speaks. "I just want to thank all of you for coming here today. And I know what all of you are thinking. We are all wondering about the thing going on here" he says pointing between me and Ezra. I keep my gaze on my lap. They all start to eat as Kendric keeps talking.

"You two getting married, huh?" He wants everyone to think this is a normal marriage. So his reputation stays good.
So now I have to convince people I love my husband. Great.
"Is it true Ezra saved you Amelia? I heard you have problems at home" Kendric says. I freeze. Why does he bring my personal life up.
My heart sink. I have never told anyone about my condition at home and now he says it in front of 15 people.
This is my story to tell and I should be able to choose who I tell it to. I drop my fork, hands shaking. I place my hands on my lap. Stay calm Amelia.

I look up at Ezra. He looks furious. Angry at his father. "Don't talk like you don't know, you fucking made me marry her!"
I'm happy I'm not the only one not wanting this marriage at least. "Son sit down, what are you talking about? Aren't you guys happy to finally be together" He says acting innocent.
"Let's go Amelia" he says and goes over to me to grab my wrist. I follow him as he leads the way.

We walk through the living room and turn right to get up the stairs. As soon as we reach the top of the stairs he lets go of my wrist. I think he squeezed my arm a bit too much which left a red mark.
He looks at my wrist and decides not to apologize. Uh hello? Rude.

"I'm fine" I say anyway. A quick nod "get back to your room I don't want to see you" and he walks back to his office. Well I didn't know my whole existence was annoying.

***

In the middle of the night I hear shouting and fighting. I get scared and curl up in my blanket. I think they are arguing about what happened at the dinner. Ezra had every right to be mad as am I. Exposing his dad in front of everyone could not be easy. So I guess he's in trouble for this. Actually I don't care. As long as it doesn't affect me.

Kendric throws the door open with a loud bang, startling me awake. "Out now" he demands, his voice cold and unyielding. Before I can fully comprehend what's happening, he's beside me, grabbing my arm with a grip that feels like iron.

"What?" I start to protest, but he yanks me out of bed, forcing me to stumble along with him.
My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and confusion swirling in my mind.

"Let me go! What is going on?" I panic, my voice trembling. I always knew this place would be worse than home, but this...

"It's time" he says, his tone devoid of any emotion. "You are going to be punished."

Panic surges through me. My wounds from the last beating haven't even healed yet. I don't think I can take another hit.
"Stop, you are hurting me, please!" I beg, my voice cracking as his grip on my arm tightens painfully. Tears blur my vision as he drags me out of the room.

"Please, Kendric!" I plead, but my words seem to fall on deaf ears. He doesn't even look at me, his expression hard and unyielding. The hallway stretches out before us, cold and unwelcoming, mirroring the hopelessness I feel inside.

As I start to cry, I can't help but think about how unfair it all is. What did I do to deserve this? Why do I always end up in violent homes? It's like I'm cursed. I sob quietly, trying to keep up with Kendric's relentless pace. This is my luck, I think bitterly. This is my life. Lucky me.

Just as he is about to slap me something stops him.

"Get your hand off of her now" Ezra says. Thank god.

Kendric looks at him. "She needs to get what she deserves for not turning up today, her father told me she needed a lesson." He says.
"Fucking don't touch her" Ezra growls and Kendric lets go of me. I stand up to walk to Ezra, hiding behind him. "She is my wife, I do what I want with her, you are not going to lay a hand on her ever again." he says and it's enough for Kendric to stop for now. Kendric nods disappointed and walks away.

"Thank you" I say to Ezra. He moves his hand and places it on my back. I wince at the touch. I usually don't let anyone touch me until my wounds heal but I try to make it seem like it doesn't hurt.

"Are you hurt?"

"No I'm fine" I smile.

"What's up with your back?" He says as I face him. "Oh nothing I just fell" I tell him and hope he stops talking about my back. I think he believed it because he didn't question it no more.
I sit on the corner of my bed. Looking up at him. He is really handsome if I have to admit it. Not only that. He is beautiful.
Nope not doing that.

"How's your wrist?" He asks and when I look at my arm I realize I'm bleeding. Kendric must have dug his nails into my skin. "Oh I didn't even realize, it'll be over in two days" I say trying to hide my arm.

"Get it cleaned" he says. "It's not like I have any bandage or anything." I say. He sighs as he tells me to come with him.

I follow Ezra as he walks us to his room. I've never been here it's nothing like I thought. It is a lot of black of course but it's more dark and cozy in here. More like a home. "I like your room" I tell him as I look around. "Sit down" he moves towards his bed. I take a seat on his bed as he takes something out of his drawer.

He moves to me and crouches down. "Give me your hand" he demands. I do. It hurts. I watch as he takes out some supplies. "You have done this a lot I see" I say to Ezra. "You could say that" he says taking a wet paper and dries off the blood. Then he cuts a piece of band-aid and starts to twist it around my wrist. "This will stop the blood" he adds. I nod in response.

"He ever do that to you again you tell me." He says. "Yea like you wouldn't do the same" I say and regret it. Why am I always saying what I think. "If you are my wife you should know I would never hit a woman. That you can trust me on" he says. "It always starts like this. Men saying they will never do it but eventually getting used to it, enjoying it" I say as he is done cleaning up my wound. "Am I going to fucking repeat what I said?" He says making it clear that he means what he said. I shake my head.

When he is done I look at him a moment too long before I get up and walk back to my bed.