Eva's perspective:*
I stood frozen, my eyes locked on his, as a storm of anger and disgust swirled within me. The air was thick with tension, heavy with the weight of unspoken words. Was this the monster I had chosen for myself? My heart ached, a dull throb that echoed through my chest, and irritation coursed through my veins like liquid fire. Why was he treating me this way after we had vowed to stand by each other for eternity?
I remembered the day we first met, the way my parents had beamed with pride as they introduced us. They had spoken of the union as a strategic alliance, a merging of two powerful families. I had nodded and smiled, playing the role of the dutiful daughter, but inside, I had felt a hollow emptiness. I didn't love Dylan, not then, not ever. Our courtship had been a whirlwind of lavish dates and expensive gifts, but beneath the surface, I had felt a growing sense of unease
The sound of his voice, low and menacing, sent shivers down my spine. "Get out of my sight," he barked, the words hanging in the air like a challenge. I could only retreat, trembling with hurt, my feet echoing on the cold marble floor as I stumbled toward my room. The scent of fresh flowers, once a pleasant aroma, now seemed cloying and oppressive.
Merely two months into our marriage, and I was already being treated like a servant. He manipulated me at his whim, fulfilling his desires whenever it suited him, fully aware that he was the sole heir to the grand wealth of the Chung Dynasty. Dylan, a mixed-race man of Korean and American descent, had always been spoiled, squandering the fortune of his family on trivial pursuits like extravagant parties and fleeting romances. He never had to lift a finger to obtain anything he desired.
The sound of his laughter, once music to my ears, now grated on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. I felt like I was living in a nightmare, trapped in a world where I had no control. My parents had spoken of the importance of family honor and loyalty, but what about my own happiness? Was I doomed to spend the rest of my life in a loveless marriage, bound to a man who seemed to care little for my feelings?
As I reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, the sound echoing through the silent hallway. I leaned against the door, my heart racing, my mind reeling with thoughts of escape, of freedom. But for now, I was trapped, a prisoner of my own destiny. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts, but my mind refused to quiet. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight.
The room seemed to close in around me, the walls suffocating me with their oppressive silence. I felt like I was losing myself, bit by bit, in this loveless marriage. I needed to find a way out, but for now, I was trapped...
"As I stood there, frozen in uncertainty, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I hesitated, my curiosity piqued, before answering. 'Eva, your husband is not who you think he is,' a low, mysterious voice whispered. 'Meet me at the old oak tree in the park at midnight if you want to uncover the truth.'"