And it all happened in a flash. Within seconds. Milliseconds. One moment, I was pointing the

shard of glass at him, and the next, it was pressed against my neck. My hands were forced

behind my waist, held tightly by his one hand as if they belonged to a doll rather than a

living, breathing person.

Fear began to creep into my nerves, paralyzing my body with its icy grip.

"I don't want to marry you," I said, my lips trembling as I tried to keep my voice steady.

"Now, now, now," he said in a tone ...