Sometime around midnight, I heard Austin and Ann come in laughing loudly. I sat on the couch waiting for Austin to come home, as I had not seen him all day. If they saw me, they did not acknowledge my presence; they were both very drunk. Judging from the way Ann was dressed, they were coming from a party. I called out, “Austin I-”

“Oh, look! Baby- the trophy wife” Ann says in her drunken state, Austin did not spare me a glance, rather he swept Ann off her feet, while kissing and carrying her upstairs, he said loud enough for me to hear “Shhh, she’s not our concern, love, I have some very nasty plans for you tonight”

If yesterday seemed like a joke to me, reality dawned on me tonight, but I won’t give up, I’ll give my best to make Austin fall in love with me, all I need to do is be a dutiful wife to him, but even as said all these to console myself, it didn’t numb the pain in my chest, it felt like I had been slapped a thousand times, it’s a long shot but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make my marriage work.

The door to my room opened slowly. I looked back to see Austin walk in. I sat up hurriedly. What brings him here? I’ve not seen him since the other night they went to the club, “Good morning, Austin, do you need-”

He interrupted me, “Get dressed, you’re attending a business summit with me in the next hour, and don’t keep me waiting.”

“One hour? But I-” he left the room without hearing what I have to say, I have to be ready in one hour, I can’t do this alone if I want to look perfect, so I sent for Sarah, and in less than an hour, we were done, I looked into the mirror and was satisfied with my look, Austin would be pleased, I settled for a kneel length fitted gown with straps, a pair of Louboutin heels and a single layer pearl necklace.

Austin opened the door for me when we got to the venue, which was surprising, and didn’t let go of my hand while we posed for the pictures. I almost got carried away by the public show of affection; he presented an image of the doting husband. One of such incidents was when he introduced me to one of his business associates.

“Baby, this is one of our investors, Mr. Allan,” Austin said as he pulled me closer by the waist.

The man whom he introduced as Mr. Allan grinned widely, “Oh, what a beautiful wife you have here.” Austin dropped a kiss on my lips and responded with a smile,

I took a break to use the restroom. I needed to breathe from all of the introductions and the pretense. I’ve been gone for almost five minutes, and Austin might come looking for me. I walked back to the conference hall.

`

“Lorah,” I turned back to see one of my classmates in high school, Henry, who was always my project partner in the science club.

“Henry, how are you doing?” I replied, stretching my hand for a handshake.

“I’m doing great, you’re here with your husband, I assume?” he continued as he held my hand.

“Yes, you know my husband?” I asked surprised

He laughed, “Of course! Everyone knows Mr. Barnes, and now everyone knows you. You snagged the wealthiest man in New York.” I smiled at what he said.

“Lorah Hun, I’ve been looking for you.” I turned to see Austin behind me, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. I tried to explain the situation, but he had seen my hands joined with Henry’s

“Austin. Uh-uhm, this is Henry, we went to the same high school.” Austin looked at me with an unreadable expression

“Oh, I see. Anyway, we are going home,” he took my hands in his, and I knew at that point that hell was about to let loose; his grip on my hand was excruciatingly painful

“Get into the car,” he ordered in a stern voice. I knew better than to argue,

As soon as the car took off Austin grabbed my hair and yanked me across the seat “You bitch! You are supposed to be my supportive wife, but you chose to embarrass me by flirting with another man in, public” before I could respond he slapped me so hard across the cheek I lost my balance and hit my head on the window, tears streaked down my face I tried to explain

“I wasn’t flirting with him, I swear, he’s just an old friend.” He ignored me. I dread what would happen when we got home, he no longer looked like the Austin I left home. The car screeched to a halt. Austin came down, opened the door to my side, dragged me out, I struggled to keep up with him in heels, I missed a step on the stairs, I felt my leg sprain, I winced in pain, he pushed me to the floor, and called one of his security men

“Lock her up in the basement for three days with no food and water!, Maybe that will teach you some manners,” he thundered with his nostrils flared. He rolled up his sleeves. I cowered in fear of him hitting me. Instead, he stormed out of the living room. Sarah rushed to my side, she saw my bruised on my face and hand, I saw the pity on the faces of the servants, as the two security men carried me to the basement.

I don’t know how much time has passed; there was no way to tell it was a dark room that reeked of rats' fecal waste. I reached down to feel my ankle, it was swollen, with a throbbing headache. I began to slip out of consciousness. I was very dehydrated and weak from starvation.

“It's more than a week already, you need to let her out, the master said to keep her there for three days,” I hear Sarah tell the bodyguard stationed outside of the basement door. I was filled with hope, at least I will not die in here.

“The boss has not ordered her release yet,” the bodyguard’s response dashed all my hopes

Sarah shouted at him, “he’s probably forgotten about her, please don’t let her die!” I heard Sarah cry in exasperation.

The bodyguard hesitated before he opened the door. Sarah ran inside, turned on her phone flash in the dark room, and she found me sprawled on the floor

“Mrs. Lorah! ma’am?” Her voice was becoming faint I tried to respond, but I was too weak, my life flashed before my eyes, and I knew I was dying...