Third Person POV
Tonight, Evelyn hosted a lavish party, a spectacle of wealth and social status. Hazel, his face painted with a mask of feigned obedience, stood in the shadows, serving drinks and food to the guests.
He had become a silent accessory, a beautiful trophy husband on display for all to admire. His every move was calculated, his smile practiced, his voice barely above a whisper. He played the role expected of him, a perfect foil to Evelyn's radiant façade, a handsome figure showcased for the enjoyment of her guests. Yet, under the watchful gaze of his wife, his every smile was a charade, a mask hiding the terror that gnawed at his heart.
As the night progressed, murmurs of admiration began to follow Hazel. His beauty, once obscured by fear, now shone through, captivating the guests. His gentle demeanor and the quiet grace of his movements drew their attention, making him the center of their unspoken desires.
In the midst of the revelry, Hazel's gaze fell upon a forgotten guitar nestled in the corner. A long-dormant spark ignited within him, a yearning to express the music trapped within his soul. He felt compelled to play, to let the melody flow and wash away the fear that had become his constant companion.
Driven by this impulse, he picked up the guitar. His fingers, hesitant at first, danced across the strings, weaving a tapestry of sound. The music, filled with both sorrow and hope, resonated through the room, silencing the chatter and drawing everyone into its melancholic embrace.
Hazel became the center of attention. His music, a stark contrast to the superficiality of the party, captivated the guests. They saw a different Hazel in that moment, not the meek trophy husband, but a man with a soul that yearned for freedom.
Evelyn, however, felt a surge of jealous rage. The spotlight, the admiration, it was all supposed to be hers. Seeing Hazel shine, seeing him escape the confines of her control, triggered a darkness within her that she had struggled to suppress.
As the last note faded, a tense silence descended. The guests, still captivated by the music, looked at Hazel with a newfound respect. But their eyes also held a flicker of fear, a reflection of the chilling aura that emanated from Evelyn.
She stormed towards Hazel, her face contorted in a mask of fury. The guests, sensing the impending storm, retreated to the shadows, their eyes wide with fear.
Without a word, Evelyn unleashed her anger upon Hazel. Her fists rained down on him, each blow a brutal reminder of her power and his helplessness. He cowered beneath the assault, his cries for mercy swallowed by the thick carpet.
The guests, paralyzed by fear, watched in silent horror as the music of the night was replaced by the sounds of violence. They saw a side of Evelyn they had never witnessed before, a terrifying glimpse into the darkness that resided within her.
The fear in the room became palpable. The guests, once carefree and oblivious, now exchanged nervous glances. The laughter and conversation had vanished, replaced by a tense silence that hung heavy in the air.
The party continued, but its joy had been replaced by a chilling undercurrent of fear. Everyone, walked on eggshells, their smiles strained, their laughter forced. They knew they were playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were high.
As the last guest departed, the gilded cage fell silent once more.
Evelyn stood before him, her eyes glowing with a menacing glint. The playful facade had disappeared, replaced by a cold, calculating demeanor. She looked at him, not with love or affection, but with a chilling indifference.
"They fear me, Hazel," she said, her voice a low growl. "They know that I am not to be trifled with. And you, my dear husband, you will learn to fear me as well."
Her words hung heavy in the air, a chilling prophecy of the darkness that awaited him. The gilded cage, once a symbol of wealth and luxury, had become a prison of fear, a place where hope was scarce and terror reigned supreme.
The memory of the beautiful music and the brutal violence would forever be etched in their minds.
Hazel, left alone with the remnants of the party, lay broken on the floor. The music he had played was a desperate plea for help, a cry for freedom that had fallen on deaf ears. He knew that the gilded cage was not just a prison for him, but a breeding ground for the monster that Evelyn was becoming