I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. The woman staring back at me was a stranger, a bride about to marry a man she didn't love.
"Alex, are you ready?" my best friend, Rachel, asked, poking her head into the room.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Rachel's eyes were filled with concern. "Alex, are you sure about this? You're marrying a man you barely know."
I forced a smile. "I have to do this, Rach. For Mom."
Rachel nodded, but I could tell she was still worried. "Just be careful, okay?"
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat.
The ceremony was a blur. I remember walking down the aisle, seeing Julian's cold, calculating eyes on me. I remember saying "I do" and feeling like I was signing away my soul.
Now, as I stood in Julian's bedroom, I felt like I was staring into the face of my enemy.
"Well, well, well," Julian said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look what we have here. The blushing bride."
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as Julian's eyes roamed over me. "Don't," I said, my voice shaking.
Julian raised an eyebrow. "Don't what?"
I took a deep breath. "Don't look at me like that."
Julian's smile was cold. "Like what?"
I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Like I'm just a possession."
Julian's eyes narrowed. "That's exactly what you are."
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. "You're disgusting."
Julian's smile grew wider. "And you're mine."
"You married me for the money "
As he stepped closer to me, I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare. I knew I had to get out of there, but I had nowhere to go.
"Julian, please," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
But Julian just laughed. "Please what?"
I felt a tear roll down my cheek. "Please don't make me do this."
Julian's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. "You're my wife now," he said, his voice cold. "You'll do what I say."
As he reached out to touch me, I felt like I was going to vomit. I knew I had to get away from him, but I was trapped.
And then, everything went black.