The Inmate’s Angel

Olivia trembled as she was ushered into the room, the heavy door closing behind her with a sound that felt like everything was final. The walls seemed to press inward, thick with silence, thick with the weight of what had just happened. Only minutes ago, she had stood dressed in white, her hands placed where she hadn’t wanted them, her vows spoken like a sentence rather than a promise. Married to a man her stepmother had chosen with smiling cruelty, all for power and money. A transaction dressed up as destiny. She had refused when her stepmother announced the marriage, but there was nothing she could do. Ever since her father died, she had no say, no power and nothing at home belonged to her. Her breath shook as she stood there, still in the gown that felt too tight now, too uncomfortable, the fabric suddenly foreign against her skin. Cain’s room. Everyone called it that, never “the master bedroom,” never “the marital suite.” Just Cain’s room. As if the space itself belonged to him the way people did. Her fingers curled tighter around the knife hidden behind her back. The metal was cold. She hadn’t planned this, hadn’t planned anything past survival but instinct had guided her hand earlier, instinct and fear working together. Her pulse roared in her ears, drowning out the quiet hum of the lights overhead. She had heard enough about Cain to fear for her life. During the cow exchange, he had leaned close and whispered promises that made her stomach twist. ‘I can’t wait to rip this dress off you.’ He had whispered into her ear. ‘I’ll show you what it’s like to be f*cked, you’ll beg for mercy.’ He had concluded and smiled evilly. The door opened. Cain strolled in like he owned not just the room, but the air inside it. Tall and relaxed. A faint smile tugged at his mouth, the kind that never reached his eyes. Those eyes swept over her slowly, lingering, stripping without hands. “I see you still haven’t stripped off this gown of yours,” Cain said, his voice smooth, almost bored as he moved closer. Olivia’s throat tightened. She took a small step back without realizing it, the bed brushing against the back of her knees. Her heart hammered harder, each beat sharp with dread. “Do you even know what this is all about?” he continued, stopping just inches away. Before she could answer or breathe, his hand came up and grabbed her face, fingers digging into her cheeks as he forced her lips apart. Pain flared. Shock froze her. “This,” he said lowly, releasing her mouth with a rough shove, “is what we call marital consummation.” The word made her stomach churn. “And I’m going to take you until you can’t take it anymore.” Her entire body recoiled. She shook her head, tears burning behind her eyes but refusing to fall. “I do not want this,” she said, her voice trembling but clear. “I do not consent to this.” The room went very still. “What did you just say?” Cain’s expression darkened instantly, the lazy amusement evaporating. His hand fisted in her hair, yanking her head back so hard pain exploded across her scalp. “Did you just talk back to me?” Olivia screamed, the sound ripping from her chest before she could stop it. “Let go of me!” she cried, clawing at his wrist, her fear spilling over into desperation. “I was going to show you mercy,” Cain said through clenched teeth, his grip tightening, “but now I don’t think you deserve any.” With a violent tug, he tore at the front of her gown. Fabric ripped and her front buttons scattered, the sound loud and humiliating. Olivia gasped, her hands instinctively moving to cover herself but he shoved her down onto the bed with brutal force. The mattress dipped under her weight. Cain climbed over her, his presence crushing, inescapable. She could smell him, soap and sweat. Her chest heaved as she struggled underneath him, her mind screaming for escape while her body locked with terror. The knife slipped in her grip as she struggled, the blade nicking her palm. Pain flared bright and hot in her palm, blood welling instantly. She bit her lip hard, refusing to cry out, curling her fingers tighter around the handle despite the sting. “Get off me,” she said, her voice shaking but fierce. “I’m warning you.” Cain let out a dark, humorless laugh. “You’re my wife now,” he growled. “I’ll do whatever I want with you.” He crushed his mouth against hers, not a kiss but an attack. His teeth bit down hard, sharp pain tearing through her lip. She tasted blood immediately, warm and metallic, as it spilled from her mouth. Something inside her snapped. This man wasn’t just cruel. He was a monster. And she would not let him destroy what little of herself she had left. Her hands trembled violently as she brought the knife forward, her vision blurring as she squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t think much nor did she hesitate. She drove the blade into him with everything she had. Cain roared in pain, the sound raw and shocked. His weight lifted abruptly as he rolled off her, clutching his abdomen, blood seeping between his fingers. Olivia scrambled upright, her breath coming in broken gasps. For a heartbeat, she stared at him, at the man who had almost taken everything from her before instinct screamed at her to run. She bolted. Barely aware of where she was going, she tore down the corridor, the torn hem of her gown dragging behind her, her heart threatening to burst from her chest. Tears streamed freely now, blinding her, her sobs swallowed by the echoing hall. She turned a corner and slammed straight into someone solid. Olivia staggered back, nearly falling. Cain’s mother stared at her, eyes widening in horror as her gaze swept over Olivia’s disheveled state, torn dress, blood smeared on her mouth and hand, wild fear etched into her face. For a moment, no one spoke. “Why are you covered in blood?” Cain’s mother demanded sharply. “Where is my son?” “Your son tried to r**e me!” Olivia shouted, the words bursting out of her like a dam breaking. “r**e you?” Cain’s mother scoffed, her shock quickly twisting into fury. “That’s impossible, you insolent girl. He’s your husband!” The words hit like a slap. Olivia knew, in that instant, that there would be no justice here. No mercy. No one would hear her. She turned and ran. “Catch her!” Cain’s mother screamed. Strong arms seized Olivia from behind before she could take more than a few steps. She screamed and thrashed, terror lending her strength, but the grip only tightened, pinning her arms to her sides. “Let go of me!” she cried, her voice breaking. “You’ve done something to my son,” Cain’s mother said coldly, already turning away. “Something unforgivable.” She rushed down the corridor, heels clicking sharply, disappearing into Cain’s room. Moments later, a piercing scream echoed through the halls. More bodyguards flooded in, their faces grim as they rushed past. Olivia went still in the arms holding her. She knew then, deep in her bones that this was the end of the road for her. The fight drained out of her, leaving only a hollow sinking dread. “You’ve committed a grave crime, lady,” one of the bodyguards said, his voice low and unyielding.