Lucy sat at the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.
The room was too quiet.
Too big.
Too unfamiliar.
She slowly ran her fingers over the bedsheet, like she was trying to confirm it was real.
Soft.
Clean.
Perfect.
Nothing like home.
She leaned back against the headboard and pulled her legs closer.
Her chest felt tight.
Everything had happened too fast.
Her mother's voice.
Her father's face.
Ruben calling her name.
Lucy shut her eyes.
"I'll be fine…" she whispered again.
But this time—
It sounded even weaker.
A soft knock came from the door.
Lucy opened her eyes.
"…Come in."
The same woman from earlier stepped inside.
Calm. Composed.
"I brought you something to eat," she said gently.
Lucy shook her head.
"I'm not hungry."
"You should eat something," the woman insisted, placing the tray on the table.
Lucy didn't argue again.
The woman paused at the door.
Then said quietly, "Try to rest."
And left.
Lucy looked at the food.
Didn't touch it.
Instead, she stood up and walked slowly toward the window.
The view outside was beautiful.
Lights glowing in the distance.
Everything peaceful.
But she didn't feel any of it.
"I don't belong here…" she murmured.
A knock came again.
This time—
She didn't respond immediately.
The door opened anyway.
Adrian walked in.
Lucy turned quickly.
Her body tensed without her meaning to.
He closed the door behind him.
Silence filled the room.
He looked around once.
Then at her.
"You didn't eat."
Lucy glanced at the tray.
Then back at him.
"I'm not hungry."
"That's not a good habit," he said calmly.
Lucy didn't respond.
He walked further into the room.
His steps slow. Controlled.
"This is where you'll be staying," he said.
"If you need anything, you ask."
Lucy frowned slightly.
"Ask who?"
"The staff."
A pause.
Lucy nodded slowly.
She hesitated.
Then asked
"How long am I staying here?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"you staying here forever ," he said.
That wasn't clear.
Lucy took a small breath.
"You said… I'll be your wife," she said carefully.
"What does that mean?"
He looked at her.
"It means you'll stay here," he replied simply.
"You'll get used to the place. That's enough for now."
Lucy blinked.
"That's it?"
"For now."
Silence.
Lucy didn't know what she expected.
But this
Felt strange.
Not soft.
Not kind.
But not as harsh as she imagined either.
She looked at him again.
"And… my family?" she asked quietly.
"They're fine."
Lucy's shoulders dropped slightly.
"You won't disturb them?" she asked.
"No one touches them," he said.
The way he said it
Final.
Lucy nodded slowly.
A small part of her eased.
Then he continued.
"There are a few things you should know."
Lucy straightened slightly.
"You don't leave the house without informing someone," he said.
"You don't go into places you're not told to enter."
His tone wasn't harsh.
Just clear.
"And if I want to go outside?" she asked.
"You ask."
Lucy pressed her lips together.
"And if I don't?"
He looked at her for a moment.
"Then I'll hear about it," he said.
Not a threat.
But not soft either.
Lucy looked away.
"You can move around the house," he added.
"You're not locked in."
That surprised her.
She looked back at him.
"…Really?"
He didn't answer that directly.
"Just don't create problems," he said.
Silence settled again.
Lucy didn't know what to say.
This wasn't what she expected.
She thought it would be worse.
Colder.
More controlling.
But this
Was controlled in a different way.
"I still didn't take anything," she said quietly.
He didn't react.
"I know you don't believe me," she added.
Still nothing.
Lucy looked down.
"I'll prove it," she said softly.
No answer.
After a moment
He turned toward the door.
"Eat your food," he said.
Then paused slightly.
"And get some rest."
He opened the door and walked out.
Lucy stood there.
Listening to his footsteps fade.
Then she slowly sat down again.
Her eyes moved to the tray.
After a long moment
She reached for it.
Took a small bite.
It tasted normal.
Too normal.
Tears filled her eyes again.
She quickly wiped them.
"I won't break," she whispered.
But deep down
She didn't know if that was true.
She lay down slowly.
Pulling the blanket over herself.
The room stayed quiet.
Her thoughts didn't.
And that night
Sleep came slowly.
Because no matter how calm everything looked
Nothing about her life was the same anymore.