A divided heart

evious night. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, everything was a blur—white walls, a beeping machine, the dim light filtering in through the curtains. She was alive. That realiza

r. She could only stare at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and disbelief. He tossed a bouquet of flowers onto the bedside table, not caring where they landed, and sat in the chair next to her bed. "You look terrible," he said, a sneer curling his lips. "But you’ll need to pull yourself together. There’s a banquet tonight—an important event for my job. You will be there, and you will make me look good." She wanted to believe this was some twisted nightmare, that he would wake up and be the man she had once loved. But that man was long gone, if he had ever truly existed. The person sitting before her now was a stranger, a monster wearing the face of her husband. She looked away, unable to bear the sight of him. "I need to rest," Grace whispered, her voice hoarse. "I need time to think." His expression darkened. "Rest? Think?" He leaned closer, his breath hot and menacing, and his tone laced in malice "You’ll do as you’re told. We’re going to that banquet, and you’re going to smile and play your part. Understand?" She swallowed hard, the knot of fear tightening in her chest. She knew better than to argue. Arguing would only make things worse. She nodded slowly, her mind racing for a way out, a way to survive. "I’ll send someone to help you get ready," he said, standing up. "You’d better look perfect. Don’t make me regret bringing you." As he left, she felt a wave of despair wash over her. How could she face the world, pretend everything was fine, when her life was in shambles? She knew she couldn’t stay with him. She knew that this cycle of abuse and control would only continue if she did. But leaving was easier said than done. She had no family n