Chapter 1: Her miseries

Ellasandra's POV

I had been there to volunteer and help clean the streets and the small bridge that connected the small community to the city. However, that day changed my life forever. I was forced into marriage with a cruel man and kept hidden for the past five months, living in a state of torment.

As I gazed at my reflection and gently touched my cheeks, I realized that no one even noticed the bruises that had begun to appear on my body. My once fair complexion was now marred with bluish marks on my skin.

I scoffed at myself, whispering, "What did you expect, Ellasandra? You're trapped in a living hell."

As I reached for the foundation to cover the bruises, I knew that these marks would never free me from this situation. I doubted that my husband would believe me; he would likely accuse me instead. Looking at my wedding ring, I realized that he was unaware that I knew it was a fake piece of metal.

"Everything is a facade," I murmured. After concealing the bruises, I stood up and suddenly felt dizzy. I grabbed onto the chair and closed my eyes, my heart racing.

"Ella! Ella! " a loud scream was heard as that woman keeps on knocking on the door.

I made an effort to appear composed as I walked and carried on as usual. As I opened the door, she swiftly slapped me across the face. Surprisingly, I didn't feel any pain from the slap. "How could you be so careless? Didn't I instruct you to complete this task?

How can you relax while I'm having a trouble because of you?!" she shouted at me.

I glanced at the papers she was holding. She wanted me to transcribe a 100-page document onto her laptop. Overwhelmed by the pain in my chest, I lost consciousness.

"What is happening here?!" a man with deep baritone voice roars at me.

I lifted my head and saw a handsome man standing before me. He is Rafael Midnight, a wealthy man and my husband. He stood at 6'3 with curly black hair and striking gray eyes that matched his thick eyebrows and lashes. His semi-thick lips, pointed nose, and dimples completed his perfect face, much like mine.

"Answer me, Ella. Why haven't you completed these tasks? We already told you that she needs that file tomorrow. You were aware that she underwent a blood transfusion today and is still unwell. Do you job!" he defended. I simply scoffed.

I looked at them with a cold and lifeless expression. "That blood came from me. I'm also—agh!" I groaned in pain.

This time, my husband was the one who slapped me. He grabbed my neck and pinned me in the doorway. I didn't struggle. It was futile. We heard loud footsteps as his best friend arrived.

"What the hell is this, Rafael!" Tristan roared. I coughed and breathed heavily, but I didn't care. I knew this was the end for me anyway. I'm already use of being abused by them.

"What are you doing, Tristan?" Rafael asked firmly.

He sighed and looked at Ashley, my husband's childhood sweetheart and first love. She was sick, and fate played a cruel joke on me as our blood matched. I have a negative AB blood type, and unfortunately, the test for a bone marrow transplant has the highest success rate. In two weeks' time, I will lose my life due to that major operation. I'm nothing but a sacrificial lamb in this house.

"Seriously? Why ask a question when you already know the answer! You illegally confined her for Ashley, so just give her some time to rest," he responded. Taking the paper, "I'll finish this tonight. Please, just leave me alone," I said under my breath. The chest pain is making it hard to breathe. Tristan sighed, closed the door, and they left. I went to bed, twisting in pain.

It took nearly thirty minutes to calm down. Now, I'm in front of the laptop to type up this paper. Pulling open the drawer, I saw the test results. If this continues, my body won't handle the operation and I'll be at risk of a lethal cardiac arrest. I closed the drawer and punched the wall.

"Damn you! Meeting you was the worst nightmare! I will make you pay!" I screamed.

I threw the vase in my table. After calming down, I continued working on this. I know that one day I'll be leaving this house. I have to stay strong for my freedom. Hours had gone by and I had finished the dinner left by the maid outside my door.

As I lay on my bed, I heard someone opening the door and switching on the light. The door was then locked. Could it be Ashley? Since I arrived in this household, I've always slept under the quilt and developed claustrophobia along the way.

"There you are…" My eyes widened. What is he planning to do?!

"Rafael?! What are you doing in my room?!" I exclaimed. He covered my lips and smiled. Rafael, who seemed different from his usual ruthless self, was drunk.

"You're still my wife, right? Then let me have the wedding night that we didn't have," he mumbled.

The next thing that silenced me was his kiss. He pinned my hand above me and I was too weak to struggle or push him away. I knew exactly what he intended to do! I have to stop him but…

…

The following day unfolded much like the previous ones. Tristan insisted that I join them for breakfast, and I simply complied. Despite being Rafael's wife for months, I continued to endure his mistreatment.

I took care of household chores and prepared meals for him, never anticipating such a drastic turn in my life. "Are you ready for your surgery tomorrow, Ella?" Tristan asks. I mustered a forced smile in response. Witnessing Ashley and Rafael's sweet affectionate to each other, my heart sank, feeling as though it had been struck by lightning. I think I'm jealous.

As time passed, the impending day of my demise drew nearer. Ashley and Rafael left at the behest of another woman, possibly for a date. In secret, I penned a final diary entry, detailing the pain and bitterness that Rafael had inflicted upon me.

"I want to make it clear that you have destroyed an innocent life - my life. This is how I will make you feel guilty, and it's my way of getting back at you, my dear husband," I murmured as I wrote it down. Later that night, I quietly entered his room and left behind a notebook, test results, a fake ring, and divorce papers. Returning to my room, I went to bed early. I need to rest for my operation the next day. I have to be alive until the operation ends.

At the hospital, Tristan sneaked into my room and asked, "Are you certain about what you told me yesterday, Ella?"

I managed a faint smile. "Yes, Tristan... I know you're not a bad person. I understand it's a big favor, but I will always be grateful if you help me. This is my final request before I died."

Tristan sighed and nodded. He concealed himself in the cabinet when the nurses entered. As they wheeled the bed down the hallway, I knew my suffering would finally come to an end…