I crouched back into the corner, letting him use the spare key to unlock the door and enter.

He was always like this—never tolerating my defiance and never allowing me to escape his control.

A year ago, when rumors spread that he was about to get engaged, I felt a sense of relief and tried to flee from this cage.

But he dragged me back that very night, tearing off my clothes and throwing me into the basement.

“Sirena, I won’t marry anyone but you. Don’t leave me…”

His vows were resolute. There was no engagement, no one else.

In the dim light of a single candle, the basement swallowed...