FATE WITHOUT FREEDOM:2

The next week Akari's parents returned home marked another turning point in her life—a heavier weight added to the one she already carried. The news they brought felt like a death sentence: her wedding ceremony to Haruto was officially scheduled in just five days.

The announcement hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Akari stood frozen, her mind reeling as her parents smiled warmly, oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside her. The walls of the room seemed to close in, and the world spun around her as if it were falling apart piece by piece.

Across the room, Haruto stood, the picture of pride and satisfaction. He greeted her parents with a confident charm, already securing his position as their future son-in-law. His excitement was palpable, even sickening.

"I've already prepared everything," Haruto announced with a grin. "Our house is ready, and we'll move in together tomorrow."

The pride in his voice was undeniable, and Akari felt her stomach churn. She wanted to scream, to run, but her body betrayed her. Instead, she sat quietly, nodding as if in agreement, though her soul screamed otherwise.

Overwhelmed by the news, Akari excused herself and made her way to the kitchen. Her legs felt weak, each step heavier than the last. She poured herself a glass of water, hoping it would steady her trembling hands.

But peace was never hers to have. As always, Haruto followed her, his presence a shadow she could never escape. This time, his demeanor was different—bolder, triumphant. She didn't need to look to know he was smiling, his confidence blooming now that he had everything he wanted.

Before she could turn away, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her into an embrace she couldn't escape. His hold was possessive, the grip of a man who believed he had already won the prize.

"This is it, Akari," Haruto murmured into her ear, his voice filled with smug satisfaction. "You're mine now. Completely mine."

Her breath hitched, her body stiffening in his grasp. The walls around her seemed to collapse inwards, the overwhelming pressure of it all too much to bear. Her heart raced, her vision blurred, and suddenly, the strength in her legs gave out.

Akari fainted in Haruto's arms, her glass slipping from her hand and shattering on the floor. Haruto, startled at first, quickly masked his irritation with concern as her parents rushed into the kitchen, hearing the noise.

"Oh no, Akari!" her mother exclaimed, her face etched with worry.

"She's fine," Haruto said smoothly, holding Akari close as if he were the perfect fiancé. "She's just overwhelmed. I'll take care of her."

He carried her to the sitting room, laying her down gently as her parents hovered nearby. His hand brushed her hair back from her face with a calculated tenderness, a display meant for her parents rather than for Akari.

Her father placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder. "You're going to be a good husband to her. We can see how much you care."

Haruto's smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Of course. She's my world."

As Akari stirred faintly, she felt his grip on her hand tighten, a silent warning not to resist. And as much as she wanted to scream, to tell her parents the truth, her voice refused to come. All she could do was lie there, helpless and drowning in the reality of her fate.

Moving Into the New House

The day Akari dreaded finally arrived. Boxes were carried into the small but neatly furnished house Haruto had purchased for them. Her parents, who had spent hours chatting with Haruto and praising his dedication to their daughter, seemed completely at ease with leaving her in his care.

As they stood by the door, ready to depart, her father clapped Haruto on the back. "You've done well, Haruto. This home is lovely, and we know you'll take good care of Akari."

Her mother smiled warmly, stepping forward to embrace Akari. But as Akari held her mother's hand, her grip tightened. The unspoken desperation in her trembling fingers was unmistakable—she wasn't ready to let her go. Her gaze pleaded silently for her mother to understand, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Haruto, noticing the exchange, acted quickly. With a charming smile that masked his true nature, he stepped forward and placed a firm but gentle hand on Akari's shoulder, pulling her back just enough to break the connection.

"She's in good hands, ma'am," Haruto said smoothly. "You don't need to worry. I'll make sure she's happy here."

Her mother nodded, oblivious to Akari's distress. "We're so lucky to have you as part of our family, Haruto. Take care of her."

"Of course," Haruto replied, his voice dripping with sincerity.

As her parents drove away, waving cheerfully through the car window, Akari stood motionless on the porch. Her chest tightened, her hands clenched into fists by her sides. The moment the car disappeared down the road, Haruto's angelic façade dropped like a mask falling from his face.

The Unmasking

Haruto's grip on her shoulder tightened painfully as he yanked her back into the house. The door slammed shut behind them with a deafening thud.

"You think you're clever, don't you?" he growled, his voice venomous.

Akari barely had time to respond before he stumbled her to the ground, her knees hitting the floor hard. The sound of tea cups shattering as he swept them from the table filled the room, making her flinch.

"Oh, you think you're smart, huh?" he snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

Akari pressed her back against the wall, her body trembling. Her hands clutched her kimono tightly as she curled in on herself, her chest rising and falling with panicked breaths. Her lips trembled, but no words came out. Her fear was palpable—her wide, tear-filled eyes darted between Haruto's raised hand and his furious expression.

He took a step closer, towering over her. "Don't you get it? You're mine now. You do as I say!" His hand hovered in the air as if he were about to strike her, but he stopped short, his lips curling into a cruel smirk.

"Get up," he commanded coldly.

When she didn't move quickly enough, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. "Get yourself together. Tomorrow is our wedding, and you better be ready. Don't even think about embarrassing me, Akari."

Her legs felt weak as he let go of her, and she stumbled slightly before catching herself. As Haruto stormed off to another room, she stood frozen, her body still shaking. Her mind screamed with thoughts of escape, of Andy, but her feet remained rooted to the floor.

The Wedding Day

The morning of the wedding came with a crisp breeze, the sun shining brightly as if mocking the gloom weighing on Akari's heart. The venue was beautifully decorated with elegant floral arrangements and golden accents. Guests gathered, their faces glowing with smiles as they admired the happy couple—or so they thought.

Akari stood motionless at the altar, her hands trembling as they gripped the bouquet of white lilies. Her kimono, a masterpiece of traditional beauty, felt more like chains binding her to a fate she couldn't escape. She glanced at the crowd, their joyous applause and congratulatory smiles feeling like knives stabbing into her chest.

Her mother beamed with pride, tears glistening in her eyes as she whispered to Akari's father, "She looks so beautiful. I'm so happy for her."

Akari's lips barely moved into what could pass for a smile, though her heart ached for a miracle to stop the ceremony. She prayed silently, Please let this be a dream. Please let me wake up.

As the officiant declared them husband and wife, Haruto leaned in close to her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "Smile," he whispered firmly, his voice laced with quiet menace. "Everyone's watching."

Akari forced a weak, trembling smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. The applause grew louder as Haruto took her hand, raising it triumphantly like a victor claiming his prize.

After the Ceremony

The routine of the day continued smoothly—greetings, photos, laughter that wasn't her own. Akari's every move was mechanical, each step guided by Haruto's firm grip on her arm. When someone commented on how happy they looked together, Haruto's hand tightened slightly, reminding her of her role in this charade.

By the time the last guest had left and the venue was cleared, Akari felt like a hollow shell. Her legs ached, her head spun, and her heart was heavy with despair.

Returning Home

As they arrived at their new house, Haruto opened the door and gestured for Akari to step inside. She hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes flickering to the street as if considering running, but his presence loomed too large behind her.

Once inside, Haruto closed the door and turned to her, his expression calm but unreadable. "Today is the start of a new chapter," he said, his voice devoid of warmth but filled with a chilling finality. "You're my wife now, Akari. Everything is going to change—starting tonight."

Akari's stomach churned as she lowered her gaze to the floor. She couldn't bring herself to respond, her voice caught in her throat. All she could do was nod faintly, knowing she was stepping deeper into a life that wasn't her own.

Would you like the story to shift toward Akari's plans to escape or delve deeper into the psychological tension in their new life together?

The room was dimly lit by the warm glow of a single lamp, casting soft shadows across the neatly arranged space. Haruto lay on the bed, his legs crossed, a book in his hand. The air was quiet save for the rustling of fabric as Akari stood by the low table, folding their clothes with meticulous care. Her movements were precise, almost elegant, a reflection of the discipline and refinement instilled in her by her parents.

Haruto's eyes shifted from the pages of his book to her. He found himself captivated by the delicate movements of her hands, the grace in how she smoothed each piece of fabric. The faint frown of concentration on her face only made her more enchanting to him. He closed his book slowly, his attention now entirely fixed on her.

She didn't notice. Akari was lost in her task, carefully stacking the folded garments into a neat pile. Haruto rose slightly, propping himself up on his elbow, and let his gaze wander over her figure. The soft light illuminated her features, highlighting the curve of her cheek and the strands of her hair that had fallen out of place.

Unable to resist, he moved silently behind her, reaching out to gently tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers brushed her skin, but she didn't react, her focus entirely on the task at hand. Haruto's lips curved into a faint smirk. She was so composed, so disciplined, even now.

When she moved to place the folded clothes into the closet, he watched her every step, his gaze lingering on the way she moved with quiet grace. As she closed the closet door and turned back to the table, Haruto set his book aside and rose from the bed.

Akari didn't notice him approach until she felt his hands rest firmly on her shoulders. Her breath caught as she glanced at their reflection in the mirror. Haruto stood behind her, his face close to her neck, his warm breath brushing against her skin.

"You've been busy," he murmured, his voice low and almost tender. "But it's our first night together, Akari. You should pay some attention to your husband."

She didn't reply, her hands trembling slightly as they gripped the edge of the table. Haruto's grip on her shoulders tightened, guiding her away from the table and toward the bed.

He turned her to face him, his dark eyes meeting hers, searching for something she couldn't quite understand. "This is our first night as husband and wife," he reminded her, his tone soft but firm.

Akari's heart raced as he gently pushed her down onto the bed, his hands steady yet insistent. She felt the pillow beneath her head as he leaned over her, brushing her hair away from her face. He traced his fingers along her jawline before letting them slide down to her shoulder.

He flipped back the fabric of her kimono, revealing her shoulder, and pressed a kiss against her neck. The warmth of his lips sent a shiver down her spine, but she remained still, her body tense.

Haruto shrugged off his jinbei, the fabric slipping to the floor. The air in the room grew heavy as he leaned in closer, his hands roaming, his kisses trailing lower.

The night stretched on, marking the beginning of their married life. For Haruto, it was a moment of triumph, of claiming what he believed was rightfully his. For Akari, it was another night where her voice was lost, and her heart remained with someone else.