CHAPTER THREE: LOVE WITHOUT CHAINS,A PRISON OR FREEDOM.?

I never thought I would see Leon again.

Then, one evening, Chris did something unexpected—he took me to a club. It was the first time he had ever allowed me out in such a place, but even there, he controlled everything. No man was allowed to touch me, to even look at me for too long.

As I sat by his side, I noticed something—a woman. She was draped over Chris, her hands all over him. My chest tightened, but I said nothing. Maybe I was stupid, maybe I was too blind in love.

Then, through the flashing lights, I saw him—Leon.

Without thinking, I ran to him. His eyes lit up the moment he saw me. "You came," he whispered.

For the first time in years, I felt safe.

Leon took me to a private room and handed me a drink. My head was spinning, my emotions a mess, and without thinking, I drank it.

That was the last thing I remembered.

When I woke up, I was in an unfamiliar place.

The room was massive, elegant—far bigger and more beautiful than Chris's home. My heart pounded as I sat up, confusion and fear mixing in my chest.

Leon stood by the window, his gaze soft.

"Where am I?" I demanded.

"My home."

My pulse raced. "Take me back, Leon. Chris will kill me!"

Leon walked over, cupping my face gently. "What if you never have to see Chris again?" he whispered.

I shivered at his words. There was something in his voice—something final.

He kissed me then, deep and slow. I knew I should push him away, but I didn't. Instead, I melted into him.

A part of me was terrified, but another part—the part I had ignored for so long—felt happy.

Truly happy.

Months passed, and I grew in love with Leon.

He wasn't like Chris. He didn't control me, didn't hurt me. Instead, he treated me like I was his world.

For the first time, I felt what real love was.

When he proposed, I didn't hesitate—I said yes.

Our wedding was magical, a dream I never thought I deserved. And for the first time, I believed I had escaped the darkness of my past.

But even in paradise, shadows lurked.

One evening, Leon surprised me.

"My family is coming to visit," he said. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

I was shocked—he had never mentioned them before. But I was happy. I had always longed for a family, and now I would have one.

When they arrived, I was overwhelmed.

Leon's parents were kind, his two sisters gentle, and his younger brother, Brown, charming. They welcomed me with warmth, making sure I never felt alone.

For a while, everything seemed perfect.

Until I noticed something strange.

Brown and one of Leon's sisters, Maria, acted differently. Not like siblings—but like lovers.

At first, I thought I was imagining things. But the way they looked at each other, the way Maria touched Brown, it wasn't normal.

One night, I told Leon.

His reaction was explosive.

He stormed into Brown's room and beat him so badly that I had to beg him to stop. Maria, on the other hand, was silent, her eyes filled with something I couldn't understand—fear? Pain?

I didn't know it then, but I was about to uncover a truth I never saw coming.

Maria barely spoke after that night.

One afternoon, as I sat beside her, she turned to me, her eyes cold.

"You think you know the truth?" she said. "You don't."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

She leaned closer. "Brown and I are not siblings," she whispered. "We were paid to act like we are."

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. "That's ridiculous."

Maria smirked. "Is it?"

Anger flared inside me, and before I knew it, my hand struck her cheek.

She didn't flinch.

"You don't believe me," she said, voice calm. "But soon, you will."

A strange chill ran down my spine.

For the first time, I wondered—how much did I really know about Leon.?