Control

The walls of the small, dark room close in on me, suffocating me with each passing second.

My wrists are sore from being bound, and my whole body trembles with exhaustion, but it's not just from physical strain. It's the emotional weight that's dragging me down, threatening to break me.

"You should've stayed with me, Amanda." James's voice is cold, almost emotionless as he stands in the doorway, watching me with those eyes I used to trust. Eyes that now feel like ice.

"What do you want from me, James?" I barely manage to whisper.

My throat is dry, raw from screaming, and every word feels like it's being pulled out of me against my will.

James steps closer, his shadow falling across me. I shrink back instinctively, even though I know he's not going to hurt me, at least, not physically. It's the emotional pain that's tearing me apart.

"I just want you back, Amanda." He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I want what's mine. You don't just get to walk away." His eyes narrow with frustration, and for a moment, I can see the anger bubbling just beneath the surface.

"James, I told you. It's over." My voice wavers, but I try to sound firm. I need to be strong, for myself, for everything that's happening around me. "I don't want you anymore. This is crazy. Let me go."

He laughs bitterly, stepping forward until he's standing right in front of me. "Crazy? You think this is crazy?" He shakes his head, his face contorting with anger. "You think you can just walk away from me and everything will be fine? You're not that lucky, Amanda."

I flinch at his words, the memories of our time together, of everything I thought we had, flooding back to me. I feel my chest tighten, and I look away, tears threatening to spill.

"You don't get it, do you?" he continues, his voice lower now, but no less threatening. "Amanda. You owe me."

Owe him? The words hit me like a slap across the face. What does he mean by that?

"I didn't ask for any of this, James." I feel the hot tears sliding down my cheeks.

He slaps the wall with his hand, his frustration boiling over. "Then why'd you leave?" he demands, his voice rising. "Why did you walk away from me? Why did you choose him? Rafael?" His voice is venomous as he spits the name out, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Was he richer than me? Is that why you did it?"

The mention of Rafael's name makes something inside me snap. I hate that this is still about him.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It wasn't about money, James." My voice shakes with the force of my emotions. "It was never about that."

James takes a step closer, his eyes flashing with anger, but I don't back down. I refuse to let him see me scared.

"Then what was it about?" He's practically growling now, the edge in his voice razor-sharp. "You left me for a guy who didn't care about you. Rafael doesn't love you, Amanda. He's just playing with you."

I shake my head, too exhausted to argue. What's the point anymore? Everything feels pointless when I'm stuck here, in this horrible place, with no way out.

"He is just a family friend, James." I whisper, but it's more to myself than him.

James laughs bitterly. "I don't need to know him. You think he's the knight in shining armor? He's just like all the others. They all leave, Amanda. They all leave."

Suddenly, his hand shoots out, grabbing my chin forcefully. The air thickens as his grip tightens. I wince in pain, but I refuse to let him see how much it hurts.

"You broke up with me for him. You think I'm going to let that slide?" James growls through gritted teeth. "You don't just walk out on me and get away with it."

The fear that I've been trying to suppress begins to rise again, a lump forming in my throat. But I force myself to stay calm.

"James, please." My voice is small, almost pleading, but it's the only thing I can say. I can't keep fighting him. Not like this.

But it's no use. He's too far gone. "You'll regret this, Amanda." His voice is low, dangerous. "I'll make sure of it."

He releases me abruptly and steps back. For a brief moment, I think he's going to let me go, but then he walks to the door, pausing for a moment before looking over his shoulder.

"If you think Rafael will save you, think again." He says it with a smirk, and I feel something cold wash over me. "I'll make sure he knows everything, that you're a fucking slut, clinginh to men who has money."

"He knows more than that." I whispered.

The door slams shut behind him, and I collapse onto the cold floor, finally letting the tears fall. What has he done to me?

How did I get here?