his desk, his laptop crashing into the wall and papers scattering everywhere.
I backed up in fear, but he came at me fast, and I was still in shock from his outburst, too slow to remember to run. He caught me by the throat, slamming me against the nearest wall and my head cracked against it. I gasped, fear clinging to me as I grabbed his hand and tried to pull it from my neck as he squeezed.
He got up close in my face, leaning down as his upper lip peeled back.
"I'm done," he snarled. "I've been patient, I have given you time, I have been a good husband, but I've had enough of this."
I started to shake, clawing at his hand as he increased the pressure on my throat and I struggled for air. Memories flashed through my eyes of his hand smacking against my cheek, his dark shadow looming over me, of me hiding in my closet when his rage got out of control. I remembered him shouting, cursing my name. I remembered my fear of him and it returned to me now, burrowing deep into my heart.
"You are mine," he hissed, his teeth bared. "My wife. My Sasha. You will not speak that man's name inside my household again, do you understand?"
I choked, fighting him with everything I had, but he wouldn't let go. My heart was beating too hard, my pulse pounding against my temples.
He sneered, releasing me and I slumped down the wall, coughing and spluttering as I dragged in air. Bile hit my tongue and I heaved, trying to swallow past it to get in more oxygen. I could already feel the bruise forming on my throat and was reminded of Farley, of my cell. And now I found myself at the feet of another monster.
"Go back to your room," he growled. "I will expect an apology when I come and see you later."
He stepped aside and I half crawled to the door before managing to scramble to my feet and run out of it. I clutched my throat as I fled, quickening my pace to put as much distance between me and him as possible. I didn't go upstairs as he asked, I started moving methodically around the house, checking every window, hunting for a way out.
I couldn't stay here. I couldn't be kept by that bastard. But it wasn't long before I had to once again accept that I was trapped in this place.
I returned to my room, shutting the door and sinking down to press my back to it. My breathing was ragged and I tried not to fall into the dark, numb space inside me. I had to stay present, I had to think of a way out.
I have to get out.
No matter how beautiful this bedroom was, how soft the carpet, or how far apart the walls, it looked just like my old cell to me in that moment. And I knew I was back in hell.
***
He came for his apology and I moved away from the door, standing with my fists raised in a threat. If he attacked me again, I'd at least try and fight him off.
He laughed throatily as he stepped into the room. "Don't be ridiculous, my darling. You are not going to fight me."
I lifted my chin, telling him that he was very wrong about that with my eyes.
He pushed the door shut, running a finger across his mouth as he moved toward me. "You always understood my rage. It's a part of me which I'm not proud of, but you embraced it, Sasha. You know how I can be. You can learn again."
He moved closer and I backed up, baring my teeth at him as I fell back on my feral ways. He tutted at me, his gaze skimming over my face, then down to the scars peeking out from under the neck of my sweater.
"I'll let you off of the apology this once as you're still adjusting back into your old life. But I need you to start making more effort, darling. I need you to drop this wild girl pretence and be the girl I married."
I shook my head in refusal and his eyes darkened to burning coal. "It isn't a request, Sasha."
A growl rolled through my throat at that name.
His jaw started pulsing. "There are questions I need answered before things can return to normal. I will call Dr Eckhart back here in a couple of days. If you refuse to