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“Tomorrow.”
I nodded, my eyes only flicking back up when I heard his footsteps on the stairs.
* * *
Three days had passed, and he returned every day just as he said he would. Each day, he stayed a little longer. Hope lit in my chest that I might make it out of this basement, that I wouldn’t die in here. Today, he wasn’t alone, and that scared me more than anything.
Instead of the hope that I felt the past few days, terror swarmed me, making me curl in on myself. Was he handing the torture off to someone else? Had I displeased him? I clung to the wall, whimpering as they walked closer.
“Isabelle—”
“Please!” I shouted, knowing it would only get me in trouble. “Please, don’t let him hurt me!”
The back of his hand slammed across my face and I instantly dropped my eyes. Then his fingers pinched my jaw, forcing me to look up at him. “Don’t you ever speak out of turn like that. Do you understand me?”
I nodded, biting back the tears that filled my eyes.
“This is Dr. Bartholomew. I brought him to look after you, but clearly, you’re not ready for this.”
I squeaked, about to tell him I was, but just that squeak earned me a look of displeasure.
“We’ll revisit this at another time.”
And that was it. He nodded to the man and they walked away, leaving me alone again.
* * *
Twenty-three days had passed since I angered Ebarardo last. Since then, I had been the epitome of the perfect woman. I didn’t speak out of turn. I was more than grateful for anything he gave me. And when I thanked him for his gifts, I was rewarded the next day with even more. Just five days ago, the chains were removed from my wrists and legs for my good behavior.
So, when he walked down the stairs today, I was waiting for him just as he expected, with my head bowed and my hands crossed in front of me.
“There’s my girl. How are you today?”
“Very good, Ebarardo.”
“I brought a special treat for you today.”
My smile was bigger than ever as I thought of what he could have brought me that was better than before. He was so good to me.
“Would you like to know what it is?”
I nodded excitedly, eager for whatever gifts he would give me.
“Today, I am giving you the gift of becoming my wife.”
The smile on my face instantly dropped. His jaw hardened as he stared at me.
“Does this displease you?”
I blinked back tears, dropping my eyes. “No, Ebarardo. It’s just…”
“Just what? Do you think you’re too good to be my wife?” he bit out.
My head jerked up to look into his eyes. “No! Just the opposite!” My jaw trembled as I tried not to cry in his presence. I didn’t think he’d like it. “You’ve given me so much, but I…I’m not pretty enough for you. I’m dirty and?—”
“Isabelle, my sweet girl,” he chuckled. “You will not be getting married down here. Today is the day we leave the basement and you join me upstairs. Are you ready?”
* * *