Substitute Bride

She turns around in horror. Inside the cell, police officers are hitting her parents with sticks, striking them mercilessly.

“No… stop… STOP…

She cries, racing toward them. His expression darkens. He rushes forward and shouts.

“STOP…”

The beatings halt immediately. She drops to her knees just outside the cell, watching her parents curl into themselves in pain, their faces bruised, their bodies trembling. Her arms stretch toward them, but she cannot reach them. Her tears fall rapidly, her heart shattering with helplessness. The cell bars become a physical barrier between her and the people she loves most. He kneels down beside her. His voice...

She turns around in horror. Inside the cell, police officers are hitting her parents with sticks, striking them mercilessly.

“No… stop… STOP…

She cries, racing toward them. His expression darkens. He rushes forward and shouts.

“STOP…”

The beatings halt immediately. She drops to her knees just outside the cell, watching her parents curl into themselves in pain, their faces bruised, their bodies trembling. Her arms stretch toward them, but she cannot reach them. Her tears fall rapidly, her heart shattering with helplessness. The cell bars become a physical barrier between her and the people she loves most. He kneels down beside her. His voice is low, steady, and almost gentle.

“You have no option left…”

She doesn’t look at him. Her hands are still outstretched toward her parents, her body shaking with sobs. But she hears him. And in that moment, she knows he’s right. Every path she thought was an escape has led her straight back to the cage.