-ˋˏ ༻Chapter 1༺ ˎˊ-

Sean met Layla back in school; she was never the most friendly or interesting girl. Irritable, bossy, and foul-mouthed, she was far from the wife he had imagined. Yet, Layla became increasingly attached to him over the years, repeatedly asking for a chance, which he always refused. But after graduation, things began to change. With few prospects and feeling the weight of his uncertain future, Layla's advances started to seem like an option. She was pretty, her family wealthy enough to guarantee Sean a comfortable life, and maybe, just maybe, love could soften her rough edges.

'The perfect girl doesn’t exist, so why not?'

Inheriting a massive debt was the final straw. Seeing no other way out, he turned to Layla, who agreed to cover the debt in exchange for marriage. Since then, they've been a couple.

Unfortunately, Sean's hopes for a change in her attitude or a happy life were quickly dashed. It’s been half a year since he married Layla, and their relationship is a nightmare. Layla is toxic and abusive—she beats and mistreats him, and there are even rumors that she’s cheating. Asking her to change or begging for a different life does no good; she never takes responsibility, always finding ways to blame him for her mistakes. Yet, he live in her house and work at her father’s company, entirely dependent on her money, which keeps him trapped in this loveless marriage.

Once again, he lie in bed alone, exhausted after spending the entire day doing all the house chores by himself. Layla went out with her friends without even bothering to give him a word. At 1:00 AM, she stumbles home, visibly drunk. She carelessly tosses her purse and shoes onto the couch, her heavy footsteps echoing through the quiet house as she storms into his room, fuming with rage.

"Where are my fucking dinner?!"

She screamed, grabbing Sean by the arms and shaking him violently. It seems she’s in a bad mood, just like always.

Sean woken up with raced heart as he tried to find the right words, he winced, feeling her nails digging into his arms. He'd los count of how many times this had happened, but the pain never seemed to dull.

"I made dinner, but you didn't come until now. I didn't want it to get cold..."

Layla's grip on his arm tightens,

"What the hell is your problem?! you know exactly I'd be home late! and I expect my meal ready whenever I get home!"

Sean clenched his teeth, bracing himself for the usual argument. It was always the same, no matter how much he explained, Layla never understood.

"ugh- I tried to call you so many times, but you never answered," he protested softly, knowing that any resistance would only antagonize her further.

Layla sneered, her fingers digging deeper into his skin,

"Of course I didn't pick up! I was having fun, something you wouldn't understand, you boring prick!"

Sean winced, feeling the pinch of anger mixing with defeat in his chest. The constant insults, the blame, it was like a familiar and cruel song, playing every single night of his life. He tried to keep his tone measured, knowing how dangerous it was to respond with the same sharpness she used with him,

"I'm not trying to ruin your fun, I just wanted you to at least be informed. How was I supposed to know that you'd arrive so late?"

Layla's voice sharpens, cutting into him like a blade,

"It doesn't matter! don't you understand that? I expect obedience, not your stupid complaints! if I say I want my dinner ready whenever I arrive, you do it. no matter the time, no matter if I'm here one hour or twelve."

Sean's mind raced, searching for a way to diffuse the situation, the familiar feeling of despair setting in,

"I just... I wanted to avoid wasting food, that's all..."

Layla released her grip, only to swing her hand violently, connecting it with a sharp smack against his cheek. It stung, the pain cutting through him like a knife. Sean bit his tongue, restraining himself from reacting, knowing it would only fuel her anger. He winced silently, feeling the heat of the slap spreading through his face.

“Is that clear to you, now?” Layla demanded, her voice heavy with anger. The room seemed quieter than before, the air thick with tension.

Sean swallowed, the metallic taste of blood in his mouth. He forced down the pain and anger boiling inside him.

"I'm sorry. I should have taken care of the dinner, no matter what time you would be home." The apology tasted bitter in his mouth, like a poison he was forced to drink every night.

Layla reached out, her manicured fingers gripping Sean's hair tightly, yanking his head backwards. She pulled with a force that seemed fueled by the alcohol in her system, causing a sharp pain in his scalp as he winced and gasped softly.

"ugh!"

"You better remember this next time, huh?" Layla sneered, her breath hot and reeking of alcohol.

"I-I understand," Sean managed to say, his voice almost a whisper.

"I'll do better next time."

Layla chuckled darkly,

"You always say that, don’t you? Let's see if you hold your promise."

She finally let go of his hair, shoving him away.

Sean took a deep breath, his heart pounding and his scalp stinging. He massaged the back of his head gently, wincing as pain shoots through his scalp. If only he wasn't in a ton of debt, if only he wasn't that desperate and if only she isn't the daughter of one of the richest and the most influenced man in this country, he would've fight back or at least defend himself. But life sure can't be more crueller.

Despite the pain and the sting, he forced himself to look at her,

"Is there anything else you want?"

He hated the submissive tone in his own voice, but it was all he could manage to stay safe. Layla chuckled nastily, her eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, there is. I want a drink. Go get me a cocktail before I decide to give you another reminder about who makes the rules here."

Sean bit his lower lip, feeling the bitter taste of resentment but nodded anyway,

"alright."

He headed to the kitchen, feeling the weight of her expectations on his shoulders, and started making the cocktail, each measured pour a reminder of his helplessness in this hell-like marriage.

several minutes later, he goes back to the bedroom Layla's in with a glass of cocktail

Layla's eyes are fixated on him with cruel smile playing on her lips. Sean approaches her bed cautiously, and extends the alcohol to her.

"Here's your drink."

Layla took the glass with a smirk, her eyes watching him. As she takes a sip, she lets out a satisfied sigh and sits down,

"Now, get on your knees."

Sean flinched, the command sending a jolt of dread through his body. He looked at her in disbelief, but the warning in her gaze was clear. With a heavy heart, Sean slowly drop down onto his knees, feeling the cold hard floor beneath him.

Layla laughed softly, the sound a mix of mockery and satisfaction.

"Good, that's where you belong, right? on your knees, like a dog begging for scraps."

She took another sip of her cocktail, relishing in his submission.

Sean's jaw tightened, the insult like a dagger to his pride. But he knew better than to let it show. He swallowed the anger, forcing a neutral tone,

"Yes... I'm sorry."

Layla's smile widened, the power over him evident in her eyes.

"You should be. You should be ashamed of yourself, you useless, pathetic piece of trash."

She leaned forward, taking another sip of her cocktail.

"Now, bark like the dog you are."

Sean's mind raced, torn between the need to obey and the last shred of dignity he held onto. He knew resisting could lead to consequences, but he couldn't bring himself to bark like an animal so he remained silent.

Layla's eyes narrowed, the smile leaving her face.

"You're refusing me? Really, you're going to defy me?"

She set down her glass and stood up, her footsteps echoing on the floor as she approached him. She grabbed his jaw, forcing him to look up at her.

"I said bark! bark like the dog you are, or I'll make you regret it. Understood?"

Sean's heart was pounding in his chest, the fear and defiance warring inside him. He could feel her manicured nails digging into his skin, her grip as firm a chain around his neck but Sean remained silent, with jaw clenched tight. He would rather face the consequences of feeling more pain than giving up on his last straw of dignity by behaving like animal.

Layla's eyes flared with anger, her fingers tightening around his chin.

"Oh, so you think you have some pride left, huh? You think you can defy me, you worthless piece of crap?"

She let go of his chin and slap him across the face, sending him reeling.

"I SAID BARK, YOU DAMNED PIECE OF SHIT!!"

The smack stung across his face, but he kept his lips sealed, refusing to bark like a dog. His vision blurred from the unexpected slap, but he pushed himself back up onto his knees, his eyes meeting hers defiantly.

Layla was furious, her eyes wild with rage as she clenched her fists.

"You have some nerve, you useless pig! you really think you can defy me? I'm going to show you what happens when you don't obey me!"

She grabbed his hair, yanking his head back further, her fingers twisted into the strands of his hair, pulling tightly, a painful reminder of the power she had over him.

Layla's face reddened with rage, her patience snapping. She grabbed his hair again, yanking him up so he looked at her, their faces nearly touching.

"You really think you can get away with disrespecting me? You think you're too good to obey a simple command?"

She sneered, pulling at his hair harder.

The pain shot through Sean, but his eyes remained defiant, locked on her with a look that said he wouldn't give in. He might be trapped in a hell-like marriage, but he wouldn't let her break him completely. He gritted his teeth, the stinging of his scalp mixing with the burning of his cheek. Still, he didn't bark.

Layla's anger boiled over, her grip on his hair tightening as she hauled him across the room and down a door opening into the basement. The basement was dark and cold, and she pushed him inside, letting go of his hair.

Sean groaned in pain

He staggered, losing his balance and falling onto the hard floor, his body aching from the rough treatment.

"Ughhh.."

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