ELENA:
I sold you.
Those three words didn't just break me.
They destroyed me.
I always believed that love was enough.
Enough to get through the hardships.
Enough to forgive the lies.
Enough to hold on… even when everything was already falling apart.
I thought as long as I loved him, everything would be okay.
I was wrong.
The rain was pouring heavily outside, its relentless sound echoing through the empty halls of our small house. Thunder roared in the distance, shaking the windows, but it wasn't enough to drown out the uneasiness growing inside me.
I stood by the window, my arms wrapped tightly around myself, staring into the darkness.
Waiting.
Waiting for him.
For my husband.
Marco.
The man I loved more than my own life.
The man I kept choosing over and over… even when it hurt.
It was already past midnight when I finally heard the door open.
Relief instantly flooded my chest.
He's home…I whispered.
I turned around, ready to greet him
But the words died in my throat.
Marco wasn't alone.
Two men in black suits stood behind him, their presence suffocating, their expressions cold and unreadable.
Fear crept into my veins.
Marco…? I called softly.
He didn't answer.
Didn't even look at me.
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
What's going on? I asked, my voice trembling as I took a cautious step forward.
One of the men stepped closer, his sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe like I was nothing more than an item on display.
Is this her? he asked.
My heart skipped.
Marco finally looked at me.
But there was no warmth.
No love.
No hesitation.
Yeah, he said flatly. That's her.
Something inside me shattered.
What do you mean, that's her? I forced out a laugh, though my hands were already shaking. Marco, what is this? Who are they?
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Crushing.
Marco ran a hand through his hair, clearly irritated.
Elena, he said, his voice colder than I had ever heard before. Just go with them.
I froze.
What?
Don't make this harder than it needs to be.
My chest tightened painfully.
Marco, stop joking, I said, my voice breaking. You're scaring me.
I'm not joking.
Three simple words.
But they hit harder than anything I had ever felt.
I took a step back, staring at him like I was looking at a stranger.
What are you talking about? Why would I go with them? I demanded.
One of the men chuckled softly.
" Your husband didn't tell you?" he said, amused.
A cold dread spread through my entire body.
Tell me what…?
Marco's jaw tightened.
I sold you.
The world stopped.
The rain.
The air.
Even my heartbeat.
Everything… stopped.
You what? I whispered.
"I sold you," he repeated, as if it meant nothing. "We needed money. And you were the only thing I had left."
I felt like the ground had disappeared beneath my feet.
"No… no, that's not funny," I said, shaking my head violently. "Marco, stop it. This isn't funny!"
I'm serious."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
You're my husband… I choked out. "You can't just sell me like I'm some object!
He scoffed.
"Don't act so dramatically. At least this way, you're finally worth something.
Every word felt like a knife stabbing into my chest.
How could you…? I whispered. After everything… after all these years…
I remembered all the nights I waited for him.
All the sacrifices I made.
All the love I gave.
And this… this was how it ended?
With money?" I laughed bitterly. You traded me for money?
I didn't have a choice.
You ALWAYS have a choice!" I screamed.
That's enough," one of the men said coldly. We're taking her now.
No! I'm not going anywhere! I shouted, panic taking over. Marco, tell them to leave!
But Marco didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't even try.
He just stood there… watching.
Marco, please… I begged. I love you…
For a brief second, something flickered in his eyes.
But it disappeared.
Take her.
That was it.
That was the moment I realized
The man I loved no longer existed.
Two strong hands grabbed my arms.
Let me go! MARCO! I screamed.
But he turned his back on me.
And walked away.
Like I meant nothing.
Like I was nothing.
The rain grew louder as they dragged me outside. My bare feet hit the cold ground as I struggled.
Please… someone help me
But no one came.
No one ever does.
They shoved me inside a black car. The door slammed shut.
I was shaking uncontrollably.
Where are you taking me? I asked weakly.
No answer.
The car started moving.
And just like that
My life as Elena, the loving wife, ended.
I didn't know where I was going.
I didn't know what awaited me.
But one thing was clear.
I was no longer free.
And deep inside…
Something in me began to change.
Something darker.
Stronger.
Because the night my husband sold me
It was the night I died.
And something far more dangerous was born.
END OF CHAPTER 1.