Chapter 4 - The Golden Cage
During the three-hour delay for the reassignment, Marcus used the chaos to resume his performance. He cornered me near the elevators, his face twisted into a mask of faux concern. “You should sit down, Nora. You look pale. I am thinking about the baby.” “Stay away from me,” I whispered, my voice trembling. Dana stepped between us instantly. “All communication goes through counsel.” Marcus smiled, a chilling upward curve of his lips. “Of course.” As he walked away, the memories of how I ended up here suffocated me. When we met, Marcus was thirty-three, charming, and validated my intelligence. But the isolation began like a slow-acting poison. He convinced me to quit my job because travel was “bad for the marriage.” He confiscated my bank cards to “reduce my anxiety.” He alienated my friends, convincing me they were jealous of our wealth. He didn't build my prison with iron bars; he built it by convincing me that the world outside was full of enemies, and only he could keep me safe.
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