The husband - not so charming anymore. Today was going to be the day I was originally going to start posting this story, but I'm glad I went ahead and posted early. Love hearing from you all everyday :)

As of now, I haven't written any graphic scenes in detail. I usually just leave it to a sentence or two to pack the punches, as I have done in this chapter. Thanks to Frannie for fixing all my mistakes and Dani, Ariel, and Gemma for prereading.

Enjoy!

I thought having one of his rings on my finger was a prison sentence.

Turns out having two is a death wish.

… Of my own pathetic choosing.

The sun streams from the sky seamlessly, casting rays between large white clouds. It beams against the house, filtering through clear windows and soft, sheer curtains. It dots the carpeting, warms the hardwood floors, and brings life to the flowers planted along the wraparound porch he designed because he knew I always wanted a house with a wraparound porch to call my own.

You'll love it, baby, he promised, and I did. Aesthetically, it is a dream. Swings and hammocks and flowers help bring the otherwise dreariness of my days to life. There are candles and reading nooks and throw pillows to slip in a nap somewhere throughout the day.

It's beautiful. Tranquil.

Realistically, it's exceptionally lonely. Perhaps a prison.

All this space, so visually appealing, makes me believe the lie every so often. Boasting green grass with pristine edging behind a white picket fence. Colorful flowers are planted around the yard and porch to hide the darkness that dwells within.

I try to take advantage of days like this when the sun is out. There is surveillance around the whole house; not an inch is unviewable, so I know not to stray far. I know my boundaries. I know he's watching, even when he's at work.

He's very predictable - which makes it easy for me to see it coming. I can tell his shift in mood just by the way he turns the handle of the front door. Today, if he's upset about something, it won't be because of me.

I'm the dutiful wife. I have a book on my lap as I swing in the hammock on the front porch. The house is immaculate, dinner is simmering on the stove, and the sun beckons me to join in on the festivities.

Beckoning me to be human for just a little while.

The book in my lap is good, not great. The monotonous words combined with the sun's warmth lull me into hypnosis. It's hard to remember what is real in this state - and I don't like feeling so vulnerable.

As if someone could read my thoughts, a voice infiltrates my drifting. Friendly. Unaware. New.

"Hi, Neighbor!"

The octave of her voice is loud enough to wake anyone within a ten-mile radius. I peer over the fence to see a woman, average height, short brown hair, and a smile on her face. I watch as she takes it all in - the house, the property, the lies.

"Hello," I reply, slowly getting up from the hammock. I place my book on the small table, painfully aware of the cameras catching my every move. I try to make it look like I'm just casually glancing at the property in front of me.

He doesn't take kindly to strangers.

Especially ones that talk to me without him present.

"I'm Alice. We just moved in down the street." The woman motions back the way she came from, and I nod in understanding.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Bella."

Sweat appears on my brow. I know this won't end well.

"Figured I'd introduce myself," my new neighbor shrugs and flashes me another warm smile. "In case I need to borrow a cup of sugar or anything like that."

She'll never step a foot onto this property. He'll make sure of that now that he'll know she exists by watching the surveillance.

Just go, I plead. Go.

It's not her fault; she doesn't know I'll suffer the consequence of her unplanned visit.

"Did you walk here?" I ask her instead, trying to hide the panic from my voice. As much as I want her to go, I need her to stay.

"Yeah. Decent distance, too." She takes a deep breath. "My walk around the block will be for my exercise routine."

I nod and offer nothing else, never leaving my spot on the porch. Most neighbors would close the gap. The distance—attempt to find out more about the new person in town.

Not me.

I can't.

Speaking to others only brings trouble.

When it's obvious I won't push our conversation further, Alice nods slowly and starts to turn on her heel. "I should head back. It was nice to meet you, Bella."

"You too, Alice."

"Oh, it was nice to meet her?" He sneers later when he's home from work and Alice is safe in her own home. He has me against the wall, his fingers wrapped around my neck. "How nice was it to meet her, Bella?"

I can't answer.

The world turns black.

Hello, Alice.

See you tomorrow!