This marriage is not working.

The sunlight flooded the room, jolting Ava awake. She didn't know when she fell asleep last night. Her eyes ached from continuous crying. Her body ached and her hand throbbed painfully. But she ignored the pain and jumped out of the bed, rushing to the door.

To her surprise, the door swung open effortlessly, no longer locked. She darted out of the room, heading straight for the main entrance. Finally, she could escape.

But as she reached the hall, Martha appeared with her usual polite smile, blocking her path. "Good morning, Madam. I hope you slept well."

Ava paused, momentarily taken aback at her sudden appearance. She composed herself quickly and said, "Martha, I need to leave. I don't want to stay locked up in this house."

The smile on Martha's face faltered. "I am afraid you can't leave, Madam," she said apologetically. "Sir has ordered that you cannot leave. The guards at the gate have strict instructions not to let you out."