When Love Descends Into Darkness

Caleb must have given Yvette instructions because she no longer taunted me, although she lived in this house. She just acted like I didn't exist.

Every day, I racked my brain, searching for a way to reach the outside world. Eventually, I thought of Yvette.

But to my surprise, she refused me outright.

"Natalie, I have to listen to Caleb. You don't understand what we have. As long as it's what he wants, I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen."

It seemed like she wasn't trying to provoke me—her eyes told me that much. That unwavering determination wasn't something that could be faked.

Maybe I had been wrong about them.

The bond between Caleb and Yvette was unbreakable and built on a trust so deep that nothing could shake it. It was deep that Caleb would rather sacrifice his own wife and child than betray her.

Every night when he got home, he went straight to Yvette's room. He would sit by her bedside, carefully feed her warm milk, and stay until she fell asleep.

By the time he came to me, it was always late at night.

I ignored him. I just lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

The room was cramped, barely big enough for a bed. There was no furniture and not even a single window. It wasn't even as good as the maid's quarters.

Yvette had taken over every other space in the house. There was a nursery for her baby and a piano room while the rest were packed with her things. Caleb even spent every night with her.

His presence in this tiny, suffocating space felt like an intrusion.

Neither of us spoke. The silence pressed down, and the air turned thick and stifling.

I was starting to feel irritated. "What do you want?" I asked.

Caleb sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. "Natalie, why can't you try to understand me? Why can't you just trust that I'll take good care of you and our baby?"

I let out a laugh and glanced around. "This is what you call taking care of us?"

Caleb frowned. "Natalie, if you hadn't married me, you wouldn't even be staying in a villa this luxurious. Yvette isn't like you. She's always been obedient and has come from a well-off family. Sticking her in a tiny room would be unfair to her."

For a moment, Caleb paused, then softened his voice. "Don't doubt my love for you. Just focus on having the baby. And stop thinking about getting rid of it."

That was when it hit me. In his eyes, I was someone who could be pushed around, and I was expected to accept whatever was handed to me.

Coming from his mouth, the word "love" felt cheap and meaningless.

I didn't believe a word he said. But right now, I had to act compliant. That was the only way I would find a chance to get out of here.

"I was just saying that out of anger. I'll have the baby. Give me my phone and my laptop. You know I have no one to contact anyway."

For the first time that night, Caleb smiled. "Alright. That'll give you something to do."