Melissa's POV

"Per the contract, I built Morgan Group into a tech powerhouse. But its growth is fragile. This is a ten-billion-dollar deal locked in stability for the next decade," I explained to our latest clients, my tone professional yet calm. The polished conference room lights reflected off the glass table.

A small thought flashed through my mind, Although Tony wouldn't admit it, this is one thing I'll always be proud of. Something I can finally beat my chest for.

"Yes, ma'am," one of the men across the table said with a respectful nod. "Everyone in this field knows how good you are. That's why our boss sent us here."

I smiled faintly, used to hearing words like that. Compliments like these had become routine, almost mechanical, from first-time clients. Still, they meant something. They reminded me of the one thing Tony could never take away-my competence.

I leaned forward slightly to pass a document, and then afterwards to read and sign the final section.

Just immediately, my phone buzzed on the table. One glance at the screen, and my chest tightened and I noticed that the caller was Tony.

A chill ran through me. I didn't even have to think and so I grabbed the phone immediately. The last time I missed his call during a signing, he'd accused me of "flirting with clients." I could still remember the blow that followed and the taste of my own blood as I tried to explain.

He never listened.

I pressed the phone to my ear. "Hello..."

His voice exploded before I could finish. "King's Presidential Villa! Get your worthless ass over here right now, you bitch!"

My throat went dry. The clients exchanged confused glances, and I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Excuse me, please," I murmured, turning slightly away.

"Tony," I whispered, careful not to let my voice shake. "I'm in the middle of an important signing. Can this wait just a little? I'll meet..."

"Disobeying my orders, bitch?" His voice rose even louder, venom seeping through every word. "If you're not here in ten minutes, consider yourself dead meat."

The line went dead before I could respond.

For a moment, all I could hear was the faint buzz of the fluorescent light above me. My mind scrambled to make sense of it-why he'd called, what could possibly be so urgent but deep down, I already knew it didn't matter. When Tony said ten minutes, he meant it.

I took a deep breath, forcing my heart to steady. It must be something important, I told myself, though I knew that was wishful thinking. Still, I couldn't risk testing his patience now. The contract of all of these had a clause that has stuck to my mind in the past three years-obedience without conditions. And Tony loved using it to remind me of my place.

But then, that familiar whisper of hope pushed through the fear. Just three more days, I reminded myself. Three more days, and this nightmare will end and I'll finally walk away.

A throat cleared in front of me, dragging me back. One of the clients shifted in his seat. "Everything okay, Mrs. Morgan?"

I forced a nod, the corners of my mouth lifting into a tight smile. "Yes, of course. I apologize. That was... urgent."

"Should we proceed?" another asked, politely but with a flicker of irritation.

I wanted to-God, I wanted to finish this deal.but my mind was already racing through traffic routes, calculating time. From here to the villa was a seven-minute drive, maybe less if I sped. He'd already given me ten minutes.

My pulse drummed against my throat.

"I'm sorry," I said finally, closing the folder in front of me. "Something unexpected came up. We'll need to reschedule and then the HR will reach out to you soon."

Before anyone could respond, I was already standing. Their disappointed faces blurred as I gathered my files and phone, whispering a quick "thank you" before hurrying out. The elevator doors closed behind me, and only then did I let out a shaky breath.

Three days, I repeated to myself. Just three more days.

The drive to King's Presidential Villa felt longer than it should have. My grip on the steering wheel was tight and my knuckles pale from the pressure. The car stereo hummed quietly, but my thoughts drowned out the music.

Every red light felt like a countdown. Every passing second, I imagined what his face would look like, which would probably be tense, furious and  ready to explode.

When I finally arrived, the guards recognized the car immediately and waved me through to the reserved parking. 

As I stepped out and went towards his usually reserved space here at the Kings presidential Villa, the sound of faint music floated through the hall. I followed the noise quietly, my heels clicking against the marble floor. With each step, the voices grew louder and of course his voice among them.

"Everyone praises Melissa," Tony was saying, his words slurred slightly. "Even my mother treats her like royalty. But deep down, she knows everything she has is because of me. I'm the only one that truly matters in the Morgan group of companies!"

I paused by the doorway, my stomach twisting. That was a typical Tony-bragging, drunk on attention and self-importance and to think that it was almost predictable.

I should've turned around. But instead, I pushed the door open.

The smell of alcohol hit me first. Then the sight of Tony in a tailored suit, laughing too loud, tossing bundles of money into the air like confetti. The people around him cheered, their glasses raised, feeding his ego.

My heart sank. So this was why he'd called me here-so I could watch his little show.

I took a small breath, trying to keep my tone calm. "I'm here," I said finally, my voice low but steady.

He turned, eyes narrowing. For a moment, I thought maybe-just maybe-he'd say something civil. But instead, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek.

The force threw me slightly off balance. I stumbled back, catching myself against the edge of a wall. The crowd went quiet, their laughter dying into awkward silence. Someone gasped and some others whispered.

A single tear slipped down my face, uninvited. I wasn't even sure if it was from pain or from the humiliation that came with it.

Tony smirked, his tone dripping with disdain. "Took you long enough. Did you crawl here like the snail you are?"

I blinked rapidly, trying to hold back more tears. The room blurred for a moment, but I forced myself to stand tall. I'd been through worse. I wasn't going to crumble here, certainly not in front of them.

I checked the time on my phone, my voice trembling just a little. "I was four minutes late."

His expression darkened. "Four minutes too long."

He turned back to his friends, laughing as if nothing had happened, leaving me standing there with my cheeks burning, heart pounding and dignity slowly bleeding out of me.

I pressed my palm gently against my face, feeling the warmth of the slap seep into my skin. Inside, my thoughts whispered the same silent prayer they always did:

Just three more days, Melissa. Three more days, and you'll finally be free. It wouldn't last forever.

Melisa's POV 

I managed to look up, holding my cheeks from the hot slap I just received like a gift from him. The sting spread across my skin like wildfire, and for a second, all I could hear was the ringing in my ear and the faint murmurs of people around. My chest tightened, but I forced myself to keep my voice steady.

"The company which was 'signing venue' is not very close to here. But I care to know, why the urgent call?" I asked, trying to keep my tone polite, even though my voice trembled slightly. Maybe I just wanted to confirm if the slap was really necessary, but deep down, I already knew the answer. It was never about reason with Tony-it was about control.

He didn't even blink or flinch. His expression stayed cold, like he hadn't just raised his hand against me in front of people. "You know, nothing much." He paused, then clapped his palms together dramatically, pretending like he'd just remembered something. "Oh! Anyway, you're right on time, right? My shoes are dirty."

He leaned back lazily on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, and then, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, he placed his right shoe on a seat in front of him. "So, I called you over to... lick them clean."

For a moment, I thought maybe I misheard him. Maybe it was the ringing in my head or even the chaos of disbelief clouding my brain. But when I looked around and saw the way the people in the room shifted uneasily, trying not to make eye contact, I realized he meant every word.

My lips parted, but nothing came out. That wasn't just an insult-it was an open humiliation and myy heart sank. Must he belittle and degrade me every single time, just to prove a point?

He snapped his fingers sharply. "Sophia!"

My eyes followed the sound of his voice. The said 'Sophia' stood beside him, dressed like she belonged in his world of filth-short dress, bright red lips, and an air of arrogance that made my stomach turn. She smirked when he called her name and immediately leaned forward to light his cigarette, having her manicured fingers brushing his chin.

Of course, she was here. The same last who'd sent me those smug glances at every company event, the one who acted like she had already replaced me in every way that mattered.

Tony inhaled deeply and exhaled right in my direction and then the smoke hit my face. "C'mon! What are you waiting for? Start licking immediately." He snapped.

His voice cut through my frozen thoughts like a blade. My heart pounded so hard I thought the whole room could hear it. Now, it seemed like I could feel everyone's gaze on me, waiting, watching. That's what he wanted-to make me small. To make me a show out of all of these.

He grinned, his eyes glinting with mockery. "Everyone is waiting to see how you do it. Don't keep us waiting so long."

My throat burned. "Tony, are you serious now?" I asked softly, my tone cautious but firm enough to show disbelief. "I left an important signing for this?"

I hadn't even finished before his eyes darkened. He moved towards me with the kind of rage that made people flinch away from his path. I could already feel it coming before his hand even touched me.

In one swift motion, he grabbed me by the arm and yanked me closer, his breath hot against my ear. "More important than me?" His voice was venom. "Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think Morgan Group needs you?"

His grip tightened, and I tried to steady my breathing, but he pushed me so hard that I stumbled backward. The sound of breaking glass filled the air as I crashed into a table. Dozens of wine glasses shattered around me, the liquid spilling down my clothes and seeping into my hair. My hands stung with cuts, but I didn't even feel them-not over the humiliation.

Gasps echoed around and I could feel their eyes piercing through me. Some turned away while others whispered behind their hands. But no one moved to help me.

Tony took a drag of his cigarette, leaned forward, and blew the smoke right in my face. "Look at you," he sneered.

I stayed there on the floor, frozen. I heard someone whisper, "Isn't Melissa a tech titan now?" Another voice followed, hushed but curious. "Isn't she his wife?"

And then another, sharper one said, "Why is he so cruel to her? Isn't he afraid she'll leave?"

I almost laughed bitterly. If only they knew.

Tony turned to face them, smirking like their words amused him. "A tech titan? Don't make me laugh." He gestured toward me like I was nothing more than a cheap trick. "That's way too out of her league. She's just a product of Morgan Group's money. Throw enough cash, and anyone could do what she does. Even better."

His words stabbed deeper than any slap could. I wanted to scream at him, to remind him how many nights I stayed awake fixing his mess, how many projects I saved when he was too busy entertaining girls like Sophia. But I said nothing.

He crouched slightly, his shadow looming over me. "You? To leave me?" he said, mocking the murmurs he'd heard. "You heard them, right? That you would leave me? I could bet my life you wouldn't ever dream of that."

I met his gaze this time. My lips trembled, but I didn't look away. Inside, though, my thoughts were on fire. You don't even value your life, Tony to have bet with your life that I can't leave you. But soon enough, you'll know what it feels like to lose everything you think you own.

But of course, I didn't dare say it out. At least, not yet.

He grinned again, a cruel, knowing smile. "You can't leave Morgan Group, and you know that." He grabbed my chin and lifted it roughly, forcing me to look at him. The pressure hurt, but not as much as his words. "You're addicted to the life I've given you. You don't even have the guts to walk away from me."

He squeezed harder before finally letting go. My face burned, but my pride hurt more.

When he turned away, I wiped the corner of my lip where his hand had pressed too hard and at the same time, my mind screamed. Everything tied to him disgusts me. The company, the name, this fake life. I don't care anymore.

But I stayed silent. You know, I had to. Three more days. Just three more days.

"All right now!" Tony's voice boomed again, sharp and taunting. "Back to what we were saying before you tried to prove stubborn. I think I've placed you where you belong."

He went and rested his leg back on the seat, tapping his shoe lightly against it. "Come on," he said again, voice dripping with mockery. "Crawl over here and lick my shoes."

The whole room went silent as I stared at him, my chest rising and falling and anger simmering around everything that has to do with my existence. Should I finally break it all out now-every truth, every secret, every plan I've kept hidden-or should I hold on for a few more days and let time do my revenge for me?

But on second thought, I decided, 'The wait will be worth it.'

Because when the countdown finally ends, Tony Morgan will learn that the woman he thought he owned was never his to begin with.

Melissa's POV

"Chop chop!" he barked like I was a dog. The laugh that followed from the circle around him sounded like knives in my chest.

As bitter as the truth is, licking his shoes already felt like I was a dog but I had no choice. My hands were still stinging from the fall, and my dress smelled of spilled wine. I crawled forward on my palms and knees, each inch a small defeat, and pressed my tongue against the leather of his shoe the way he wanted.

He smirked and glanced around the room like a man watching an audience applaud. "There you go. Good girl," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "See? She's so obedient."

The word obedient landed like another slap. I wanted to lift my head, to spit in his face, to shove him and the rest of them and run until the city swallowed me whole. Instead I stayed low and tasted leather and shame.

Sophia's pale laugh leaned in, eyes glinting with triumph. "Well, Melissa," she cooed, the tone so sugary it made my skin crawl, "truly, you are Tony's obedient little tramp."

Her voice was a deliberate blade. I had known her since college: the same girl who'd failed her finals and got kicked out, the same girl who'd tried and failed to charm Josh, my boyfriend at college back then. She'd always had this way of pretending our lives were a competition and I'd never even entered the race. She'd wanted Josh but when he refused her, she'd never forgiven me.

Now she was here, polished and cruel, and she took delight in my ruin.

Tony tossed his cigarette butt my way and it landed near my hand and hissed on the carpet. He watched me with interest, as if he'd staged all this for his own entertainment. The men and other ladies around him hooted and clapped like it was a show, and in turn, my throat tightened.

Sophia moved with a slow, deliberate grace and produced a plate, having a terrible, knowing grin plastered across her face. She set it down with finality. "Here's your reward," she announced. "Peanut cake."

My heart sank at once. Anyone who knew me knew the simple fact she chose to ignore: I was allergic to peanuts. I could get sick and I could stop breathing if I dare eat that. And that shouldn't have been secret and I could bet that Sophia knew. Of course she knew, as that could explain her smile widened like she was proud of herself.

"I can't eat that," I managed to say, the words thin and measured. "I'm allergic."

Her eyes narrowed as if I'd lied. She bent forward, with mock concern on her lips. "But that's the more reason you must eat it," she purred. "It'll be all fun."

There was nowhere to go as the entrance here was already closed as the thought of running away went through my mind. Aside from that, the guards who came with Tony were inside, mostly watching the spectacle. Those who should have stopped it, the senior men who owed favours to Tony, only watched. Even Mrs. Morgan, Tony's mum was nowhere to be seen and the truth was that she tended to be absent most times when Tony wanted to humiliate me the most because of her schedules.

I lifted the plate slowly because resistance had become heavy and dangerous. If I refused, Tony would do something worse. If I obeyed, I could... survive this moment. That was the calculus I had become good at: small bets for safety.

"Need some help?" Sophia's voice came from behind. Before I could pull back, her hand closed over the cake, and she shoved it roughly into my mouth. She laughed as I choked.

I gagged as my tongue fought the texture. She had smeared crumbs across my cheeks and thought it a masterpiece. People laughed, a low sound that felt like a storm. Someone pulled out a phone and I could see the glint of recording. 

In no time, it was like my throat began to tighten.

"I-" I croaked.

"Hospital," I managed, the word felt terrible and raw. My fingers scrabbled for the tablecloth, for air, for something to steady me. My breath came short and hot and a prickling tightness crawled into my chest. My thoughts scrambled. 'Don't panic. Breathe!! Breathe!' And so, I tried to push the panic away with everything inside me.

My hand brushed Tony's shoe by mistake while I clutched at the table to rise. He jumped back as if burnt. "Get your filthy hands off me!" he snarled, shaking his shoe like I had dirtied it. Then he dusted it in a show of disgust, flicking tiny crumbs away with theatrical revulsion.

"Disgusting," he spat. The word was a verdict.

The world narrowed and it was as if my hearing muted at the edges. I heard the distant hum - someone's laughter, the clink of a glass but I guess those noises belonged to another place. My vision tunneled and I could feel my pulse pounding against my temples. My fingers tingled as I tried to stand, and the floor tilted.

"Please..." I whispered to anyone who could hear but my voice left me like smoke.

They moved like a pack leaving the scene of a hunt. Tony clapped once which felt like a signal, and the small group cheered, like they were already eager to go to the next party he'd arranged. I think that his cruelty had served its purpose and then the show continued for him.

The crowd thinned out quickly as I particularly noticed Sophia swept past me, smirking, as if victorious. Tony rose, straightened his cufflinks, and called out in that bored, satisfied voice, "Okay, I'm getting bored. Who wants to go to the next party?"

They answered like trained seals. "Me! Yeah!"

They moved toward the door in a ripple of laughter, leaving the room smelling of smoke and arrogance. In that instant, my body finally protested with the kind of honesty words could not reach as my chest tightened further, and my breath hitched into a thin and ragged gasp. My knees gave slightly beneath me and I slumped back, sliding against the sofa base.

For a few seconds the villa was a blurry imagination as my fingers found the carpet and dug in, seeking comfort or anything. 

Then, faintly, a voice cut through clearly, "Melissa." It was close and steady. At first I thought my mind was inventing it out of need. Then the voice came again, softer and urgent, "Hey... Melissa."

It was a small sound, not loud enough to fill the room, but it hit me straight in the ribs. Someone was moving toward me and my heart tried to respond in a weak and hopeful thud.

My eyes moved, trying to focus on the approaching figure.

"Hey... Melissa," the voice repeated, closer now, and it sounded like rescue.

But before I could say anything, the pancake reaction must have taken the better side of me and then I passed out.