~Heart of Steel~

A New Prison

Chapter 2:

The sound of banging on her door jolted Isla awake. She groaned, her eyes heavy with sleep and dread. Her father’s impatient voice came through the wood, harsh and demanding.

“Isla! Get up! We’re leaving for the ball. We don’t want to keep Elias waiting!”

Isla dragged herself out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Her reflection in the mirror was pale and tired, a stark contrast to the vibrant red dress she was about to wear. Her father had insisted on the dress—one that clung to her body and made her feel exposed, her discomfort obvious with every movement. It felt like a cruel joke, a way to make her more of a spectacle.

She forced herself to put on the dress, her heart heavy with the thought of the day ahead. The thought of simply disappearing seemed more tempting than ever, but she knew that wasn’t an option.

When she finally descended the stairs, her father was waiting, his face set in a stern, expectant expression. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist tightly, leaving a red mark as he dragged her toward the car. Isla winced but said nothing. Her father’s grip was a painful reminder of her lack of choice.

As they arrived at the grand ballroom, the sight of the opulent decor only added to her growing anxiety. The ballroom was filled with elegantly dressed people, their laughter and chatter mingling with the strains of classical music. Her father guided her through the crowd, his eyes scanning for Elias.

Isla’s stomach churned as they approached a man standing by the entrance. Elias was tall and impeccably dressed, his presence commanding immediate attention. He had an air of cold authority, and his face remained a mask of indifference as he greeted her father.

“Elias, this is Isla,” her father said, his voice dripping with a forced cheerfulness.

Elias’s gaze swept over her with a practiced calm. Though he gave no outward sign of his thoughts, his eyes were sharp, taking in every detail. Isla’s nerves were on edge as he looked her over, but she tried to keep her anxiety hidden.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and business talk, Elias motioned for Isla to follow him. She glanced back at her father, but his face was unreadable, as if he was already done with her.

As they walked outside to Elias’s sleek black car, Isla felt the weight of her new reality settling in. The car ride was silent, the tension thick and uncomfortable. When they finally arrived at the massive house, its high walls and heavy security made it clear that this was a world apart from her own.

Elias led her through the front door, where she was met by his parents. His mother greeted her with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, her warmth seeming forced. His father was seated in the living room, shouting at the TV in a fit of rage, his attention wholly absorbed in whatever was on the screen.

“Welcome, Isla,” Elias’s mother said, her tone polite but distant. “I hope you find everything to your liking.”

Isla nodded, her attempts at a smile feeling hollow. She followed the butler down a long hallway to her new room. The room was vast, far larger than her old one, and had a walk-in closet that was entirely empty. The space felt cold and uninviting.

The butler showed her a phone mounted on the wall. “This phone has Elias’s number and mine. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

Isla managed a few more fake smiles before the butler left her alone. She sank onto the bed, feeling the weight of the day’s events press down on her. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. As she stared at the empty closet and the unfamiliar surroundings, she wondered what lay ahead in this new, cold world.