Love & Loyalty: A Romance Noir.

Chapter 4: Trapped in Silence

Esme's voice trembled with a mixture of confusion and defiance as she confronted Enzo in the hallway, surrounded by racks of extravagant wedding dresses.

"What is this?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing in disbelief as she gestured to the array of gowns before her. Despite her efforts to maintain her composure, a scoff escaped her lips, betraying her incredulity at the situation unfolding before her.

Enzo's grip tightened on her wrist, his expression hardening as he met her gaze with steely resolve. "This," he said through gritted teeth, "is your future, Esme. You will marry me, and you will wear one of these dresses."

Esme's heart pounded in her chest as she struggled to process his words. The realization of her predicament washed over her like a wave, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and trapped. But beneath the fear and uncertainty, a spark of defiance flickered to life within her.

"No," she said, her voice trembling but determined. "I won't be a pawn in your twisted game, Enzo. You can't force me into this marriage."

Enzo's jaw clenched, his grip on her wrist tightening even further as he glared at her with undisguised fury. But Esme refused to back down, her resolve unshakable despite the threat looming before her.

Esme's mind raced as she sat alone in the room, surrounded by the evidence of her impending forced marriage. She glanced around, her eyes falling on the wedding dress thrown carelessly across the bed. It felt like a mockery of her freedom, a symbol of her captivity.

She thought about her family, her friends, anyone who could help her in this dire situation. But the guards stood stoically by the door, their silent presence a reminder of her helplessness. Esme's heart sank as she realized that even the beautician ladies, who seemed sympathetic to her plight, were bound by some unseen force to remain silent.

With trembling hands, she reached for the wedding dress, feeling the fabric slide through her fingers. It was a beautiful gown, no doubt carefully selected by Enzo to showcase his control over her life. Anger bubbled up inside her, but she pushed it down, knowing that now was not the time for reckless defiance.

As she stared at the dress, a plan began to form in her mind. She couldn't rely on anyone else to save her; she would have to take matters into her own hands. But first, she needed a way to communicate with the outside world.

The guards had confiscated her phone, but perhaps there was another way to send a message. Esme scanned the room, her eyes landing on the window. It was small, but perhaps she could reach it if she tried.

She approached the window cautiously, her heart pounding in her chest. With a surge of adrenaline, she pushed it open, feeling a rush of cool air on her face. She peered outside, scanning the grounds for any sign of help.

But before she could make a move, she heard footsteps approaching. Panicking, she quickly closed the window and turned back to face the room. The door swung open, revealing Enzo standing in the doorway, a triumphant smirk on his face.

"Ready to become my wife, Esme?" he asked, his voice dripping with arrogance.

Esme's jaw clenched as she met his gaze, refusing to show any sign of fear. She may be trapped for now, but she refused to let him break her spirit. With a steely resolve, she squared her shoulders and said, "I'll never marry you, Enzo. You can't force me into this."

Enzo's smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by a flicker of anger. But then he regained his composure, his eyes narrowing in determination. "We'll see about that," he said, before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

Alone once again, Esme felt a renewed sense of determination. She may be trapped for now, but she refused to give up hope. With a defiant spark in her eyes, she vowed to find a way out of this nightmare, no matter what it took.