The Truman Cage: My Husband Faked My World Chapter 01

The Truman Cage: My Husband Faked My World Chapter 01

Three years into what I believed was my life in another era, I found a helicopter waiting in the estate’s courtyard.

My husband Ethan Thorne looked at my ruined leg, then dropped the act.

“Three years ago, when you couldn’t accept my affair with Vivian — couldn’t accept stepping aside — we had no choice but to arrange your little disappearance and keep you here.”

“Three years as a slave, and in my bed. And now you’ve finally learned your place.”

I couldn’t process what I was hearing. The overseer beside me reached up and peeled off his silicone mask, and underneath was my younger brother, Leo Miller.

“Clara, Vivian had the baby. Safe and sound. You’re free to go. Brilliant plan, Julian.”

I turned my head slowly. The estate doctor was watching me, smiling.

“You weren’t wrong. I am Julian — your childhood sweetheart. I set all of this up because I knew you’d make Vivian’s life a living hell.”

Three years trapped inside a fake past. I had been beaten, sold, and used by more men than I could count before Ethan purchased me as his slave and kept me in his bed.

Both my legs had been broken and left to heal crooked. I’d lost the sight in one eye. I’d gone from screaming to go home to forgetting how to want anything at all. I had never traveled in time at all. Something came apart in me then, something that had been holding on without my realizing it.

Just as I was about to end it all, words materialized in front of my eyes.

[Congratulations to the female lead of this AI-generated dark romance on her awakening. Countdown to reincarnation: 2 days.]

[48:00:00]

[47:59:59]

***

I didn’t speak on the way back.

The terms were simple enough: two more days of quiet obedience, and then I would finallydie. In exchange, a new life somewhere else. That was manageable. I’d lasted three years. Two more days was nothing.

The helicopter had barely touched down when a slender figure appeared in the doorway.

Vivian Shaw— the woman who had replaced me — looked me up and down. “Look who’s back.”

“Let’s get one thing straight. The only reason Ethan agreed to bring you home is because you’ve finally been broken in. Pull any of your old stunts, and I’ll have them gouge out your other eye.”

Honestly, I couldn’t remember what they said I’d done to her. It didn’t matter.

Three years had taught me what happened when I talked back — the overseer’s backhand, or the whip, sometimes both so fast they felt like one blow. I’d stopped talking back a long time ago.

The silence stretched. Behind me, Ethan’s hands tightened on the wheelchair handles, then tapped twice — a warning.

“Clara. Vivian’s talking to you.” A pause. “First day back and you’re already forgetting the rules? Do you want us to send you back to the estate?”

I bowed my head. “No. I’ll serve you and the baby well.”

Vivian made a small sound of satisfaction. “At least you’re not completely stupid.”

“Let’s eat. I had the maids set everything up.” Ethan smiled and reached over to stroke my hair.

I squeezed my eyes shut reflexively, my whole body shrinking inward.

He watched me do it.

Something shifted in his face. His voice went quieter. “You’re safe now. I’m not going to hurt you anymore.” He waited a moment. “I love you. I would never hit you. Clara — you’re still my wife. You always have been.”

I shook my head quickly and tried to smile. “I wouldn’t dare. I’m only your lowly mistress.” A pause. “I’ll be good. I promise.”

Ethan’s smile faltered. He didn’t say anything for a moment. He looked at me with an expression I could no longer decipher.

“Clara. It’s alright.” He let out a breath. “Never mind. There’s no rush. We have time.”

At the table, silverware clicked softly against china.

Julian Croft looked across at me, watching my hesitation, and slid his plate over, the steak already cut into pieces. “Why aren’t you eating? Have you forgotten how to use silverware? Take mine.”

I still couldn’t make myself reach for anything. I kept my head down. “The head maids taught me that servants aren’t allowed at the master’s table.” A pause. “Go ahead without me. I’ll eat the scraps in the kitchen.”

Julian froze.

He looked at Ethan. Ethan said, quietly, “Clara. Listen to me — you’re home now. Those rules are gone. Be good, and we’ll take care of you the way we used to.” A silence. “Eat.”

I looked up. Then dropped my gaze again. I couldn’t.

Leo watched me for a moment. “Clara. Ethan told you to eat. That’s an order.”

This time, I lifted my head and brought the fork to my mouth. My hand was shaking. I ate slowly, taking tiny bites — my sleeve hung loose around my arm, and when I raised the fork, it looked comically large in my grip. I had gotten very thin.

A weight settled over the table. Only Vivian kept talking, filling the silence by babbling about Sunny Croft this and Sunny that, while Ethan and Leo sat quietly and didn’t really listen. I managed two bites.

I swallowed against the nausea and looked at Ethan.

“I…” A pause. “I think I might be pregnant.”

Before the words could even register, I kept going.

“Could I beg you for a pill to get rid of it?”

“Or — take me to a clinic.”