My Escape From Two Tyrants

I realized my mistake.

When Emerson Gordon walked in and saw Isabelle Greene crying, he was furious: "Did you hit her?"

"Alice," he continued, "I've always thought you were a submissive woman, ideal for being my wife."

"But now, you've let me down."

My heart clenched painfully, and I let out a bitter laugh. "I'm just as let down by you."

"There's no point in two disappointed people staying together."

With that, I pulled my suitcase and headed for the door.

He stopped me, his voice low and threatening: "Are you sure you want to go? You think you can make it in New York without me?"

I knew what Emerson was capable of. There was someone who had crossed him once, and I never heard or saw that person again in this city. Emerson had the means and influence to ruin anyone.

But I never thought he'd use such threats on me.

"I'll do better without you."

I turned and walked out.

Outside, heavy snowflakes were falling. I remembered how it was snowing like this when Emerson first took me away from my family. I was still in high school then, and I had just gotten into an Ivy League university after much hard work.

My parents hit me and yelled at me, forbidding me from going to college. They said, "Girls don't need that much education."

Then, Emerson showed up unexpectedly, gently draping a coat over my shoulders and asking, "Would you like to come with me?"

In that moment, I felt my heart soften.