Chapter 3: Reach the Cage

Jasmine's POV

I gripping my suitcase handle. "Thank you, Mrs. Mitchell. The trip was fine."

Her smile widened. "I'm so glad to hear that, dear. Please, come inside."

I made myself walk forward, each step feeling like I was sinking deeper into quicksand. The driver reached for my suitcase, but I held onto it firmly.

"You can let Henry take that, dear," Daisy said, her voice still pleasant but with a hint of firmness underneath.

Reluctantly, I released my grip. The last physical connection to my old life disappeared as the driver carried it away.

"This way," Daisy guided me into a massive foyer with a sweeping staircase and crystal chandelier. She led me to a sitting room decorated in blues and creams. "Please, have a seat. Ruby will bring us some tea."

I perched on the edge of the sofa, back straight, hands folded in my lap.

A young maid entered silently, carrying a silver tea service. She looked about my age, with her dark hair pulled back severely from her face. As she set down the tray, I smiled at her.

"Thank you," I said softly.

She merely nodded in response, not meeting my eyes.

"That's Ruby," Daisy explained as the girl poured tea with practiced precision. "She's been with us for some time now. Very efficient, though unfortunately mute."

The way she spoke about Ruby, like she was describing a particularly useful appliance, made my skin crawl. Ruby finished serving and slipped away as silently as she'd arrived.

"We have quite a bit to accomplish before the wedding," Daisy continued, stirring her tea. "This afternoon, we'll see my personal physician for your preliminary examination. Just a formality—we need to ensure everything is properly documented for family records."

Family records. The phrase made me feel like a thoroughbred being added to their stable.

"The wedding is scheduled for this weekend," she announced, taking a delicate sip. "Everything has been arranged, including your custom gown."

I nearly choked on my tea. "This weekend?" Four days from now, I would be married to a man I'd never even met.

"Yes, dear. No reason to delay, is there?" Her tone didn't invite disagreement.

"I... the dress," I stammered. "You didn't need my measurements?"

Daisy laughed lightly. "Oh, dear, we have all the information we need about you."

The implication was clear, and my heart sank even further. William had sold every detail of my life to these people. They knew everything about me while I knew nothing about them—or the man I was supposed to marry.

Heavy footsteps in the hallway drew our attention. A tall man appeared in the doorway. His suit couldn't quite hide his powerful build, and his eyes—sharp—assessed me immediately.

"Ah, Jasmine," he said. "Even lovelier than your photographs. You'll make a fine addition to our family."

I forced myself to stand and extend my hand. "Thank you, Mr. Mitchell."

He took my hand between both of his, his grip firm. "Please, call me Richard."

His smile and he gestured for me to sit again, taking a seat across from me. "Daisy tells me you were quite the champion. Competed internationally, didn't you?"

I nodded stiffly. "Yes. I won gold at the World Championships last year." The memory felt like it belonged to someone else, a different life that was rapidly fading away.

"Impressive," Richard said, nodding approvingly. "We're fortunate to have you joining the family. Louis will be pleased."

Louis. So that was my husband's name.

"Louis is our second son," Daisy explained. "He's away on business until Friday, so you'll meet him at the rehearsal dinner."

Great. I'm marrying a complete stranger without even getting to meet him first.

Lunch was served in a formal dining room with a table that could seat twenty. Ruby and other silent staff moved efficiently around us, serving course after course.

"Jasmine's accomplishments will certainly add prestige to the family," Daisy remarked, delicately cutting her fish. "Of course, she'll need to adjust her public appearances to align with our family interests."

They continued discussing me as if I weren't there, my opinions neither asked for nor expected. I pushed food around my plate, appetite gone.

"My doctor said I need to maintain my training schedule," I interjected during a pause. It wasn't entirely true, but I desperately needed to feel some control over my life.

Daisy smile. "Of course, Dear. We've installed a private gymnasium in your suite. Everything you need is there."

A private gym. Of course. Heaven forbid I leave the premises to train. I forced myself to smile and thank them for their thoughtfulness.

My "suite" turned out to be an entire floor of the mansion's east wing. The windows were huge, looking out over the water and their fancy gardens. Everything inside was modern and simple - lots of white and beige everywhere.

Then I saw it - my own private gym with professional equipment. I had to admit, it was pretty amazing. Most gymnasts would do anything for a setup like this. But to me, it just felt like a prettier version of a prison.

The closet was crammed with dresses that looked gorgeous. Seemed like they really wanted to dress me up like some kind of Barbie doll. I ignored all the fancy ones and found a plain black dress in the back. Simple, not too short, nothing sparkly. Daisy would definitely hate it - exactly what I wanted.

My phone felt heavy in my pocket. I wanted to text Thomas, to tell him I was okay. He'd be worried – we'd trained together almost every day for fourteen years. But William's threat echoed in my head: "Contact anyone in Boston, and your mother pays the price."

I looked at our last photo together after World's, both of us covered in chalk and holding our medals. My finger hovered over the message icon before I forced myself to put the phone away.

Daisy nodded approvingly when she saw my choice of dress. "Simplicity suits you, dear."

Then she took me for a pre-wedding check-up. Her "private physician" turned out to be in a discreet Upper East Side clinic with no sign on the door. The receptionist's bored expression transformed into eager servility the moment Daisy gave her name.

"Mrs. Mitchell! Yes, we've been expecting you. Please, right this way."

I followed them through sterile white hallways, my heart pounding. Daisy chatted with the doctor like old friends, using terms like "full workup", "virginity test"and "complete documentation."

"Alright," the doctor turned to me with a smile. "Ready to get started?"

As I changed into the gown, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. The eyes that Richard had praised looked huge and scared in my pale face. I thought of my mother, of Thomas, of my team. All the choices that had been taken from me.

God, I hated William so much right then. This was all his fault - he'd taken everything from me, my dignity, my freedom, everything. If I could get my hands on him right now, I swear I'd beat the crap out of him.

The doctor had me lie down on the table. After the prep work, she approached my lower body with her instruments. This kind of exam was completely new to me, my hands trembling uncontrollably. I'd never had an exam like this before. I squeezed my eyes shut, my heart racing like crazy in my chest, cold sweat breaking out across my forehead, when I heard her say: "Open your legs, please."