The bright daylight flooded through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxury cruise suite. I adjusted my white lace wedding veil in the mirror, smiling at my reflection. Everything was supposed to be a dream. We were sailing across the ocean, celebrating what should have been the happiest day of my life. But then the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind me.
Liam: You think you can just run this marriage your way, Maya?
Maya: Liam? What are you doing with that?
I spun around, my heart dropping straight into my stomach. Liam stood near the bed in his crisp navy suit. But in his right hand, he was swinging a solid wooden baseball bat, tapping it lightly against his palm.
Liam: THIS IS HOW MY FATHER KEPT MY MOTHER IN LINE.
Maya: YOU MARRIED THE WRONG WOMAN!
I backed up slowly until my spine hit the edge of the mahogany nightstand. My hands were shaking, but my brain was working fast. I didn't scream. I didn't beg. I reached behind my back, found the cruise cabin emergency dial button on the desk phone, and slammed my hand down hard on the key.
A loud alarm chime echoed through the phone line just as Liam raised the bat. But before he could step forward, the suite door swung wide open with a violent bang.
Police Officer: POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON NOW!
Two armed officers in dark blue uniforms rushed into the brightly lit room. Liam froze, his face turning pale as he lowered the bat slightly.
Police Officer: On the ground! Right now!
The officers charged forward, grabbing Liam by the arms and tackling him hard onto the thick carpet. The wooden bat went rolling across the room, bumping against the leg of the vanity table. Liam let out a sharp groan of pain as the officers pinned his shoulders down and pulled his hands behind his back. The metallic click of handcuffs echoed through the quiet room.
Liam: Get off me! Do you know who my father is?!
Police Officer: YOU'RE COMING WITH US!
They yanked him up by his arms and dragged him backward out of the suite into the carpeted hallway. I stood tall and composed in my lace gown, watching my brand-new husband get pulled away in chains. But as his shouting faded down the corridor, I knew the terror was far from over.