Chapter 2

I was awakened by the glare of surgical lights above me.

The scent of antiseptic mixed with crisp cedar cologne filled my nostrils.

My hands and feet were bound, leaving me completely immobile. I used all my strength to shout: "This is illegal detention! It's a crime! I'm calling the police!"

But the room was empty - no one responded to my cries for help.

Overwhelming panic seized me like a tidal wave. They had taken my phone, cutting off all contact with the outside world.

I realized with horror that no one was coming to save me.

Despair coiled around my heart like vines, making it hard to breathe.

After a while, the heavy door opened. A man in a white coat entered, his face expressionless.

Without a word, he gestured to the men behind him.

Two large men came forward and held me down as a syringe was forcibly injected into my arm.

My body gradually went numb, but my mind remained terrifyingly alert.

The man in the coat approached and firmly pinched my now-insensate arm.

"Ah!" I couldn't help but cry out in pain, my body shaking violently.

He smiled eerily. "Good, the pain receptors are still active. This will make our 'artistic creation' much more soulful."

The familiar scent of cedar cologne wafted into my nose.

I forced my eyes open wide, finally recognizing the face hidden behind the surgical mask.

It was Jake!

That bottle of cedar cologne was a gift Sophia had given him just yesterday to welcome him.

Now he was discussing my "vase modification plan" with two doctors.

"Jake! Let me go right now! Sophia won't let you get away with this!" I shouted.

He didn't even glance my way.

Sophia, you fool! She had no idea that Jake, her dear childhood friend, wasn't sending me for simple fitness training. He intended to humiliate me, to turn me into a living... vase for people to admire!

With the last bit of strength left in my body, my survival instinct exploded. I desperately struggled to roll off the operating table.

I had to crawl away! I had to escape!

I had barely crawled half a meter when a shiny leather shoe stomped down hard on my right hand!

"Ahhhhh!" An agonized scream erupted from my throat.

"Trying to escape? Where do you think you can go? Ryan, you need to learn to submit," Jake said.

As he spoke, he deliberately twisted his shoe, grinding it into my fingers.

I was in so much pain I nearly passed out. The sound of bones crunching was sickeningly clear.

I no longer cared about dignity: "I was wrong, please, I'm begging you, let me go please..."

Just then, Jake's phone rang.

He casually answered and put it on speaker. Sophia's voice came through.

"Jake, how is... Ryan doing? Is he still causing trouble?"

I thought I detected a hint of concern in her voice, but quickly dismissed the notion. How naive of me - even at this point, what was I still hoping for?

Jake glanced at me and smiled smugly.

"Don't worry, Sophia. Ryan is undergoing a body modification treatment. He'll be completely obedient to you soon."

As he spoke, he ground the toe of his shoe into my hand again. I let out an even more piercing scream.

I used my last ounce of strength to beg Sophia for help. But not only did she show no mercy, she laughed coldly: "Ryan, don't be so ungrateful! Jake is helping you - you should be thankful! Stop trying to play the victim and gain sympathy. I've seen through your act!"

"Behave yourself and don't embarrass me!"

I thought back to five years ago at our wedding, when she vowed to love me for life and support each other forever. Those promises now seemed utterly ironic and laughable.

Immense disappointment and betrayal washed over me. I stopped calling for help and closed my eyes, my heart dying in that moment.

Jake hung up the phone and directed the men to move me back onto the operating table. He gripped my jaw, forcing me to look at him.

"Ryan, what I hate most is that pretentious face of yours," he sneered.

"And you're too noisy. It would be better if you were quiet."

Before I could react, a cold scalpel slashed viciously at my tongue!

Excruciating pain shot through me as blood gushed out.

The agony was so intense I couldn't even scream. My vision went black as I passed out completely.