My husband locked me in the dark basement as punishment, Said: How dare you defy my mother’s orders!

The Ill-Fated Marriage

“How are your studies, Dove?” he asked.

“I’ve graduated, Dad. Well, you wouldn’t know; you weren’t there,” I replied a bit sharply.

“Oh, Lisa, that’s not good. I know I was really busy, and I’m sorry for missing out. I even emailed you saying I’d be there for your birthday. Tomorrow’s my pumpkin’s birthday.”

“Stop calling me names, Dad. I’m not a little kid anymore.”

“To me, you’ll always be my little Dove. Anyway, what are your plans for the future? Are you thinking of working?” he inquired.

“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted.

“What do you mean you’re not sure? What are your friends up to these days?”.

“I don’t have any friends, Dad.”

“Listen, I didn’t send you to your mom’s place so you could just stay home and not interact with the world. There’s so much out there, so many people you’ll miss out on if you don’t get out there, honey.”

“That’s the problem, Dad. I don’t know how.”

This exchange highlighted the gap between his expectations and my reality, emphasizing the contrast between our worlds.

“But I’ll try. I mean, I do have friends, but they’re all online.”

“Online, Lisa? That’s not the best way to make friends,” my dad replied.

“Oh, come on,” I sighed.

“All right, fine. How about we go out today? Maybe do a little shopping, just you and me.”

“I haven’t been out much lately, but I don’t know if I can.”

“Of course you can, Lisa. You have to try; this isn’t a healthy way to live.”

“I understand. Ever since Janice passed away, you’ve—”.

“Why are you bringing Mom into this? What are you trying to say?” I interrupted, feeling my anger rising.

“I’m not trying to say anything, honey. I’m just saying we need to find ways to move forward from past hurts. We both loved your mom, but we need to learn to move on.”

I felt a surge of anger. I slammed the table and stood up, not wanting to finish my food. I took my plate to the sink.

“Lisa, please don’t give your father that attitude. I’m just trying to help you. Why can’t you see that?” he pleaded.

“You don’t know everything about me, so don’t try to,” I shot back, my frustration boiling over.

I stormed off to find solace online, hoping Steven would understand. Steven seemed like a nice person: understanding and willing to listen.

It felt good to have someone to talk to, especially about the frustrations I’ve been dealing with. As an introvert, I always found comfort at home with my computer screen as my companion.

While others went out into the world, I preferred the safety of my virtual haven, where I could be myself without the pressure of face-to-face interactions.

Lately, my dad has been pushing me more and more, especially since I told him how much time I spent online. He just didn’t understand.

He thought staying in my room all the time would hold me back from growing and learning. He wanted me to step out of my comfort zone, and that scared me.

I vented my frustrations to Steven, hoping he’d understand what I was going through.

“Hey Lisa, do you want to meet up? We’re both introverts, so we can go somewhere quiet with not too many people. I know a place like that,” Steven suggested.

“I’m not sure, it all feels so sudden. I need some time to think things over,” I expressed, feeling a mix of—. “I just wanted to let you know what’s been going on with me, okay.”

“No problem at all, I can wait. Whenever you’re ready, you’re always welcome to visit. Here’s my address,” Steven responded, his voice filled with patience and kindness.

“Why are you being so nice to me? We’re just strangers, aren’t we?” I asked, puzzled by his genuine warmth.

“It’s because I like you,” he admitted simply.

“Really? You like me?” I was taken aback.

“Yeah, I know it sounds a bit odd, but I do want to get to know you better. And if you ever feel the same, you know where to find me,” he assured me with sincerity.

Deciding to meet Steven was a monumental step for me, venturing out into the real world. As I stood outside his house, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

It was hard to believe that after a month of chatting online I was about to meet him in person. He lived surprisingly close, just a 15-minute drive away.

Taking a deep breath to gather my courage, I knocked on his weathered wooden door. It creaked open, and there was Steven, greeting me with a warm smile that instantly eased my nerves.

He had a certain charm about him. His home wasn’t lavish, but it radiated a cozy, genuine atmosphere that felt welcoming.

As I stepped inside, I couldn’t help but notice the small details that revealed so much about his personality. There were shelves packed with well-thumbed classics, a stack of board games, and a neatly arranged computer setup.

“Welcome to my humble abode. Your presence graces my domain, Fair Master,” Steven joked, throwing in some playful gamer lingo.

“Some of that gaming talk might go over my head, but thank you. This place is cozy. Do you live alone here?” I inquired, looking around.

“Nope, Fair Princess, I live with my mom. She has the ground floor, and I’ve got the top floor all to myself. Come, I’ll give you a tour,” he offered, his voice cheerful.

We spent the day talking, laughing, and deepening our understanding of each other. Meeting in person added a new layer to our connection, enhancing the bond that had begun in the digital realm.

Our conversations flowed effortlessly, revealing shared interests and providing insights into our lives that had previously remained hidden behind a screen.

Getting to know Steven beyond the digital screen deepened my appreciation for him. He was as kind and genuine in person as he had been online, and his quirky sense of humor endeared him to me even more.

As the sun began to set, Steven suggested we take a walk outside. I agreed without hesitation.

As we strolled through the nearby park, our conversation flowed seamlessly. My initial nervousness dissolved, and being with him felt like a natural progression from our online chats, but with an added depth of closeness.

“Wait, so you didn’t celebrate your birthday?” Steven asked, surprised.

“No, I didn’t feel like it, especially after the argument with my dad,” I confessed.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure he’ll come around; he’s your dad, after all,” Steven tried to console me.

I saw I made a mistake; I trusted him too much. His words seemed sweet like honey, but I didn’t realize I was just another one of his games.

When we started dating, he became overly possessive and jealous. He always wanted me to talk to him either on the phone or online. If I tried to chat with anyone else, he’d get angry.

He kept saying he loved me and wanted to protect me. I believed him. Why did I believe him?.

As our relationship grew stronger and longer, it became apparent that his mother didn’t approve of me. It was difficult knowing she felt that way about someone she hadn’t even met.

Her disapproval weighed heavily on me, and I couldn’t fathom why she couldn’t see the love we shared. Steven’s close relationship with his mom was evident; he often referred to himself as a mama’s boy.

While I respected their bond, it also made me feel like an outsider. The strangest part was that his mother seemed to want us to get married.

She knew I didn’t have anyone else since my dad wasn’t around, and perhaps she thought I’d be useful to her.

“Not every parent is perfect, just look at your dad. At least my mom cares about me,” Steven would say, which hurt me.

“Please, Steven, when you talk like that, it hurts.”

“But you know I’m the one who loves you, right? Your dad doesn’t love you like I do. So stop complaining about my life and try to compromise,” he would add.

We ended up having a secret wedding. Steven didn’t want me to invite my dad, claiming he’d never approve.

He managed to make me believe that my dad didn’t care about me. I reluctantly agreed to marry him in a quiet ceremony.

Deep down, I knew it was a gamble, but I felt overpowered by my circumstances. You might think I was weak, but my environment had shaped who I had become.

I found myself blaming my inability to stand up for myself. After a few months of marriage, I began to witness a side of his mother I had never expected.

One that was filled with cruelty and malice. She seemed to take pleasure in making me miserable, sowing seeds of doubt within me, and leaving me feeling broken and helpless.

It started with minor comments and passive-aggressive jabs that slowly chipped away at my self-esteem. I tried to dismiss it, hoping her disapproval would eventually fade.

But it only intensified into relentless emotional torment.

“Is this supposed to be food? Do you think my son can eat this mess? Go and make it again, you fool.”

“Why is this place so dirty? Are you blind? What a sloppy girl!”

“Get up, lazy girl. Take care of the trash now.”

“Honestly, have your parents taught you nothing?”.

Her harsh words felt like daggers, wounding me deeply. She critiqued every action, diminished my achievements, and manipulated situations to make me feel unworthy of Steven’s love.

Meanwhile, my husband remained detached, confined to his room, absorbed in his music or video games. I felt as though I was trapped in a relentless nightmare, unable to break free from her oppressive hold.

Internally, I was seething with anger at myself for being so vulnerable and foolish. How could I have allowed myself to be treated this way?.

I missed my dad terribly, regretting our arguments and how I had pushed him away. In a moment of anger, I yelled at him to leave me alone, and with a heavy heart, he did just that.

This was a few days after my birthday. Now feeling utterly stuck, I believed I deserved this miserable existence.