Left to Freeze in the Cold Storage

1
Seraphinas first love, Clark, accidentally got himself locked in his office. As my punishment for it, she locked me in an abandoned cold storage unit to reflect.
Youre going to feel exactly what Clark felt, she said, her voice like ice. Maybe then youll learn your lesson.
She slammed the heavy door shut, leaving me with nothing but a single bowl of water. What she didnt know was that the unit wasnt abandoned at all. The moment she was gone, the power kicked on, and the chilling units roared to life.
I trembled violently in the freezing dark, screaming for help until my throat was raw, my bloody handprints smearing the door and walls in a desperate plea.
Seven days later, ready to receive my apology, she had the door opened. What they found was a corpse, frozen solid.
...
After a long day at work, Seraphina glanced at the clock. Its been three days. Hasnt Alex admitted he was wrong yet? she muttered. That man is impossibly stubborn.
Her first love, Clark, entered with a bowl of chicken soup. Seraphina, let it go. Im sure he didnt mean it, he said softly. Three days is long enough.
Seraphinas expression softened the moment she saw him. Youre just too kind, Clark. If only Alex had a fraction of your empathy.
Dont be so angry with him. He just cares about you too much.
At his words, Seraphina pulled out her phone and called her security team. Has Alex confessed?
No, Maam. Its completely silent in there. Are you sure are you sure nothings wrong?
What could possibly be wrong? If he wont admit his mistake, then he can stay right where he is.
She hung up, her face a mask of cold indifference once more. Beside her, Clark couldnt hide a flicker of triumph in his eyes.
Youll be waiting forever for my confession, Seraphina. Because Im already dead.
I died three days ago.
The moment they left, that abandoned cold storage unit had hummed to life. I was trapped inside, my screams swallowed by the insulated walls. At first, I could hear voices outside. I pounded on the door, begging them to let me out, but the guards were unmoved.
The Chairman said youre to stay in there and reflect, sir. Please dont make this difficult for us.
No! Please, you dont understand! The freezers on! Somebody, help me!
But the voices faded. They were gone.
In the beginning, I tried to stay calm, searching for any possible way out. But as the temperature plummeted, my thoughts became sluggish, my body driven by a primal need to survive. I ran in circles, trying to generate some warmth, my breath pluming in the frigid air.
Eventually, my legs gave out. I couldn't even run anymore. A deep, numbing cold had seeped into my bones. I collapsed in a corner, curling into a ball, a futile attempt to preserve what little heat I had left. The unit used to store frozen seafood, and though the products were gone, the metal shelves remained. I dragged them, one by one, stacking them around me like a pathetic barricade against the encroaching frost.
It was useless.
The moment I realized I was going to die, my heart froze long before my body did.
The first time I saw my own corpse, the shock was visceral. There I was, in the corner, covered in a thick layer of frost, my eyes wide with a silent, eternal despair. The door and walls were covered in the scratches from my fingernails, my fingertips bloody and raw.
I tried to move closer, but an invisible force yanked me away, and suddenly, I was standing right beside Seraphina. Hearing her cold dismissal now, I could only laugh.
Seraphina, Im reflecting with my life. And in the next one, I pray I never have to see you again.
I stood there, a silent observer, as Seraphina and Clark shared a look. He showed her his phone. Seraphina, I got us tickets to the art exhibit. Will you come with me tomorrow?
Of course. Its getting late, you should get some rest.
But Clark clung to her hand. Im scared of the dark. Stay with me.
With a sigh of resignation, Seraphina stood up.
I had forgotten. Clark was living in my house. The moment he returned from overseas, his first call was to Seraphina. Hed used the excuse of being unfamiliar with the city after being away for so long and asked to stay with us.
What a joke. He grew up here. Five years abroad and he was a stranger in his own hometown?
When Id objected, Seraphina had shot me an impatient look. Alex, his parents arent in town. Do you know how dangerous it is for him to live alone?
I knew. Because before we were married, I had lived alone in a rented apartment. And back then, Seraphina had said to me, Alex, we need to respect ourselves. I dont want to live together before were married. The hypocrisy was breathtaking.
Seraphina led Clark to the master bedroom. My bedroom. But when Clark arrived, hed commented on how much he liked the light in that room, and just like that, Seraphina gave it to him.
I watched coldly as she walked him to the door. Just as he was about to leave, a flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a deafening crack of thunder. He shrieked and threw himself into Seraphinas arms.
Her body stiffened for a moment, but Clark just held on tighter. Seraphina, Im so scared. Can you please stay with me?
Her hand rested on his back for a moment before she gave him a gentle pat. Okay.
In that instant, I felt like the worlds biggest fool. Because Im scared of thunderstorms, too.
I remember one night when I was living alone, a massive storm hit. The power went out, and I was terrified, the darkness punctuated by violent flashes of light. I called her, hoping for a few words of comfort.
And what did Seraphina say?
How old are you, still scared of thunder? Alex, are you even a man? Stop using these tricks to get my attention. Youre a grown-up, so act like it, okay?
She hung up. I spent that entire night wrapped in a blanket, the only light coming from my phones flashlight, until I finally fell asleep at dawn.
Looking back, I was so pathetic.
Seraphina never cared. It always felt like there was a wall between us.
I gave a bitter laugh. Even as a ghost, the sound of thunder sent a tremor of fear through me. I hugged myself, wanting to leave, but I was bound here, forced to watch as Seraphina held Clark, murmuring words of comfort. And Clark, nestled in her arms, shot a look over her shouldera look of sharp, triumphant victory.
I sighed. To Seraphina, Clark would always be the one that got away, the ghost of her perfect past. What was I compared to that?
I shook my head, glancing outside. Even in death, the fear was real. Thankfully, the storm passed after an hour, and Seraphina left his room.
As her footsteps faded, Clark smirked, whispering to himself, Seraphina, youll always be mine. No one can ever take you from me.
I was stunned. After all this time, he was still obsessed with her. Then why did he leave her in the first place? And Seraphina if she could never forget him, why did she marry me?
Back in her own room, Seraphina did something unusual. She opened her phone and stared at a picture of me. Alex, she murmured, I hope youre learning your lesson. Just say youre sorry, just give in, and Ill let you out.
I looked at her face and wanted to laugh.
Give in? Apologize? For what? I didnt lock Clark in his office! But Seraphina wouldnt listen to a word of my explanation. Because Clark, with his perfect victim act, had told her he didnt blame mewhich, to her, was definitive proof of my guilt.
She locked me in a freezer, killed me, and now she wanted me to say I was sorry?
Hilarious.
Seraphina was a smart woman; you dont become the CEO of a major corporation by being an idiot. But when it came to Clark, she was deaf and blind.
The next morning, one of the guards, looking deeply uneasy, came to report to her.
Maam, maybe we should let him out. We havent heard a single sound from the unit. That one bowl of water wont last him five days.
Seraphina hesitated for a second, then her voice hardened. Hell be fine for ten days without food. Since hes so determined to be stubborn, let him be. I want to see just how long he can hold out.
But but theres no noise at all. Were worried. What if he
Dont worry, she cut in. Alex is an expert at playing the victim.
With that single sentence, she sealed my fate. The guard said no more.
Just then, Clark walked in. Hearing her words, a small smile touched his lips. Seraphina, let it go. Its been days. Im perfectly fine now.
No. He locked you in that office for hours. He deserves to be punished.
Clarks smile widened, though his words were laced with false concern. Seraphina, isnt this going too far? He is your husband, after all. He sighed dramatically. Its my fault, really for being a bother and making him jealous. Just let him go.
Every word was perfectly crafted. On the surface, he was defending me, but each sentence hammered another nail into my coffin.
And Seraphina bought every bit of it.
Clark, youre just too soft-hearted. Fine. For your sake, Ill give him one more chance.
Clarks face froze. That clearly wasnt the reaction he was expecting.
Whats wrong? Seraphina asked, noticing his expression.
Nothing its just, hes been in there for days. Maybe we should bring a doctor along, just in case.
Clark, being thoughtful? I highly doubted it. But he had a point. Bring a doctor to confirm my death. Less trouble for him later.
I cant wait for you to find out the truth, Seraphina. I want to see the look on your face when you realize Im dead.
She took a deep breath, her hand finding Clarks. If only he were half as considerate as you.
Seraphina, hes still your husband.
Her eyes were a storm of conflicting emotions. I sneered. I never wanted to compete with Clark for anything. Husband? The title was a fucking joke. Even if this whole "reflection" farce hadn't happened, I was already planning to divorce her. I was done.
Seraphinas face darkened, her voice becoming absolute. Forget it. You dont need to defend him. Alex is all talk and drama! Its always this hurts or that hurts, or I didnt do it. Ive seen right through him! None of you are to plead for him! Unless he apologizes, hes not coming out!
Clark seemed to let out a silent breath of relief. He stood quietly to the side. I was just stunned.
So thats what you really think of me, Seraphina.
A sharp pain, like a shard of ice, pierced my chest. But then I remembered. I was already dead. None of it mattered anymore.
Finally, seven days after shed locked me in, Seraphina remembered me. She led a group of people to the cold storage unit. The guards at the door were trembling.
Maam.
Still not willing to give in?
Maam, no. Weve called out to him, but theres been no response. Not a sound. One of them swallowed hard. Sir you dont think somethings happened, do you?
Seraphina scoffed. What could happen? Hes just being dramatic. Open the door. I want to hear him apologize to my face.
Clarks lips curved into a smirk. The guards moved to unlock the heavy door. When they finally swung it open, they froze, their faces draining of all color.
From behind them, Seraphinas impatient voice rang out. Well? Get him out here!
Maam M-Maam, the freezer I think the freezer was on!
Seraphina strode forward. On? Are you trying to make excuses and shift the blame?
She reached the doorway. A wave of arctic air billowed out, so cold it felt like it could freeze the soul.
Her face went white. Alex! Dont think turning on the freezer will make me forgive you! Get the hell out here right now!
Silence. All around her, people just stared at each other, horrified.
Enraged, Seraphina hesitated, then commanded in a cold voice, Get him. Bring him out to me!
A few guards cautiously entered. When they saw the frozen figure huddled behind the metal shelves, a collective gasp of terror escaped them.
Sir Sirs frozen to death!

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