**Chapter 14: A Meal of Oppression**

Ashley's eyes gazed blankly at the plate in front of her as she sat down at the dinner table. The half of a sandwich was pitifully small, a meager portion that seemed to mock her. Gerald, on the other hand, sat at the head of the table, a juicy steak sizzling on his plate. The aroma wafted through the air, enticing and appetizing, but Ashley's stomach churned at the sight of it. As Gerald began to eat, Ashley remained silent, her eyes fixed on the sandwich in front of her. She didn't dare to look up, fearing that eye contact would spark some cruel comment or taunt from Gerald. The silence between them was oppressive, heavy with unspoken threats and unresolved tension. Gerald chewed slowly, savoring each bite of his steak. Ashley could hear the sound of his teeth sinking into the meat, the crunch of the vegetables, and the satisfied sighs that escaped his lips. It was a sound that seemed to be deliberately designed to torment her, to rub it in her face that she was nothing more than a prisoner, a servant to his every whim. As he ate, Gerald's hand began to wander, his fingers drifting across the table to rest on Ashley's thigh. His touch was like a cold slap, sending shivers down her spine. Ashley felt a wave of revulsion wash over her, but she didn't dare to move, didn't dare to react. Instead, she sat frozen, her eyes fixed on the sandwich as Gerald's hand began to rub her thigh in a slow, gentle motion. The touch was almost casual, as if Gerald was simply petting a animal rather than a human being. Ashley felt a surge of anger and humiliation, but she bit it back, swallowing it down with a mouthful of fear. She knew that to react, to show any sign of emotion, would be to invite Gerald's wrath. As the minutes ticked by, Ashley remained still, her eyes fixed on the sandwich as Gerald continued to eat and rub her thigh. The motion was hypnotic, a slow and soothing rhythm that seemed to be designed to lull her into submission. And yet, beneath the surface, Ashley's mind was racing, searching for a way to escape, searching for a way to break free from the chains that bound her. But for now, she was trapped, trapped in this living nightmare, forced to endure the cruelty and oppression of the man who claimed to be her partner.