Selene pushed open the door to the living room. Kael sat in a chair, his eyes fixed on her. She froze.
"Where are you coming from?" he demanded.
"I—I was at Sophia's house," she replied awkwardly.
He stood and approached her slowly. Each step made her heart pound harder. She backed away until her back hit the wall. He closed the distance between them, their noses nearly touching. The sharp scent of alcohol on her breath is like a confirmation to the picture authenticity.So she really went to a bar he thought to himself.
"So, you drank at Sophia's house?"
"Ye—yes, just a—"
Kael cut her off with a forceful kiss, biting her lips hard, not giving her a chance to breathe. The kiss was aggressive, leaving her breathless.
"Kael, why?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Instead of answering, he continued his assault on her lips. She wasn't enjoying it — he was too rough. What is going on? she thought.
He tore at her clothes, his impatience obvious. How dare she meet another man, he thought angrily. His movements became harsher, ignoring the pain he was causing.
The sound of her clothes ripping and the sudden cold on her skin jolted her. This isn't right, she thought.
"Kael, stop. I don't want this now," she pleaded.
But her words fell on deaf ears. He picked her up, pushed her onto the couch, pinned her hands above her head, and continued.
The night was long. Her cries of pain echoed through the living room.
By the time he was done, she couldn't move. Her body felt like lead, her face stained with tears.
"Why... why..." she sobbed.
Seeing that she still had the strength to speak, he leaned close, positioning himself at her entrance again.
"What are you saying?" he asked gently.
"Why?" she asked weakly.
He gave no answer — only forced himself into her.
"AAAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!" she cried out loud before losing consciousness.
He carried her into the closet and locked the door behind him.
---
Selene woke up to pain in every corner of her body. Bruises were scattered across her skin like dark tattoos. The pain was a brutal reminder of the night before. She couldn't stop the sobs from escaping her lips.
When did it become like this? Is this just stress... or something worse?
Last night had been beyond anything she'd ever experienced. She couldn't even lie on the bed — instead, she shivered on the cold, hard floor of the closet. Her once safe home now felt like a prison. She couldn't turn to her mother — they always took Kael's side. Sophia was the only one she could count on.
Suddenly, the closet door burst open. Kael stood in the entrance, holding some documents. He tossed them onto the floor.
"If you're ready to come out, sign the divorce papers and call me," he said coldly. Without another word, he slammed the door shut and locked it again.
Selene was left in silence once more. She was thirsty, hungry, and aching. The discomfort was unbearable — she felt like dying.
Her phone rang. The sound broke through her daze. On the screen: Sophia.
She picked up quickly. Sophia's voice came through, gentle but concerned.
"Selene, how are you doing? I hope you're not thinking too much about the lost baby..."
"—"
"Selene? Are you there?" Sophia called again after getting no response.
Selene couldn't form words. She just started sobbing.
"Selene, what happened? Why are you crying?" Sophia asked, panic creeping into her voice.
"It's too much," Selene choked out. "I can't take it anymore."
"What happened?"
"Can you come over? You know the password to the mansion..." she whispered.
"I'm on my way. Please hang in there, Selene. I'll be there in seconds."
Moments later, the closet door opened again. Sophia stepped inside and froze at the sight. Selene looked a mess — the bruises were impossible to ignore.
"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?" Sophia shouted.
"Just help me out of here... please," Selene pleaded weakly.
Sophia rushed forward to help her up, but her eyes caught a stack of documents on the floor.
"What are these?" she asked.
Selene quickly tried to cover them. "Let's talk about it later."
Sophia didn't press. She helped Selene up, cleaned her wounds, and applied ointment to the bruises. Then she went to the kitchen to prepare something for Selene to eat.
No matter how much Selene protested, Sophia insisted on caring for her.
Once Selene was fed and resting, Sophia sat beside her.
"Now tell me what's going on," she said.
There was a long silence. Selene stared down at her hands, which were trembling. Her brow furrowed as if battling her own thoughts.
"I... I need to leave this place. Can you help me?" Selene finally asked.
Sophia blinked. "Why now? That's not the answer to my question. What caused those bruises?"
"I fell," Selene said quickly.
"What? How?!"
"Please, Sophia... let's leave it at that. I need to sign the divorce papers."
"Divorce?!"
"I don't know... that's what Kael wants."
"Why so suddenly?"
"I don't know."
"Has he been acting differently lately?"
"N–no. He's been normal. Loving as always," Selene said, but she couldn't look Sophia in the eyes.
Sophia narrowed her gaze. "Really? Or is he bringing in someone to replace you?"
"He wouldn't do that."
"Where do you plan to go now? You can come to my place — I'd be happy to have you."
Selene stayed quiet. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and looked at Sophia with a sorrowful expression.
"I'm sorry, but I want to stay at the apartment in the Stohess District. The one my grandmother left me."
"That place is empty!"
"I'll cope."
"I still think staying with me would be better."
"I'll be fine. Don't worry."
After gathering a few of her things, they left the mansion behind.
Selene hadn't said it out loud, but she chose the Stohess District for a reason — it was closer to the bar where she'd met Derek.