Chapter 20
“You’re moving in today.”
Elara looked up from her coffee. “Today?”
75%
55 vouchers
“Yes.” Marcus leaned against the counter. “The engagement announcement has been postponed. We can’t announce it
anymore because of the photo from last night, else it’ll look too fake.
The Wedding is in two weeks. You need to be here before then.”
Two weeks. She was getting married in two weeks.
“Okay.”
“Pack light. Just what you need for now. The stylist is coming later to take measurements. Your wardrobe will be filled by
tomorrow.”
“Right.” What every girl dream of, I mean who wouldn’t want to live in this kind of mansion.
Marcus grabbed his keys from the counter. “Come on. I’ll drive you.”
Some minutes later they were in the car, different from yesterday’s Mercedes, it was a Maybach today. Black and sleek.
Even more expensive than yesterday’s Mercedes.
I mean it’s Marcus, so I wasn’t expecting anything different, she thought to herself.
Twenty minutes later they pulled up to her building.
Elara unbuckled her seatbelt.
“I’ll come up in a few minutes,” Marcus said. “Go ahead and start packing.”
She nodded and climbed out.
The stairwell smelled the same. Stale and old. She climbed to her floor and froze.
Her door was open.
The lock was broken. Hanging loose like someone had kicked it in.
She locked it last night, she thought to herself, or I didn’t?
Hell yeah I did.
“Luca?” she called out. No answer.
That lunatic. That drunk, gambling lunatic of a father.
Elara pushed the door open wider and stepped inside.
1/4
19:55 Thu 30 Apr
Chapter 20
Everything was destroyed.
75%0
55 vouchers
Her clothes were scattered across the floor. Kitchen drawers pulled out and emptied. Plates broken. The couch cushions sliced open.
She heard movement from the kitchen.
“Luca!” she shouted. “I swear to God if you’re here….”
A hand grabbed her arm.
She spun around.
Victor,
It was Victor the Debt collector.
“So Luca was telling the truth,” he said, pulling her closer. His eyes traveled down her body. The emerald dress from last night. “Look at you. All shiny. Which man’s money have you been spending?”
His breath hit her face. Alcohol. At nine in the morning.
“Get away from me, you psycho.” She tried to push him off. He didn’t move.
“Who bought this dress?” His fingers touched the silk at her waist. “I don’t mind removing it with my teeth. Seeing what’s
underneath.”
“I don’t even owe you money!” Her voice cracked. “Why are you here? Why do you keep harassing me?”
“You’re not owing me. But your father is.” Victor’s smile made her stomach turn. “And he gave me permission to collect
half the payment from you.”
His hand moved lower. Rubbing himself through his pants in a way that made her want to vomit.
“Please stop. I’ll pay you. Just stop.”
“Yes, you will.” His other hand grabbed her face, fingers digging into her jaw. “But I want half of my payment right here.
Right between your legs.”
“No….”
Get the fuck away from me, she screamed, trying to push him away.
His hand clamped over her mouth. Hard. She tried to scream again but the sound died against his palm.
“Where are you coming from this morning?” His face was too close. His breath was hot against her ear. “Your father said you were a virgin. That’s the only reason I came. To get a taste.”
Tears burned her eyes,
“Has someone else touched you?”
2/4
5h vouchers
19.55 Thu, 30 Apr G
Chapter 40
She didn’t answer. Couldn’t answer with his hand covering her mouth,
He slapped her.
The impact sent her head snapping to the side. Pain. Her cheek turned red.
She bit his hand very hard hoping it’ll make him retreat, but he was still standing there.
“Doesn’t matter,” Victor said. “I’m still getting my taste.”
His fingers hooked into the strap of her dress. Pulled. The fabric tore.
Her breast was almost exposed now. The dress hanging loose on one side.
Elara closed her eyes.
Marcus said he was coming. Please. Please come now.
Before she could finish the thought, Victor was ripped away from her.
She gasped and collapsed to the floor. Visibly shaking
“Who the fuck are you?” Victor was shouting. “Do you know who I am? You’ll regret this!” I’ll teach you a lesson.
A fist connected with his face. A very strong blow
Marcus.
Marcus was here.
She has never seen him in a fight before, but this Marcus? He was very strong, and his anger was visibly showing on his
face.
Another punch landed. Victor stumbled backward, blood pouring from his nose.
“Who are you?” Victor spat. “What does this slut mean to you?”
“Who I am doesn’t matter.” Marcus’s voice was cold. Deadly. But you see this woman here? This woman “She’s my wife.”
He grabbed Victor by his shirt, yanked him up with just one hand, his legs were floating on air now, and the other free hand landed another punch. This one sent Victor crashing into the wall.
“Call her a slut one more time and I’ll give you a one–way ticket to hell.”
Marcus dropped him. Victor hit the floor hard.
“Get out.”
Victor scrambled to his feet and ran. The door slammed behind him.
Elara was still on the floor. Shaking. Holding the torn strap of her dress against her chest.
3/4
14:55 Thu, 30 Apr 0
Marcus knelt in front of her. “Hey. Hey, it’s okay”
“…” Her voice broke. “He was going to….”
“I know. But he didn’t.” Marcus pulled off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “You’re safe now.”
The tears came.
She couldn’t stop them. Couldn’t hold them back anymore.
Marcus pulled a few strands of hair that were obstructing her view now to the back of her ear.
He pulled her close into his arms. Tight. Like he could physically hold her together.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.”
She tried talking again, still crying and shaking.
Hey…hey, it’s okay, he’s gone now okay? I’m here You’re safe now.
Elara pressed her face against his chest and let herself break.
A
