Chapter 1

Laura's POV

"Where do you think you are coming back from by this time of the night?" Santos said as he stared at me with bulging, anger-filled eyes. Fear consumed me. This wasn't the first time he had erupted in rage without any valid reason. These outbursts had become increasingly frequent over the past few weeks.

"I went for a photoshoot... I... I didn't realize it would take this long," I stammered nervously.

"What do you mean you didn't know it would take this long?" he shouted, his voice laced with fury.

"How many times have I told you not to come back to this house after 8 pm?" He advanced towards me, and I instinctively moved back, recalling the painful slap I had received the last time I stood my ground.

"Santos, please let's not do this tonight," I cried, my voice pleading. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." My body trembled visibly; I had endured an exhausting and terrible day. Standing for hours had left my legs numb, and all I wanted was to come home and rest. I never expected to return to such a hostile environment.

"What did you just say?" he growled, taking longer strides toward me. I continued retreating, desperately attempting to put some distance between us. He grabbed my arm, forcefully shoving me into the nearby cushion. Anger burned fiercely in his eyes; he resembled a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

"Please, babe, I'm sorry," I whispered, trying to soften his demeanor with gentle words. However, my efforts were in vain, as I received a scorching slap across my face.

"Shut your mouth! One more word and I'll beat you to a pulp, and nobody will do a thing about it," he threatened. I remained silent, clutching my stinging cheek.

"Get in that kitchen and sort out my bloody meal this instant!" he commanded, his voice laced with dominance. I rose from the cushion, making my way to the kitchen. Tears I had held back cascaded down my face. I had grown tired of this toxic relationship; I was utterly fed up. It was hard to believe that there was a time when I genuinely cared for Santos.

Our paths had crossed three years ago when I was struggling, with nothing to my name. My mother fell ill, and I had nowhere to turn. Desperate for money to pay the hospital bills, Santos, who was merely a friend at the time, had offered his assistance. He covered the bills and even sponsored my enrollment in a modeling academy. He had seemed like a savior then, someone impossible not to love.

As time passed, our relationship blossomed. Months after agreeing to be his girlfriend, Santos's attitude changed drastically. He began drinking excessively, smoking, and pursuing other women relentlessly. I had tried to end things multiple times, but he always resorted to threats and violence. However, this time, I had reached my breaking point. Enough was enough! As I prepared his meal, I pondered my next course of action.

After finishing the meal, I went and called him.

"Your food is served", I said with an indifferent voice.

He went to the dining, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Come and join me, you don't expect me to eat alone, do you?", he said with raised eyebrows. I was disgusted but I tried not to let it show on my face. I didn't want us to have another episode of banter tonight, one was enough.

"I am not hungry", I said, trying to sound as calm as I could.

"Well suit yourself", he focused on his food and ate with delight. I went into the bathroom, I needed to take a warm bath, and I needed to think of what my next line of action would be. I called my best friend, Sonia, on my phone.

"Sonia, I'm exhausted," I said, my voice trembling, tears welling in my eyes.

"What's wrong, honey?" Sonia inquired, sensing my distress.

"Talk to me!" She said as my sobs intensified.

"Laura, I'm coming over right now if you don't tell me what's happening," she declared, her words jolting me back to reality.

"No, please don't come," I pleaded, desperately trying to dissuade Sonia from intervening. "It will only make things worse."

"Tell me what's going on," she persisted, her voice filled with concern and determination.

"Santos hit me," I choked out, my tears stifled but my voice heavy with pain. "I came home just five minutes late, and we fought. He hit me again, Sonia."

Anger laced her response as she exclaimed, "I've told you time and again to leave that man. He doesn't own you, Laura. You need to leave him!"

I felt trapped, conflict between the knowledge that Sonia was right and the overwhelming fear of what awaited me beyond this abusive relationship.

"Where would I go? I have nowhere to go. I can't burden my mom again," I confessed, my confusion evident.

"Come to my place," Sonia offered without hesitation, her voice filled with unwavering support. "Come and stay with me for a few days until you figure things out."

Sonia had been my best friend since childhood, our lives intertwined since the early days. We were inseparable, always looking out for each other. From the beginning, she sensed the danger in my relationship with Santos and warned me against it. Now, all her concerns had come to fruition.

"What do you say?" she inquired, interrupting my racing thoughts.

"Let's do it, I am coming over tonight," I declared, determination replacing the fear that had held me captive for so long.

"Good. I'll be waiting," she reassured me, her voice filled with compassion and resolve. With that, she ended the call, leaving me with a newfound sense of strength.

Now, I have work to do. I needed to gather my belongings and leave tonight. I couldn't spend one more night in the clutches of this monster. Wrapping a towel around my body, I left the bathroom and found Santos standing in the doorway, wearing a disturbingly contented smile.

My heart raced as questions flooded my mind. What did he want? Why was he smiling at me? Refusing to reciprocate his smile, I looked away and attempted to pass by him, but he grabbed my hand and whispered seductively into my ear, "I want you."

Panic surged within me. This couldn't be happening. I had plans, and a determination to escape this torment. Desperate to find an excuse, anything to make him leave me alone for just one night, I uttered, "I'm so tired, babe. I can't give you what you want. I need to rest."

He didn't listen. Instead, he tightened his grip on my hand, his gaze piercing into mine.

"You will give me what I want whenever I want it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with possessiveness.

With a forceful tug, he pulled me onto the bed, causing my towel to loosen, leaving my body exposed. He quickly undressed himself, positioning himself on top of me. He began his attempts to pleasure me, but I was indifferent, detached from the moment. He was no longer the man I had once loved.

When it was finally over, a wave of relief washed over me. Santos quickly drifted into sleep beside me, completely unaware of the fire ignited within me. I seized the opportunity, quietly rising from the bed and dressing myself. Gathering a few essential belongings, I crept out of the room without glancing back.

I was finally leaving him. A profound sense of liberation flooded my being as I reached the front door. But as I opened it, my excitement turned to dread.

Someone stood in front of me, and the mere sight sent chills down my spine.