Chapter 2
Elizabeth
I can’t move.
I’m staring at Christopher, my mouth open, heart hammering, and he’s looking at me as if nothing unusual just happened.
As if he hasn’t just agreed to trade me to another man like I’m some lose change.
My mind spins, disbelief and horror mingling as Sebastian’s voice breaks through.
“There’s no going back if you agree to this, you know,” he says to Christopher, his voice edged with dark amusement.
Christopher scoffs, barely glancing at him. “I know that, Sebastian. I know exactly whats at stake.”
A nauseous feeling rises in my stomach, and I turn quickly, making my way to the bar as my legs threaten to give out. The man I loved once and trusted completely is now using me as a gambling chip, tossing me around like I’m nothing.
What the hell is wrong with him? How did we come to this?
I reach the bar, my hands shaking as I order whiskey, downing the first shot in one gulp and feeling the burn slide down my throat, a temporary numbness.
I barely hesitate before ordering a second, hoping it will somehow dull the horror that’s tightening around my chest.
“Fuck!” Christopher’s voice rings out across the room, harsh and guttural. I don’t even need to turn around to know what’s happened. He’s lost.
I hear him walking toward me, each step heavy and angry. I close my eyes, forcing down the panic rising in me. When I open them, he’s right in front of me, his eyes blazing.
“You cannot expect me to do this, Chris,” I manage to say, my voice trembling but defiant as I meet his gaze. I search his eyes, pleading silently for him to back down, to take it all back, to show me a shred of compassion and dignity. But there’s nothing.
Not a hint of empathy.
Not even regret.
“Time for you to hold up your end of the bargain,” Sebastian calls out from the table, his tone mocking, sending a shiver through me.
My stomach twists with dread as Christopher’s face hardens.
“Christoper, please don’t make me do this. I am your fucking wife. Please Chris.”
Without another word, he grabs my hand, yanking me roughly and dragging me down the hallway toward the bathroom.
He shoves me inside, locking the door behind him before he slams me against the cold, tiled wall, his hand around my neck, pressing just hard enough to make me gasp.
“You will do this, Lizzy. Do you understand?” His face is inches from mine, his eyes cold and filled with something I can’t recognize anymore—contempt, maybe. Disgust.
“No, Chris, you can’t make me do this!” I choke out, struggling against his grip. “I’m the mother of your child, for God’s sake! I’m your wife!”
He leans in closer, his voice low and venomous. “You’re a nag, Lizzy. You’ve lost every other pregnancy anyway. The least you can do is make yourself useful. That man in there is very important to my company. Now, put on a fucking smile and do as I tell you. Or I swear, you will never see Edward again.”
I feel my resolve crumble, the last of my strength fading as his words cut deeper than any physical blow. I cannot afford to lose my Son.
He is all that I have. Tears prick at my eyes, but I hold them back.
I can’t let him see me break, not fully.
He lets go of my neck, and I gasp, clutching the wall to steady myself. He straightens, brushing a hand over his suit, a look of cruel satisfaction flickering across his face.
“Now fix yourself up and go,” he says, his tone as cold as ever, before he turns and walks out, leaving me alone in the tiny, claustrophobic space.
For a moment, I can’t do anything but stand there, breathing hard, my hand trembling as I press it to my bruised neck.
Slowly, I turn toward the mirror, staring at the tear-streaked, hollow-eyed woman staring back. How did it come to this? The man I fell in love with, the man who once promised me the world, the boy I had grown up with is gone. Replaced by this monster who treats me like his property.
I swipe at my face, wiping away the tears, before reapplying the makeup over my smudged cheeks. It feels pointless, but I know it’s what he expects.
Another layer of paint to cover up the damage.
When I leave the bathroom, the lounge is empty, a ghostly silence filling the room. The bartender catches my eye. He holds out an envelope.
I don’t need to ask; I already know what it is. With numb fingers, I take it from him, feeling the weight of the small key card inside.
The numbers printed on it stare back at me, mocking me: 1111.
I stand there, repeating them over and over in my head, hoping that if I stay here long enough, maybe I’ll wake up and this nightmare will end. But it doesn’t. I linger outside the room, hoping to see Christopher. Hoping that he sees the madness in his actions, nothing.
Finally, I swipe the card and push open the door to the presidential suite.
The room is lavish, almost overwhelmingly so, with a grand view of the city skyline stretching out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
And there, standing in front of them, is Sebastian, shirtless, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the night.
I walk slowly toward him, every step feeling like a betrayal, like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind. When I stop beside him, he doesn’t turn to look at me. He simply says, in a tone as casual as if he’s ordering a drink.
“Take your clothes off.”
My breath hitches. I hesitate before I obey, my hands moving to the zipper on my dress as I step back to the edge of the bed.
My fingers tremble. My stomach churns, the whiskey threatening to come back up as I try to pull the zipper down.
Suddenly, I feel a strong pair of hands on mine, guiding the zipper the rest of the way. I flinch, a shiver running through me as Sebastian’s hands graze my bare skin.
“What is this?” he asks, his tone sharp, eyes narrowing as he studies me. I stare at him, confusion and fear swirling together, unsure of what he means.
His eyes drop to my body, his face darkening as he takes in the faint bruises, the evidence of Christopher’s anger. His jaw tightens, and I realize he’s seen the truth etched across my skin.
A tear slips down my cheek as I whisper, barely able to meet his eyes. “I’m… I’m sorry. I didn’t know this is how my night would end.”
He pauses, his expression unreadable.
“Did Christopher do that to you?”
I don’t answer, just stare at him, frozen, feeling the weight of his gaze on me.
Slowly, I reach behind me, fingers fumbling as I try to unhook my bra, determined to get this transaction over with. But Sebastian’s voice, suddenly harsh, stops me.
“Stop.”
I freeze, looking up at him, confusion clouding my mind. “I… I don’t understand,” I stammer.
“What don’t you understand?” he snaps, his tone hard and unyielding. “I said, put your clothes back on. I don’t need a woman crying as I make love to her.”
I blink, taken aback, searching his face for any hint of a joke.
But he’s deadly serious. The cold indifference in his gaze sends a fresh wave of humiliation through me, and I swallow, my throat tightening as I murmur, “Please… please don’t tell him that I didn’t… that I couldn’t…”
He cocks his head, a glint of something dark flashing in his eyes. “So, Christopher did this to you?”
I nod slowly, feeling utterly defeated. Shame and anger mix as I turn back toward the window, looking out over the city lights, anything to avoid his gaze.
“Why haven’t you left?” He asks.
“I wish I could leave,” I answer quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “But if I do, he will take my son and I will never see him again.”
There’s a long pause, and then, in a voice softer than I expected, he says, “I did not know he was violent.”
I look over my shoulder, meeting his gaze, my voice bitter as I reply, “Why wouldn’t he? Chris has only ever loved three things—drugs, gambling, and women. Those are the only things that matter to him.”
Sebastian stares at me, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he turns away, reaching for a shirt and pulling it on.
“You need a drink,” he mutters, walking to the bar, his movements tense, almost angry.
I close my eyes, breathing deeply, willing myself not to break down, not here. But inside, I feel shattered. Each piece of myself lost, like a ghost haunting a life that no longer feels like my own.
ElizabethI drag myself through the front door, each step weighed down with exhaustion, bitterness, and anger that’s simmering just below the surface.The night’s events play over and over in my mind, each memory igniting fresh resentment. Christopher, the man I once trusted with my life, had crossed every line and left me feeling like nothing more than a dirty pawn.I move slowly through the darkened hallway. I reach the bedroom, my heart pounding. Maybe it’s the whisky still swirling in my veins, or maybe it’s the realisation that I have nothing left to lose. Today is the day.I will leave him. Christopher Bell's over. no matter what it takes.As I push the door open quietly, my eyes fall on the bed, and I have to suppress the urge to laugh.There he is, sprawled out and sleeping soundly, and he’s not alone. Curled up next to him, her blonde hair spilling over his shoulder, is a woman—a slim, young figure, her arm draped possessively around his waist.I don’t even blink. Of course,
ElizabethIts Monday morning. I sit on the edge of the couch, watching Christopher play with Edward on the floor. I can’t tear my eyes away as I watch him lift our son into the air, spinning him around until Edward is giggling uncontrollably.It’s these rare moments that mess with my mind and make me second-guess everything.This gentle, loving version of him is the man I fell in love with, the father I want Edward to have.When Christopher glances up at me, a softness in his blue eyes, he gives me a kind smile—the kind that used to melt me.For a split second, I feel a flicker of hope, a glimpse of the man he used to be.“Get ready, Elizabeth,” he says, his voice breaking the moment.“You’re coming with me to the office today.”I blink, completely thrown.“What? Why?” My voice comes out sharper than I intended, laced with suspicion.I don’t trust this. I don’t trust him.He chuckles, shaking his head like I’m overreacting.“I thought maybe you should go back to work. Get your old job
ElizabethThe office has made me feel alive again. The buzzing of hushed voices and the busy bodies takes me back to my passion.As I walk past the rows of desks, I can feel eyes on me and hear the whispers that follow me wherever I go. The name *Celeste* is on everyone’s lips—Christopher’s new fling.I should feel hurt or betrayed, but all I feel is relief.It’s been a month since Christopher last laid a hand on me. A month since I had to force a smile and pretend to care. If Celeste keeps him distracted, that’s fine by me. Maybe she’ll keep him away long enough for me to make my escape.I keep my head high, my heels clicking sharply against the floor, and step into Sebastian’s office.The air shifts as soon as I enter, the tension between us like an unspoken third presence in the room. He’s standing behind his desk, flipping through a folder, his dark eyes scanning the pages with a focus that makes my stomach tighten.He doesn’t look up right away, but when he does, it’s like the en
SebastianThe gala is alive with music, laughter, and the hum of conversation. I walk through the grand hall, my steps deliberate, my posture commanding. I am happy with myself. Not for the party but for my plan coming to fruition.I smile to myself, satisfaction curling at the edges of my thoughts.My revenge on Christopher Bell is taking shape. He has no idea what’s coming, and that’s exactly how I want it.Christopher has spent years destroying lives. He destroyed mine. He destroyed my wife's. He thought he had gotten away without consequence.But when I heard his company was faltering, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, I saw my opportunity. I’d been patient, biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Now, here I am, the "savior" swooping in as an investor, offering him a lifeline he can’t refuse.It’s almost poetic.I make my way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands with key players.Every interaction is another move in this game of chess
ElizabethThe car ride home is long and confusing. My fingers still tingle from where Sebastian held my hand before he kissed me. A kiss I hadn’t expected—a kiss that set my entire world on fire.The interview was so reveling. His answers playing over and over in my mind, each one pressing against the walls of my heart. Tonight, I learnt so much about him—his pain, his struggles—but that kiss... That kiss lingers, warm and sweet, leaving me questioning my future plans.When I pull into the driveway, the house looms large, its dark windows staring back at me. This prison I call a home. My stomach twists. The thrill of the evening fades, replaced by the suffocating reminder of where I belong—or rather, where I’m trapped.I kill the engine and sit in the silence for a moment longer, pressing my forehead to the steering wheel. “Get it together,” I whisper, though my hands tremble as I reach for the door handle.I close the door behind me with a soft click, a smile still tugging at my lip
ElizabethI hold Edward close, his little body warm against mine. He’s asleep, his tiny fingers wrapped around mine like he never wants to let go. I don’t want to let go either. I sit on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter around us. The house is quiet, but my thoughts are loud.I couldn’t go to the office today. Not with the bruises on my face and hands. They feel like a mark of shame, even though I know they aren’t my fault. The bruise on my cheek stings if I touch it. My wrist aches where he grabbed me.I’m scared. For the first time in a long time, I feel truly frightened.Not just for myself, but for Edward. How long can I protect him from this?Maybe it’s time to call my father.The thought makes my chest tighten.I haven’t spoken to him in years. The last time I tried, he didn’t even want to talk to me.He’d said I made my choice when I married Christopher, and that was that. If I called him now, he’d probably say, “I told you so.”The doorbell rings, startling me. Edward st
ElizabethThe air feels heavier as I glance at the screen. The name on the display sends a wave of dread washing over me.Christopher.Did he know where I was? Is Christopher watching me?My hand freezes, the phone trembling between my fingers. I don’t know what to do. Should I answer? Should I ignore it? But ignoring him always makes things worse.“It’s Christopher,” I whisper to Sebastian, my voice shaky.“Don’t pick up,” he says firmly, stepping closer. His hand rests lightly on my arm, grounding me.“I have to,” I reply, swallowing hard.“No, you don’t,” he insists, his eyes searching mine. “You don’t owe him anything, Elizabeth. Not after everything he’s done.”“But I do,” I say softly, more to myself than to him. I swipe the screen, pressing the phone to my ear.“Where the fuck are you, Lizzy?” Christopher’s voice is sharp and demanding, slicing through the quiet.My throat tightens, but I manage to keep my voice steady. “I… I took a cab to the park. I needed some air. I needed
SebastainI sit in my office, leaning back in my chair, the city skyline sprawling out in front of me through the floor-to-ceiling windows.The room is quiet, but my thoughts are anything but calm. My fingers drum against the polished wood of my desk as I replay yesterday's events in my mind.I can’t help but smile, a small, almost triumphant curve of my lips.My plan is falling together perfectly.It’s almost laughable how easy it was to get Christopher out of the picture, at least temporarily.One strategic phone call to a friend—a perfect fake investor—a perfectly timed opportunity dangled in front of him like bait, and he was gone.Off to New York, chasing what he thinks is the deal of a lifetime.“Fool,” I mutter to myself.But my thoughts drift from Christopher almost immediately.Yesterday.Elizabeth.My God, I can still feel the taste of her lips on mine, the gentleness of her touch, and the way her breath hitched when I pulled her close.It wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
ElizabethThe air is warm, and the whispers in the wind carry a gentle melody that wraps around me like a soft embrace.It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the world stopped spinning so fast.A year of peace, happiness, and love. I take a deep breath, letting the warmth fill my lungs, and I can almost forget the pain that once consumed me.My father finally let me leave, and Sebastian had bought us a beautiful manor.He said it was the last thing Sarah had requested before she vanished.So far, she has kept her word and hasn’t returned. I glance around the garden, where flowers bloom in vibrant colors, a stark contrast to the darkness that once surrounded my life.We finally named our son Michael James Valdez, and Edward is more than happy to have two more siblings.The Bell name is nothing but a bad memory now, a shadow that lingers in the corners of my mind.But as I stand here, reading Christopher’s name out loud, I can still feel the pain and anger just below the surface.
Sebastian“Sarah!” I exclaim, the name escaping my lips like a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “So you came here, the last place I saw you before you pretended to be dead.” My voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of tension. “I did. You’re the only person who knows it, and I knew you would come searching at some point,” she explains, her eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine.I walk over and sit opposite her, the familiar surroundings of the manor bringing back a flood of memories—some good, some painful. “The last time we were here…” she begins, her voice trailing off as she looks around, lost in thought.“You were cheating on me throughout,” I interject, the bitterness rising in my throat.“I was,” Sarah confirms, her gaze unwavering.“Why?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.“I don’t know, Sebastian. I loved Christopher, and I thought you could make me forget him. Turned out I was wrong,” she admits, her voice softening.“You co
SebastianThe sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the ranch as Elizabeth and I sit on the porch. The wooden boards creak softly beneath us, and a gentle breeze rustles the leaves of the nearby trees.I glance at her, taking in the way the light dances in her hair, and I can’t help but feel a sense of peace, even amidst the chaos that has surrounded us.“I don’t think my father will ever let me leave this ranch again,” Elizabeth says, her voice tinged with frustration.“I know I wouldn’t,” I reply, releasing a long sigh.The weight of everything hangs heavy in the air between us. Things are awkward; the last time we were together, I didn’t know I had a son.When I asked her to marry me, she didn’t give me an answer. Everything has been a roller coaster since then—me being kidnapped, ending up shot and in a coma, and then her being kidnapped and almost dying. It’s been a whirlwind, and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re still caught in the storm.“So, I have a so
ElizabethThe dirt is cold beneath me. My body aches, every breath dragging fire through my chest. But I keep moving. I drag myself forward, inch by inch, the rough ground scraping against my skin. Smoke curls through the air ahead, thick and choking. I can see the commotion now—shadows moving, voices raised. I am so close. My lips part to call out, but the effort is too much. My body gives out. Darkness crashes over me like a wave. And then, through the void, I hear him. “Elizabeth!” Sebastian’s voice cuts through the silence. Desperate. Terrified. A weak smile tugs at my lips. He’s here. They all made it. And Sarah… Sarah actually saved them. The voices grow distant, fading like whispers in the wind. Everything gets lighter, quieter, until there is nothing at all. ……..Warmth surrounds me. Softness cradles my aching body. There is no pain here, only a strange sense of peace. Is this heaven? I inhale slowly, my chest rising with ease. The air smells familiar—clean linen, fr
ElizabethShe looks different. Red hair. Green eyes. Lighter somehow, as if the weight of the past has peeled away all parts that were Celeste. But the anger—oh, the anger—is still there. It simmers beneath her skin, sharp and blistering.Sarah tilts her head, lips curling in amusement."Elizabeth, it seems you are a glutton for punishment." Her voice is the same. Cold. Mocking. A phantom from a life I barely remember. I struggle for breath, my ribs screaming with each inhale. "Well, you look different," I rasp between gasps, my body barely holding itself together. Sarah flicks a strand of red hair over her shoulder, eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Yeah… it felt more like me." She shrugs, as if shedding Celeste—the woman she once pretended to be—was as simple as changing clothes. "Her role was done." She turns her gaze to Christopher, her expression shifting into something darker. "Where have you been, my love?" she asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I’ve been looking for y
Elizabeth The stars. They spin above me like scattered jewels in the black sky, swirling and shifting, refusing to settle. My head throbs with a sickening pulse, each beat reminding me of the impact. I try to lift my hand to my temple, but the pain is almost too much to bear. My vision is blurry, and I taste metal on my tongue—my blood. Everything hurts. Everything is wrong. I blink rapidly, trying to clear my mind. The wrecked car door hangs open beside me. My body shakes with every breath I take. The world around me is spinning, but I force myself to focus. I need to move. I need to get out of here. Christopher. I twist my neck, forcing my heavy head to turn, and there he is—slumped over the steering wheel, motionless. His chest rises and falls in uneven breaths, but for now, he's still unconscious. Good. I can’t stay here. Not like this. I look around. There’s nothing, just endless darkness around me. But I can’t think about that now. I need to get away. I need to
ElizabethI can see the horror in their eyes. Sebastian. Eric. Detective Adams. They stand frozen, their bodies tense, their hands twitching at their sides as Christopher drags me toward the front door. Detective Adams's gun is steadily pointing at Christopher, but he is frozen in place.Their helplessness is written across their faces, burning into my soul like a scar I will carry forever. Sebastian’s eyes lock onto mine, wide and desperate, pleading for me to hold on, to fight.But I can’t fight. Not with Christopher’s bruising grip digging into my arm, not with his breath hot against my ear as he hisses, one wrong move and your children die. I watch, my breath catching in my throat, as Sebastian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a black card. The same card we all know will leave no trace. His hands tremble as he extends it toward Christopher, his fingers curling tightly around it like he wants to crush it into dust instead. "Take it," Sebastian spits, his voice laced with
ElizabethI see an opening. The front door. It’s right there, just a few steps away. If I run now, I might make it before Christopher gets up. But my children. I can’t leave them. I won’t leave them. My heart pounds, my body screaming for escape, but my mind is already made up. I turn, my feet dragging against the floor as I push myself toward the staircase. I need to get to them. I need to make sure they’re safe. I take the first step, my legs burning, my ribs aching from Christopher’s last blow. But then I hear it—movement. “Elizabeth!” His furious scream echoes through the house, slamming into my back like a physical force. My entire body seizes with terror, but I don’t stop.I can’t stop.I push forward, every step feeling like a mile, every breath like shards of glass in my lungs. I can hear him behind me. Fast. Too fast. I force my legs to move, digging deep into whatever strength I have left. Just a little more. Just a few more steps. But then— BANG!The front door fl
ElizabethThe dining table stands between us. My breath is ragged, my pulse wild. Christopher watches me with a twisted smirk, his dark eyes burning with something cruel. The air in the room is thick, suffocating, pressing against my chest like an iron weight. "Where are you running to, Lizzy?" he asks mockingly, tilting his head like a predator cornering its prey. "I'm not running, Christopher," I say defiantly, my voice steadier than I expect. "Then stop." His tone sharpens into a command. "No, Christopher!" I scream, my hands trembling as I glance around, desperate for anything—a weapon, a way out, anything to put an end to this nightmare. "I will not let you leave my children without a mother. Not because you couldn't do better!" Christopher lets out a low, humorless laugh. His fingers twitch at his sides. "You're a menace to me, Elizabeth," he spits. "I married you to make my life better, to make my legacy stronger. But what did I get?" His voice rises, raw with rage. "You d