chapter 2

Rita stumbled out of the farmhouse, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering in her mouth. The cool evening breeze kissed her tear-streaked face, but it offered no comfort. Her heart was shattered, and her mind was a chaotic whirlpool of emotions. The world she had sacrificed everything for had turned its back on her, leaving her alone in the dark.

She walked aimlessly, her heels digging into the dirt road as the sound of distant laughter from the house echoed behind her. Her mother-in-law, Linet, and even James, now all strangers to her. Rita clenched her fists, trying to suppress the sobs rising in her throat. She wouldn’t cry for them, not anymore.

The small bar at the edge of town came into view. Its dim neon sign flickered faintly, barely illuminating the cracked walls and rusted door. Rita had never set foot in such a place before, but tonight, she didn’t care. She just needed something—anything—to numb the pain.

Inside, the bar was dimly lit and crowded with locals. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke hung heavy in the air. Heads turned as Rita stepped in, her disheveled appearance and tear-stained face drawing curious glances. She ignored them all, heading straight to the counter.

“What’ll it be, ma’am?” the bartender asked, his rough voice matching the grimy atmosphere.

“Something strong,” Rita muttered. “I don’t care what.”

He nodded and poured her a shot of whiskey, sliding the glass across the counter. Rita downed it without hesitation, the burning liquid making her wince. She slammed the glass down and gestured for another.

As the hours wore on, Rita drowned her sorrows in shot after shot, her inhibitions fading with each drink. She barely noticed the group of men in the corner who had started watching her, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent. Among them was Linet’s cousin, a man known for his cruel ways and dirty schemes. Linet had wasted no time in arranging for him to be here tonight, ready to further break Rita’s spirit.

“She’s drunk enough,” one of the men murmured, his voice low and dangerous. “Let’s move.”

Rita was oblivious as the men approached her, their steps slow and calculated. One of them leaned against the counter beside her, his smile too wide to be friendly. “Hey there, beautiful,” he said, his voice dripping with false charm. “You look like you could use some company.”

“I’m not interested,” Rita mumbled, pushing her glass away. She tried to stand, but her legs felt weak, the alcohol clouding her senses.

“Come on, don’t be like that,” the man said, his tone turning sharp. He grabbed her arm, his grip firm and unrelenting. Rita’s stomach churned with unease, and she pulled away, but the alcohol had sapped her strength.

The other men closed in, their laughter low and threatening. “She’s a feisty one,” one of them said, grabbing her other arm. Panic surged through Rita as she struggled against them, her heart racing.

“Let me go!” she shouted, her voice shaking.

But the men didn’t listen. They dragged her toward the back door, their intentions clear. Rita fought harder, her mind screaming for her to do something, to escape.

The commotion caught the attention of another patron sitting in the shadows. His sharp eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, and without hesitation, he rose to intervene. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his presence commanding and intimidating.

“Let her go,” his deep voice rumbled, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The men paused, turning to face him. His fierce gaze and clenched fists made it clear he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

“Mind your own business,” one of the men sneered, tightening his grip on Rita.

The stranger stepped forward, his movements swift and deliberate. In a matter of seconds, he had grabbed the man by the collar and thrown him against the wall. The other men hesitated, weighing their options, but the stranger’s unyielding stance made the decision for them. They dropped Rita and fled, cursing under their breath as they disappeared into the night.

Rita collapsed to the floor, her body trembling. She looked up at the man who had saved her, his dark eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice softer now.

“I…I think so,” she stammered, her words slurring slightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as the reality of what had just happened hit her. “Thank you…for stopping them.”

The man nodded, offering her his hand. “Let’s get you out of here,” he said.

Rita hesitated before taking his hand, her mind racing with questions. Who was this man, and why had he stepped in to help her? But her exhaustion and fear left her little choice. She allowed him to lead her out of the bar, his steady grip reassuring.

As they stepped outside, the cool night air hit Rita like a wave, clearing her head slightly. She turned to the man, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Who are you?” she asked.

“Just someone passing through,” he replied, his lips curving into a faint smile. “You shouldn’t be in a place like that, especially alone.”

“I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” Rita admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked away, ashamed of how far she had fallen.

The man studied her for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “You look like you’ve been through a lot,” he said gently. “Do you need a place to stay?”

Rita hesitated, her instincts telling her to refuse. But the warmth in his eyes and the kindness in his voice were undeniable. She nodded slowly, her voice trembling as she said, “Yes…thank you.”

He led her to his truck parked nearby, helping her into the passenger seat. As they drove away, Rita stared out the window, her thoughts a whirlwind. She didn’t know who this man was or what the future held, but for the first time in hours, she felt a glimmer of safety.

The truck hummed quietly as Rita sat in the passenger seat, her head leaning against the cold window. The strong man beside her remained composed, his focus on the road unwavering. Yet, Rita’s mind was a storm of emotions, pain, humiliation, and a twisted sense of shame she couldn’t shake.

Though the man’s intentions seemed kind, Rita couldn’t trust him. Her heart had been shattered so thoroughly that even a helping hand felt like a weight she couldn’t bear. Her drunken state amplified her paranoia, fueling a decision she might regret later.

“I need some air,” Rita slurred, her voice barely audible. The man glanced at her, concerned. “Rita, you’re not in a state to wander off alone. Please let me help you.”

But Rita was already fumbling with the door handle, her movements clumsy and erratic. Before he could stop her, she pushed the door open and stumbled out into the street. The man jumped out after her, but Rita, fueled by desperation and alcohol, broke into an uneven sprint.

“Rita! Wait!” he called, but she didn’t look back. She ran blindly into the night, her heels clattering against the pavement. The dim streetlights barely illuminated her path as she escaped into the shadows, her pulse racing.

Her thoughts swirled like a tornado. She couldn’t bear anyone’s pity, even if they meant well. She didn’t need saving, she needed to survive on her own. The man’s voice faded behind her, and soon she was alone, the world around her eerily quiet.

Rita’s breath hitched as her legs gave way, the alcohol dragging her down like a weight. She collapsed onto the hard pavement, tears streaming down her face. She fumbled for her phone, hoping to call someone for help. But when she pulled it out, her heart sank. The screen was shattered, courtesy of her mother-in-law’s earlier rage. It wouldn’t even turn on.

With no phone, no plan, and nowhere to go, Rita wandered aimlessly, her surroundings unfamiliar and menacing. The night grew colder, and the streets seemed emptier with each passing hour. Her thin blouse offered little protection against the biting wind.

Eventually, Rita stumbled upon a bridge, its steel frame looming overhead like a silent sentinel. The space beneath it offered some semblance of shelter, though it was far from comforting. Broken bottles and discarded trash littered the ground, and the air smelled of damp concrete and decay.

Exhausted and hopeless, Rita sank to the ground, curling up against the wall. Her body trembled with cold and despair as tears spilled freely. The weight of her circumstances crashed over her, her husband’s betrayal, her mother-in-law’s cruelty, Linet’s venomous mockery. Her life felt like a cruel joke, and she was the punchline.

Rita’s sobs filled the hollow space beneath the bridge, echoing against the walls. She clutched her knees to her chest, trying to block out the overwhelming darkness surrounding her. The world had turned its back on her, and she felt utterly alone.

Hours passed; the silence broken only by the distant sound of passing cars. Rita’s drunken haze began to fade, replaced by a heavy sense of emptiness. The cold seeped into her bones, but she refused to move. Her pride, broken as it was, kept her from seeking help. She would endure this night, no matter how unbearable.

As dawn approached, the first rays of sunlight peeked through the cracks in the bridge’s steel beams. The warmth of the sun was faint but enough to rouse Rita from her restless sleep. Her body ached, her mind was numb, and her resolve was fragile.

Rita stood slowly, her legs shaking beneath her. Her clothes were wrinkled and dirty, and her makeup streaked down her face. She looked at her surroundings, the reality of her night sinking in.