part 4

"You... what are you doing? Why are you here together and..."  Gavin seemed lost for words, seeing me and Adam so close in front of the room.

"What's wrong, Brother?" asked Catherine, who was equally surprised to see Adam in front of my room. "Adam, where have you been? I was looking for you all night because you didn't come home. Did you just come home or what?" asked Catherine, looking at Adam.

"I-"

"Stop. I know what you're doing! You guys are really shameless! I really didn't expect things like this to happen in the house," Gavin snapped. His face seemed to turn red. "And you, Mahira!"  Gavin came closer to me, not waiting for long; he immediately shot out his right hand and landed on my cheek so hard that I took a step back and almost hit the door behind me.

"Gavin, don't do that to Mahira. How many times have you hit her over a misunderstanding, you thought, huh? It's enough that you made Mahira throw away everything she had for you; don't throw away Mahira's hope to stay alive," Adam defended. His voice rose so loudly. 

Catherine, who was beside Adam, didn't seem to care. She looked sarcastically at me and Adam, who always defended me whenever and wherever. "You don't need to interfere in their affairs, Adam. It's just as well that you'll be drawn into their quarrel. Shouldn't you accompany me shopping today? There's a new bag I need to buy, and new shoes too. So, it's better to focus on your wife than someone else's," Catherine finally opened her voice.

"I wouldn't have interfered if Gavin's actions hadn't hurt Mahira. For those of you who have never been hit, yelled at, and cursed at, you won't be able to understand Mahira's position," Adam argued, still defending me.

"She deserved that. Gavin knows better what he should do!" Catherine argued with Adam.

Adam turned to Gavin, who was still staring at me with a glare. Gavin immediately pulled my hand into the room. "Come in here, bitch! Don't you dare leave the room and meet that man? He's not the angel responsible for saving you. You have to pay for your sin, Mahira!"  Gavin immediately slammed my body on the bed.

I was in so much pain that tears came to my eyes, and I couldn't hold back the pain as Gavin's hands pulled me in and threw me down mercilessly.

The tall, fair-skinned man in front of me without hesitation pulled my hand again, then slapped my cheek for the second and third time without mercy. "You have to feel all your sins, bitch! This is payback for you not being able to respect your husband," Gavin snapped again. 

It wasn't just my cheeks that were slapped; this time, Gavin also slapped his belt across my body until my thighs and chest turned red. I looked helpless on the mattress. I couldn't defend myself this time because I felt that maybe this was the payback for last night's sin. Usually, I still have the strength to beg for forgiveness, but this time, I look very resigned. 

Maybe it's my last day alive. Perhaps I'll die at the hands of this demon man, just maybe. I already don't have the strength to get up and scream. No one can help me for now anyway; perhaps I'm going to die today after all!

"Gavin, open the door!" shouted Adam from outside. Adam clearly heard the banging in my room. He knew that his brother-in-law was angry with me, so he wanted to save me, which would be futile because Gavin wouldn't allow it.

"You better leave and never stand in front of my room again! Don't ever show your face in front of me again. If you don't leave my room, I won't hesitate to hurt Mahira even more than this," Gavin threatened, deafening my ears.

***

I blinked my eyes slowly, feeling my whole body in pain. I lifted my heavy hand and found that both my arms were bruised. I tried to sit up, only to realize that I was lying on the floor of the room just like that.

My back hurt, and so did my hips. I really couldn't bear the pain. I was left in the room like an animal, and Gavin came out as if he was free from any punishment. 

It hurt, it really hurt. Maybe I should see a doctor. 

My legs felt weak as I staggered to the door. My right hand reached for the doorknob, but it wouldn't open.  Gavin had actually locked it from the outside. 

Not done with my pain, I felt my stomach churning. I hadn't eaten since morning, and it was already 3 pm. Whether I fainted or fell asleep earlier, I don't really remember. I only remember thin flashes and Gavin's punches; after that, everything was dark. 

I had to get out. I could die if I stayed here.

I turned around and looked for my phone, which should be on the nightstand, but I didn't see it. I opened the drawers in my room as well as the closet, but I couldn't find my device. Maybe Gavin took it out or threw it in the river when he went to the office. Indeed, nothing is impossible. 

I opened the curtains of the room that had been closed, and my eyes caught a middle-aged woman sweeping outside. "Ina!" I called in a hoarse voice. My throat was sore. Everything hurt. 

"Miss, Miss Mahira is okay? Miss, I'm so sorry I can't do more. I'll be fired from here if my employer catches me communicating with Miss. Mr. Gavin threatened all the housemaids that we would be fired if we helped or chatted with Miss," Ina said with a look of fear. I could only remain silent until, finally, Adam was the only one on my mind. Remembering that we were close friends before we decided to marry each other, I didn't expect us to be brothers-in-law now.

"Okay, sorry, but can you please call Adam? I'm really begging you. If Adam isn't here, I'll probably be a name tomorrow," I pleaded.

"Yes, Miss, I will call Mr. Adam."

The woman walked away. As she disappeared behind the wall, I caught sight of a black car that had just pulled into the driveway. Shortly afterward, Gavin appeared to get out of the vehicle. I paused.

How could that man have come so early? Seeing as I was already awake, could his next move be to kill me? No, I can't die here. I can't give my life to that man.

Footsteps were approaching. I don't know if it's Adam or Gavin. But whoever it is, I feel that soon, my world will come crashing down.