Chapter 3 496 % Dominics fingers twisted in my hair again , yanking me up so hard my feet left the ground for a moment . I cried out , tears streaming down my face as he dragged me across the kitchen floor . Stand up , he snarled , forcing me to my feet . His face inches from mine , eyes dark with rage . Now listen carefully , because Im only going to say this once . His grip tightened until I thought hed tear my scalp open . I could smell his expensive cologne mixed with Camillas perfume . If you breathe a word of this to anyone and I mean anyone I will make you suffer in ways you cant imagine . His voice dropped to a whisper that made my blood run cold . By the time Im done with you , youll be begging for death . But I wont give you that mercy . Please , I whimpered , trying to ease the pressure on my scalp . I wont- He slammed me against the wall , knocking the breath from my lungs . Im not finished . His other hand wrapped around my throat . I have connections you cant even dream of . Theres nowhere you can hide that I wont find you . No one who can protect you from what Ill do . Camillas heels clicked across the floor as she approached . And trust me , darling he can be very creative when he wants to be . She traced a manicured nail down my tear stained cheek . We both can . Do you understand what will happen if you open your pretty little mouth ? Dominics fingers flexed against my throat . I nodded frantically , spots dancing in my vision from lack of air . Say it , he growled . I understand , I choked out . I wont tell anyone . Say it again . His grip tightened , fingernails digging into my skin . Something snapped inside me . The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth from where hed slammed me earlier . I gathered it and spat directly in his face , watching the red streak down his perfect cheek . Fuck you . The crack of his hand across my face sent me sprawling onto the marble floor . My head spun as he grabbed my ankle , dragging me across the foyer Chapter 3 2 Ma ༥ . 96 % 1 towards the front door . My dress rode up , skin scraping against the cold stone . Go pimp yourself out somewhere else , you worthless bitch . He threw me onto the wet pavement outside . And remember what I said one word to anyone , and youre dead . Camillas high pitched laughter echoed from behind him . Bye bye , darling . Do try to land on your feet . The heavy door slammed shut , leaving me alone in the downpour . Rain mixed with blood and tears as I lay there , my whole body screaming in pain . The water soaked through my torn dress , making the cuts and bruises sting even more . Everything Id believed in , everything Id hoped for it was all a lie . The perfect life I thought Id build with Dominic crumbled around me like ashes in the rain . I pushed myself up to my knees , tilting my face to the dark sky . The rain washed over me as a scream tore from my throat , raw and primal . All the pain , all the betrayal , all the rage poured out until my voice gave out . Ill make you pay , I whispered hoarsely . Both of you . I swear to God , Ill make you pay . The whiskey burned my throat as I downed another shot , but the physical pain was nothing compared to the hollow ache inside . My hands shook as I placed the empty glass on the sticky bar counter . A group of women at a nearby table whispered and pointed . I caught my reflection in the mirror behind the bar mascara streaked down my cheeks , hair matted with rain and blood , designer dress torn at the shoulder . The bruises on my neck had already started darkening to an ugly purple . I pulled my phone from my pocket , the cracked screen reflecting the dim bar lights like scattered diamonds . Who could I call ? The police ? I almost laughed at the thought . Dominics connections ran deep Id end up being the one in handcuffs while he walked free . My fingers trembled as I scrolled through my contacts . Friends ? What friends ? Hed systematically cut them all out of my life over the past year . The names blurred together as I kept scrolling , until one made me freeze . Lorenzo Constantine . My breath caught in my throat .. I hadnt thought about him in years hadnt Chapter 3 2/3 8.9 % 11:47 Sun , 2 Mar ས 3 96 % a allowed myself to . Wed dated for two years in college before life pulled us in different directions . He was the one person whod truly known me , before Id learned to hide myself away . The last time Id seen him was six years ago , but his number was still there . Id never been able to delete it , even though Id told myself I had . My finger hovered over his name as another wave of dizziness hit me . The whiskey , the concussion , or both I wasnt sure anymore . But I kept staring at his name on the screen , remembering how safe Id felt in his arms , how hed never tried to change me or control me . Lorenzo Constantine . The one person who might actually help me without making it worse . Who was I kidding ? I stared at Lorenzos name until the screen blurred . He probably had a perfect life now a loving girlfriend , maybe even a family . The thought of him happy with someone else twisted in my chest like a knife . My thumb traced over his number . Calling him after all these years would only strip away what little self respect I had left . And worse if Dominic found out Id reached out to anyone , especially Lorenzo … I shuddered , remembering his threats . I couldnt risk dragging Lorenzo into this darkness . But something deep inside kept pulling me back to his name . Maybe just a quick hello . Maybe just to hear a friendly voice , to remember what it felt like when someone actually cared . The whiskey must have given me courage , because before I could stop myself , my thumb pressed call . I held my breath , fully expecting the automated this number is no longer in service message . One ring . He wont answer , I whispered to myself , hand shaking as I pressed the phone to my ear . Two rings. My heart pounded against my ribs . This was stupid , so stupid . Three rings . I should hang up . Right now . Before- Hello ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!