Caitlin fakes her own death to escape her controlling husband, Aidan. Desperate for a new identity, she turns to Dylan, a plastic surgeon who transforms her face. But when Aidan discovers the truth, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues between the trio. Will Caitlin's new face be enough to hide her?
Caitlin's POV:
I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the vibrant yellow parrot perched on the window sill. Its feathers glistened in the fading light, a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness that had become my life, and a constant reminder of the toxic marriage I was trapped in.
As I reach out to touch the parrot's soft feathers, a strong hand grasps my waist, sending shivers down my spine.
Aidan's fingers caressed my skin, his touch a mixture of passion and possession. His lips trailed soft passionate kisses along my neck. But I felt nothing; nothing at all. No spark, no flame, no desire.
"Honey, I'm home". He whispered. "I miss you...miss your scent so fucking much!." His hands roamed my body, pinching my nipples, touching my sex, his fingers digging into me like claws. But I remained numb and unresponsive.
I somehow knew I couldn't keep up the charade any longer...so the words spilled out of me like venom:
"Let's get a divorce"
The room fell silent. Aidan's hands froze. His eyes blazed with fury as he turned me around to face him.
"What did you say?"
His fingers grasp my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. I repeated the exact words I said earlier and struggled out of his grip.
"Aren't I a good husband to you? A house, a car, bags, jewelry...I give you everything a woman can dream of."
He waved his unlimited bank cards in front of my face, the gold glinting mockingly in the dim light.
"I don't need any of them, Aidan. I just want to divorce you". I said, my voice firm and resolute, as I tried walking away.
Aidan's face twisted in rage. He pulled me back, his fingers closing around my neck like a vice. Our faces were inches apart, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Don't ever mention this again". He snared, leaving his hot breath against my skin. "Do you hear me?"
With a sudden burst of strength, he pushed me to the floor and I landed hard as the wind knocked out of me. Pain shot through my body, but I didn't care, I was beyond feeling.
"This is why I want to divorce you".
I looked at Aidan, and saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. He knelt down beside me, his hands shaking as he reached out to touch me.
"I'm sorry, Caitlin". He whispered with a voice cracking with emotion. "It's my fault. I'm just too scared of losing you. I can swear to God, Caitlin, I won't hit you anymore....i won't do it ever again".
He slapped himself repeatedly, the sound echoing through the room. I watched him, unfeeling. But truthfully, I felt little pity for him.
Like, how can I not feel pity for someone this broken? One might just think he's a psychopath, seeing how madly he behaved. I sometimes wonder why he didn't take up a career in acting.
"I won't do it again. Please trust me, Cait. You can hit me too, if you want."
He took my hands pressing them against his face... "But don't leave me, I beg you".
I pulled my hands free, my heart heavy with sorrow. "Let me go!"
..."please Caitlin".
"I said let me go". I screamed, struggling to break free from his suffocating grip.
His grip only tightened.
"No way! He thundered. His voice echoing off the walls. You're not going anywhere. You're mine, Caitlin. Mine!." He left me furiously and stormed the room up and down.
"I'm not yours! I am my own person, and I deserve better than a monster like you."
"I'm the best thing that ever happened to you, Cait. You'll never leave me. You said so yourself, remember?."
Hell! Who does he think he is? What guts!
"That's not true!. I growled. My voice hoarse from screaming. You've made my life a living hell. I'm so sick and tired of your constant control and abuse. I deserve so much better than that, Aidan!."
He took a few step closer to me and patted my hair.
"You're just being dramatic. Trying to hurt me? You know It won't work, honey. I'll never let you go".
"I'm not being dramatic!" I screamed with the very last ounce of strength in me. "I'm telling the truth. And the truth is...I'm done with you. I'm done with this marriage and I'm done with your abuse.!
Aidan's face contorted in anguish, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the man I once thought I loved. But it was quickly replaced by the monster he had become.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get away from you. Even if it means dying!" I continued to yell.
"You'll regret this. You'll regret ever having these thoughts. I'm sure of it."
"I'm not afraid of you." I lied, trying to keep my voice steady, despite the fear trembling through my body. I wasn't one to show my fear or give in too easily. I hated how he always bullied me. Did he think of me as his pet or something...?
"You should be. He whispered mockingly. You should be afraid of me"..
Aidan picked me up, carrying me to the couch..
"Let's have a baby" he said. His eyes wild with desperation.
I immediately felt a wave of revulsion wash over me.
"No. I don't want that".
"Why? Aren't we a couple?."
"You're a terrible husband, just like your dad" I spat out, my words fueled by anger and hatred. "You won't be a good father either".
As I said those words, I knew I had crossed a line. Aidan looked like he had been punched in the gut, his entire body recoiling in shock, his fist clenching at his sides, as his face contorted in anger and hurt.
He slowly got up from the couch. His movement deliberate and menacing...
"So you think I'm like my dad?.... you think I'm a terrible person?."
I turned my face away. And I could feel my heart pounding heavily in my chest. It seemed I had woken the beast in him...
Of course, I wanted to return the same energy he brought, but I wasn't ready for the outcome.
I felt a surge of pain as Aidan ripped off his tie, and tied my hands with it, letting the silk fabric dig into my skin.
Then, he took my tied hands across my face and held it behind my head.
"Maybe I'm not now, he snared. But I'll definitely be a good father in the future"
"What does it take for you to set me free?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper
"Either I die, or you die. And rest assured, you ain't allowed to die without me."
He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine, kissing me rough and hard. I felt like I couldn't breathe..
I was suffocating, trapped in this nightmare of a marriage.
I struggled to break free from his grasp but Aidan was too strong. His hands like steel bands around me.
"With a baby, we're gonna be a happy family". He whispered, and chuckled crazily. "Whether your heart or your body, belongs to me only".
"You make me sick." I spat, trying to push him away.
He gave me the devil's look, his eyes blazing with fury.
And with that, he folded the black sleeve he was wearing, up to his elbow, revealing his muscular arms ripping beneath his skin, and the costly gold wrist watch that gleamed in light.
Aidan was vibrating from head to toe, clenching his fists like he was ready for a fight. He hated how I despised him being so close to me. I had obviously bitten more than I could chew, I had touched a sore spot and I knew I was in grave danger, trapped in this marriage with a man who's capable of anything...
He took me forcefully off the couch and threw me on his bed. And yes, I landed hard, the mattress bouncing beneath me.
Looking over me, with eyes that bored deep into my soul, his last words trailed off..
"You're gonna pay for saying that, and hurting me".