Escaping Luke Contrero

Caitlin's POV:

    My heart sprang and bolted in fear, with each step he took towards me. I thought I had more time to myself. I had hoped our anniversary would bring a reprieve from all the tension, thinking he would be gone for a week.

 But, Fuck it! He was home, and I was wrong. 

Anniversary or not, tonight would be just as dreadful like all the others.

I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the vibrant yellow parrot perched on the window sill. It's eyes a bright, piercing blue.

 It cocked it's head to one side, watching me with an unblinking gaze. 

As I reached out to touch the parrot's soft feathers, a strong hand grasps my waist, pulling my back against a hard, muscular chest. 

"Hey beautiful, I'm home."  He whispered.

Aiden's fingers caressed my skin, his touch a mixture of passion and possession. His lips trailed soft passionate kisses along my neck, and brushed against my ear. 

But I felt nothing; nothing at all. No spark, no flame, no desire.

"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.

"Did you miss me?."

I felt a surge of anxiety, My heart raising in my chest somehow. I tried pulling away but Aiden's grip only tightened. 

"Let's not play games, Caitlin. I know you missed me. I can feel it." 

I took a deep breath, trying to find the courage to speak. "We've been together for six years, Aiden. Six years of torture, of pain, of fear. Is this what you call love?".

"Let's get a divorce." I said, my words tumbling out in a rush.

The room fell silent. Aiden'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 just asked a question". He thundered.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest." I said I want a divorce."

"You want to leave me? On our anniversary of all days?" 

I remained silent. I could feel a cold dread creeping up my spine as Aiden's grip on my waist only tightened. I knew I had to tread carefully, or risk facing his wrath.

"You think you can leave me? You think you can just walk away me? From everything I've given you?."

 He gestured to the luxurious room, the expensive furniture, and decorations.

"Aren't I a good husband to you, Cait? A house, a car, bags, jewelry...I give you everything a woman can dream of. What more could you ask for?"

"I don't need any of them. That's not what I want."

"What do you want, then?. He growled. "I can give you anything. The whole world? That's an understatement. Just say the damn word."

"I want my freedom."  

"I want to be able to walk down the street without you or your rogues by my side. I want to be able to breath without your permission, Aiden. I just want to leave you". I said, my voice a little firm, as I tried walking away.

Aiden's face twisted in rage. He pulled me back,closing  his fingers 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 Aiden, 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. It's my fault. I'm just too scared of losing you. I can swear, 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. 

Like, how can someone be this broken? One might just think he's a psychopath, seeing how madly he behaved. 

"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 all of this your nonsense charade". These were the words I had wanted to spill, but the nerves...it was gone in a jiffy. I couldn't even say a word.

"I'm the best thing that ever happened to you. You'll never leave me. You said so yourself, remember?."

Hell! I hated every single word this crazy berserk frantic used on me. What guts!

"That's not true!. I said, my voice barely above a whisper. 

 He took a few step closer to me and patted my hair.

"You're just being dramatic. Trying to hurt me, huh? You know It won't work, honey. I'll never let you go".