Shattered Love, A Monster's Reign

Pace

ink from Christian's demand, refused to cooperate. Every fiber of my being scream

as thick with unspoken words, heavier than the velvet drapes. He didn't speak, didn't

ed, his voice cold, de

, to obey. Like a dog. A part of me wanted to defy him, to stand my ground. But t

meone else, bruised and hollowed out by grief. I was still recovering from the still

It was quick, unexpected. A shove. A violent push from behind th

hard. Pain exploded behind my eyes. I landed in a heap at the bottom, my body screaming in protest. A

aying crazily. My vision swam. The pain was excruciatin

d from my lungs. My voice was a raw w

betraying no emotion. No panic, no regret. Just a detach

y soul. This was the man who had promised to cherish me, to protect me. This

ow felt like a brand. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his thumb grazing my bloody temple. F

t coaxing. It was a chilling manipulation. "Blair is very upset. Sh

h his actions. He had just pushed me dow

t our child! And you protect the woman who k

ner jacket pocket. "Sign it, Elena. Save us both the troub

nning, but my mind was clear on one thing: I would not give hi

inst my throbbing fingers. My signature was a shaky scrawl, barely legible, but

?" I asked, my voi

his lips. "Good girl. Now, everything can go back to normal." He

t assaulted me. I closed my eyes, a bitter laugh bubblin

footsteps faded, a thought crystallized in my mind, sharp and clear. This wasn't

I hadn't called in years. Georgianna Holmes. Christian's mother. The woman

crisp voice answered. "Elena. To

out, the words tasting like

nd, then a slow, satisfied exhale. "Finall

vival, I realized