When His Love Became My Torture

Anders

che reverberating behind my eyes. My hands, still raw and tender, were numb, a phantom fire contained. I lay on a s

't radiating the usual cruel confidence. Instead, there was a strange, unsett

past my shoulder. "I... I brought you back." He paused, then added, his voice regaining a h

yet there was a tremor in his voice that hadn't been t

. It was a lie, a test. I hadn't seen anyone, but

you, you have no one but me. No one cares about you like I do, Addison. No one will protect you." He took a step close

an down my spine. The old Ethan, the one who truly loved me, would never h

now, my only form of resistance. Inside, a tiny spark of defiance,

a beautiful lie I clung to. Then, the crash. The blank stare. The slow, insidious transformation into this callous, cruel man. This man who now seemed to believe I was nothing more

sion tightening. "It's Kasey," he muttered, almost to himself. He answered, his voice sof

. Kasey. Her insi

' s face contorted in a mixture of anger and concern. "She did what? Addison pushed Lily? She

e brief flicker of fear from before was gone, replaced by absolute conviction. "You!" he snarled

grabbed my arm, his grip bruising. "Get up! We're goi

r. He drove recklessly, the tires squealing, the car swerving through traffic. Each jolt sent fresh jolts of pain through my still-heali

ockery of joy. A small crowd had gathered, whispers and angry murmurs filling the air. Kasey rushed ou

d, throwing herself into his arms. She shot me a quick, ve

n demanded, his arm around h

Addison! How could you? After everything we've done for you, how could you hurt those innocent child

d in my mouth. "I didn't do anything!" I cried, my voice cracking. "Kasey, yo

saw me and gasped dramatically. "It's her! It's the crazy woman! She pushed Lily down, and she hit Leo right in fro

d attack, disguised as the children. She was now cementing

ice hoarse, desperate. "T

using, their whispers growing louder. "Monster! How coul

was being systematically destroyed. I

r. Mr. Henderson has pulled his entire collection. Citing 'unaccept

t avenue of escape, my fina

ent later, holding Lily, who had a small bandage on her knee, an

knee, then to a faint red mark on Leo's arm. "You hurt them. My children." His eyes, when they met mine

theatrical sob. "She deserves to be punished, Ethan

"Bring me the tools," he commanded, his voice unnervingly calm, a terrifying stillness set

creamed, my voice raw with terror.

employee, Maria, who looked horrified. "Did you not hear me,

The horror of his request was pa

or's warning. He stepped toward her, his eyes blazing. "Yo

nodded frantical

his voice an emotionless monotone. "You will not lie. You will not manipulate. Not ev

solute, seized me. He was going to se

t. Ethan snatched a needle and thread from it, his movements pr

he two security guards who had appeared, holdin

he brought the needle closer to my lips. The sharp prick of the needle, the searing pain, the metallic taste of blood-it all m

what you have done. You will not cast your malicious gaze upon my children again." He looked at the guards, his

s gaze. His words, his absolute conviction, his terrify

as he continued his work. "For Leo's fear. For Kasey's pain. This is fo

was a sound of absolute despair, a recognition of my complete and utter helplessnes

sion of him. I had clung to the hope of his return, endured his cruelty, rationalized his abuse. I had allowed myself to be bro