We finally made it to the beach, and my excitement grew with each passing moment. The water sparkled crystal clear and inviting; I wanted nothing more than to dive right in. I glanced back at Gray, but he remained absorbed in his typing. Fernando was just as distracted, focused on parking the car.
"Wow! Look at that view." I called out, hoping to pull their attention away from their preoccupations. When neither responded, I rolled my eyes and turned back to admire the beautiful waters stretching before us.
The moment we parked, Gray hopped out to retrieve his bathing suit from his assistant. I couldn't help but watch him as I climbed out of the car myself.
His assistant was imposing - towering about an inch taller than Gray, with brown hair styled in an undercut. I shifted my focus to changing, slipping off my dress and adjusting my bathing suit, retying the hip string that Gray had loosened earlier. I snuck a peek at Fernando while I changed, surprised to find him not even glancing my way - completely unlike his usual behavior when I undressed in front of him, not that I wanted his attention.
Typically, he'd make me blush by getting handsy, staring intently, or asking me to strike some provocative pose. But now... his eyes were elsewhere. What made it stranger was his silence. He seemed lost in thought, hand covering his mouth, eyes darting back and forth as if searching for answers to some internal puzzle... what was he thinking about?
Oddly enough, the lack of attention didn't bother me; I felt strangely liberated.
Yet I couldn't stop scolding myself for wishing Gray would look my way and notice me instead. I bit my lip, trying to push away these guilty thoughts. I was just craving attention, and right now, I wasn't getting any from either of them.
With a slight pout, I wandered over to the metal rail separating the parking lot from the beach. Leaning against it, I let my mind clear as I gazed out toward the horizon.
This view is stunning.
It was about a minute of silence before I felt hands trail down my sides and grip my hips. Before I could look at who they belonged to, I was thrust up against something and felt a hand slide down my stomach and into my bikini bottom, creeping toward more sensitive areas. My heart dropped, and I panicked, yanking the hand away and shoving the person back. I hopped over the metal rail to create distance, watching my phone thud onto the sand and slide ahead of me before turning to face my assailant.
It was Fernando. I don't know why I'd immediately assumed it was a stranger, or why I hadn't thought it was Gray... The touch felt foreign; the way the hands glided along my skin felt wrong, and the intentions felt... selfish? Somewhere in my mind, I remembered how quickly things could go wrong if I let my guard down - a sore topic I didn't want to explore.
"I-I..." A chill ran up my spine. "Sorry, you just caught me off guard."
"... It's okay. Wanna talk about it?" I shook my head 'no.'
I slowly climbed back over the rail to join him, but his concern felt fake, felt... like a trap.
"That's okay! I want to take you somewhere beautiful," he said, beckoning me closer as I stood there apprehensive. "Don't worry, it's on this beach and not far from here; it'll... give me a chance to have some alone time with you. I remember you told me you wanted to get closer again. I was exploring the shore and found the best spot; when I saw it, I immediately thought of you. You up for it?"
I just nodded, hoping whatever he had planned would actually be worth a damn because right now it felt like a lead-up to a really bad porno, and I was not in the mood.
I watched as he smiled sweetly, which calmed me down slightly, but raised my suspicions.
Who are you and what have you done with Fernando?
This gentle demeanor and sweet smile were so unlike him that I found myself becoming more guarded with each passing moment.
What are you planning?
Something about this felt like I was following breadcrumbs into a bear trap. The sudden surge of stress made me feel uneasy, and right now all I wanted was a hug, but Fernando felt strangely distant and unapproachable.
He led us past Gray, who whispered something to him as we walked toward this so-called 'beautiful' space. We were probably close to our destination when I realized my phone was still lying in the sand. I wanted pictures of wherever he was taking me.
I tried getting Fernando's attention, but he'd gotten so far ahead that he either didn't hear me or was choosing to ignore me.
So much for fucking alone time; you're like a mile ahead of me. Hold my damn hand or something. Stick with me.
I decided to cut my losses and sprint back for my phone. I'd rather it end up lost in the car than forgotten on the beach. When I reached the spot where I'd dropped it, I snatched it from the sand and tossed it in the car. Gray stood there the whole time, giving me a puzzled look as I caught my breath.
"Why was your phone in the sand? Did you throw it? Are you okay?" His worried tone made my anger and uneasiness melt away immediately, and I laughed at his confusion.
"No. No. I dropped it there earlier and forgot it, and yes, I'm fine now." He smiled and walked over to me, paused, and pulled me into a hug against his bare chest. I could hear his calm heartbeat as he gently squeezed me. I breathed a sigh of relief and felt my body relax. I hadn't noticed when he was wearing his suit, but Gray was nicely toned - not intimidatingly muscular with veins popping out everywhere... just... well-defined.
I took a moment to calm down, to think, to clear my mind. His soft, unexpected hug made my eyes tear up, though I couldn't explain why. I didn't want to let go. The embrace felt so comforting and kind, wrapping me in a sense of safety—completely different from the fear I'd felt moments before. When he finally pulled away, he cupped my cheek gently.
"Are you okay now?" The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over. Though I'd maintained a smile until now, he had seen right through my facade; somehow, he knew I was hurting.
"Yes, much better now, thank you." I melted into his gentle gaze as he wiped away my tears, feeling the sadness slowly fade. Every gesture radiated love and kindness. It was almost startling—there was clear intention behind his touch, but it was pure and genuine.
You treat me like a human... Like a person. Thank you.
I tried to voice my gratitude, drawing in a breath and parting my lips, when a violent yank on my collar cut off my air and sent pain shooting through my neck. The force pulled me backward, making me stumble. The rough grip maintained its hold as I was spun around to face my attacker.
"What are you doing to her?! Let her go!!" Gray's deep voice thundered with fury and outrage. He started forward but froze when his eyes met mine.
Though tears of pain blurred my vision, I saw the moment Gray's attention shifted as Fernando began to speak.
"Shut the fuck up, Gray! Now I know why you wanted me to be honest! You wanted her, huh? You wanted to steal my girl! My girl! Hell no! We could've shared. We could have taken turns; you could've borrowed her whenever you wanted, but no, I'm going to fuck her brains out, and you are going to sit right there and wait for us to come back happy and satisfied! Then you can do whatever the hell you want with her!"
He yanked my collar downward, forcing me to my knees. The asphalt tore into my skin, drawing blood that burned against both the fresh wounds and any exposed flesh that touched the rough surface.
It was only around five, but the air was already muggy and hot, making the asphalt radiate heat beneath our feet.
"Let me go... Please, you're hurting m-"
"Shut up, slut!!" I quickly fell silent; it was my fault for seeking attention from Gray. This was Fernando's way of punishing me, and I deserved it. Gray tried to rush forward, but I stopped him.
"Just... Just stay there. We'll be back. I'm sor-" Fernando yanked my collar hard.
"You should be fucking apologizing to me! Not him - since when have you two been so close?!"
"I'm sorry, Fernando."
"I asked you a fucking question! Since when did you turn into such a shitty person?"
I'm so sorry, Gray; I should have just ignored you. I-I should have known better than to think I could... escape. Fernando's right, I'm such a horrible person.
"I should have known better; I'm sorry."
"That's fucking right, now let's go." He pulled me up by my collar, but once I was standing, he yanked it back down and started walking, forcing me to stumble along bent over. The beach was empty, but the humiliation burned through me all the same. I felt like an animal... An object. As this realization hit me, I started hammering and clawing at his arms, hands, and legs. He responded by whipping my collar to the side and letting go, sending me sprawling into the sand.
I glared at him, shocked by the disrespect and public abuse. He just climbed on top of me. Still in his cargo pants, the sand caught between the fabric and my skin, scratching uncomfortable circles as he groped me and argued. I slapped his hands away every time they touched my skin.
"What is wrong with you today? First, you act weird around me while your 'best bud' Gray is around, and now you're dragging me across the beach to some dingy overhang half-assed cave by my collar, like some psycho!"
"You're one to talk! You were cheating on me! Let me guess, he's who you were texting in the car? Unbelievable..." he scoffed.
"Texting, hugging, touching. What else are you doing behind my damn back? Making out?" My heart nearly stopped.
"N-no. I-" I stammered, my lips and neck tingling as I remembered what happened in the airport lobby.
"You fucking liar! How long have we been together? You think I don't know every mark, scar, and stretch mark on your body?"
"I'm not lying!"
You liar! You liar, even now you can't be honest. Luanne, you're better than this.
"Then what the fuck is this!" He jabbed his finger toward a light hickey on my shoulder. I squeezed my eyes shut and cursed at myself. "You're going behind my back making out with the rich boy and have the audacity to lie to me? To treat me like I'm the dickhead? You did me wrong, and I'm the bad guy for reacting the way I did?"
"Cheating? I was not cheating just now! That was a hug and nothing more. Nothing would have happened with or without you dragging me by my collar!" I died inside saying that, but I needed to make my point.
"And I'm supposed to believe you?"
"Whether you believe me or not, that stunt you pulled just now was nothing short of assault and domestic abuse."
"Ugh, don't you dare make me the villain! You came here to strengthen our relationship, but you're sneaking around with the walking wallet. Besides, I wasn't even that rough."
"I'm not sneaking around; I never was! We just met today."
"And yet you're letting him mark you as he pleases. Never took you for a whore," he paused, smiling smugly. "You know he doesn't love you, right? He just wants to get his dick wet, and with a pretty face like yours, you'd be a bragging point."
"You're wrong."
"A trophy."
"Stop."
"Just another tally on his body count, another notch in his belt. You're pathetic if you think someone like HIM would love someone like YOU."
"That's not true!"
"Listen to yourself, you're so naive. Why would someone so important want you? You should hear what he's said about you when I sent him pics of you. 'When you get bored of your little toy, it's my turn,'" he mocked.
"..."
"You're an object to him, only I could love you... and you're lucky that I do." I was spiraling. His words felt like half-truths, and that terrified me. I pushed the thought away.
"The skin on my neck begs to differ. You're so careless lately."
I've made up my mind. I'm done being his object. No more apologies, no more forgiveness, no more lies. I'm done with you. We're done.
"Is this what you do when I'm away? When I'm deployed or out of town? You become a slut for anyone who asks nicely? Or is it only for the high rollers?" I rolled my eyes, disgusted by his audacity.
"You done? Look, whatever you want to believe... believe it, I don't care, but you will get the fuck off of me, and once you do, just know that me and you? We're done. We don't exist." I shoved him off hard.
The sand was irritating my raw skin - my knees, my neck. I just wanted to get to the water.
"Ludo?" I stood up and started making my way out from under the overhang cave.
"Don't Ludo me."
"Luanne!" I kept walking, rolling my eyes before stopping at the mouth of the overhang. I could see his green car above the rock face.
"What do you want?" My jaw twitched.
"Don't do this, don't leave me. I love you. I promise next time will be different; don't leave me!"
"Oh, you love me now. You definitely show it." The sarcasm dripped from my voice.
"Yes! I love you. More than you even understand."
"Why are you switching up? You called me a slut and dragged my name through the mud a few seconds ago. Aren't I a cheater? Unlovable?"
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me against him, bringing his lips inches from mine. When I turned my face away, he pushed me back to the ground and started forcefully placing kisses everywhere. His actions weren't love anymore- they were possession, and it made me sick.
So, I pried his face away from my skin and shoved him back.
"No, get off of me! Leave me alone! I don't want you, and I don't want to be touched by you!"
"But I want you!"
"Okay, and?! That's supposed to make me change my mind? That's supposed to make me feel bad for you? Get real, I'm done. You're an asshole! If you're looking for sympathy, you won't find any here."
"Let me guess, you're gonna run straight back to him and fall in love?" His voice dripped with venom and mockery. "I bet you only want his money! You just want to be spoiled. So shameless."
"It's nothing like that! I can make my own damn money; I don't need his. I don't need him! I don't fucking need anyone! I'm better off on my own! So go fuck yourself!"
"You're just a fucking whore! You're so goddamn easy that's probably why even your uncle was able to get a piece of you!"
My blood ran cold, muscles coiling tighter and tighter until...
"No! Shut. up!"
"Luanne, I did—"
"Stop. Talking. I didn't want that! I never asked for any of that! You're such a dick! Of course you would resort to something so low when you're facing something you don't like. I'm not going to play these games with you."
"Yep! I don't hold punches. You're absolutely right. I like to poke that sensitive little spot in your heart and dig my nail in." He scoffed. "Now I don't feel bad for cheating on your dumb ass for so many years; I still don't know why I kept you around for so long!"
"You've got a lot of fucking nerve for someone who just admitted to cheating on me for YEARS like I didn't already know. I'm not fucking stupid, Fernando; I knew. I knew each time, and I know you're doing it now. How's your new plaything doing, huh? Is she at home waiting for you to return?"
"Don't act like you don't care! I'm not lying about cheating, you know? There were seventeen... There are seventeen other women besides you that know what my nut tastes like." His smile was proud and perverted.
Ew.
"Eighteen... Well, nineteen if you count your redhead. Come on, Fernando, you can't be both a cheater and stupid; you gotta pick one."
"You bitch. You're used up, boring, worthless. No one in their right mind would give you the time of day." He leaned in until his face was inches from mine. "You act so unfazed, like you could have left anytime, but you stayed... you need me. You need me to make you something; without me, you're nothing."
Angry tears streamed down my face as I clawed at the black collar he'd given me. It wouldn't budge, like it was glued shut—a cuff without a key. I wanted nothing to do with him. I needed this collar off my neck; I wanted to run back up the hill; God, I just wanted to go home.
He gripped my collar and yanked me up to his eye level, forcing me to balance on my tiptoes. I yelped in pain.
"Aww, it's okay, baby; I'll help you get it off." His pouting lip and patronizing voice morphed into something much darker... much more sinister.
I heard a metallic click. Fernando's arms reached just beyond my peripheral vision and flicked upward after a brief struggle. Suddenly I was free, falling backward without warning. Before I even hit the sand, a searing pain blazed from the middle of my neck to my mid-cheek. My eyes darted to his hand, and there it was—a knife, gleaming dully as my blood ran warm down the right side of my body.
Fear rooted me in place, ice racing through my veins as he stalked over and knelt before me. He toyed with the knife in his hands before slicing across the middle of my right eyebrow. His eyes danced with malicious possibilities as he contemplated his next move. I flinched when he chuckled, and my heart nearly stopped as he brought the blade to my throat. He glided it across my skin in a mock execution, and when he returned to his starting point, panic consumed me.
Is he actually going to do it now?
"You were acting so big and bad before, but now? Heh. Now you just look so pathetic."
I don't want to die.
"Beg me. Maybe I'll be nice if you beg for life and apologize for making a fool of me." I stammered desperately for what felt like an eternity, his sinister smile growing wider with each broken word.
Then, without warning, he threw the knife into the water and tossed the sliced collar to my side.
I jumped at his sudden movement but felt immediate relief flood through me.
It hurts. It hurts! Oh God... It hurts so much! Why? Why did you do this to me?
Clutching my face and neck, I sobbed from the searing pain until he brought his face inches from mine again.
Something snapped inside me. The pain transformed into burning anger, my fear crystallizing into pure rage. I didn't wait to hear whatever cruel words he had prepared. I smashed my fist into his nose, creating just enough space to wind up and deliver another blow - this time to his temple, knocking him unconscious.
I rose to my feet and unleashed my fury. Blind with rage, I turned each punch into a statement, my knuckles crashing into his face with purpose.
For cheating. For gaslighting me. For all the lies. For forcing me to do things I didn't want. For making me feel small. For hurting me. For draining me of my happiness.
I ground my teeth together, forcing myself to stop before I went too far. Standing up, I dragged his body back the way we came, pulling him across the asphalt toward his car. I paid no mind to any additional injuries I might be causing him. By the time we reached the car, dizziness and rage consumed me. Gray leaped off the car's trunk and rushed to meet me, lifting that piece of shit into his arms and stuffing him into the back seat.
"Is he—" Gray trailed off.
"Still breathing... for now." That's when he noticed the blood on my neck and face.
"What happened? Why are you bleeding?" His eyes widened. "You know what? Tell me later. Get in—we need to take you to the hospital."
I remained silent during the drive, trying to stem the flow of blood, but my vision grew increasingly blurry, and exhaustion crept in. I held on as long as I possibly could until we arrived. They rushed me to the back immediately, where I managed to tell one doctor what happened, concluding with:
"Yeah, you see the unconscious boy I came in with? Don't let him into my room, please. He did this to me, and in return, I beat him... he tried to kill me. He tried to kill me... I didn't want to die." Then darkness took me.
If I survive this... I'm going to beat him up again. Damn psycho.