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2 YEARS LATER.

KAYLA'S POV.

I alighted my car, not sure if I made the right decision by returning home tonight. Maybe I would have just spent another one of my numerous nights at the office.

As soon as I stepped into the house, I heard the loud moans coming from the master's bedroom upstairs. Nothing had changed. Joana had literally become his wife, which made me wonder why he wouldn't let me go.

Tears stung my eyes as I thought back to that night, two years ago. How had I allowed things escalate to this point?

Up until today, I couldn't explain how Jeffery had gotten pictures of me in such a compromising position, with an unfamiliar man. I had denied it was me, because I truly had no idea how that was possible.

I strongly believed it was photoshopped, but Jeff refused to tow that line with me. He pointed out the clear similarities between the environment in the picture, and my room back at my parent's home. Which was honestly quite convincing. At some point, I did think it was real. But how?!!

I had expected him to protect me, to try to get rid of that picture and every copy of it, wherever it came from. But instead, he had threatened me with it. He had cursed me for breaking his heart and cheating on him after 8 years of waiting for me. Something I had no memory of doing.

At the very point where I needed him to trust and believe me, he abandoned me and chose to hurt me with my bitter stepsister.

I made straight for the kitchen, feeling quite hungry. Eating a good homemade meal was all I needed. Mom had called earlier this morning to inform me she had packed up my favourite dish, and sent to the house.

Opening the fridge, I frowned when I saw no sign of any packed meal. I looked around the kitchen in confusion, until my eyes fell on the empty food warmers in the dish sink.

Reallly?! Why the hell did I feel like crying now?!!

No, it wasn't just about a meal. It was about the disrespect and....

"Mother inlaw never disappoints."

I looked up to see a naked chested Jeffery, leaning by the doorway. He had sweat all over his torso area, the smell of sex in the air.

"You ate the meal my mom sent to me?" I asked, trying so hard to keep my anger in check.

"Watch your tone, you slut." He spat, his face contorting in anger. "How else do you expect Jo and I to have the energy for the marathon exercises we did today?"

What?! And he called me the slut?!!

I inhaled deeply, trying so hard not to let him see me cry again. He has had the pleasure of seeing that way for the past two years, and I have decided enough was enough.

"I want a divorce." I whispered.

"Huh?" He asked, looking quite amused. "Louder, please."

"I said I want a divorce, Jeffery!!" I yelled out in frustration, unable to help myself anymore. He went silent for a moment, just staring at me closely.

"By now, you should know how this ends." He distastefully muttered. "You have requested this so many times, and I'm truly beginning to think you are simply daft." He chuckled humourlessly. "I will never give you a divorce!!!" He suddenly yelled in my face, making me flinch.

"Why?!! Haven't you had your fill of seeing me miserable yet?!"

"No. I never will." He said firmly, giving an evil smirk.

"I want a divorce, Jeffery." I was so sure I sounded so pathetic.

"If you want it that much, then you should also be ready to let your parents watch pictures of you whoring yourself around." He threatened. "What's the worst that could happen?" He asked sarcastically, giving a shrug. "Your mom would probably pass onto glory, because her heart would be too weak to bear the humiliation."

Jeffery had continually leveraged on the fact that mom had a very terminal heart disease, that had us on our toes ever since I was just a kid.

I would never be the one to cause my parents any form of pain. They had been too wonderful to me, to deserve such. It was just so sad that my parents thought so highly of Jeffery.

Realizing this was another lost cause, I walked out of the kitchen, picking up my bag and heading to my room. On my way, I came across a naked Joana, who intentionally brushed past me, as she descended the staircase.

Two hours later, even after bathing and eating some leftover pizza I had found in the fridge, I still felt so suffocated. I was emotionally wounded, and I knew I was so close to getting depressed. Again.

All through the past two years of my life, I had constantly slipped in and out of depression, wearing fake smiles whenever I was out of the house. I was tired of losing my sanity, and I needed something to take my mind off my problems, for just one night.

Suddenly, it occured to me that a college friend of I, Beulah, and Lisa, had her birthday party tonight.

Knowing Lisa and Beulah would surely be in attendance, I decided it was just what I needed to distract myself.

I quickly dressed up and wore some minimal amount of makeup, before checking the birthday invitation, to be sure of the venue. After confirming, I made my way out of the house, and drove to the destination.

On getting there, I was shocked to not see any familiar faces around. Quickly checking the invitation again, I groaned in frustration when I saw the date.

The party was a week from today! How hadn't I noticed that initially?!

I hated how tears threatened to fall at any slightest provocation.

Resigning to my fate, I walked to the bar and took a seat. I was already dressed up, so I might as well party. I placed an order for two shots of tequila, which was brought to me a minute later.

After downing the first two shots and loving the hot sensation in my chest, I nodded in satisfaction. Just what I needed.

And so, I placed another order, and another, and another, until I couldn't tell if my head was located above my shoulders, or between my thighs. Everything was so hazy, and it felt like I was standing upside down.

"Kayla?" I heard the voice of a strange, but weirdly familiar person. "Are you....."

The rest of his words faded out, as I felt myself falling to the ground.

I can't tell what happened, but I felt his strong hands hold me up. His cologne invaded my nostrils, making me sigh in contentment.

"You smell so good." I whispered, before falling asleep in his arms, not minding if I had left myself at the mercy of a dangerous person.

Boy, was he worse than dangerous.

*******

I opened my eyes, wondering where I was, and how I had gotten there. The events of last night rushed at me in full force, and I released a low gasp.

How could I have been so careless?!!

Realizing I was alone in this insanely large bed, I crazily hopped down. I was about heading towards the door, when the soreness between my thighs made me stop in my tracks. I looked down at my body, and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.

I was naked!

Oh, God! Ohhh my God!

Did I....? What the hell had I been up to, last night?!

My eyes fell on the bed, and I saw the little stains of blood on the sheets.

"Oh God!" The words flew right out of my mouth, my heart beating so wildly in my chest.

"I could swear you had a different tone to your voice, while calling out the same words last night."

Not realizing someone else had joined me, I jumped in shock. Quickly looking up to see who this person was, my soul left my body the moment I saw his face.

No no no....

Oh God, this couldn't be happening to me. Maybe this was someone who looked just like him. He wasn't even in the country! Hadn't been for 8 years.

I guess his pointed stare and familiar gaze, was enough to tell me I wasn't mistaking things. It was truly him! I struggled to say his name, my lips suddenly to heavy to move.

"Gabriel?" I muttered eventually. "Uncle Gabriel?"