Escape

Rain.

The moment I set my eyes on Debbie, my heart dropped.

She was walking towards the car, one hand clutching her ribs like if she didn't hold it, she might fall apart. Her usually full hair, a beautiful hair that I so much craved running my fingers through, was now nothing but damp, messy strands.

The nightdress she wore, one strap had been cut off.

By the side of her eye was a purple map. And evidence of brutality. Fuck, the white silk nightdress ruined by stains of blood.

“Holy fuck!” The curse flew off my mouth.

What the fuck…

How did this girl end up like this?

“Debbs… is this… fucking goodness? Get inside.” I commanded.

I watched her as she limped into the car. Goodness, my heart was already bleeding for her.

My teeth clenched, heart tightened, just thinking what I would do to that jerk called Black if I even set my eyes on him right now.

Earlier, I was at home, just minding my business, when a call entered River's phone. Don't ask me how I knew. But I just knew. We are triplets.

And then I heard it.

Debbie's voice.

She told him she needed his help. Although she didn't call me, I didn't care.

Rain went upstairs, either to take something or not; I didn't care to know. I just moved straight to the garage and down to this place.

My skin was boiling hot from the amount of rage inside of me.

“How long has he been doing this?” I asked.

Uhm… he uhmm…

Fuck. I knew Debbie. She's been covering for that monster even before they got married.

“Don't you fucking lie to me.” I warned, shooting a finger in the air. “Don't fucking lie to me!”

I watched her swallow, her face down. I saw a bead of tears leave her eyes, dropping on her dress.

My heart broke.

Fuck.

“Debbie…” I called. As my hand moved to her chin, lifting her face up, this beautiful, perfect face that Black doesn't deserve.

My eyes met her glassy ones.

“Be… before… he's been doing it before the wedding.” She sniffed. “And it got worse after.”

Damn.

I fucking knew it. And I warned her not to get involved with that monster.

“Thank you, Rain. For…”

She couldn't finish her statement. Not with the amount of tears rolling down her eyes.

“Shhh… it's ok, baby.” My thumb brushed the tears off her face.

“You are safe now. And just so you know, that idiot isn't doing this to you anymore.” I assured. “For now, I got to take you home.”

I started the engine and the ride began. I turned the music on, something to keep the air less tense. As the ride went on, in less than five minutes, my eyes flicked to the side. There, Debbie… she had slept.

Her face looking so peaceful and innocent.

How on earth can anyone think of hurting someone as cool as this?

Then,

Buzz.

Buzz.

It was her phone on her thigh. She was already so deeply asleep that she didn't notice her phone was vibrating.

At first, I didn't want to look at who it was because I thought it would be River, since I had double-crossed him and picked her up.

But then, my eyes, always sneaky, took a quick glance at the screen and—

Caller ID.

My world.

I huffed. What the fucking nonsense.

Your world?

Someone who has messed up your life?

You still saved his contact as Your World?

I tried to concentrate on driving, ignoring the call from Black. But then, he wouldn't stop calling.

And if there was anything I hated most, it was something as irritating as this.

Before I thought about it, I did it…

Picked the phone from her thigh, I flung it out of the window.

“Deadbeat husband.”

She's not his anymore. She's ours now.

--------------------

Debbie.

After what felt like forever, I felt a gentle tap on my arm.

“Sweetheart, we are home.”

Rain’s voice.

Damn… I didn't know I had slept. My eyes opened slowly to meet the unfamiliar building.

The triplets’ mansion.

Their place was very far from ours. Although I had been married to their brother for more than a year, I had never been here.

It was as big and mighty as ours. But a bit bigger? Or maybe because it was shared by three men.

“Thank you, Rain.” I mouthed.

“Don't do that, baby.” He purred with a smile, his blue eyes burning into mine. “You are ours to protect.”

He pressed on the bottom, and the door of the car clicked open.

“Sit there, don't move. I'm coming to help you.” He stepped out of the car, turning to my side. He pulled the door open.

He stretched forth his hand so I could take it.

Damn… a kind of warmth washed through me. It was such a simple gesture, but coming from Rain, I didn't know how to feel about it. Black had never done it.

I took his hand, gently rising from the seat. But before I could fully place my feet on the ground—

“Oh my God!” I gasped.

Rain had lifted me from the ground, carrying me in a bridal style.

“Rain, please put me down,” I protested weakly. “Please put me down. I can walk.”

He scoffed. “Shut your mouth, Debbie. Or I'll shut it with my lips.”

My body froze, eyes blinking endlessly.

I shifted my gaze away from his face. I knew I was already flushing red.

Then, he moved, walking freely with me in his arms like he wasn't carrying a fucking 80kg.

The doors opened, and we got inside the gigantic living room.

---

“Debbie,” the voice called as Rain settled me on the couch.

It was Rex.

“Goodness.” He gasped.

“Rain. How did you…? Oh my God.” He started walking towards me.

“Black did this?” he asked.

I opened my mouth, about to speak, but—

“Yes!” Black has been abusing her before their marriage, and worse after the marriage,” Rain announced.

Rex squatted in front of me. His eyes scanning my body. I bowed my head in shame.

I could remember when he asked me how long I could cope with this, and I ended up making him look like a liar.

“This is… so inhumane,” Rex blurted.

Rain walked over to the couch on the other end. “You should already know that Black isn't human. He's a monster. And I swear, if I get my hands on him, I would make sure to first of all, do away with his dentals, and then his nasal cavity, and his fingers—those fingers he used to hit her—and—”

Bang! The door jarred open, interrupting Rain’s threat session.

My eyes flew to the door.

River.

“Debbs…” He drawled, eyes wide as he rushed over to me.

Oh my goodness. Oh my God.

I managed a small smile.

“I went there, looking for you. I… I couldn’t find you. How did you get here?” he asked.

Oh… does that mean he didn't send Rain to pick me up?

“Rain. It was Rain who picked me up,” I said, gesturing towards Rain.

River turned his gaze, his fist balled.

“Rain! Why the fuck do you always interfere in my conversations?”

Rain leaned into the couch, shrugging. “I don't understand.”

“What do you mean you don't understand? Why did you go to pick Debbie when you knew I was going to pick her?!” River barked.

Rain shook his head. “Chill, River. It's not that serious. You were being sluggish, and I was faster, so…”

“I have warned you before: stop eavesdropping on my conversations, stop fucking bugging me!”

“I am not bugging you, River. I am just helping my sister-in-law,” Rain shouted back.