Tear

My heart was pounding so loudly, my ears were ringing. 

“You shouldn’t be speaking to me,” I told him, 

He looked irritated by my words. “Has he taken that from you, too? The power to talk to people-” 

“That's not it.” I shook my head, “You know that-”

“Then you don’t want to speak with me? Say that then.” Oliver looked me down, before he took hold of my hand. “Tell me you don’t want to speak with me.” I was frozen in place at his words. “Tell me that and I will never bug you again.”  I felt my lips part open, stuck as I tried to make words.

I felt a grip take hold of my wrist. My eyes grew even larger in alarm as I turned my head to face him. Triston stood there, jaw clenched, grip growing harder as he yanked me his way. I was sure I would have been nearly thrown across the room, but Triston’s grip remained, holding onto me. Triston now stood between us, his body like a wall. 

“Don’t ever touch my wife.” His words seemed to be drawn out as the music remained to keep our confrontation to only us. “Don’t come near her- don’t speak to her- do you understand me?” Oliver seemed to smirk at this,

“Or what?” He challenged. “Are you going to lock her up again? Keep her from the world-”

“Or I’ll make sure that’s the very last thing you ever do.” Triston freed me from his grip, moving closer, chest touching Oliver’s. “Do you understand that?” Oliver stared at him before looking beyond him at me. 

“I’ll leave here,” Oliver lifted his hand, motioning at me, “because she looks so mortified.” Triston didn’t move. “But get this straight.” Oliver spoke to him, “You don’t fucking own her.” Oliver told Triston. Just then, he pushed past Triston, shoulders touching. Oliver made his way to the exit. My body seemed to relax slightly- until he turned back to me. His eyes were blazing as he moved closer to me. I could feel his breathing on my face, hot and rough. 

“How could you do this to me again?” I felt my blood run from my face,

“I-I didn’t even know-” I was cut off by Marcus, his voice seemingly melting away the look on Triston’s face. Triston took a step back, his hand slipping down, my fingers intertwined with his. 

“Guys! Come on, Alexa wants to speak with you, sis!” Triston’s grip grew tighter as I nodded. Marcus moved to lead us, but just as we started walking, Triston pulled me close. So close I could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He moved his lips to my ear,

“We’ll talk more at home.”

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I was seated at Triston’s side, my hands lying on my lap. We were seated at the family table. Marcus chatted with Alexandia’s family. Food had been served, and it sat in front of me, my eyes just staring at the pasta.  Chatter was going on around me, my eyes moving to the side to see Triston downing another dark drink. I hadn’t seen him drink this heavily ever. 

My stomach seemed to grumble, not out of hunger, but nervousness. I hated feeling as if I had done another thing wrong. All I ever did was wrong. I moved forward, taking the champagne glass up, I moved it to my lips to take a sip,

“What are you doing?” I feel Triston’s lips on my ear. I ignored him, pushing the drink back and finishing it right then and there. I placed it down on the table before I stood up. I looked at Triston, 

“I’m going to the ladies' room. I’ll be right back.” I left the dining area, came into a hallway. I saw a server making their way to the area before I stopped them. I took another glass, downing it as quickly as the first. I took a bill out of my clutch and placed it on the tray. “I’ll be back soon.” I spoke to the server, “Have me a glass of vodka when I come back.” The man gave me a curt nod as I made my way to the restroom. I hurried to a stall, closing the door.

My breathing was heavy as I tried to calm myself. 

I didn’t know if I could continue doing all this. Living in such despair and trying my best, only for it to get worse at every turn. 

My cheeks felt a running of water, warm and wet. My fingers moved to my face. I couldn’t even hold my tears anymore. I slid to the ground, hugging my knees. I wanted to wail. I wanted to scream. I placed my clutch in my mouth, trying to muffle the sobs that seemed to be leaving me.