Chapter 3

(Serena's POV)

I gasped as soon as these words left Ryle's mouth.

"Her boyfriend." Marcus's ragged voice.

As soon as Ryle said these words, all the muscles of Marcus's body became stiff. His breathing became ragged.

From the time Ryle came here, Marcus was trying to control his anger. I knew it. From the very beginning, Marcus did not invite the idea of Ryle interrupting him and the moment I jumped in Ryle's arms, his dislike towards Ryle increased.

He has always been a possessive man and got jealous easily. As soon as Ryle said these words, the dam broke and now, Marcus was not able to control his emotion.

His eyes had flame but not of passion but of rage. He pinned Ryle to the nearby wall and then his hands reached up to his throat.

"How dare you said that. She is mine and no one can take her from me. I dare you to touch her."

A chill ran down my spine when Marcus yelled while choking Ryle. Ryle tried to push him but Marcus easily overpowered him.

Soon Ryle's face started turning an awful shade of purple. Seeing the situation unfolding in front of me, memories from my haunting past came my way.

In which I was in place of Ryle and one of those monsters was choking me.

---

"Please leave me," I said while I felt the pressure on my neck increasing.

"Then why were you trying to run whore." the monster who was choking me, yelled in my face.

"I am sorry." My voice was becoming rough due to the lack of oxygen in my lungs.

"Kurt leave her, she will die this way." another monster from the back hissed.

The monster loosened his grip on my neck but never let go of me. Soon, I started sucking in the air like a hungry person who has not eaten for days.

"But she tried to run, boss." the monster mumbled like a kid.

"Don't worry Kurt, she will be punished but in a better way." the other monster said while licking his lips.

"Let the guests come first, then we will all have fun." the other monster continued.

"Give her another sedative." the other monster said handling the first one an injection.

Now, the first monster let me go and I fell on the floor with a thud.

"No please, not that," I begged as my fear of needles took over me.

"It won't hurt that much, baby." the monster cooed evilly.

I felt a sting in my left arm and soon everything became a blur as darkness invaded me.

---

My breathing was ragged and I was hyperventilating. Those monsters, my fear, and my pain again seeped into me.

As I looked in front of me. My imagination took its course and without thinking anything I pushed Marcus with all my force.

He stumbled one or two steps back and Ryle fell to the ground.

I bent down next to Ryle completely ignoring the fact that hot tears were tumbling down my cheeks and my vision was blurring due to a newly started panic attack.

I guess both the boys understood my situation as he started calming me while trying to control his breathing rate.

At the same moment, I felt a hand on my back. I flinched as the thought of the person being one of the monsters invaded my mind.

"Leave me alone, you monster!" I yelled as I tried looking back.

As soon as I turned back, a realization hit me with full force.

The man I just called the monster was Marcus. Hurt was evident in his eyes making guilt pool in my chest.

He is not one of those monsters. But again what he did to me was no less than those monsters, I thought to myself.

I was losing my ability to think straight as the panic attack brought a fresh stock of haunting memories and photos.

"She is having a panic attack because of you. Leave now if you still have any ounce of shame left in you."

I could hear faint voices in the background like that of the opening and closing of the door before everything became dark for me.

---

"Wakie, wakie honey." I could feel Marcus's minty breaths near my face as he placed a kiss on my nose. "Time to wake up Mrs. Walton." I smiled to myself. I loved it when he called me that.

"5 more minutes.", I said sleepily.

I could hear him sighing.

"Fine, I am going down to make the breakfast," he said after which I heard the door closing.

Soon I got up from my warm bed and made my way downstairs. I found my husband in the kitchen working like a professional.

Suddenly, I heard some screams and the breaking of glass, I closed my eyes and as soon as I reopened my eyes, I found myself in the same basement with both the monsters surrounding me.

I looked around and relaxed when my eyes fell on my husband. He won't let anything happen to me.

"Marcus." I looked at him for help but he didn't move a foot. No, even when one of those monsters touched me.

"Marcus help," I shouted with tears of frustration.

He smirked and replied, "I don't help a slut like you."

---

My eyes opened. I was in my bed, in my house. All the memories came back.

Marcus found me. Apologized.

Ryle said he was my boyfriend.

Marcus choking him and my fainting.

I looked around to find Ryle sleeping on one of the chairs with his arms crossed. He had a red bruise on his neck but other than that he looked fine.

As soon as I got out of bed. Ryle's teasing voice entered my ears.

"Get off of the bed and I will leave captain behind you."

I looked back to see him now lazily sitting on the chair with his eyes on me.

"You won't," I stated but with a lack of confidence. He knows very well that I am extremely scared of his German Shepard dog aka Captain.

Ryle gave me a serious look, "Try me."

I audibly gulped.

"So how long was I out," I asked him.

"Three hours, baby." He replied.

As soon as he said baby, I gave him a questioning look.

"Don't forget that you are gay.", I said.

"Well my Siri, I remember that fact very well. But that ex-husband of yours doesn't know it. Also at that moment, I thought that if I make him believe that you have moved on then he will leave you alone."

I nod my head in understanding.

"So now what?" I asked.

"Nothing, tomorrow we get engaged and the day after tomorrow we get married. And yes, it is up to you to decide where we go on a honeymoon," he said casually while winking at me.

My eyes were as wide as a saucer and suddenly Ryle started laughing.

"Look at your face Serena, I was just kidding!" Okay, so he was joking. "Listen puppy, we don't do anything. Just relax your tiny mind, take your medicines, and go to sleep as it is tomorrow we have to go for your diagnosis. Whereas right now, I go back home. Okay?"

He said softly while I nodded my head. He got up from the chair and I followed him to leave.

"Listen to me Serena, you have nothing to be scared of. You are a brave girl and don't worry about your ex-husband. After your outburst, I don't think he is coming back any time soon. Just relax. Also, be ready by 9 a.m. I will pick you up."

He kissed my forehead and left but not before reminding me about my medicines and bidding me good night.

I felt exhausted thus I quickly took my medicines and made my way to my bed. But before I could close my eyes, a message popped on my phone.

Unknown number

'I will see you soon, mi amore. Sleep tight for now. --Marcus'

I sighed and tried closing my eyes but it felt like all the sleep and exhaustion had vanished.

Let's see now what will happen tomorrow.