3 ~ The Beginning Of My Ruin

Brinda's POV 

I didn’t know how I got back to the hospital. One moment, I was leaving that hellhole with tears rolling out of my eyes to my cheeks, and the next, Peter was gently shaking me awake. I yawned effortlessly as the sun rays radiated on my skin. 

“It's morning.”

Morning?

How the fuck is it morning already? Why had I not confronted Donald? Why was I crying out of the club like a fool? What the hell happened immediately I stepped out of that club? 

I grabbed my head, trying to see if I could remember anything.

Peter crouched down beside me. I heaved a sigh of relief before I hugged him tightly for some minutes. His sweet saint reeked my nose. He also rubbed my back gently. 

“You went back there, didn't you?” He asked, his voice calm. He released his body from mine and gave me a sad smile. 

I swallowed hard, my heart beating faster. He could see through me, and it wasn’t hard for him to guess what I had done. Wait..  don't tell me… 

“I brought you back here. There's no need to lie. You shouldn't have gone back to the club.” He said, his voice heavy with concern.

“I had no choice,” I said, the words like stones in my mouth. “Once Mom’s better, I will stop. I swear. I just need money for her treatment That's all.” I folded my arms, bracing myself for his response.

Peter looked like he was about to argue, but after a long moment, he sighed, defeated. “Fine. Mom’s health matters.”

He walked to the shelf and came back with a basket in hand. He off-loaded the flasks in it and gave me one while he took the other for himself. 

“Have you been able to get any money?” I broke the silence as we ate. 

“I borrowed eight thousand. Begged everyone I could. I know it’s a lot… but it’s Mom. I…”

Peter was still talking when I jumped from my seat. “Eight thousand dollars?” The flask fell off my hand, the food spilling on the floor. 

“Yes, why are you so surprised? I had to borrow from a lot of people. Mother's life is important.” He said calmly as he stood up.

“You're such a darling.” I whispered softly with relief. 

He smiled and enveloped his body around me. A smile played on my lips as I let out a satisfying smile due to the warmth of his warm body. 

We ate his food together since mine had already spilled on the floor. When we were done, I entered the bathroom and took a quick bath. Thankfully, I had some extra clothes just in case I was on night shift and would be returning home in the morning. 

As I tied my hair into ponytail style, Peter's voice came from behind, “I wish every mother had a daughter like you.”

As soon as we stepped out of the hospital, the sun beat down on us, its heat suffocating. Peter gave me a warm sweet hug before he turned right to get the money and I would go to the club.

With a smile still on my face, I noticed four black cars parked across the street, tinted windows hiding whoever sat inside. But I didn’t have time to worry about them.

I hailed a taxi and headed to the club, my mind racing. The place was nearly empty when I arrived, the few patrons scattered like shadows in the dim afternoon light. I quickly made my way to Donald’s office, but I met him outside his door. He ushered me in and quickly locked the door after he entered. 

He sat on his seat and started counting stacks of cash. 

Frustration bubbled inside me, and I tapped my foot impatiently, waiting for him to speak. When half an hour passed and he still hadn’t noticed me, I stood and slammed my hand on the desk.

“Donald, am I that invisible? Pleaee, I need my pay.”

“Come here,” he commanded, his voice low and dangerous. I walked toward him reluctantly, my heart hammering.

“I’ll give you your money,” he said, holding up the bundles of cash. “But…” He smirked, and before I could react, his hands wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.

A cold wave of panic washed over me. No. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. He had tried this before but I stopped him and now, he wants to try it again? No!

I pushed him away, but he was too quick. He forced me against the table, pinning me in place as his hands moved to pull up my skirt. I screamed, but the sound was muffled in the noise of the bar. 

I fought back—kicking, punching—but he was relentless, a predator who was determined to get what he wanted.

“Stop!” I cried, tears stinging my eyes. “Please…”

Instead, his lips met mine, his tongue sliding in, and I bit him hard. He yelled in pain, but it wasn’t enough to stop him.

In a burst of rage, I shoved him off and grabbed the first thing I could—a knife from the table. My hands shook as I gripped it, but I knew I had to defend myself. My chest heaved with terror, my mind whirling as I raised the knife.

He let out a cry from the bottom of his soul. He fell to the floor grabbing his shoulder where I had stabbed him. My hands flew to my mouth before I ran out of his office, my body trembling. 

But, I believe that I have taught him a lesson. 

~~~~~

Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled back to the hospital compound, where I found Peter begging the doctors. His face was pale with worry, and I felt a knot tighten in my stomach.

Then, my mother’s body was wheeled out of the hospital.

I ran to her side, my body trembling with fear. I threw my arms around her. I could still hear her faint breathing but my heart got shattered into pieces.

Dr. McMasters' eyes locked onto mine, disappointment burning in them. He didn’t say a word. Instead, he pulled out his phone, showing me a video of me dancing at the bar last night.

Shame flooded me as I covered my mouth. It’s against the rules of the hospital for its staff to work as a stripper. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me up. 

“You won’t be able to work here anymore,” Dr. McMasters said. 

My world shattered at that moment. Everything I had done—every sacrifice—was for nothing. And now, the only thing left was the fury that burned in my chest.

I used to believe love could save the world. That night, I learned the world never cared to be saved.

But there came a question that lingered in my mind, “Who sent the video to Dr. McMasters?”