17 | ocean eyes

As I entered my apartment, I was met with an unsettling silence. My relief from being back home was abruptly cut short when I saw Chris standing in the living room. His expression was a mix of anger and suspicion, and my heart sank.

"Where the hell have you been, Lucy?" he demanded, his voice dripping with venom.

I took a cautious step back, my mind racing. "I... I was working. There was a situation, and I couldn't get away."

He snorted, his eyes narrowing. "A situation? Or were you with Tim again?"

My heart pounded in my chest. "No, Chris. It was work. I promise."

He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "You expect me to believe that? You think I'm stupid?"

I shook my head, fear tightening my throat. "No, of course not. Chris, please—"

Before I could finish, he slapped me hard across the face, the impact sending me sprawling against the wall. Pain exploded in my cheek, and I tasted blood.

"You're lying to me!" he shouted, his face twisted with rage. "You think I don't know what's going on between you and Tim? You think I'm blind?"

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to catch my breath. "Chris, please... I'm not lying. I swear."

He grabbed me by the hair, yanking me to my feet. "You think I'm an idiot? You think you can just run around behind my back?"

"Chris, you're hurting me!" I cried, my voice breaking.

He shoved me away, and I stumbled, barely catching myself before hitting the floor. "You're pathetic," he sneered. "Get in the shower. You look disgusting."

I hesitated, my body trembling with fear and pain. "Chris, I—"

"Now!" he barked, his eyes blazing with fury.

I nodded quickly and hurried to the bathroom, my mind numb with fear. As I turned on the water, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. A swollen cheek, a split lip, and eyes filled with terror stared back at me. I felt a wave of nausea but forced myself to step under the stream of water, hoping to wash away the pain and fear.

The shower was quick, the hot water barely soothing my aching body. I dreaded what awaited me outside the bathroom. When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel, Chris was waiting, his expression unreadable.

"Get to bed," he ordered, his tone cold and commanding.

I nodded, my throat tight with suppressed sobs. I slipped into a pair of pajamas, hoping that sleep would offer an escape from this nightmare. But as I crawled into bed, Chris followed, his intentions clear.

"Chris, please... I'm really tired," I pleaded, my voice trembling.

He ignored me, his hands rough and insistent. "You're mine, Lucy. Don't you forget that."

Tears blurred my vision as I endured his assault, my body rigid with fear and revulsion. I tried to block out the pain, the humiliation, but it was impossible. I felt trapped, powerless, and utterly broken.

When it was finally over, Chris rolled off me and fell asleep almost instantly. I lay there, shaking and sobbing silently, feeling more alone than ever. I couldn't stay here. I couldn't endure this any longer.

With trembling hands, I reached for my phone and typed a desperate message to Tim.

"Can I come over? Please, I need you."

It was 2 a.m., but the response came almost immediately.

"Yes. Come now."

I felt a rush of relief, but also a surge of anxiety. I needed to get out of here without waking Chris. I slipped out of bed, grabbed my keys and phone, and tiptoed to the door, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I quietly closed the door behind me, I felt a mix of fear and hope. I hurried to my car, the need to be away from this place propelling me forward. I drove to Tim's apartment, the streets eerily quiet at this hour.

When I arrived, Tim was already waiting at the door, his ocean eyes looking at me with concern. He pulled me into his arms the moment I stepped inside, and I finally allowed myself to break down.

"Who did this to you?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and worry.

I shook my head, unable to speak, my sobs intensifying. I didn't want to say the words. I didn't want to relive the nightmare.

Tim hugged me tighter, his touch gentle but filled with a protective fierceness. "It's okay, Lucy. You don't have to say anything. You're safe now."

"It was Chris wasn't he?" Tim asked, his jaw clenched with anger, but his touch was always gentle, always comforting.

"You should have told me sooner," he said softly. "You don't have to go through this alone."

"I was scared," I admitted. "I didn't know what to do."

Tim cupped my face, his eyes filled with emotion. "You're not alone, Lucy. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

(aahh i love this one, please vote and leave a comment ❤️❤️)