Enemies to Lovers

CHAPTER 4

𝗠𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬

It's been a week living with this man, and each day is worse than the last. He always hits me and abuses me with his belt.

He makes me sit on the floor, facing the bed. He lashes me on the back with his belt for at least five minutes straight. Every time he's angry, I pay the price. When he’s drunk, it’s even worse.

At least he hasn’t tried to rape me yet. And I won’t let him, no matter what. I try to escape, but he always catches me. He grabs my hair, yanks me back, and hits me harder.

I’ve been planning my escape for the past week, and today is the day I’ll finally get away from him.

My whole body is bruised, my back marked with scars from the belt. This nightmare ends today. I’ll do whatever it takes to be free.

My body is weak, my hands trembling. I can’t take it anymore. My face is pale, and I look years older than I am. I don’t want this. I want to be young and beautiful again.

I'm grateful for everything, though. God will help me.

I packed my bag last night, slipping a few clothes inside, and what little money I managed to hide from him. It’s not much, but enough for a few nights at a hotel - just long enough to figure out my next move.

I hide my bag just as I hear him singing, his voice growing closer. It's the only way this will work. I tuck a small vase under the bed and wait for him to come.

I sit like he always tells me to, on my knees, facing the bed. He walks in and laughs, the belt in his hand.

"Good, you're already waiting for me," he slurs. He's so drunk he might black out.

I wait for him to come closer, and before he can hit me with the belt, I take the vase and smash it against his head. I don’t know how I even managed to do that. It was so quick.

"You dumb fucking bitch. Come here! I’ll kill you! FUCK!" He whines, dropping to the floor, his words slurring.

I’m already wearing my shoes. I grab my bag and run toward the door. Every step feels like a thousand miles. I’m shaking, my body barely able to keep up with my mind screaming, Run!

As I reach for the door, I hear him stirring on the ground. He's trying to get up. My body freezes immediately. I hold my breath. He yells, but he can't get up.

I let out a relieved sigh.

I quickly unlock the door. The cold air from outside hits my skin as I step into the night. My heart races, but this time it’s not fear- it’s hope. I’m out.

But I know I’m not safe yet. Not until I’m far away from here, far away from him.

I run, not knowing where I'm going. All I know is that people are looking at me like I’ve just come off the streets.

I run for about fifteen minutes until I find a place where I can hide for a while to calm down and call the police.

I spot an alley behind a club and quickly dart there. My heart is pounding in my chest, and every step I take feels like I’m in a dream where I’ve finally escaped the monster. I'm hiding now, my body shaking, and I can't seem to think straight.

I sit there watching rich people go into the club while I try to catch my breath. I need a phone. Now.

A man walks outside, a cigarette in his hand. He looks like a security guard. Just as I’m about to get up and ask him for his phone, he eyes me up and down and walks directly inside the club. Great.

A couple of people start walking by. I ask them for a phone, but they look at me, ignore me, and leave as if I wasn't even talking to them.

Can't they see how I look?