Cursed Love

Entwined Fates: Dawn of Retribution

"Sometimes someone can hurt us more than we really deserve, because we had actually loved them more than they actually DESERVE"

~ The Fresh Quotes

───

RYAN.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off, please try again later."

In resentment I threw my phone away on the couch lying forepart from me. It was not my fault because it was the 20th time since morning that I was hearing the same annoying voice. Fucking heart broken is what I felt as she wasn't answering my voicemails. Wasn't she aware as to I was worried for her? Probably not because if she were she would have replied back. I still remembered our last talk or preferably our "Last Argument"

The thumping bass seemed to mock Sarah as I leaned in, sliding the evidence of her compromising photo across the booth table. The strobe lights flashed harshly, exposing every flourish of Sarah's anguish.

"Cooperate, and tell me where is Jake," I demanded.

Sarah paled, then defiance flashed in her eyes. "What makes you think I'll betray my son?" she spat.

I showed her the incriminating video on my phone. Sarah watched, horror dawning as her secrets were laid bare.

I smiled cruelly. "Now either you get to live in the hell I've created or just follow my orders and I may consider keeping your reputation intact."

Tears welled in Sarah's eyes as she realized she was trapped. Either submit to my control, or face public shame. Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. It makes me feel alive, powerful, and fucking unstoppable.

"Last chance. Tell me where Jake is right now," I demanded.

Sarah stayed silent, tears falling.

"Have it your way," I sneered. "You'll have all the time you need to think about Jake's location, living in the personal hell I've created just for you."

I left Sarah crying amidst the sweaty, gyrating bodies, completely at my mercy. She had lost all the power except for what I allowed her. My mother's best friend once so powerful was now powerless. I had her right where I needed her. She's a fucking sociopath probably the reason why I'm not feeling an ounce of regret doing this to her.

The music seemed to mock Sarah, savoring my dominance while - her secrets laid exposed, her autonomy stripped, her spirit breaking under the threat I wielded so easily. She'd been reduced to a pawn, an object to manipulate for my amusement.

Just then, the DJ switched to a pounding dance track, and sweaty bodies filled the dance floor. I spotted a flash of violet eyes—Aurora gliding through the crowd towards our booth. Fuck. My stomach dropped as Rory's gaze landed on me and Sarah, too close in the low lighting.

Before I could react, Rory had stormed out of the club into the humid night air. I hurried after her, calling her name above the thumping bass.

As I pushed through the door, I saw Rory stomping down the sidewalk, her hair kept swinging. I jogged to catch up and grabbed her arm.

"Rory, wait!" I pleaded. "It's not what it looked like."

She yanked her arm from my grasp and whirled to face me. Her beautiful features were twisted in pain and anger. "Save your breath, Ryan," she spat. "I saw enough."

My stomach dropped. "Rory, please, just listen to me. Sarah means nothing, she's just my mother's friend. You have to believe me."

Rory's eyes were filled with disgust. "Let me go." She turned and continued walking away into the rainy night.

The memory from hours earlier still replayed in my head. Interior to my domicile I tramped my right foot on the limestone which was arranged to blow up my beautiful Villa.

With frenzied emotions on my face, I was strong-willed to apologize for my intentional deeds towards her and with succeeding time I comforted myself by gulping a glass full of water. But so far, I had realized that she was ignoring me.

"Stop blaming yourself. It's not like she gave me a chance to explain." I murmured to myself and dozed off to sleep.

When I woke up the next morning, I looked for my phone on the nightstand and discovered "No notifications." I sighed and gave up the internal debate over whether or not to fix things up. Finally, making a decision, I rose to apologize.

As I approached her apartment, I noticed her Lexus still parked in the driveway, indicating she was home. How could I fucking apologize half-heartedly when we both messed up equally? But I couldn't help myself since I had ulterior motives. She'd been acting suspish lately. She's always been methodical about everything ever since I've known her, but something's catching up to her lately, and God help me if I don't find it out and fix it. And if she has finally discovered... I'm not sure what narrative I'll pan out to make her feel better, but I'll have to.

The house was a sturdy two-story residence designed without the least imagination. The minimalistic vibe always screamed her presence. As soon as the door opened I was welcomed with a warm smile coming from Mila, her caretaker. I swear the woman was always on a high snuff.

"Good Morning Mr. Scott. Rory is upstairs do you want me to let her know you're waiting for her?" She asked in her ever chirpy voice.

"No, I'll see her myself. Thank you for asking"

I walk into her room. A room with clean white walls, a bed, a desk with a blank blotter on it, sliding closets on the opposite side of the bed, and thin green shag carpet that demonstrated her disinterest in what others thought of her. I noticed her sitting on the bed, her gaze fixed on the television screen, oblivious to my presence.

The woman through the television speaks, "I'm Kylie Nash from Sunrise Records and I'm standing at Aruba Park within the town limits of Esteredge. Noelle Ellis's body was discovered earlier this morning."

"A passerby strolling through this park identified a foul odor. Upon further research he discovered it was an odd looking bag and called 911," the woman continued.

I look over at Rory leaning against the door frame of her room. And on reflex I return my eyes to the television screen.

"Detective Maddocks, can you please tell us what all you know about the homicide?" The officer walks into view and takes a seat next to her.

Detective clears his throat. "It's too early on to predict anything. I can only describe this incident as heinous, reckless and inhumane."

"Can you estimate the cause of death?" the reporter asks.

"Forensics are working on it." He adds, moving a palm across his scruff.

"She was discovered dismembered within the bag. Do you have any suspects yet?" The detective says nothing.

I look over at Rory, her eyes never leaving the television screen. She was way too interested.

"Do we have any possible motive to this crime?" the reporter asks him.

"No, not yet. The investigation is currently underway. Before we issue a formal statement, and a public profile we will analyze the evidence and conduct a thorough postmortem."

"The murder of Noelle Ellis is a terrible tragedy and has sparked unanswered questions and theories...." The woman shakes her head, bringing the mic back to herself and facing the camera.

I straighten up, take the remote, and turn off the television, attracting her attention. She tilts her head in my direction, her eyes exasperated.

"What the hell are you doing here Ryan. Go. away."

"You've been ignoring me all day. Look, I'm sorry for not being able to tell you, but trust me, Rory, I'll figure it out." I said assuring her.