There's Only You ✔

Chapter 12

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUAL ASSAULT AND RAPE. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Chapter 12

A red light was flashing in my head. With all my heart, I knew I shouldn't be doing this. Skipping school to visit with my abusive ex. In order for him to leave my best friend the hell alone, this was what I had to do.

The closer I got to his new apartment complex, the more my palms felt sweaty and the more I felt the lump sitting in my throat. I stopped in front of his complex and hesitated to walk in. At least this was a new place. This place didn't contain any bad memories for me.

Zach:

Where are you?

I thought we were gonna drive to school together.

Bella:

Just running an errand.

My feet carried me to Gray's apartment on the second floor. With a shaky fist, I knocked on the door. It didn't take long for the door to swing open with him on the other side. The malicious smile that I detested so much greeted me as he leaned against the door frame.

"I knew that getting to that... smoking hot best friend of yours would get your attention."

Nothing had changed since he got out of prison; the pungent smell of cigars was still lingering on him and there were empty bottles of alcohol strewn across the kitchen table.

He put the prison gym to good use. His biceps were still big and I noticed the fresh-looking tattoo of a cupcake that Amgela was talking about.

I couldn't bring myself to talk. Every attempt came out as a breath or a strange noise. In a soft voice, but still making sure that he could hear, I finally spoke.

"Let me get one thing straight. You can do whatever the hell you want with me—" I was cut off by the mischievous smirk on his face and his eyes that were looking me up and down.

The sight of him licking his lips twisted my stomach.

"—but you need to leave my best friend the hell alone. She doesn't deserve that."

Seeing him again after five years made me feel all kinds of things. Nauseated. Terrified. In shock. Letting him do what he wanted with me made me feel physically sick, but it was better me than my best friend. I wasn't left with a choice. He stepped closer to me-close enough for me to smell the alcohol stench of his breath.

"Do you really mean that, cupcake?"

Puke climbed up my throat, but he wouldn't want to have sex with me if I smelled like throw-up, so I swallowed it down my throat. Cupcakes were automatically removed from my diet because it would remind me of his sickly sweet voice calling me by that word. I nodded.

"Now promise me that your little friend won't be reporting me to the police. Otherwise..." He caged me in between his arms that were planted on the wall. My eyes were downcast, but his fingers tilted my head up to look at him. "you'd wish you were dead."

Isabella Price, what the hell have you gotten yourself into?

"I promise. As long as you promise to never hurt my best friend again." Trusting him would be a dumb mistake.

Who would trust their monster to not ruin another girl's life? He cupped my face in his hand. I tried to move my head away, but he gripped my chin with his thumb and index finger.

"Good girl. I promise. Come on in, cupcake. I'll show you a good time." He opened the door wider for me to walk inside and he left his hand on my back as he led me to his bedroom.