"Shattered Vows: A Tale of Toxicity"

22. Violence

Noah stood outside William's mansion, a bouquet of flowers in hand, anticipation mingling with nerves as he reached out to ring the bell. The heavy wooden door swung open, the butler standing there, greeted Noah with a nod before leading him through the ornate halls to the lavish living room.

As Noah sat on the sofa, the butler went to fetch refreshments, leaving Noah alone. Moments later, Amelia and her husband, William made their graceful entrance into the living room. They exchanged warm greetings before joining Noah.

The atmosphere was tinged with nostalgia as Noah and Amelia reminisced about their college days, their laughter filling the room. Yet, amidst the jovial banter, there lingered a sense of unease, a subtle tension within William that he could not ignore.

It was William who broke the flow of conversation, his curiosity piqued. "Noah," he began, his tone casual yet probing, "I've heard you were Amelia's senior in college, but you were in different departments. How did you two get to know each other?"

Noah's eyes sparkled with mischief as he glanced at Amelia, with a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Ah, should I reveal the secret to your dear husband?" he teased, his words indulged with playfulness.

William's expression darkens slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing his features before he masked it with a forced smile. "Please, do tell," he said, his words betraying the menacing thoughts stirring beneath the surface.

Noah leaned back in his seat, his gaze lingering on Amelia. "Back in college, I was quite the basketball star," he confessed, a hint of pride in his words. "And Amelia here," he continued, gesturing towards her with a fond smile, "was one of my most devoted fans. She never missed a single match."

Amelia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a sheepish grin spreading across her face as she recalled her passionate support for Noah's athletic pursuits.

Beside her, William's facade of geniality faltered momentarily, his fingers curling into fists as he struggled to contain his growing frustration.

~~~

As Noah finished his dinner, he turned to Amelia with a warm smile. "I'm really happy for you, Amelia. Finally, you found someone to care for you," he said, his voice filled with genuine happiness for her. With a gentle touch, he reached out and patted her head, a gesture of brotherly love that had become a habit during his college years.

William, standing beside Amelia , couldn't hide the disgust that flickered across his face at Noah's display of affection towards Amelia. His jaw clenched slightly, a silent indication of his inner turmoil.

Noah took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm going back abroad in two days. My flight's already booked," he informed them.

Amelia's gaze shifted to Noah, a mixture of sadness and understanding in her eyes. "Next time, you'll have to visit us with your girlfriend," she suggested with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I've only seen her photos so far."

Noah's face brighten for a moment, "I'll do my best," he replied. He turned to William, meeting his gaze with a silent plea. "Please, take care of her," he said earnestly. William's response was calculated, devoid of any warmth or emotion he simply nodded.With a heavy heart, Noah bid his farewells.

~~~

William's eyes, ablaze with intensity, met Amelia's as he commanded, "Go to the bedroom." His tone, representing his authority. Amelia found herself unable to resist and gave a silent nod.

Amelia sat on the edge of the bed, When William entered, his expression was scary, and he swiftly turned to lock the door behind him.

Amelia's heart fastened at the ominous click of the lock, but before she could voice her concern, William started moving towards her. His sudden movement startled her, and she recoiled slightly as he closed in, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

A sharp slap across her cheek stunned her into silence, she struggled to understand the sudden violence, her mind reeling with confusion and fear.

Before she could gather her thoughts, William grabbed her hair, his fingers digging into her scalp with a painful force. Tears welled in Amelia's eyes as she gasped in agony, her pleas drowned out by his accusatory words.

"How dare you lie to me," William spat, his voice filled with venomous rage. "I trusted you, Amelia. I thought you were different."

Amelia's heart pounding in her chest as she tried to make sense of his accusations. "I-I didn't lie," she stammered, her voice trembling with both fear and defiance.

But William's anger only intensified at her denial. With a swift move, he pushed her to the ground, her body crumpling under the weight of his rage. Pain shot through her limbs as she struggled to regain her footing, her mind spinning with disbelief.

"You think you can deceive me because I love you?" William's words were filled with bitterness as he loomed over her, his eyes ablaze with betrayal. "I've given you everything, and this is how you repay me?"

Amelia's heart ached at his words,"I never lied to you," she insisted, her voice trembling with real emotion. "I swear, William, I've never betrayed your trust."

William bent down and held on her chin with force, his fingers digging into her flesh as he forced her to meet his gaze. "You loved Noah, didn't you?" he accused, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't deny it, Amelia. I've seen the way you look at him."

Confusion darkened Amelia's mind as she struggled to understand his accusations. "Noah?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "He's like a brother to me, William. I swear, I never loved him."

But William's anger only seemed to escalate at her denial, his grip on her chin getting tighter. "A brother?" he scoffed, his voice filled with mockery. "You don't even share blood, Amelia. Don't insult my intelligence with your lies."

Tears streamed down Amelia's cheeks as she met his gaze, her heart breaking at the realization of his mistrust. "I never lied to you," she repeated, her voice choked with emotion. "I am being honest with you, William. Please, believe me."