Unexpected Love

3. Hiding The Pain

Chris's face softened, transforming back into the charming facade Lucy had once found so endearing. He caressed her face tenderly, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "That's my good girl," he said, his voice sickeningly sweet. He leaned in and placed another kiss on her forehead before turning to leave. "Now make sure you cover those bruises good." Lucy felt a lump form in her throat as she watched him walk away, taking her insulin kit with him. *How did it come to this?* She thought miserably, her hand rising to touch the tender spot on her cheek where he'd struck her the night before.

She knew she had to get out, but the fear of what he might do if she tried was paralyzing. As soon as she heard the door click shut, Lucy sank to the floor, tears streaming down her face. She took a few deep breaths, trying to compose herself before standing up and heading to the bathroom to apply makeup. The weight of her situation pressed down on her like a ton of bricks.

Lucy stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, her hands shaking as she applied concealer to the purple bruises that marred her otherwise flawless complexion. With practiced ease, she managed to cover them up perfectly, hiding the evidence of Chris's cruelty beneath a layer of makeup. Sliding into a pair of comfortable sweatpants and a loose jumper, she tied her long brunette hair back into a neat ponytail. Taking one last look at herself, she steeled her nerves and walked out of the bathroom, coming face-to-face with Chris. His gaze immediately swept over her, checking for any signs of her injury, but the makeup did its job well. He flashed a charming smile and strode towards her, pulling her into a passionate kiss. "Lucy, I didn't mean to hurt you last night, baby," he murmured against her lips, his hands gently cupping her face. "Work's been stressful. You know I love you, right? Everything I do is for your benefit." Lucy's resolve wavered, the warmth of his embrace and the sincerity in his voice almost making her forget the fear she'd felt only moments ago. She returned his kiss, trying to believe that he truly loved her and that she was overreacting. *Maybe I'm just being paranoid. He does care for me, after all.*

Chris's arms wrapped around Lucy, pulling her close in a tight embrace. His smile seemed genuine, but Lucy couldn't shake off the unease that settled in her stomach. "You look beautiful, my love," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "I'm so lucky to have you." Despite her doubts, she found herself relaxing into his hold, his words like a balm to her battered soul. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor the warmth and comfort he offered. she yearned for the safety and security she once felt in his arms..

Chris led Lucy to the car, his grip on her hand firm yet gentle, as if trying to erase the memory of last night's violence. As they drove to the station, Lucy couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and gratitude. He seemed so caring now, so much like the man she had fallen in love with. When they arrived, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying into the changing rooms. Once inside, she changed into her uniform- grateful that she had covered her bruises so perfectly. As she looked around the room she met angela's eyes.

Angela stood there in her bra, her toned figure a stark contrast to Lucy's own battered body. They exchanged glances, and Lucy felt a rush of longing mixed with guilt. She had tried to end things with Chris when she realized she liked girls, but his possessive nature had made it impossible.

Angela was her girl crush, but she was a higher rank and she knew angela wouldn't spare a glance at a girl as disgusting and ugly as herself. She sighed as she headed into roll call.

Lucy quickly made her way to roll call, trying to push aside the turmoil of emotions that swirled within her. Sergeant Grey's voice echoed through the room as he assigned tasks for the day. As roll call ended, Lucy's training officer, Tim, fell into step beside her as they headed towards their patrol car. His silence hung heavy between them, and Lucy couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation. Tim had always been critical of her, never seeming satisfied with her performance.

As they settled into the car, lucy was surprised to see that tim was letting her drive , Lucy glanced over at Tim, hoping that today would be different. Maybe today he would see her - the real her. The one that was trying her best, and not just someone who constantly needed correction. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the day ahead, determined to prove her worth.

The day wore on, and Lucy struggled to keep up with the demands of her job. Her body was beginning to betray her, a consequence of neglecting her Type 1 diabetes. Chris had taken her insulin this morning, but she hadn't been taking it as regularly as she should have in the past few weeks due to his controlling behavior.

Now, her hands shook as she clutched the steering wheel, and a dull pounding had started in her head. She tried to hide her discomfort from Tim, not wanting to give him any more ammunition to use against her. *Just a little longer*, she told herself, *I can make it through the shift*. She took a deep breath and focused on the road ahead, pushing aside the growing nausea and the nagging fear that her health was slipping out of her control.

She couldn't afford to let her personal life interfere with her work, especially now that she had someone else to worry about besides herself.

1000 words, hope you enjoyed x