Kidnapped to love

chapter 17

Crystal stood in front of the mirror, her reflection mocking her. She tugged at the dress, letting it slip slightly off her shoulder, revealing marks she hadn't noticed until now. Hickies, faint bruises, evidence of something she hadn’t remembered. Her heart raced in panic as she ran her fingers over them, her mind spiraling.

Dimitri entered the room, smiling as his eyes settled on her. "Woh, what a view, doll," he said, his voice laced with admiration. Crystal spun around, her face hard with anger. The shift in her mood caught him off guard.

"What happened?" he asked, his smile fading as he approached her, confusion etched across his face. But she didn’t respond. His smile grew tighter, unsure. Each step closer, he admired her, but his world tilted as her hand flew through the air and landed sharply across his face.

The slap echoed through the room.

Dimitri froze, his cheek burning, shock coursing through his veins. His hands clenched into fists, his anger rising fast, but he held back. He swallowed the fire threatening to escape and asked through gritted teeth, “What was that about, doll?”

Crystal’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling. “What are you doing to me?” she demanded.

“What?” Dimitri asked, his mind racing as he tried to piece together her sudden outburst.

“What is this?” she cried, showing him her shoulders, littered with hickies. “When did you do this? How did I not know?”

Dimitri ’s eyes widened as he realized what she was talking about. “When you were asleep, I guess,” he said hesitantly, his words stumbling.

“How did I not wake up?” she pressed, suspicion growing in her voice. Her mind raced to a dark conclusion. “Don’t tell me you’re drugging me or something.”

His silence was the answer

“ why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice breaking as her thoughts spiraled.

He hesitated, avoiding her eyes. “So you wouldn’t try anything funny. I thought… it was better this way.”

Her breath hitched, a tear slipping down her cheek. “What else did you do to me?” Her voice was barely a whisper, thick with fear and hurt.

Dimitri stepped forward, shaking his head. “No, no, no. Don’t think that. I would never do that. Don’t even suggest—”

Crystal’s fists balled at her sides, trembling. “I will never forgive you if I find out otherwise.”

His heart sank at the sharp edge in her words. “You can be relieved, doll. I didn’t do anything like that. I swear.”

“I don’t believe you anymore,” she said, her voice breaking as she turned her back to him.

“Doll…” Dimitri’s  voice softened, pleading, but she didn’t respond. Her tears were flowing freely now, and her heart felt heavy with betrayal. He had crossed a line. He knew it, and the weight of his actions was crashing down on him.

“I trusted you,” Crystal said, her voice shaking with anger and pain.

“Please…” he whispered, but she cut him off.

“Leave me alone,” she sobbed, her hands covering her face.

“Doll—”

“Leave me alone!” she shouted, her voice raw with emotion.

Dimitri stood frozen, his chest tightening with guilt and shame. He had hurt her in ways he hadn’t anticipated. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice. But what could he say? How could he fix this? Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click.

Crystal collapsed to her knees, her tears flowing freely now. Her whole world felt like it was crumbling. The room was spinning, her heart shattered into pieces. She had trusted him. She had believed in him. But now, the weight of his betrayal crushed her chest. She gasped for air, sobbing uncontrollably.

“I can’t stay here,” she whispered to herself. “I need to escape.”

Through the fog of her pain, a new resolve took shape. She wasn’t going to let him control her any longer. No matter the cost, she would find a way out. She had to. There was no other choice.

With shaking hands, she wiped her tears and stood. Her mind was already planning, her heart hardening with determination.