Beyond the Veil of Yonder (Book 1)

43. The Breaking Point

⚠️This chapter contains sensitive topics, including depictions of a toxic relationship and non-consensual behaviour

----------------------------------------------

After William left Iorlainn, Dan felt immediate relief. The knight had been a constant, nagging irritant – like a pebble in his shoe he couldn't shake loose. He sensed Elizabeth changing under William's influence, and his hold on her began to slip.

The quiet, compliant girl he once knew was now more independent, a change that unsettled Dan. She no longer sought his company or stayed by his side; instead, she seemed to be avoiding him.

During their brief conversations, Dan would casually mention William's name, watching Elizabeth's reaction closely. He searched for any sign of a hidden bond between them. And indeed, every time he brought up William, a faint blush would colour Elizabeth's cheeks, and her gaze would dart away from his.

One day, Dan invited Elizabeth on a walk, looking as calm as ever, giving her no reason to decline. They chatted innocently about their home, the only real connection they still shared.

But once they reached a secluded grove, where sunlight filtered through the lush greenery, Dan stopped abruptly and pulled her close. His fingers dug into her waist as he leaned in to kiss her. She turned her head, dodging his advance.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Dan's face. "What's wrong? William's not here, is he?"

Elizabeth blushed but held his gaze steady. "What does he have to do with this?" She was tired of Dan's constant suspicion.

"I don't know. Maybe you do," Dan countered, his dark eyes probing her for a hidden truth.

Elizabeth's discomfort grew as Dan's grip tightened, an unease creeping up her spine. She tried to edge away, but Dan suddenly pressed his lips to her neck, then crushed them against her mouth in a fierce, demanding kiss. His breathing quickened as he roamed her body, reigniting a familiar yet deeply conflicted passion within her.

In an instant, Dan's advances intensified. He pinned Elizabeth against a tree, sliding her dress off her shoulder to press fervent kisses onto her exposed skin. His breath came in ragged gasps. "I just want some love," he whispered between kisses.

Then he began lifting her skirt, his fingers grazing her hips, but Elizabeth shoved him away, desperate for space.

However, Dan only tightened his grip on her wrists, bruising her skin, rage flashing in his eyes. "Playing innocent now?" he snarled. "As if we haven't done this before."

"Let go! You're hurting me!" Elizabeth writhed, trying to break free. When she realised he wouldn't listen, panic rose in her chest.

In that moment, Dan's face contorted with savage anger, and he raised a hand as if to strike her. Elizabeth recoiled, her heart racing. It was a side of him she had never seen before, as if a beast had been unleashed within her boyfriend. Dan's eyes blazed with unbridled hatred, his fingers quivering with tension. She couldn't recall him ever looking at her like that before. The shock was so great that she shrank into herself, bracing for the blow.

After several agonising moments, Dan suddenly relaxed, dropping his hand as if he'd been battling something within himself – or perhaps weighing his next move. "So, are we still together or not?" he spat out.

Elizabeth met his gaze with defiance. "No, we're not together anymore."

Dan's mouth fell open, his grip loosening. It was clear he hadn't expected such a turn of events. "You... you left me no choice," he stuttered, his tone shifting from rage to something almost pleading. "I wouldn't have gone this far if you hadn't pushed me."

But Elizabeth didn't respond. She turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in stunned silence.

༺ ✧ ༻

After their breakup, Elizabeth felt a surprising sense of freedom. She wondered why she hadn't ended things sooner. It had taken a serious escalation for her to finally escape that toxic relationship.

Perhaps guilt, fear of regret, or the faint hope that Dan might change had kept her from leaving. Whenever they argued in the past, Elizabeth would doubt herself, thinking maybe it wasn't really that bad or perhaps Dan wasn't truly as awful as he seemed. She would quickly forget why they fought, only to be caught off guard by another argument soon after.

This time, though, when Dan's behaviour turned violent, she attempted to remember it. She promised herself to keep this incident in her mind for the inevitable moment Dan would try to make amends. Now she was determined not to fall for his tricks again.

Sure enough, the following day, Dan sought her out. His gaze held no trace of the anger, and he looked like a wounded creature, silently pleading for her pity – a look that had worked many times before to win her forgiveness.

He begged her to rekindle their relationship but offered no real apology for his violence. This time, Elizabeth stood firm and said no. Though Dan eventually ceased his advances, he never gave up hope they might be together again.

----------------------------------------------