Unknown Boundaries || AU

1: Freed

Chapter 1: Freed

"Get up and make me breakfast." My heart was beating twice my normal rate and I haven't even been awake for a full minute yet.

I quickly turn my head to the left to see my digital clock set on my nightstand say 7:15 am. I grabbed the covers and swung them over so I could sit on my bed and rub my eyes. I stood up and walked to my closet and opened it. I was mentally choosing what outfit to wear so my husband, Richard, could approve it.

He walked out of the bathroom fixing his tie and said in a monotone, "You know the drill." That I knew for sure.

One night after being married only for three months, he took me out to dinner in town and I wore a candy apple red colored dress. It was cut low in the front, tight around my middle and bottom section. My backside was almost bare and I loved it. It was rare for me to wear an outfit like this and I felt beautiful.

While we were eating, I noticed several men looking at me with a sly smile. I smiled back but only to be polite. When we got home, Richard took hold of my neck and was squeezing any air I had left in my system. Long enough for me to feel lightheaded and see patches of black spots, he let go of me.

"Why did you have to look like a slut tonight? You want to be treated like one? I'll show you how sluts get treated." After he said that, he brought his right hand high up in the air and it came across my left cheek, hard. He left me alone in our room and I slid to the floor silently crying. That was the first time he laid a hand on me.

I blinked rapidly and chose a white t-shirt, my black hoodie, a pair of dark blue jeans and grabbed my white Vans shoes. I dressed quickly and went to the bathroom to do my 'make-up'. The only make-up I was allowed to use was my cherry Chapstick.

After I applied the simple Chapstick, I grabbed my dark brown, wavy, and waist length hair in a pony tail. After that night of Richard's first time hitting me, he forbid me to use any make-up. Before leaving the room, I made my bed and took a small piece of paper from my pillow case and stuffed it into my front jean pocket. I exited the room and made Richard his huge breakfast: Scrambled eggs, hash brown, pancakes, cooked bacon, a bagel and his tall glass of orange juice. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, stood up from his chair, grabbed his coat and left the house without a word.

The only times I felt safe and relieved are when he left to work. As usual, I had a never-ending list of chores to do and complete before he arrived home.

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A couple of hours before Richard came home, I began his dinner. The time for Richard to come back rolled around and I was cleaning the kitchen. He strode to the bathroom to wash his hands and came back to sit down and ready to be served.

I handed him his plate and right away he shoved a spoonful of his food into his mouth and within seconds, he spit it back out.

"What the fuck, Marlene?!" He grabbed his plate and threw it straight at me. Before it hit my face, I ducked without thinking and the plate broke into pieces once it hit the stove.

My mouth fell open and when I turned back at Richard, he shoved me against the sink and made my back crack. "Are you trying to fucking burn me, you bitch?" I shook my head vigorously and kept silent. "You know I can make your ass disappear and no one will notice, much less care."

I kept staring at him and his anger lessened on his face. "You're lucky I'm in a decent mood today." He said, as if I felt any better. He turned away from me and headed to the living room to watch television. "Go fetch me the mail." He ordered. I forced myself to move my legs and headed toward the front door.

Once outside, I breathed in so much fresh air, I felt like a blown up balloon. I got to the mailbox and I was taking out the mail when I saw our neighbor, Mrs. Flores walking towards me with a toothy smile on her face. She was an elderly woman around her 60s and always enjoyed conversing. I shyly smiled back and she said, "Marlene! So great to finally see you outside! It's been a while since I saw you last."

"Mrs. Flores, it's always good to see you too."

I meant that whole heartedly because I'm rarely allowed outside our house.

"Well I was watering my plants when I saw you and decided to stop by and say a quick hello. Also, I'm planning a surprise party for my husband this weekend and I would love to see you and your husband there." She informed me with a genuine smile.

I stuffed the mail under my left armpit and put both hands in my jean pockets as if to imply I was a little cold.

"Really? That is so sweet of you, Mrs. Flores. I'll make sure to let my husband know." I told her with a fake smile.

"Here is your invitation and I hope to see you there." She handed me the invitation and before I took it, I took my small piece of paper from my from pocket, crumbled it into my palm while my hand was still in my pocket and took the invitation.

Accepting the envelope, I gave her the piece of paper in her hand and told her through gritted teeth, "Please just read the note inside your house. Not here."

She looked at her hand and then at me. Lucky for me, she shoved the paper in her pocket of her jacket and before she could ask anything, I was walking towards the house.

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Mrs. Flores walked quickly inside her house and read Marlene's note. It read: "Please call 911 ASAP. My husband keeps abusing me." She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Mrs. Flores went straight to her kitchen, picked up her phone and dialed 911. "Yes. I would like to report an act of domestic violence."

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I went inside the house and gave Richard the mail.

"What did she want?" He asked quietly while watching a movie on the television.

"She invited us to her husband's birthday party this weekend." I told him in a shy tone.

"Is that all you two talked about?" He pressed.

"Yes, that's all."

He stood abruptly from the couch walking towards me while threatening, "Don't lie to me."

Before he got near me, a hard knock came from the front door and a raspy voice yelling, "Police! Open up!"

Richard glared at me and opened the door slowly. Everything that happened next seemed so surreal and extremely quick.

The door was barged open and hit Richard in the face. Two cops rushed in and bent him over the couch while handcuffing him. The cops were reading his rights but I couldn't keep my focus on him because two men dressed in suits came in the house walking towards me along with another cop.

"Mrs. Maxwell?" One asked.

"Y-yes?" I shakily replied.

"My name is Zayn Malik and my partner here is Harry Styles. We're defense attorney's of domestic violence and would like to take you in for questioning."

I looked up at Mr. Malik and back at Richard. Mr. Malik followed my gaze and answered my thoughts.

"You don't need to fear him anymore. He's under arrest for the acts of spousal abuse he's committed. He will never get to lay a hand on you or even be near you again. You are free from him."

Hearing these words from Mr. Malik, I felt a warm sensation wash over me and my shoulders sagged a little from the relief I felt. I was finally let loose from Richard and his personal house arrest for me.

A/N: Chapter 1! Sorry it took a bit longer than I wanted it to, but here it is. :) Comment your thoughts about this chapter.

How do you think Marlene feels now that her husband has been caught?

Do you think Marlene is going to finally have a life of her own the way she has dreamed of?

I'm open to anything.

☾Vote & comment if you like! ☾

I'll be writing chapter 2! See you all later. :)