Chapter Three
Charlotte
W e’re about twenty minutes from home and the car ride has been awkwardly silent.
I know what’s coming. I know it all too well.
“So, you thought frolicking around half naked in front of another man was appropriate?”
“Jason, we were swimming and sunbathing. Nate works for them and was just doing pool maintenance stuff.”
“Nate, huh? You know his name. Obviously, you were talking to him.”
“Just a simple greeting to be polite.”
“See, I think you had this all planned out. Covering it up under girl time , but really, it’s you being a fucking slut and cheating on me! I had a feeling you were up to something.”
“No. No. I wasn't. I swear. He and Lily were hitting it off. I wasn’t interested.”
“Yea, sure. You expect me to believe that? I saw the way he was looking at you. Both of you half fucking naked, eye-fucking each other!” Jason grabs a handful of my hair and slams my head against the passenger window. My arms fly up covering my head, bracing for another blow. “Tell me, did you fuck him already in the pool house or did I arrive just in time, you fucking slut?” He slams a fist onto my thigh, and the car swerves a bit, causing another car on the highway to blare their horn at us.
“Jason, please! It wasn't like that! I swear!”
“I can’t believe you, Charlotte. You were around another man, a shirtless man, in your fucking underwear!” Another fist slams into my thigh again. I cry out and grab my throbbing leg. “How could you betray me like this? Embarrass me like this? That guy is so fucking lucky I didn’t knock his lights out.”
“Babe, please, calm down. Listen to me. Nothing happened. Nothing was going to happen. I was just spending time with Lily.”
“Shut your lying fucking mouth! That bitch probably set you two up!” Another punch to my hand covering my thigh and I instantly jerk my hand away holding it as three more blows land, giving me a dead leg.
Tears stream down my face as we pull into the driveway. I bolt from the car and awkwardly try to race to the front door, fumbling entering the numbers on the keypad.
“Don’t fucking run from me, Charlotte!” Jason yells after me.
I unlock the door and run to the bathroom and lock myself inside. I fall to the floor and begin sobbing.
What a fucking mess! One minute, I was so happy and carefree; the next… this.
He pounds the door.
“Open this fucking door, Charlotte! We are not done here.”
“Please, just leave me alone!” I yell back through sobs.
“Here you go, playing the victim again! You did this to yourself! You’re the one who was caught hanging out with another guy with your tits and ass all out like a fucking slut begging for it!” A louder bang hits the door, rattling a small picture of ocean waves crashing against an empty shore on the wall. “Open the fucking door!”
“No! Leave me alone! Please!”
Jason begins launching himself into the barrier between us and kicking at it. I watch as the door begins to crack and give. I shrink further into the wall and curl myself up.
The door finally explodes, barely hanging on its hinges. He storms toward me and grabs me by my hair and drags me out of the bathroom.
“Just remember you wanted to do this the hard way. Let me remind you why that’s the wrong decision.” He tosses me onto the hallway floor and sends a foot into my stomach. A painful gasp leaves my mouth. I get onto all fours and begin to crawl away but his foot shoves me from behind, causing me to fall into the living room area. “You wanted to show off your body huh? Well, let's see it then.” He rips at my crochet coverup, splitting it apart, then yanks off my triangle bikini top.
“Jason! Stop! I'm sorry!”
“Fuck your apologies. Too late for that. Tell me where you let him fucking touch you!” He rolls me over onto my back and painfully grabs a handful of my breast. “Here? Or maybe here?” He rips off my bottoms, exposing me. “Why are you all shaved up, Charlotte? Huh? Who was going to see your pussy? I knew it, you stupid slut!” He slams a foot down on my stomach again, and I roll to the side, gagging and ready to puke. “You cheating bitch!” Spittle flies from his mouth as he yells at me.
He grabs my hair again, lifting me up to meet his face, and then he punches me across my cheekbone. I would have fallen to the floor if he wasn't still holding me up by my hair. My scalp burns, but that’s the least of my pain.
Nothing is going to change what he believes, what he needs to believe. But fuck, I’m so damn tired of feeling so weak. I’m sick of living in fear. I’m sick of all the pain.
Anger burns my insides. Something that feels dangerous and uncontrollable.
I thought I could hurt forever if it meant I stayed alive, but I don't want to be this person anymore! I don't want to live like this anymore! I can't.
If I'm going to die by his hands, then I'm going to do it with my head held high. He won't get the satisfaction of my submission any longer.
I glare at him with pure hatred.
“Fuck you, you abusive, insecure, piece of shit.” Then I spit in his smug face. The shock in his brown eyes is so damn satisfying and for a moment longer, he seems too stunned to proceed, like I just broke something in him, but then he punches me once more and lets go of me so I drop to the floor.
“God damnit, Charlotte! Look what you’re making me fucking do!”
He kicks me several times, breaking and crunching my bones. Then he repeatedly slams his fist into my face as I scream in blazing pain and anger until I’m choking on my own blood.
And then, it stops.
Everything goes black.