Breach

I stumbled into the luxurious lobby of Scarlet Victoria’s condo, my face pale and my steps unsteady. The late afternoon sun filtered through the glass windows, casting a soft glow over the opulent surroundings. Vic, seated in a plush chair, glanced up from her book and immediately noticed my disheveled appearance and the bruises on my arms.

“Look who decided to show up,” she said, her voice sharp as she rose from her seat. Her eyes narrowed as she took in my state. “You look like you’ve been through hell.”

I tried to steady myself, but the pain and confusion were overwhelming. Vic’s concern was quickly overshadowed by her irritation. “What happened to you?” she demanded, her voice cutting through the air.

Barely able to process my surroundings, I sank onto the sofa. Vic’s gaze was unwavering, her expression a mixture of suspicion and exasperation.

“Did Grayson do this to you?” she asked, her tone leaving no room for evasion.

I nodded weakly, tears welling up in my eyes. “Yes, he did.”

Vic’s face contorted with a mix of shock and anger. “Are you kidding me? I knew he was a mess, but this?” She paced back and forth, her frustration palpable. “I thought he was supposed to be different after getting married. I thought he’d changed.”

Confusion clouded my eyes as I looked up at Vic. “What are you talking about?”

Vic stopped pacing and fixed me with a fierce glare. “When I heard he got married, I hoped he’d found something that would keep him in check. But apparently, I was wrong. Grayson’s always been unpredictable, especially when he gets triggered. He has this violent streak that I thought he’d buried.”

My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to process Vic’s words. “But why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you warn me?”

Vic’s face softened for a moment, but only slightly. “Because, Elina, I didn’t think he’d actually cross the line like this. I thought he was under control. I didn’t think he’d drag you into his mess.”

Tears spilled over, my voice barely a whisper. “I didn’t know. I didn’t realize…”

Vic’s eyes flashed with a cold determination. “Well, now you know. And now you need to get out of here. Stay here for a while, and get yourself together. I don’t want to see you like this, especially not because of him.”

Her voice carried an edge of detachment, a mix of disdain and reluctant concern. I felt a pang of hurt but was too exhausted to respond. Vic’s brusque demeanor was a harsh reminder of how alone I felt in the wake of the turmoil Grayson had caused.

Vic’s tone softened, though her eyes remained steely. “You’re staying here for now. We’ll figure out what to do next, but first, you need to recover. Just don’t expect any sympathy from me. You brought this on yourself by getting involved with him.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and resentment as I sank into the couch. Vic’s tough love was a bitter pill to swallow, but in my current state, it was a small comfort amidst the chaos of my emotions.

Vic led me to the guest room of her upscale condo, a space designed with sleek, modern furnishings and a minimalist aesthetic. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil I had experienced. The room was impeccably clean, but the sterile environment did little to soothe my frayed nerves.

“Get some rest,” Vic instructed tersely, her concern masked by her irritation. “I’ll get you something to eat, and then we’ll talk more.”

Moving slowly and pained, I settled into the bed. I felt the cool sheets against my skin, but the physical comfort did nothing to ease the emotional ache. As Vic left to fetch some food, my thoughts raced with confusion and pain. The bruises on my body were a tangible reminder of the chaos I was struggling to understand.

Vic returned with a tray of food, placing it gently on the bedside table. The gesture, though practical, was delivered with a sense of detachment. “Eat something. You need to keep your strength up.”

I glanced at the food but lacked the appetite. “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice barely audible.

Vic sat down on a chair across the room, her demeanor a mix of impatience and reluctant empathy. “We need to figure out what to do next. You can’t just hide away here forever.”

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the tray. “I know. I just don’t know what to do.”

Vic sighed, her frustration evident. “Well, you need to start by facing the reality of the situation. Grayson’s issues aren’t something you can fix. If he’s gone off the deep end, there’s nothing you can do except protect yourself.”

Tears fell freely now, mixing with the heavy silence of the room. “I thought he loved me. I thought we could work through things.”

Vic’s expression softened slightly, though she still held a hard edge. “Love doesn’t always mean safety, Elina. Sometimes, it’s more about control and the way people handle their demons. Grayson’s not someone you can save if he’s not willing to change himself.”

The words stung, but I recognized a painful truth in them. Vic’s harsh honesty was a mirror reflecting the harsh reality I faced. I tried to steady my breathing, my resolve to face the future beginning to solidify amidst the chaos.

“Why didn’t you warn me?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Vic’s gaze was cold but laced with a hint of regret. “I didn’t think it would come to this. I hoped he’d stay in line for once. I thought maybe getting married would stabilize him. I was wrong. And now you’re paying the price for my misjudgment.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry and tight. “What should I do now?”

Vic leaned forward, her tone dropping to a serious whisper. “You need to stay away from him, at least for now. Focus on yourself and let the dust settle. You need to figure out what you want and how to move forward from this.”

I nodded slowly, my mind reeling from the weight of Vic’s words. I felt lost but recognized that Vic’s harsh guidance was a lifeline I needed to cling to. The realization that I was on my own in this fight was sobering, but it also gave me a strange sense of empowerment.

As the evening wore on, I remained in the guest room, the weight of my situation pressing heavily on my shoulders. The luxury of Vic’s condo felt cold and unwelcoming, a stark contrast to the warmth and love I once felt in my life with Grayson. Yet, in this moment of pain, I understood that this was where I needed to be—to start piecing together my shattered world and find a path forward, even if it was a path I had to walk alone.

The night stretched on, and I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the shadows of my past and future merging into a confusing tapestry. As sleep eluded me, I resolved to face the days ahead with whatever strength I could muster, determined to rebuild myself from the fragments of my broken trust and shattered dreams.