The Secret Between Us
Chapter 16

(The next day)

And that’s how the good ends up making us separate once again to return to the reality we are forced to live. With all my pain, I get into my car and leave the shed knowing that our next meeting has no date yet. I don’t know how I’m going to survive these days without his k****s, without his caresses… I’d got used to having him all to myself, but that was just a dream from which now it’s my turn to wake up.

How much I would like to erase my reality, to be able to escape, to shout to everyone that it is Izan De Luca whom I love and whom I accepted as my husband on that beach, even if only in a symbolic way, but I know that, if I did that, he would be in danger and I would probably be locked up like the maid in the fairy tale or maybe I would have a bodyguard following me all day long.

I decide between going to my flat or to my father’s house and the truth is that I don’t want to cross paths with him, after all, because of him I have to put up with Santiago in my life. I drive through the city without being able to stop thinking about everything that Izan and I have experienced this weekend and I know that only because of him and thanks to him I will smile for the rest of the time until I see him again. The scenery continues to pass around me until I realise that I have arrived at the building and I quickly enter the garage and park the car. I get out of the car, take my suitcase out of the boot and quickly go to the lift, once it takes me to the eighth floor, I go to my flat and open the door to get in.

On my way I turn on the lights until I get to the living room and there I find him sitting on the sofa – until you finally come back, how did you spend it with your friends? – he asks me in a tone full of anger and I have to follow the lie.

-Well. – I answer a bit nervously -What are you doing here Santiago? – I ask a bit alarmed.

He doesn’t say anything at all, he just stands up and walks towards me without taking his eyes off mine -so this is how you greet your fiancé who took the trouble to wait for you here? – he asks me in a threatening tone and instinctively I walk backwards trying to get away from him.

-Who gave you the key to my flat? Because I didn’t give it to you. – he sentences.

-Your father my love… I told him I wanted to surprise you, I don’t know if you remember, but today is our first year and a half together and I came to celebrate it with you. – He says and when I least expect it, he finishes closing the distance and k****s me without me being able to get away from him.

I bite his lips, making him stop kissing me – Let me go! – I shout, but he holds me tighter.

-What’s wrong with you? I’m your f*****g fiancé! – he yells at me.

-So what? Does that oblige me to be with you? – I dare him.

He holds me tighter, making my head hit the wall behind me, “Yes, you have to answer to me as a woman! I’m sick of having to beg you to be with me! – he calls out to me.

-Then go ahead, see me… if it will make you feel more like a man. – I challenge him in tears of rage.

He looks at me with anger and lets me go, but just when I think it’s over, he lets me know it’s not so by giving me a hard punch in the face that leaves me in so much pain that I immediately bring my hands to my cheek -you’re going to learn to respect me- he warns me and holds my arm so tightly that he drags me at will until he throws me on the sofa.

-Do it and I assure you that my father or my uncle will take care of you. – I threaten him as he climbs on top of me and his hands begin to practically tear my dress.

In my head I’m preparing for the worst and just thinking that in eight months my life will be tied to his, I want to die… His blue gaze full of rage is fixed on mine and unexpectedly he brings his hands to my neck – If you say a word of this to your father or your uncle, I assure you that I’ll withdraw all my money from your father’s business… Ask him what happens if that happens. – he threatens me as I feel myself choking and suddenly lets go of my neck, but only to give me one blow after another until I don’t know what happens anymore.

With great difficulty I open my eyes and remembering what happened I immediately sit down on the sofa trying to protect myself from him, but I can’t see him anywhere. I look at myself and realise that although my dress is a little torn, there are no signs that he raped me, what I do feel is that my whole body and face hurt. I remember his blows and tears immediately escape my eyes making my skin burn.

-You bastard! – I scream with rage as I manage to get up from the sofa and when I go to the mirror in my room, I can’t even recognise my face among all the bruises and the cuts near my lips. As best I can despite the pain I check every corner of my flat and once I’m sure he’s no longer here, I go to the door and close it with the security lock that can’t be opened even with the key.

I look for some ice in the freezer and while I am preparing it, my mobile starts ringing and as I go for it to my bag, I see Izan’s name on the screen – I’m sorry my love, I can’t answer you now… you would realise what is going on and go and kill him… I don’t want you to become a murderer for me. – I say to the screen as if he can hear me and just silence the phone.