Chapter 2

His eyes were filled with madness as he forcefully grabbed hold of me. Fear consumed me, causing me to scream, but Marcus silenced me by covering my mouth with his hand. He forcefully pushed me onto the bed, tearing off my clothes. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks - my stepbrother, Marcus, was violating me.

"Marcus, please, don't do this to me!" I pleaded, tears streaming down my face.

"I love you, Monica. Just let me have a taste," he said, his words dripping with aggression.

"No, please," I begged, my voice trembling with fear.

I fought with every ounce of strength I had, desperately trying to free myself from Marcus' grip. But his overpowering strength kept me pinned down, and my screams were muffled by the pillow I desperately tried to bury my face in.

"No, please," I begged once more, my tears flowing uncontrollably.

Just when I thought all hope was lost, the bedroom door burst open, revealing Conrad. He had witnessed Marcus on top of me, his eyes widening in shock and his jaw-dropping.

Without a second thought, Conrad charged towards Marcus, forcefully pulling him off of me. Marcus stumbled back, hastily grabbing his scattered clothes from the floor.

"Conrad," I whispered, my voice filled with emotion.

"What the hell did you do?!" he shouted, his anger evident.

"I trusted you, Monica!" he shouted again, his voice filled with betrayal.

I could see the fury burning in his eyes, a reaction I hadn't anticipated.

"Conrad, he raped me!" I insisted, my voice trembling.

"Rape?!" he exclaimed, his voice rising.

"I'm his boyfriend. We have a relationship," Marcus claimed.

"That's not true!" I denied it, my voice filled with conviction.

I watched as Conrad shook his head, disbelief evident in his actions. I didn't think he would believe Marcus any longer. The man who had shattered my trust in humanity had managed to deceive Conrad as well.

"Liar! You two are in this together!" he shouted.

"I don't want to see you ever again!" he yelled, his anger consuming him.

He stormed out of the room, leaving me alone with Marcus.

"Conrad! Conrad!" I screamed, desperately hoping he would hear me and come to my rescue. But deep down, I knew he wouldn't. He had chosen to believe Marcus and abandon me in this vulnerable state.

The absence of pleasure was replaced by a profound sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had successfully exacted my revenge on the man who had shattered my life. His frown only fueled my determination.

As I lay there, my body trembling with a mixture of anger and agony, I couldn't help but realize that my revenge had come at a great cost. It had stripped away a part of my innocence and dignity, leaving me forever changed.

The pain of betrayal still lingered in my mind as I gazed at Marcus. I had allowed him to use my body out of desperation, for it had already become a vessel devoid of worth.

"Is this truly what you desire?" I questioned him, my voice filled with emphasis.

"Yes, of course," he responded, his words laced with surprise.

"You know how much I enjoy it, but I thought you didn't..."

Before he could finish his sentence, I silenced him with a passionate kiss. A moan escaped his lips, a clear indication of his shock. I knew that Marcus had never expected me to ask him to make love to me again, especially after he had previously refused. However, my desperation had reached such heights that I no longer cared if he used my body once more.

Conrad, my stepbrother, had already abandoned me and chosen to believe Marcus over me. I never anticipated such a betrayal from him. The weight of my depression was almost unbearable.

"I love you, Monica," Marcus moaned once more.

"Fuck you," my mind screamed in response.

Yet, even in the depths of my despair, I still craved Marcus. I yearned for him to help me forget the pain of betrayal, disregarding the state of my own body. So, I locked eyes with Marcus and repeated my plea, "Fuck me now!"

And so, Marcus and I engaged in a passionate encounter, if only for a fleeting moment, allowing me to momentarily escape the agony of betrayal. But as it concluded, the pain resurfaced, reminding me that I was merely postponing the inevitable.

Tears streamed down my face as he remained atop me, unable to halt the flood of emotions. Time seemed to stand still as I watched the days pass by, each one a painful reminder of Conrad's marriage to Fiona. The news devastated me. Marcus, in his cruel taunting, only added to my anguish, insisting that Conrad had never truly loved me. I felt utterly lost and confused, unsure of what steps to take next.

"Just forget about her, Monica. I'm here for you," Marcus assured me, his voice filled with determination.

"Let's leave this place!" I exclaimed, desperation evident in my tone.

Leaving the house I had called home for so many years was not an easy decision. But I had made up my mind to move on from Apollo, to forget him completely.

However, as time went on, my life with Marcus became a source of misery. Happiness seemed elusive, replaced by a mixture of anger and pain.

One day, as I lay in my room, Marcus barged in, shocking me. Without warning, he approached me and forcefully grabbed my hair, transforming into a monster consumed by rage.

"What more do I have to do to make you love me, Monica?!" he sarcastically demanded.

"What's wrong with you?!" I asked, my voice filled with empathy.

"I've done everything to please you in bed, haven't I?!" he asked, his brows furrowing.

"But why can't I feel your love?!" he shouted, clearly intoxicated.

"What?!" he yelled, tightening his grip on my hair.

"You can have my body, but you'll never have my heart!" I responded emphatically.

Enraged by my words, he pushed me away, slammed the door, and left me alone in the room.

I longed to forget Conrad, but the pain in my heart persisted. Days were spent in misery, unable to even fathom a future. Every night, tears soaked my pillow as I cried myself to sleep.

I felt utterly alone and powerless. I yearned for a way to break free from the anguish, but I lacked the strength to do so. I wanted to believe that Conrad had truly loved me, but his judgment and abandonment shattered that belief.

Late at night, Marcus stumbled home, intoxicated, and barged into the room. He immediately climbed on top of me as I lay there.

I allowed him to continue, as I had grown accustomed to it. However, I was taken aback when he suddenly slapped me once again.

"What now?!" he bellowed, his voice raised.

"I want to hear you moan. Why do you sound lifeless?!" he shouted.

But I remained silent, allowing him to vent his anger. His frustration grew, and he yanked my hair, dragging me out of the room.

"That's enough, Marcus! What the hell?!" I shouted.

No matter your preferences, I am the sole individual capable of claiming you as my own!" he declared, his eyes filled with an unmistakable obsession.

"I've told you countless times, Marcus, that I cannot love you!" I responded firmly, emphasizing my point. "You can only possess my body!"

His eyes reflected anger and disappointment, and he resorted to slapping my face once more. However, our actions came to an abrupt halt when we noticed a mysterious figure dressed in black, their face concealed by a mask, aiming a gun in our direction.

"Who are you?!" Marcus demanded, his voice filled with curiosity and concern.

"How did you manage to enter this place?!" he inquired once more.

Yet, instead of a response, the only sound that echoed through the room was a deafening gunshot. I stood there, completely stunned by the shocking scene unfolding before my eyes...