♥ Chapter 26 ♥

Yara Blake.

Finally, I finish tidying the house. The effort is exhausting, and my stomach complains of hunger, since I haven't been able to stop eating anything. Since Ronan left, I've worked non-stop, cleaning every corner and washing his clothes. All to avoid his wrath when he arrives. I can't let him have any more reason to attack me.

I feel relieved to see the house clean and tidy, but my hunger is growing stronger. Furthermore, I decide to leave the kitchen and sit on the sofa for a while. Maybe, if I rest for a few minutes, I'll be able to regain some strength before facing the next challenge.

As I sit down, I hear the front door open. My heart races with fear. Could it be Ronan? I thought he'd be here later. Suddenly, the sight surprises me and leaves me paralyzed. I see him kissing another woman.

The scene before my eyes is a punch in the gut. Ronan, with his indifferent gaze, is exchanging caresses and kisses with a woman I don't know. It's as if he has no respect for me. Even if he doesn't love me, I hoped that there would at least be some level of respect. But what I see is the total absence of it.

I feel my body shaking with anger and humiliation. The woman seems completely at ease, as if it were her place, and Ronan, it seems, doesn't care about the impact this has on me. He's completely disrespecting what's left of my pride.

I can't contain my indignation. Anger explodes inside me, and my instinct is to react, but reality stops me. There's no point in confronting Ronan now. I'm already familiar with his brutality, and I know that any attempt to confront him will only make matters worse. However, seeing the way he disrespects me is the final point.

He notices my presence and turns away from the woman with a cold, contemptuous look on his face. He makes no effort to disguise the contempt in his expression.

''Are you still awake?'' he asks with cruel coldness. ''I wanted to enjoy the evening with my partner without having to look at your face. You're going to sleep on the sofa tonight while I enjoy it with my partner.

I can't reply. The words seem to disappear, replaced by a wave of humiliation. He doesn't give me time to react, and he advances toward me. His hand is raised, and, before I can defend myself, I feel the impact of a slap to the face. The pain is sharp, and a wave of humiliation hits me.

'' Don't you dare look at me like that again! Go to sleep on the sofa!'' he orders, pushing me hard onto the sofa. ''I don't care how you feel. I'm going to enjoy my evening with Sara. And tomorrow we'll have a talk because of the way you looked at me.

My world seems to be falling apart. Tears start streaming down my face, but I try not to show weakness. My feelings of helplessness and frustration are overwhelming.

Without another word, Ronan turns to the woman and leads her into the bedroom without even noticing me. I hear the sound of the door closing, and it stops with me. My heart is heavy, and the feeling of despair is almost unbearable. I feel an urgent need to get away from it all.

I grab my bag from the sofa, and the only thing I still feel is mine. The weight of the situation makes me feel as if the ground is crumbling beneath my feet. I walk towards the door, my mind racing, without a definite destination but with the determination to get out of that house. The rain outside seems to be a reflection of the internal storm I'm facing.

When I open the door, the cold rain hits me, and every drop that falls on me is a cruel reminder of my situation. But somehow, feeling the cold water on my skin is a relief, a small sense of freedom.

I walk down the street, oblivious to the rain that drenches me. The cold water mixes with the tears still streaming down my face. I don't know where I'm going, I just know that I need to get away. I need to breathe and find some peace, even if it's temporary.

My body is shivering with cold, and the feeling of being wet and alone is almost unbearable. The streets are deserted, and each step I take seems heavier than the last. The surrounding city becomes a strange presence, indifferent to my pain, as if everything were a nightmare, out of focus.

I keep walking aimlessly until I spot an empty bus stop. It's late at night, probably around one o'clock in the morning. I approach and sit down on the bench, still shivering from the cold, my clothes clinging to my body. The icy wind cuts into my skin, but what hurts most is the weight on my chest. I close my eyes and let the tears fall freely.

''Why does my life have to be like this?'' I whispered, my voice choked with tears. ''Why can't I be a normal person?

Unanswered questions echo in my mind. I wish I had been an ordinary child, without controlling parents, without a family where women are forced to be submissive. I no longer want to live up to other people's expectations, to always be the one who gives in, the one who accepts everything without complaint.

''I-I just want to be loved... '' I whisper between sobs. ''Wanted... I want to be happy.

My lips tremble, and my body is as cold as my soul. All I want is a little warmth, a little comfort, someone to look at me with affection, to really love me, and to make me feel alive. But reality is harsh, and my heart is heavy with pain and loneliness.

I close my eyes, trying to push away the anguish that consumes me. I need to find a way out of this hell. Furthermore, I need to find the strength to fight for myself and to free myself from the chains that bind me. I just don't know how.

Suddenly, a car stops abruptly at the bus stop. I jump, startled. I see Mr. Damien quickly get out of the car and run over to me. His face is full of concern.

'' Yara! For God's sake, what's happened? '' He holds my face with both hands, his eyes examining me closely. ''You're too cold, you'll catch pneumonia!

Before I can answer, he pulls me towards the car. I hesitantly try to resist.

''No... I'll wet the seat. '' I stammer, my voice shaking.

''I don't care about the fucking seat, just get in this car, Yara!'' he orders, his voice firm and decisive.

I swallow, feeling the urgency in his words, and do as he asks. I get into the front seat, still reluctant. Damien closes the door quickly and turns the car around, then gets in. He turns to me, visibly agitated.

''What's happened? Do you know what time it is?'' he asks, turning on the car's heater while the engine rumbles gently.

I'm still shivering and unable to respond immediately. My eyes feel watery, but the tears seem to freeze on my face. Realizing my condition, he leans over the back seat and picks up his white doctor's coat. Carefully, he places the cloth over my shoulders, trying to warm me up.

''Try to hold on until we get home. '' he says, his voice softening.

I just nod, still in shock, as the heat from the heater begins to relieve the chill that penetrates my bones. I close my eyes, trying to calm down, and feel the security of his presence beside me.

But suddenly, I can't hold back the tears. A sob escapes my lips, and I can't hold it back any longer. The tears fall heavy and hot.

''I... I can't take it anymore... '' I whisper, my voice weak and shaky. I don't want to go back to that house. Furthermore, I'm tired... I'm tired of so much humiliation... Please, Mr. Damien... Please ask Mr. Kael to help me with the divorce... I can't live with that man any longer...''

My words come out between sobs. Damien looks at me with a mixture of concern and tenderness. He gently takes my hand, brings it to his mouth, and places a soft kiss on my cold fingers.

''Don't worry about anything else, Yara. '' he says, his voice firm but reassuring. ''You're not going back to that house. We'll take care of everything. Know that you're safe now.

His tone is resolute, like a promise he is determined to keep. I squeeze his hand back, feeling a thread of hope light up in the midst of all the despair. I close my eyes, trying to believe his words, and let myself be carried away by the comfort of knowing that, for the first time in a long time, someone is willing to help me.