Her dirty little secret.

Stephanie McCain.

It's been three years.

Three years spent convincing myself that I was finally safe. Three years of therapy and trying to remember the woman I was before Marcus Gustavo came into my life and turned it into a complete nightmare.

I wasn't completely healed and maybe I never would be but at least I was surviving and for the first time in a long time, I was happy again.

I hummed as I made a light breakfast in my small apartment while the TV played in the adjoining living room. I had approximately an hour before I had to leave for the pilates class Athena forced me to sign up for.

I was barely paying attention to the television until the mention of a name caught my attention.

…And in today's news, businessman, Marcus Gustavo, after serving close to three years for aggravated assault and domestic violence charges has been granted bail pending an appeal earlier this morning….

The coffee mug I was holding slipped from my fingers, shattering across the kitchen floor. My entire body shivered as I slowly walked into the living room.

No no no!

It can't be!

But as I gazed into the television, I saw an image I knew even better than my own reflection.

Marcus.

Even after three years, the blue eyes that once attracted me to him, still haunted me.

….His legal team argued that new evidence has surfaced, raising questions about the original conviction…

The news reporter continued, oblivious to the emotional wreck she was putting me through.

Just then, the screen changed showing Marcus walking out of the prison gates wearing an expensive black suit. Reporters clamored around him, flashing their cameras and asking questions but he answered none of them. Instead, he looked straight into the camera and smiled.

I felt every ounce of blood drain from my body. That smile felt like a promise. My legs instantly gave way and I slipped to the ground, trembling violently.

“Oh my God…”

Tears blurred my vision as the memories of what Marcus did to me came flooding back.

The way he slammed me into walls.

The way he beat me till I ended up with broken ribs.

‘If you ever leave me, I'll hunt you to the ends of the earth.’

That was what he always said to me and now he was free again.

He knows where I live!

That bastard fucking knows where I live!

Oh God…

I squeezed my eyes shut but the reporter continued speaking.

…Sources close to Mr Gustavo say that he has declined to comment on any future plans…

Future plans?

I already knew his plans. Marcus doesn't forgive and I know that he will be coming for me next.

My testimony sent him to prison and I never imagined that he'd be released so soon.

I shot to my feet and sprinted towards my bedroom. My hands shook so violently that I struggled to open the only suitcase I had.

I didn't bother folding the clothes as I stuffed them into the suitcase, together with my passport and some cash.

I rushed out of the apartment, locking the door behind me out of pure instinct before realizing how ridiculous that was.

Not like locked doors had ever stopped Marcus. Nothing ever had.

I hurried out of the building with my heart hammering against my chest. I quickly hailed a cab and it stopped in front of me.

“Where to, miss?” The elderly man asked.

I cleared my throat. “Take me to the air—”

“Going somewhere, miss McCain?”

I froze and every muscle in my body locked.

“Ma'am? Are you okay?” The elderly driver asked, straining to see the face of the voice behind me that had me in such a chokehold.

But I knew that voice all too well.

DeLuca Romano, Marcus’ right hand man.

My throat clenched and I attempted to swallow.

“Sorry.” I rasped to the elderly driver as I hurriedly tried to open the door to his taxi without even turning back.

But immediately my hand grabbed the handle, a rough hand grabbed my wrist and I gasped. I gulped when I looked into the eyes of DeLuca. There was only one reason he would be here.

Only one.

Oh God…

Fear took over every part of my body and suddenly, I couldn't breathe.

“You know, I have to admit.” He said casually. “You packed pretty fast. Planning to run away?” He cocked an eyebrow with a smug grin on his face.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“No. It's– I—”

“Shut it!” He growled. “You can do all your explaining to Marcus when you get back to your home, hmm? Your only home. Oh, and Marcus said to tell you that he's looking forward to seeing you.”

My head shook violently. “No please, Luca please…”

He yanked me away, handing the driver a hundred dollar bill for his 'trouble'. The man drove off with a huge smile on his face, oblivious to the complete danger he was leaving me in.

“You seriously think there would be no consequences for testifying against Marcus?” He snarled in my ear and I felt his hot breath invade my face. “You ungrateful bitch!”

“I wasn't running away. I was just‐ just—” I panted.

Luca's nostrils flared. “You were just what? You picked the wrong time to run, Chica. You should've left sooner. Although, there's no place on the face of the earth you could run to that I wouldn't find you.”

A whimper escaped my lips as I remembered what happened the last time I tried to leave Marcus. My stomach lurches. I don't even want to think about it.

“Luca please.” I begged.

He snorts in my direction as he brought me to his car. “No point pleading with me. You made this bed now you're gonna fucking lie on it.”

I've never felt this level of fear. I could hardly breathe.

~~~

After three years, Luca tugs me back again inside the house that was the source of all my nightmares.

Marcus was already waiting for me in the kitchen. His six foot stature, tousled dark hair and blue eyes intimidates me immediately. He had a couple scars across his face that wasn't there before and I was sure he must've gotten them in prison. The scars made him look even more vicious. He cracked his knuckles like he always did before landing the first blow and I tell myself not to cry. Not when I was currently looking at him with cautious eyes.

“Oh baby, you're finally home.” He said but his tone didn't sound inviting. It sounded cold and sinister. “You can take off your coat now.”

I was trembling, physically trembling.

“I said take off your goddamn coat!” He barked and I flinched, hurriedly peeling off my coat and Luca took it from me along with my bag.

Marcus walked closer to me and inhaled heavily before smashing his lips on mine in a violent kiss.

When he broke off the kiss, he studied me intently with a poisonous gaze. I blinked once and a tear rolled down my cheek.

So much for trying to hold it back.

“I've missed you my love but you have to be punished for what you did. Now take off your trouser and come stand here.”

My eyes remained glued to his, fearful for what he planned to do with me.

Whip me?

I was so scared that I felt like throwing up.

Oh God…

“Don't make me repeat myself.” He said through gritted teeth when I just stood there.

I raised my trembling hands and hooked them into the waistband of my trousers. I pushed them down my legs, sweeping it to the side. I cupped my hands together in front of me and lowered my gaze in shame and embarrassment.

“Perfect.” He said in a slimy tone.

He walked to one of the kitchen drawers and brought out two beautiful white ceramic plates. I remember those plates pretty well because they used to be his favorite.

“You know these are my favorites.” He said darkly and I nodded, quivering down to my toes, goosebumps rising all over my thighs from the slight chill in the room. “But I'm going to put them to better use.” He said as he held both of the plates and dropped them onto the white shiny floor.

I flinched at the sound of it smashing into tiny pieces and the tears started pouring down my face.

“Now, crawl to me.”