My Work Is Done
723 Words
Talia's POV
After more than fifteen minutes, my legs finally moved.
Each step toward the boarding gate felt unreal, like my body was walking ahead while my soul lagged behind. My palms were damp, my chest tight—but hope still flickered weakly inside me.
Just a few more steps.
That's when they stopped me.
A woman and a man stepped in front of me, blocking my way.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," the woman said politely. "You can't board the plane."
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
"What?" My voice came out sharp. "Why?"
"There's an issue," the man added. "All flights are temporarily suspended."
My ears rang.
"For how long?" I asked, already knowing the answer would crush me.
They hesitated.
"We don't know."
The ground beneath my feet felt unstable. Like it could split open and swallow me whole.
I turned away before they could see my face break.
I started walking toward the exit, my mind racing, my breath shallow. Every second felt dangerous. Every shadow felt wrong.
Then—
"Where do you think you're going love?"
My entire body froze.
My breath hitched so hard it hurt.
My heart didn't just stop—it collapsed.
That voice.
I knew it even in my nightmares.
I swallowed painfully, my throat dry, my hands trembling. Slowly, I closed my eyes.
He was behind me.
"I—" my voice shook. "Before you left me, I thought maybe I should be the one to—"
His grip crushed my wrist, sudden and merciless. The force spun me around violently, dizziness slamming into me as his other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him like I was nothing.
His touch burned.
He stared down at me with eyes so cold they made my skin crawl.
A slow, cruel smirk spread across his lips.
"Don't you think you're overstepping?"
I clenched my jaw, tears stinging my eyes.
"It hurts," I hissed through clenched teeth. "Let go of my wrist."
He released.
For half a second, I thought he'd stop.
I was wrong.
His fingers brushed my cheek slowly, mockingly—like he was savoring my fear. Then his grip slid to my jaw, pinching hard, forcing my face up.
I cried out.
"Ouch!"
Every nerve felt exposed.
He leaned in close, his lips grazing my ear.
"You've crossed the line, Talia."
I squeezed my eyes shut and shoved him with all the strength I had left.
"Just let me go, Ethan!" I screamed, my voice breaking. "I've had enough!"
"I've had enough of you," I continued, tears spilling freely. "Of this loveless marriage. Let me go. I won't ever show up in front of you again. I promise. You and your honey can live peacefully—without me."
For a split second, something unreadable crossed his face.
Then it hardened.
"Talia," he said calmly, stepping closer, invading my space, "you have no right to leave."
"I can leave you," he whispered, his voice low and controlled. "But you can't leave me."
"Because I don't allow it."
My knees felt weak.
"Please..."
"I beg you—"
"Hush."
He placed a finger against my lips, silencing me.
"Tell me, baby, Don't you want your parents and siblings to live a normal life?"
"Or your best friend—Miss Emily, Don't you want her to stay happy?"
I froze completely.
Fear wrapped around my throat like chains.
He smiled.
"I knew it, You wouldn't be that stupid."
His fingers slid slowly down my arm, deliberate, possessive.
"If you had left, darling, I would've made a separate graveyard."
"And I would've named it Talia's loved ones."
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
He grabbed my arm and dragged me forward. I stumbled as he shoved me into the car and climbed in beside me.
The door slammed shut.
Then, calmly—as if he hadn't just destroyed me—he spoke:
"Ben, call Liam. Tell him he can reopen the airport."
He paused.
"My work is done."
He leaned back, lit a cigarette, and exhaled slowly.
I pressed myself against the door, wiping my tears with trembling hands. I opened the window desperately, gasping for air like I was drowning.
He glanced at me briefly.
Then he closed his eyes.
He was calm.
And I had never felt more trapped in my entire life.
- Writer
