chapter 11
987 Words
đź“– **Forbidden Fling: Chapter 11
Aurora couldn’t breathe.
She stood in Marcus’s penthouse kitchen, her hands wrapped around a mug of coffee gone cold, staring out at the city lights flickering below. It felt like she was standing on the edge of something she couldn’t see, something waiting to pull her under.
Marcus was in the shower, steam billowing from the half-open bathroom door, the scent of his soap still clinging to her skin, reminding her of the way he had taken her last night, slow at first, then rough, like he was trying to remind her she was his.
You’re mine.
Her phone buzzed on the counter, lighting up with a message.
> Ben: Can we talk? Now.
Her stomach twisted painfully, her fingers trembling as she picked it up.
> Okay. Where?
> Ben: Your place.
She closed her eyes, pressing the phone to her forehead. Her place. She hadn’t been back in days, not since Marcus had pulled her into his world and refused to let her go.
What am I doing?
---
She slipped out while Marcus was still in the shower, her heart pounding as she pulled the door shut behind her, the soft click sounding like a gunshot in the silence.
She didn’t look back.
---
Ben was waiting outside her apartment, leaning against the door, his hands shoved into his pockets, his eyes dark, hurt, confused.
When he saw her, he stood straighter, taking a step toward her. “Aurora.”
She swallowed, forcing herself to meet his eyes. “Ben.”
“Where have you been?” His voice was soft, but there was an edge to it, a desperation she hadn’t heard before.
“I’ve been… busy.”
“With him?” he demanded, his jaw clenching.
She flinched. “Ben—”
“Don’t lie to me.” His eyes burned into hers, the betrayal clear in the way his hands shook as he pulled them from his pockets.
Tears filled her eyes, but she blinked them back. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You think that makes it better?” he snapped, running a hand through his hair as he paced in front of her door. “Who is he, Aurora? What is he to you?”
Everything. Nothing. A mistake. The only thing that makes me feel alive.
“I can’t,” she whispered, shaking her head, stepping back.
Ben’s face crumpled, his shoulders sagging. “I thought you were different.”
“I’m not,” she choked out, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I’m not who you think I am.”
“Aurora—”
“I’m sorry.”
She turned, fumbling with her keys, unlocking the door with shaking hands, slipping inside before he could stop her, leaning against the door as sobs tore from her throat.
She slid down to the floor, burying her face in her hands, letting the tears come, letting herself break, alone, just for a moment.
---
The knock was soft at first.
Then louder.
Then pounding.
Her head snapped up, her heart stopping as a voice she hadn’t heard in months slipped through the door, cold and familiar.
“Baby, open the door.”
Liam.
She scrambled to her feet, backing away from the door as the pounding grew louder, harder, shaking the frame.
“I know you’re in there, Aurora,” he growled, his voice rough, dangerous. “Don’t make me break it down.”
Her phone slipped from her hand as she backed into the kitchen, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
No. No. No.
Suddenly, the door burst open, the lock snapping, wood splintering as Liam stepped inside, his eyes wild, his lips curling into a twisted smile when he saw her.
“There you are.”
---
She tried to run, but he was faster, his hand shooting out, grabbing her by the hair, yanking her back, slamming her against the counter.
“Liam, please—” she sobbed, struggling against his grip.
“You think you can hide from me?” he hissed, his face inches from hers, the stench of cigarettes and cheap alcohol on his breath.
“Let me go!” she screamed, clawing at his hands, kicking at him, but he only laughed, slamming her against the counter again.
“You’re mine,” he growled.
No. No. No.
---
The front door slammed open so hard it cracked against the wall.
Marcus.
His eyes were dark, deadly, as they locked onto Liam, his hands fisting at his sides.
“Let. Her. Go.”
Liam laughed, tightening his grip on Aurora’s hair, using her as a shield. “Who the f**k are you?”
Marcus didn’t answer.
He moved.
Fast.
Liam barely had time to react before Marcus’s fist collided with his face, the crack of bone echoing through the apartment as Liam stumbled back, releasing Aurora, who fell to the floor, gasping.
Marcus didn’t stop.
He grabbed Liam by the collar, slamming him against the wall, punching him again, and again, and again, until Liam’s body went limp, sliding to the floor in a bloody heap.
Marcus stood over him, chest heaving, hands dripping with blood, his eyes wild as they found Aurora, who was curled on the floor, sobbing.
He dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands hovering before they gently cupped her face.
“Aurora. Look at me.”
She did, tears streaming down her cheeks, her body shaking as she reached for him, clinging to him as he pulled her into his arms.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered against her hair, rocking her gently as the sirens wailed in the distance.
“You’re safe now.”
But as she clung to him, sobbing into his chest, Aurora knew nothing would ever be safe again.
Because she had let them both in.
And now, everything was falling apart.
- Writer
