Forbidden Fling

chapter 7

📖 Forbidden Fling: Chapter 7

Aurora kept her head down as she stepped off the bus, the night cold against her flushed cheeks, the streetlights buzzing softly in the empty street. Her apartment building loomed ahead, dark windows, chipped paint, and the comforting familiarity of somewhere she could hide.

At least, she hoped she could.

She fumbled with her keys, her hands shaking as she tried to slide the right one into the lock. She could still feel Marcus’s touch on her skin, the way his hands had held her like she was something worth protecting, something precious.

Something his.

She closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath, pushing away the heat that threatened to drown her.

Aren’t you?

His words echoed in her mind, tangled with the fear Liam’s voice had left behind.

You thought you could hide from me, baby?

The key finally slid into place, and she pushed the door open, stepping into the dark hallway. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment, letting the silence settle around her like a blanket.

She was safe. At least for tonight.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her back to reality.

Ben: Had a great time with you, angel. Can I see you again tomorrow?

A soft ache bloomed in her chest, warmth mixed with guilt. Ben was a reminder of the life she wanted, the life she could never have.

Not with Marcus. Not with Liam. Not with Candice hanging over her like a shadow she could never outrun.

She typed out a reply, deleting it twice before sending:

I’d like that.

She tried to sleep, but every sound outside her window made her flinch, every shadow looked like him.

Liam.

He’s not here. He can’t find me.

But deep down, she knew it was only a matter of time.

The next morning, she woke to pounding on her door, sharp and urgent, making her heart leap into her throat.

She stumbled out of bed, grabbing her robe, tying it tightly around her waist as she crept toward the door, pressing her eye to the peephole.

Empty hallway.

She exhaled shakily, turning to walk away when the pounding started again, louder this time.

“Aurora, open the damn door.”

Her blood froze.

Liam.

She stepped back, shaking her head, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

No. No. No.

“Aurora, I know you’re in there.”

His voice was rough, cold, the same voice that haunted her nightmares.

She backed away, grabbing her phone with trembling hands, dialing the only number that made sense.

Marcus answered on the first ring.

“Aurora?”

“He’s here,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “He found me.”

“Don’t open the door. I’m on my way.”

The line went dead.

The pounding continued, her name a curse on Liam’s lips, a promise of what he would do to her when he got inside.

She pressed herself against the wall, sliding down until she was crouched on the floor, her hands over her ears, rocking back and forth as tears streamed down her cheeks.

He can’t hurt me. I am safe.

The words felt empty now.

Suddenly, the pounding stopped, replaced by a heavy silence that made her stomach twist.

A loud crash echoed through the hallway, followed by a muffled grunt and the sound of a body hitting the ground.

She looked up, her breath catching as the door flew open, the lock snapped clean off, the wood splintered.

Marcus stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his knuckles bloodied, his eyes dark and wild.

“Are you okay?” he demanded, stepping inside.

She couldn’t speak, could only nod as sobs wracked her body, her vision blurring.

He crossed the room in two steps, pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly against him, his hand cradling the back of her head as she buried her face in his chest, breathing him in, letting the warmth of him chase away the cold fear.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her hair. “You’re safe now.”

Outside, she heard sirens approaching, the flashing red and blue lights painting the walls of her apartment as the police arrived to take Liam away.

Marcus held her as she watched them drag Liam’s bloodied, cursing body down the hallway, his eyes wild as they met hers.

“This isn’t over!”

Marcus’s grip tightened around her, his jaw clenching. “Yes, it is.”

Hours later, after the police had left and the sun was rising, casting soft light through her broken window, Aurora sat on the couch, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, her hands clutching a cup of tea Marcus had made for her.

He sat across from her, watching her carefully, his eyes softer now, but the darkness still lingered there.

“You need to stay with me,” he said quietly. “It’s not safe for you here.”

She shook her head. “I can’t—”

“Yes, you can,” he cut in, his voice firm. “I won’t let him near you again.”

Her phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with Ben’s name.

Ben: Morning, angel. Still on for tonight?

Aurora’s heart twisted, tears filling her eyes as she looked at Marcus, then at the phone.

Her worlds were colliding.

Marcus. Ben. Liam.

Candice. Aurora.

And she didn’t know how much longer she could keep them all from crashing down around her.