Forbidden Fling

chapter 15

📖 Forbidden Fling: Chapter 15

Aurora didn’t know how long she sat curled in the corner, her knees pulled to her chest, her eyes locked on Liam’s sleeping form. Every snore, every twitch of his hand made her flinch, her body aching from the bruises he’d left on her arms.

The room smelled like stale alcohol and sweat, the curtains drawn tight against the dawn light trying to break through.

Please, Marcus. Please find me.

She jolted when she heard it.

A car engine outside.

A door slamming.

Heavy footsteps up the stairs.

Her breath caught, her eyes flicking to Liam, who groaned in his sleep, shifting, his hand sliding toward the empty vodka bottle on the floor.

Then came the knock.

Loud. Demanding.

Her breath froze.

Marcus.

Liam’s eyes snapped open, bloodshot and wild, confusion flashing before rage settled in.

“Who the f**k is that?” he slurred, pushing himself to his feet, wobbling as he glared at the door.

The knock came again, harder this time, rattling the thin door on its hinges.

“Open the door, Aurora!” Marcus’s voice boomed, sharp and furious.

Aurora scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering in her chest. “Please, Liam, don’t—”

He turned on her, his eyes narrowing. “You called him, didn’t you? You f*****g bitch.”

Before she could move, his hand cracked across her face, sending her sprawling to the floor, pain bursting in her cheek as her vision blurred with tears.

“Open the door, or I’ll break it down!” Marcus shouted again, the door shaking as he pounded on it.

Liam grabbed Aurora by the hair, yanking her up, dragging her toward the door. “Fine, let’s see if he wants you so bad.”

The door splintered inward, crashing to the floor.

Marcus stood in the doorway, broad shoulders heaving, his eyes black with fury as he took in the scene: Aurora, bruised and crying, Liam’s hand in her hair, the fear on her face.

“Let. Her. Go.” Marcus’s voice was low, dangerous, vibrating with a rage that made even Liam hesitate.

Then Liam sneered, tightening his grip on Aurora’s hair, using her as a shield. “Or what, rich boy?”

Marcus moved.

Fast.

Liam barely had time to react before Marcus’s fist collided with his face, the crack of bone echoing through the tiny apartment. Aurora fell to the floor, gasping as Liam stumbled back, blood gushing from his nose.

Marcus didn’t stop.

He grabbed Liam by the shirt, slamming him against the wall, punching him again and again, each hit fueled by the fear and rage burning through him.

“You. Don’t. Touch. Her.” Marcus’s words were punctuated with blows, Liam’s body going limp under the onslaught.

“Marcus, stop!” Aurora screamed, crawling toward them, tears streaming down her face. “You’ll kill him!”

Marcus froze, his hand fisted in Liam’s shirt, blood dripping from his knuckles. His chest heaved as he turned his head toward her, his eyes softening for a moment.

Liam slumped to the floor, unconscious, blood pooling beneath his head.

Marcus turned fully to Aurora, dropping to his knees in front of her, his hands hovering before he cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away her tears.

“I’m here,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re safe now.”

Aurora sobbed, collapsing against him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she clung to him, shaking.

“I thought I’d never get out,” she choked, her voice muffled against his shoulder.

“You’re out, baby. I’ve got you.”

They didn’t hear the footsteps at first.

Didn’t notice the figure in the shattered doorway, taking in the scene of blood, the unconscious man on the floor, Aurora in Marcus’s arms.

“Aurora?”

She froze, pulling back, her eyes wide as they met Ben’s.

He stood there, his eyes filled with confusion, hurt, and something else—something like betrayal—as he looked from Aurora to Marcus.

“Ben,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“What the hell is going on?” Ben demanded, stepping into the room, his eyes locking on Marcus, who stood slowly, positioning himself in front of Aurora protectively.

“Stay out of this,” Marcus growled, his eyes narrowing.

“Get out of the way,” Ben snapped, shoving Marcus’s shoulder.

Marcus stepped forward, his eyes darkening. “She’s not going anywhere with you.”

Ben’s jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists. “You think you own her? You think you’re saving her? Look at her, man! She’s terrified!”

Aurora pressed her hands to her head, shaking as she backed into the wall, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Stop! Both of you, please!” she screamed.

They froze, their chests heaving, their eyes locked in a silent war.

Aurora slid down the wall, pulling her knees to her chest, sobs tearing from her throat.

Marcus knelt beside her, reaching for her hand, but she flinched away, her eyes darting to Ben, who stood there, helpless, his face crumbling.

“I can’t do this anymore,” Aurora whispered, her voice hoarse. “I can’t keep choosing between you. I can’t keep running.”

Ben stepped forward, his eyes softening. “Aurora, let me take you away from all of this.”

Marcus’s jaw tightened, but his eyes were pleading as he whispered, “Stay with me.”

Aurora looked at them both, her heart splitting in two, the weight of everything she had lost pressing down on her.

Her freedom.

Her safety.

Her peace.

And she realized she had none of it.

Not really.

As sirens echoed in the distance, Aurora closed her eyes, letting the tears fall.

“I need to be alone,” she whispered.

Ben and Marcus both spoke at once.

“Aurora—”

“No!” she screamed, pressing her hands to her ears. “Please… just let me go.”

And for the first time, they both stepped back.

Letting her walk out of the apartment, barefoot, blood on her clothes, tears on her face, into the dawn light breaking over the city.

She didn’t know where she was going.

She didn’t know who she was anymore.

But for the first time, Aurora was walking away for herself.