My neighbor. Multiple neighbors, actually. All of them standing outside their doors with their arms folded and with fire in their eyes. They’ve heard my screaming and yelling. Seen him try to force his way inside. Finally, they know.
With them as my witnesses, Greg has no choice but to consider this a defeat. For now.
However, from the look in his eyes, I can tell … he’s not going to give up. Not until one of two things happens.
Either I come back to him.
Or I die.
Part III
The Descend
20.
Accompanying Song: “Logos” by Ludovico Einaudi
Hyun
One month before
As Greg eats his breakfast like a pig, I muster up all the courage I’ve been gathering over the past few weeks and walk up to him, planting the paper right underneath his nose. I’ve been planning this for so long. Annushka helped me make the arrangements. After all the things he said and did, I’m not staying one more day. Not for my parents. Not for the money. And not for the people working at the coffee shop. I refuse to sacrifice myself for others any longer.
For months, I swallowed all the shit he threw at me. I took it all, thinking I was too weak to stand up for myself. But one thing changed that.
When he tried to give me to one of his co-workers, and I had to lock myself in the bedroom until the man was gone. I can deal with a lot, but I will not let any man trample on my dignity like that. The line has been crossed.
Fear only lasts for a limited amount of time, and even though it prevented me from trying to escape before now, its chokehold on my throat has weakened with every passing day. And now, I’ve had enough.
I finally made the decision to pull the plug and decide my own fate. To stand up against my fears and face them. I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, and now, it’s finally here.
“What is this?” Greg grumbles, still chewing on his bacon.
“Divorce papers.”
He laughs out loud. “That’s a joke, right?”
When he looks up, my face is cold, and his turns from ridicule into sour nothingness.
“You ignorant little brat!” he hisses, scrunching the paper with his hands. “How dare you?”
“I don’t want this; I never wanted this, and you know that,” I say, trying to remain strong.
“I don’t care what you want. You are mine.” He grabs my wrist, twisting it. “You don’t get to decide when this is over. I do.”
“Let go.” I jerk my arm away, but a red mark still lingers. I tell myself to stay strong and fight for my rights. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”
He laughs again. “What? You think this will actually work? Like I’d actually let you divorce me? I own you,” he growls. “And last I checked, your parents received my money in exchange for you. You don’t want them to lose all that cash, do you?”
“I don’t care,” I reply, grabbing a pen from my pocket and placing it down on the table beside the crumpled paper. “Sign it.”
“You’ll lose their respect. They’ll never talk to you again. And I will ruin you, your family, and your fucking jobs. You’ll never have anything in your entire life!”
I try to let my face remain as blank as I can even though I’m boiling on the inside. “It doesn’t matter what you say. Nothing can sway me. I’ve already made my decision.”
“And what then? Where will you go, huh?”
“I’m leaving. Where I end up is none of your business,” I reply. “Goodbye, Greg.”
I turn around and start walking, heading straight for the door that I know is open. It’s always been open. I just never dared to make the step. To finally choose me over everyone else.
He chuckles like a madman. “You can’t do that. You can’t do this to me!”
“Watch me,” I say, grabbing my bags I so neatly hid underneath a stack of clean clothes.
“If you walk out of here, you’ll never be safe.”
“You can threaten me all you want, Greg. I know what you can do, and still, I don’t care.”
“I’ll kill you!” he yells, marching after me.
I quickly open the door and run out before he has a chance to catch up, slamming the door right in his face.
I don’t think twice before crossing the street and running straight to the nearest bus stop. I timed it right because of the bus right there, almost ready to go. I get in with the ticket Annushka bought for me and tell the driver to hurry because I’m escaping my husband.
And right before the monster can get to me, the bus drives off, leaving a cursing Greg in the middle of the street.
I smile. It’s the first time in ages I can finally say I feel good about myself.
Now, only time will tell what the future holds. But one thing’s for certain … I will never let a man have reign over my life like that ever again. And if someone even dares … I’ll give him hell.
***
Accompanying Song: “Burning Desire” by Lana Del Rey
Now
When Drake gets here, and I let him into my house, I hug him tight, refusing to let go.
“What’s the matter?” he asks.
“I just wanted a hug,” I say, not wanting to make him worry by telling him the truth.
But he pushes me off him and gazes at me with a stern look on his face. “Tell me the truth.”
A pang of guilt stings me, and I swallow away the lump in my throat. “Greg was here.”
His eyes immediately flare up, and he barges farther into my home. “Is he still here?”
“No, he left after I screamed. The whole neighborhood heard.”
“Good,” he says, turning back around to face me. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head.
He grabs my arms and lowers his head. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. But I can’t say I’m the same.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“I feel … different.” I lick my lips. “As a person. Since I left him. Since you started following me.”
“Different how?” He frowns.
“Different good. Like I can finally say no to him. Like if he’d dare to come inside my house or harm me in any way, I’d shoot him.” A tiny smile creeps onto my face, thinking about it.
“That’s a good thing. It means he can’t control you anymore.”
I nod and let him pull me close again. I bury my face in his chest and take in his familiar smell, the scent calming me down immediately.
Still, I can’t shake the image of Greg yelling at me, the looming threat of his violence, his voice, and all the memories I have of him. I want it all to disappear, and I realize there’s only one way to do that.
Palming Drake’s chest, I say, “I want you to replace him.”
“How?”
“I can’t get what he did to me out of my head. The pain. The yelling. The sex …” I look away, not wanting him to see the shame in my eyes when I think about what he’s done to me.
Drake gently cups my chin and makes me look at him. “What did he do to you? Tell me.”
“When I still lived with him, he … tied me up … forced himself onto me … came in my mouth.” I still feel icky when I think about it.
“Do you want me to override your memories?”
I nod.
“It will be harsh and degrading. Are you sure?”
I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and say, “Yes. I don’t want him there anymore. I want you.”
He grabs my hand, brings my fingers to his lips, and kisses them softly. “All right.”
Suddenly, he lifts me into his arms and carries me into my bedroom. The look on his face has changed from sweet to stern, and it makes goose bumps scatter on my skin. He places me on the bed and pulls his belt from his pants. Pinning my wrists down, he ties them above my head and tightens them until it becomes slightly painful.
His hand travels down my blouse, and when he reaches between my breasts, he rips it open, buttons
flying everywhere. He grabs my breast and squeezes hard, making me hiss.
As I part my lips, he places a finger on my mouth and says, “No talking. You talk, you get punished.”
“But—”
He smacks my breast, making me squeal.
“I told you it was going to be harsh. Degrading. This is what you wanted. What you asked for. Now lie still and let me use you.”
His words sound unreal. Like they’re coming from someone else entirely. Like he’s changed with the snap of a finger, and it scares me a little.
Is this what I asked for?
Yes … yes, I did.
I want him to replace the memories I have of Greg, even if it means feeling the pain all over again. I’ll face it, for myself.
He zips down my pants, unbuttons them, and tears them off in one go, throwing them in the corner. He doesn’t even bother with my panties, though. He just rips them off, and I suck in a breath from the sharp pull.
He immediately swipes his finger up and down my slit, not waiting one second before ravaging me. With his other hand, he toys with my nipple, taking it between his finger and thumb and tugging hard. Hard enough to make me squeal again.
This makes him smack my breast once more. Tears sting my eyes.
“Focus on me, Hyun,” he growls. “Only me.”
I nod swiftly as he keeps rubbing my pussy, owning it completely.
“I’m gonna fuck you raw, and then I’m gonna come in your mouth,” he murmurs.
He takes off his own jeans and boxer shorts and pulls his shirt over his head then crawls on top. Naked and buff, he sits between my legs, showing me his rock-hard dick before swiping it along my pussy.
“Who does this belong to?” he growls.
“You,” I reply.
He twists both my nipples with his fingers, making me scream. “I didn’t hear you.”
“You!” I yell.
“Good. Because I’m gonna take what’s mine now.”
Out of nowhere, he shoves two fingers up my pussy, making me clench and suck in air like nothing else.
“Deep breaths, Hyun,” he says, swirling around inside me. “I’m not done with you yet. Not for a long time.”
After he thrusts a few times, he pulls out his fingers and licks them. “Delicious.” Then he leans up, grabs my body, and twists me around, so I’m on my belly.
“What are you doing?”
He smacks my ass so hard I jolt up and down.
“I said no talking!”
My lip quivers as he rubs my other cheek, wondering if he’s going to smack that too. This feeling of anticipation is all too familiar, but the last time it was done wasn’t in trust. Now it is. I trust him.
I trust him. I trust him.
This mantra helps me turn this experience into something positive, allows me to convert the pain into pleasure. Because when he rubs between my legs, I feel my pussy thumping.
He settles between my legs and lifts my body up to meet his, the tip of his cock at my entrance. Then he slowly burrows himself deep inside me, making me gasp for air.
“Oh … so fucking good.” He smacks my ass again as he thrusts in and out, and my body tenses from the truckload of sensations hitting me.
In and out, so far, so deep. It feels so full … so good.
As he hits the spot, my eyes roll into the back of my head, and I almost come.
Right then, he takes a fistful of my hair and pulls my head back, making me hiss.
“Did I say you could come?”
“No.”
“Bad girl.” He spanks me again, and it makes me bite my pillow. “You come when I say. You understand?”
“Yes.”
Another slap follows. “Louder!”
“Yes!”
He grunts, and the sound is so sexy I struggle to compose myself. As he keeps thrusting, I feel myself getting wetter and wetter, feeling the need to let go. Maybe this is what I needed. Finally, I can give myself to someone without feeling bad. Without feeling guilt. Without … anything. My mind is blank.
He pulls his dick out and spanks my ass two times before rubbing my pussy fast. “Come. Now.”
I don’t know why, but his slick, dark voice and touch make me explode. And as I drown in my own orgasm, he taps my pussy, intensifying it even more.
Panting, I struggle to breathe, but he flips me over anyway.
“My turn.”
Before I know it, he’s shoved his cock into my mouth with no warning. He goes deep. Far. Thick. I can taste myself as well as him on my tongue, and I cough from his length.
“Take it deep,” he growls, pushing even farther.
Only when I’m almost out of breath does he pull out to allow me some air.
And back in again he goes, fucking me right in my face.
I can feel his balls slapping against my chin as he grasps my head and forces me to take him all the way. Exactly as I remember. Just as powerless as I felt back then. But this time, it’s different. This time, it’s a controlled situation I can get out of any time I want. Something I chose. And slowly but surely, the memory starts to fade and all that’s left is Drake fucking me like I asked him to.
As he pulls out, I gasp and say, “More.”
“More?” He laughs.
I nod, as he pumps into my mouth again.
“I’ll give you more,” he growls, pinching my nose. “Can you feel it?” His cock pulses in my throat, and I gurgle as I try to nod again. “Fuck.”
With one hand, he holds my head and shoves it over his cock, while the other hand is rubbing my clit again. I’m being overloaded with sexual need, and I feel like I could come, cry, and laugh at the same time.
Tears roll down my cheeks from his rough face fucking, but I don’t regret it for even one second as he fiercely rubs my pussy. All I feel is the need to do whatever he wants and succumb to ecstasy.
“Yes. Come, Hyun,” he growls.
And as he pleasures me, I fall apart with him inside me.
Right as he jets his seed into the back of my throat.
He holds my face as my eyes dart around in a frenzy. “Swallow.”
Thick juices lie on my tongue, and I swallow it all back. More spurts down as he thrusts in again, his cock hard and pulsing, his eyes greedily looking down upon me, the look on his face one of raw need.
I watch him release all his pent-up energy inside me, coming to a panting stop. When he’s sated, he pulls himself out of my mouth and releases my pussy from his grip. We’re both out of air but not out of stares … and ours are saying words we cannot say out loud.
With his thumb, he swipes along my lips and gently sticks it into my mouth. I suck, and he murmurs, “Now, your memories are mine.”
Goose bumps scatter on my skin as I mumble, “Thank you.”
He knows why I say it.
Nothing else needs to be said.
He unties my wrists and lies down in bed beside me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close to his side.
It’s silent for a few seconds, and I use the opportunity to ask him something that’s been on my mind for quite some time now. “Why did you … write that you wanted to wrap your fingers around my neck?”
It takes him a while to answer. His voice is thick and low … making me shiver. “You know why.”
I know why … because I am his.
He had known it before I did.
Together until death. That’s what he wants. What I need.
Someone who will take me away from Greg forever, in whatever way necessary.
He buries his face in my neck and presses a soft kiss to my skin.
“There’s only one thing we can do to stop Greg forever …” he whispers into my ears.
I nod, a tear falling down my cheeks. I’m not sad. I’m relieved.
“Yes,” I answer, knowing full well he’s right.
It’s time to end this all.
21.
Accompanying Song: “Daydream” by Ruelle
Hyun
A few days later
I take a deep breath before I knock on my parents’ door. I haven’t seen them in ages. In fact, the last time was on my wedding day. I always wondered why they never came to visit me when I lived with Greg. Then again, I already knew the answer. They didn’t care. They had their money, and I had a good home … or so they thought. It didn’t matter to them what I felt.
And as my mom opens the door and I see the surprised look on her face, I know for a fact she still doesn’t want to care.
“Hyun?” Her face turns into a complete sour mess. “What are you doing here? We’ve tried to reach you for ages. Where’s Greg?”
I purse my lips and straighten my body. “I left him.”
Her eyes widen. “What?” she scoffs.
“Who is that, honey?” my dad asks in Korean, but as he comes to the door, his jaw drops too. “Hyun. Why are you here?”
“I’m great, Dad, thanks for asking.” I give them a fake smile. “I just wanted to visit you. You know … because we haven’t seen each other in such a long time.”
“Well, aren’t you with Greg now?” Dad asks.
“No, they split,” Mom interjects. Dad frowns, looking upset.
Mom grabs my arm and holds on tight. “Why?”
“You know exactly why.” I jerk my arm free. “I never liked him. He used me. Hit me. He’s an awful person, and you knew it.”
“Nonsense.” My mom makes a face. “He was always a gentleman around us. I don’t get where this is coming from. And why couldn’t you come visit sooner? Maybe bring him along too. It would’ve been so nice.”
“Because you never cared enough to visit me either, even though you knew what you’d done to me,” I hiss.
She swallows; visibly shaken from the realization that not everything is as great as the pretty picture she painted in her head.
“Why don’t you come inside so we can talk?” Dad asks.
Indecent Games Duet - Boxed Set Page 34