It's been a few days since Melina moved into the family mansion. She wakes up every day, hoping that today will be the day Thomas shows up, but he never does. It breaks her heart every day he doesn't show up. Thomas is sticking with his decision, and Melina doesn't know what to do to make him change his mind. She wishes she can make him see things from her point of view.
Melina is frustrated with the situation. She just wishes they could find her sister and rescue her safely so she won't have to lose the one she loves. She never thought she could stand her ground as long as she has, and that gladdens her heart. She's willing to do anything to save Thomas. Melina snaps out of her reverie when someone forcefully pulls her head backward. She turns around to see who.
"Kimberly," Melina says, shocked to see her and wondering why she grabbed her hair.
"You bitch." She snarls and smacks Melina across the face. Kimberly kicks behind Melina's legs and tackles her to the ground before she has time to retaliate. "I am going to kill you today," she screams as she gets on top of Melina.
She attacks Melina's face with her long nails, trying to scratch her skin, but Melina protects her face with her hands. What in the world is going on? Why is Kimberly attacking me?
Melina is unable to protect her body as she shields her face from her attacks. Kimberly delivers a powerful punch to her ribs. Kimberly is a skilled fighter who knows how to land decisive blows. Thomas only started training Melina a few days ago, she's learned blade skills and not defense skills.
Melina removes her hands from her face and tries pushing Kimberly away. She looks around for something she can use to hit her. Melina picks up her phone from the ground near her. She swings it hard to the side of Kimberly's head, halting her assault on Melina. Melina doesn't waste any time and pushes Kimberly off her. She dashes into the kitchen and grabs a knife. Melina points it at Kimberly and waits for her to launch another attack. Melina will no longer take any chances; she will defend herself.
Melina looks at Kimberly's head, which is bloodied on the side. Melina didn't mean to hurt her, but she doesn't regret it. Kimberly is inflicting pain on her, so Melina feels it seems only fair that she bleeds.
"Stay away from me; I'm not scared to harm you." Melina tightens her hold on the knife as she blows air out of her mouth to push her hair away from her face.
"I can't believe he chose you over me; I'm so fucking better than you," Kimberly screams at Melina. She looks mad right now and doesn't seem to care that she's bleeding.
"You attacked me because of Thomas?" Melina asks to clarify, even though it seems obvious.
"Don't fucking say his name. You don't deserve to mention his name."
"And you do?" A voice says behind Melina. She turns around to find Thomas standing at the kitchen door. He approaches her and takes the knife from her.
"Thomas," both ladies say at the same time. Melina's heart swells, seeing Thomas after a long time. She's missed him.
"I'm here, principessa, she wouldn't fucking dare lay a finger on you with me here." Thomas stands in front of Melina. His scent drifts through her nose and soothes her.
Melina was really terrified that Kimberly would do something to harm her, but not anymore. With Thomas here, she feels safe and protected.
"She doesn't deserve your love. Why can't you see that?" Kimberly's voice cracks as she speaks, and her eyes well with hot tears. Melina could tell she was angry and pained.
"And you do?" he asks, arching a dark brow at her.
"Yes! I do," she yells, a tear escaping her eyes as her body vibrates with anger.
"You don't, Kim, you fucking don't. Now get the fuck out," Thomas barks at her.
"Thomas," Kim says, shocked that he just asked her to leave.
"Fucking get out of here before I do something I'll regret to you for touching Melina."
"How can you care about her so much when she hasn't sacrificed anything for you as I have?"
"You didn't just say that." Thomas backs Kimberly into a wall in the blink of an eye. "Do you know what she's fucking been through because of me? Do you realize how much pain I've caused her? No, you do not. So don't fucking stand there telling me she doesn't deserve my love. Because I'm the one who does not fucking deserve her love." Thomas yells in her face, seething with rage as his hands rest on her neck.
"So fucking what? I've loved, cared for, and even killed for you, and what has she done? She has betrayed you and caused you a great deal of pain, but you choose her over me."
"Kimberly," Thomas growls, tightening his grip around her neck. "I'm fucking warning you for the last time. Shut your fucking mouth before I fucking shut you up forever," he threatens, glaring at her with venom.
"I won't fucking sh. . ." Kimberly is cut off as she is knocked out cold. Melina looks to the side and sees Leo holding a gun.
"Take her home," Thomas says as he lets go of Kimberly's neck.
"Okay, boss." Leo picks Kimberly up from the floor and walks out of the kitchen with her in his arms.
"Are you okay? I hope she didn't hurt you." Thomas walks back to Melina and examines her body for any injuries.
"I'm fine. She didn't harm me."
"I'm sorry this happened to you. I promise to ensure it never happens again."
"It's not your fault. It's fine."
"How are you, principessa?" We haven't seen each other in days. He must have been worried sick about me.
"I'm good, you?"
"I'm okay. I've missed you," he says as his gaze softens, looking at her. Melina couldn't believe he was the same person who had just practically burnt Kimberly to the ground with his eyes. Her heart swells, loving how special she is to him.
"I missed you too," she admits as her heart yearns for him daily.
"Then come back home."
"No, Thomas, I was serious about what I said." It pains Melina to say this.
"Melina." Thomas says her name with an edge to his tone.
"You might think you don't deserve my love, which is why you think you should get yourself killed, but I don't think the same." After hearing his conversation with Kimberly, Melina could tell it was one of the reasons he was sticking firmly to his decision.
"My life is a small price to pay for the pain you have suffered because of me."
"It isn't, Thomas. Your life is too much of a price."
"Principessa, I can never make you understand, but just know I'm doing it because I love you. I don't want to argue anymore. Goodbye," he says, laying a kiss on her forehead before walking out.
A tear drops from Melina's eyes as his scent drifts past her nose while he walks away. Melina feels as if her suffering will never end, and she is losing hope that her life will improve.
She exits the kitchen and makes her way upstairs to her room. She lays in bed and sobs to sleep, with the death of Thomas weighing heavily on her heart. Melina wishes things would just get better instead of getting worse.
***
Melina tries to break free as James pushes her naked form onto the table. He tightens his hands around her neck and forces her down as he works his zipper. Melina doesn't have much energy left to fight. She's exhausted from blood loss and has been screaming in pain over the past hours. James whips her back for hours on end.
"Look at me!" Someone in the room speaks to Melina. She lifts her head and locks her eyes with Thomas. He is tied to a chair with his blood all over the chair and floor. Melina can barely recognize him as they have beaten his face to disfigurement. His chest is exposed and filled with blade cuts. Fresh tears fill her eyes as she feels guilty about his condition. Thomas would never be in this position if he didn't agree to switch places with her sister.
"I'm sorry," Melina says hoarsely. Her throat is sore from screaming at James to stop beating Thomas to a pulp.
"It's not your fault, principessa. Just focus on me and nothing else. Do you hear me?"
"Yes."
"I will get us out of here, I promise."
"You shouldn't be making promises you can't keep," James says, fisting Melina's hair and forcing her back to bend. She winces and shuts her eyes as her back curves into an uncomfortable position.
"Wait till I get out of this chair. You will fucking wish you'd never been born, you bastard," Thomas snarls as he struggles with the ropes that binds his arms to the chair.
"While you're doing that, watch me fuck her better than you," James says as he forcefully penetrates Melina. She screams at the top of her lungs. As James violates her, Melina grabs the table's edge and fists it firmly. Tears stream down her face as her skin scrapes the table with each in-and-out thrust he makes.
Melina, unable to bear the pain, tries to distract herself by thinking of something else. She turns to face Thomas after hearing someone call her name.
"Look at me, Melina, look at me," Thomas commands. "Nobody is here, only you and I on a beach. Repeat after me. Only you and I are here, lying together on a beach."
"Only you and I are here, lying on a beach together." Her heart swells with love for Thomas. She can't believe he's trying to distract her from what's happening to her. She expects him to be disgusted and refuse to speak to her for the rest of his life because of it. She can't believe he's trying to comfort her, even with his hands tied.
"Alright, now look into my eyes and chant it again."
"OK," Melina says and follows his instructions.
The more she stares into his beautiful blue eyes, her brain slowly begins to form the image.
She feels his warm hard chest pressed against her back as they watch the sunrise together.
"I love you," Thomas whispers in her ear and kisses it.
"I love you too," she says, smiling to face him. She stares into his gorgeous blue eyes, and she notices something. They have no life.
Melina blinks her eyes, and a scream escapes her as her heart splits into two. Her heart tightens in her chest, seeing his lifeless eyes staring at her.
"Thomas," Melina says with panic in her voice.
"The idiot was ruining sex with you. I had to take him out," James says behind her.
Melina has no idea when she gets up from the table, pushes James, and sprints toward Thomas until she feels his warm blood on her bare skin.
"No, Thomas, you can't die," Melina cries, holding his lifeless body in her hand.
"You can't die," Melina screams as more of Thomas' blood drains from his bullet injury to the head. She pulls his body to her chest and hugs him tightly. His body feels cold against hers.
"Thomas!" Melina sobs, screaming into the room's walls. She hears her name called as she holds him. Melina looks around the room for the person who is calling her but can't find them. She pays attention and recognizes the voice as Thomas'. Her brows furrow, wondering how that's possible. She looks down, and her eyes widen when she doesn't see him on her lap.
"Thomas," Melina says, rising from the floor and searching the now-dark room for him. She doesn't understand what is going on. She also can't see James or the table where he violated her.
"Yes, it's me. Wake up, principessa. I need you to wake up," Thomas says, his voice laced with desperation.
"What?" Melina asks, confused.
"You're having a nightmare. Close your eyes and open them back."
"Okay," Melina does as he instructs.
"Thomas," Melina exclaims, seeing him as she opens her eyes. She jumps up and wraps her hand around him. She longs to feel the warmth of his hard-rock chest against hers to remind herself that he is truly here. Her racing heart slows down, hearing his beat against her ear.
"It's okay, principessa, it was all a dream," Thomas softly coos, stroking her hair.
"You died, Thomas, you died." Melina sobs into his arms, recalling the dream as if it were real.
"I'm here, principessa, I'm fine."
"Please don't die because of me. I won't be able to live without you."
"I promise you, I won't," Thomas says as he lays a small kiss on her forehead, tightening his arm around her.