Beauty lay in the backseat, her heart shattered, crying uncontrollably as the car sped away.
She clutched her chest, the pain wrecking her, tears soaking her cheeks.
Why Beyoncé?
Why her of all people?
What was I expecting?
Trusting that someone could love me for real?
This is not a fictional world; it's my reality.
The thought echoed in her mind, stabbing at her over and over. She covered her mouth, crying loudly.
"My heart feels so heavy... I have never felt this way before... it's hurting so much."
Nia glanced at Beauty through the rearview mirror, her face filled with concern and sadness.
She had seen her like this in school—so broken. But what did she do? Like the rest of them, she turned her back on her and laughed. She can't let her go on like this.
"And that Bruno, what a jerk. How can a popular figure known for his decency, date a girl only to break her? Why? Does this mean Beauty has been facing the same problems of being used as an experiment as an adult?" Nia said to herself.
She stole a glance at Beauty again and tried to speak, to offer some kind of comfort, but it would be useless.
Nothing could ease the torment Beauty was feeling. However, she had to try.
"Beauty, I'm so, so sorry," Nia said softly, her hands gripping the steering wheel. "I know it hurts... I can't even imagine. You have to be strong. You have people who care for you so much. I am here for you, okay?"
Beauty barely responded, her sobs the only sound filling the car.
She curled up tighter in the backseat, wishing she could disappear, wishing the pain would stop.
Nia's heart ached for her new friend.
She watched the road but kept glancing at the rearview mirror, helpless as she watched Beauty's grief.
There was nothing she could do except drive. They lived in the same neighborhood before she relocated, so she knew exactly where Beauty's home was.
She decided to call her husband, letting him know she might spend the night at Beauty's place.
"Hello, honey... please, I will spend the night at Beauty's place. I'll get back to you tomorrow morning."
"Okay. How is she? Was she sick or something?"
"Yeah, she's not feeling quite well. I had to take care of her... but if she doesn't live alone, I will be back tonight."
"All right," Matt replied.
---
Bruno's rage exploded as he returned to the hotel room.
"You can't just dash out like that chasing after her... remember our deal."
Bruno walked straight to her without saying a word. Before Beyoncé could even blink, he grabbed her by the arm and flung her onto the bed with such force that the headboard rattled.
Beyoncé's eyes widened in shock as he pinned her down, one hand crushing her wrist and the other wrapping tightly around her neck.
"Give me the fucking password!" Bruno growled, his voice like thunder.
His eyes, dark and furious, drilled into hers, making her heart pound wildly.
Beyoncé tried to push him off, but his grip only tightened.
"Let... go... you are... hurting... me," she choked out, her voice barely a whisper.
But Bruno wasn't listening. His fingers curled tighter around her throat, and her air supply dwindled. Tears rolled down her cheeks in fear.
"You've been playing your twisted little game for too long," he snarled, his face inches from hers. "You made her think something else... I will never fuck you, even if I was drunk... you disgusting bitch..."
Beyoncé gasped, her hands clawing at his arm, trying to free herself. Panic filled her eyes as she realized she could no longer breathe. She wanted to scream, but no sound came.
The pressure on her neck was unbearable, and her vision began to blur.
"Give me the password!" Bruno demanded, his voice colder than she had ever heard before.
His grip didn't loosen as he snatched her phone from her limp hand, holding it menacingly in front of her face.
"You... can't... hurt me... empty threats,"
Beyoncé gasped, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe.
"Try me."
The fear in her eyes grew, and for the first time, she realized Bruno might actually kill her. His expression was dark, merciless—a side of him she had never imagined. Yes, she saw what he did to a man like Stephen, but... he can't possibly hurt a woman.
Can he?
He looked like a man who had been pushed too far.
She coughed, barely able to get the words out.
"Bruno, I... I can't breathe..."
Her voice cracked, tears now streaming down her face. She tried to shake her head, but his grip on her neck held her in place.
"The password!" Bruno barked, his hand squeezing tighter.