C24 You're a monster

Sofia's pov

The heavy door to my room slammed shut behind me with a resounding thud, sealing me away from the chaos outside.

My fingers trembled as I clutched my sore hand against my chest, the pain from the mistress’ heel still pulsing through my bones. Rae helped me onto the bed, her hands shaking just as much as mine.

“I’ll get you some ice,” she whispered, already moving toward the small fridge in the corner.

I stared wordlessly, my throat felt tight, like I had the world's concrete in it, choking any words before they could escape.

I was back in this house, and it hadn’t even been an hour before I was already battered and humiliated.

The door burst open again without warning and I needn't look back to know who it was.

Alex.

His presence was suffocating, his cologne thick in the air, a cruel smirk on his lips as he strolled inside as if he owned the very air I breathed. Which, in a way, he did.

Rae stiffened instantly, stepping away from the fridge like a child caught stealing candy.

Alex didn’t even spare her a glance. His cold, piercing eyes were locked onto me.

“You didn’t greet me properly, Sofia,” he said, voice dripping with amusement.

I stared at him, my jaw tightening.

“Still got that attitude, huh?” He clicked his tongue, stepping closer until he stood right in front of me, looking down as if I were some pathetic, broken thing. “One would think a little hospital visit would humble you.”

I bit my tongue, willing myself not to speak.

“Nothing to say?” His fingers suddenly shot out, gripping my chin roughly, forcing my head up to meet his gaze. "You look at me when I'm talking to you bitch!"

I swallowed hard, refusing to flinch, though my entire body screamed in pain.

“Answer me,” he commanded, his grip tightening.

“You didn’t ask a question,” I finally whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

For a second, something flashed in his eyes—surprise, maybe even admiration. But then it was gone, replaced with that cruel amusement once more.

He let go of my chin abruptly, shoving my face to the side. “Tch. That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.”

I clenched my fists in my lap, forcing down the rage, the pain, the sheer helplessness curling inside me like a storm.

Alex turned to Rae, finally acknowledging her existence. “You. Get out.”

Rae hesitated. “But I—”

“Did I stutter? Get the stupid fuck out before I have your body thrown to the dogs," he growled, his voice dropping to something deadly.

Rae swallowed visibly and darted out of the room without another word, her eyes darting toward me in silent apology before she disappeared down the hall.

And then we were alone.

Alex took his time. He walked around my room, his hands still casually tucked into his pockets, his gaze trailing over the expensive furniture as if inspecting a purchase he wasn’t entirely satisfied with.

“You should be grateful, you know,” he mused his tone light as if he were discussing the weather. “I could’ve left you in that hospital. I could’ve let you rot there.”

"It'd have been better if I inhaled the scents of antiseptic than the traumatic air in this house." I thought to myself but I said nothing.

“But I didn’t,” he continued, stopping right in front of me again. “I brought you home. Because, deep down, you belong here, beside me, in this hell, you've created for yourself,"

A cold laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Belong?” I echoed, looking up at him, my eyes burning. “I don’t belong here, Alex. I never did.”

His lips curled. “Oh, but you do.”

I shook my head, tears threatening to spill over. “You don’t get to decide that.”

His hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking my head back so suddenly that a cry tore from my throat.

“But I do,” he whispered, his face inches from mine. “Everything about you belongs to me. Your pain. Your suffering. Your every breath. Don’t you get that, Sofia?”

Tears finally spilled, trailing hot and fast down my cheeks. My scalp burned under his grip, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of hearing me beg.

“You’re a monster,” I whispered, voice trembling.

His expression didn’t change. If anything, he looked almost entertained.

“A monster?” He tilted his head, his fingers tightening in my hair before, suddenly, he let go, shoving me backward onto the bed. I gasped as I landed hard, the impact jolting my already bruised body.

He took a step back, straightening his shirt. “You haven’t even seen the worst of me, dear wife,” A knock at the door made him pause.

“Come in,” he called casually.

The door creaked open, and his mistress strutted inside, a cruel smile painted on her red lips.

“I was hoping you’d still be here,” she purred, slinking up to Alex and wrapping her arms around his waist like a snake. Her eyes flicked to me, glittering with triumph. “She looks pathetic, doesn’t she?”

Alex chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. “She always does.”

"I wonder what it'd be like to have her thrown into the barn for horses, beautiful, dirty, and..."

I could only hope she could dart the idea away.

I wouldn't survive in that situation, it would be the end of me.

"She will die and it's not like I care but, there'll be no one else to play with," Alex said, rubbing her back like I was some toy that she had had enough screentime for the day.