Page 71 of Liberating Bells
“Here, let me help you try it on,” Mark says, holding out his hand for me. My heart is thundering in my ears as my eyes dart between his outstretched hand and his face. Mark’s acting as if he has no recollection of what just transpired between us, my cheek burning from where he hit me.
With fear being my primary motivator, I place my hand in his and let him pull me up into a standing position. He puts his hands on my hips and spins me around so my back is facing him. Taking the box from me, he pulls the necklace out.
“Look at the back. I had them put an engraving on it,” Mark says huskily as he holds the pendant in his hand, showing me the backside.
Mine Forever.
I stare at the engraving and feel the bile rising up in my throat. I don’t trust myself to say anything, so I turn away and stare at the wall in front of me. Mark doesn’t seem to notice my inability to speak, and he fastens the necklace around my neck. Once it’s resting on my chest, he walks around and gives me a once-over.
“It looks perfect on you. I knew it would,” he says, giving me a sardonic grin. I still cannot get myself to respond. Mark approaches me and raises his hands toward my face. I can’t help but flinch away. He hesitates, but then runs his fingers gently across the side he hit. My skin feels like sandpaper as he touches me. I watch as his eyes grow sad, “I wish I didn’t have to do this,” he whispers.
“Then why do you?” I finally manage to ask.
He raises an eyebrow, and then cups my cheeks, drawing my gaze up to himself. “Because you don’t give me any other option.”
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to shake my head, but he’s holding too tight.
“I want you to listen to what I’m about to tell you because I don’t want there to be any type of misunderstanding between us, okay, baby?” I open my eyes and glare at him. His own eyes are cold as he looks down at me. “You aremine. Don’t go getting any ideas of running away, because if I find out you’re eventhinkingabout calling off this wedding, I will go after your little boyfriend and kill him. And then no one will be able to save you. Do you understand?”
My voice catches in my throat as fear once again takes over me. As my body trembles in his hold, I manage to nod.The thought of Mark seeing through his threat has me paralyzed. The shock and terrible reality settle into my core and churns my stomach until I’m sure I’m going to be sick all over the floor.
I can’t imagine living in a world that Ryan is no longer a part of.
Suddenly, every potential escape plan or possible liberation is stripped away from me. I can’t risk challenging what he’s suggested. I’d be putting Ryan’s life at risk, and I’m not willing to do that.
Which means I’m trapped. Officially and utterly trapped.
A prisoner in my own life.
I don’t mean to, but I cower in on myself, feeling the weight of the cage that has just slammed and locked into place around me. I feel cold, chilled to the bone. Feelings of despair assure me that there’s no way out.
A smile erupts on Mark’s face, and he leans down, pressing his lips to mine. Again, bile rises, but I don’t try to fight him off. I’m at his mercy.
When he pulls away, he finally releases my face. I take a step back, trying to put some distance between us. My gaze falls to the floor as Mark continues to look me over. Every bit of humanity has disappeared, as though I’m a piece of his property.
Unaware of my inner turmoil, Mark hums and says, “That necklace really does suit you. Do you want to go out to dinner? Maybe show it off? Then we could come back here and finish packing your stuff. Moving day is coming soon. I can’t wait to have you all to myself in our own house.”
I know he’s trying to lighten the mood and be funny and romantic, but it makes my skin itch. “Actually, Mark, I’m feeling kind of tired from the trip and all the driving. Do you think I could take a rain check?”
He looks disappointed, but he nods and gives my shoulders a squeeze. I fight the urge to rip myself out of his grip. “Of course, baby. You should rest.”
Mark tilts my chin up with his fingers, and I see the challenge in his eyes, so I consent and let him press his lips against mine again. I close my eyes as he kisses me, trying to get myself to feel something, anything. But I don’t. It’s just lips against lips.
He pulls away, a lighthearted smile on his face, and he grabs my hand. “Okay, well, you just rest tonight, and maybe this week we can finish packing up your things.”
Again, I force a smile. Mark leans down to kiss me one more time, and then turns, seeing himself out of the apartment. Once I hear the door shut behind him, I fall onto the edge of my bed. My eyes close, and I take a few deep breaths. The necklace’s weight is heavy on my neck, and I fumble with the clasp, trying to get it off of me.
Once it’s off, I hold it in my hand, turning it over. The thing is a huge, gaudy disaster. What was he thinking? This isn’t me. I stand up and walk over to my dresser, pulling the top draweropen. I sift through the different pieces of jewelry, looking for the necklace Ryan gave me. So simple, but it meant so much.
Where is it? I frown as I realize it’s not in the drawer. I could have sworn I just saw it a few days ago. Weird.
I set my new necklace on top of my dresser. The diamond glints at me mockingly. I glare at it for a moment, feeling my eyes begin to burn before going into my bathroom. Even though Mark’s gone, I close the door and lock it behind me.
Once in the privacy of my bathroom, I let the tears fall and crumble against the cool laminate cabinets, letting the weight of what just happened finally hit me. I was at the point where I was willing to finally put Mark in his place, telling him that everything was over and doing what I knew was right before running back to Ryan’s side.
But then Mark threw down the gauntlet, squashing any remaining hope of freedom or happiness that I might have had.
It’s hard for me to fully wrap my head around the fact that only a few hours ago, I was safe in Ryan’s arms after making love. Everything seemed so perfect when I woke up this morning, and now it’s tainted with the reminder that it’s time to get back to real life. If I could rewind the clock and go back, I would. I would give anything to be back in Nashville, snuggled up next to Ryan’s chest, with him whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
