"*Trigger Warning:* This chapter contains graphic descriptions of abuse, strong language, and mature themes that may be triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, please prioritize your well-being and skip this chapter if necessary."

THANK YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF.❤️

As Rhea nervously paces back and forth, her door suddenly yanks open, Gerald walks in, indignation was a  tidal wave sweeping over him, his furry brewing like a storm on the horizon, his movement dictates his anger which was like a wild fire, raging on and on.

A cold feeling seeps into Rhea's bones, overcome by apprehension, her heart skips a few beats, her hands trembling, her voice shocked as she stuttered " w-w-what exactly do you want fr- fr- from ". Gerald cuts her off by grabbing her tightly by the neck" just who do you think you are, bitch?, I made you into a better person and now you think of ditching me , well I'mma claim my price first." He said letting go of her neck . Gerald's statement makes Rhea's legs buckle  beneath her.

She collapses on the floor, clearly knowing what was about to happen to her. Gerald roughly pulls her up with her braids , he slaps her " you slut, he rough slams her into the couch, he punches her real hard, his kicks and punches rain down on her like a hail storm.Trapped in a living nightmare, her d thoughts drifts to Darren will he be here to help her, or was he just lying to her?  She thought.
Rhea was pulled out of her thoughts when Gerald pauses, he began to unbuckle his belt, he lashes out at her with the belt, the cracks echoing through the room. "since you want to be a whore, then I will treat you like one". He continues to whip her harshly, Rhea cries out, screaming in agony begging and praying to the Lord for someone to save her.

Gerald pauses, his eyes flashing with malice as he pulls down his trouser, Rhea notices the bulge in his briefs, he pulls down his brief, Rhea's pupils dilates in fear as she realizes what Gerald was intending on doing to her, she shakes head despite the pain she was feeling " Gerald please, I'm begging you". She cries out in fear, the most intimate she has ever gone with a guy was a kiss. Truly she wants to loose her V -Card but not in this kind of way.

She struggles to crawl away from him. Rhea's voice trembles in fear as she begged him ."Gerald please, I'm truly sorry, I'm really really sorry, I ap..". He cuts her off with a smack on her face . " since, you don't want to be treated like a good girl, I will treat you like a bad One". He said, spitting on her face, he pulls her into a kneeling position while stroking his dick. Rhea shakes her head rigorously " no no no no , please".

Meanwhile, Darren arrived at Rhea's apartment, he knocks on her door ,  he began to feel uneasy when he hears someone crying hysterically. Series of worse scenarios flashes through his mind as he hurriedly unlock the door with the password Rhea had sent to him earlier. Rhea continues to struggle with him but he kicks her stomach, knocking the air out of her, she  was on the verge of giving up when her door suddenly opens.

" Rhea are you in here". Darren said as he enters.
" Darren help me". Rhea screams while crying. Darren gaze sweeps across the room, he sees Rhea, covered in bruises both new and old, looking battered. Gerald, clearly angry at the interruption, stalks towards Darren. " Who are you to interrupt I and my...". Darren cuts him off by  delivering a hard punch across his face" I am your worse night mare". He replied.

Darren doesn't  give Gerald the chance to recover as he continues to beat him . His fists covered in blood, he feels someone hugging his back.
Rhea cries out " Darren stop, you Will kill him". Clearly angry that Rhea was defending this monster, he kept on hitting Gerald only harder this time." Darren please stop,I don't want you to become a murderer, please stop". Rhea cries.

Darren's  grip on Gerald softens as he stopped beating him. He stands up, hugging Rhea back tightly, he softly whispered " I am sorry". While softly kissing her forehead, Rhea still shaken, clutches Darren tightly like her life depends on it. She cries. This only made him to hug her tightly.  He knew she was being abused, but not to this extent, he should have read the files, he thought while blaming himself.  If only I was here earlier.

His stoic gaze lands on Gerald, his Expression twisted in distaste as if he was looking at something foul and unpleasant, if he was not hugging Rhea right now, he would have made that pathetic excuse of a man loose his ability to reproduce. With a menacing eyes, he mouths a few words to Gerald making  him shake in fear as he reads Darren's lips. " I will kill you the next time I see you". Gerald felt like he was facing the god of wrath but one thing was clear as he made a promise to himself 'Rhea will pay for this'.

Darren feels Rhea tugging his clothes " can you take me away from here, please and I will marry you". She said. His facial expressions softens as he looks down at her, he replied " anything for you". He wraps his suit around her, kicks Gerald where the sun rarely shines on and carries Rhea out of her apartment .

He gently placed her in his car, the cool leather eludes a soothing feeling, reminding her, she's no longer in her apartment. As he ignites the engine of his car, Rhea asked him" where are you taking me boss?'. Darren was displeased that she called him boss " calling me boss is a bit too formal, just call me Darren and to answer your question, I'm taking you to the hospital". He replied.

Rhea's eyes widens in fear " please not the hospital, I don't want to go there". She replied. Darren tries to persuade her" Rhea it's just to get your...". " Darren please, I beg you". She cuts in crying.

" Okay, okay, anything you say" he said while hugging her, drawing small circles on her back. Darren changes direction and heads home, he shoots a quick text to his mother.

' mom, I won't be coming back home tonight, I'm spending the night at the penthouse, don't wait up for me. Xoxo '. He immediately switched off his mom when he was certain that the message was delivered.

His mother immediately calls, seeing that his phone was switched off. She replies him ' you this self assured womanizer, what happened to you falling in love? I will arrange a blind date for you.Expect me at your penthouse first thing in the morning'." I just can't believe that child ". She said while fuming.

' mom, I won't be coming back home tonight, I'm spending the night at the penthouse, don't wait up for me. Xoxo '. He immediately switched off his mom when he was certain that the message was delivered.

His mother replied' you this self assured womanizer, what happened to you falling in love? I will arrange a blind date for you.Expect me at your penthouse first thing in the morning'. I just can't believe that child.

Arriving at Darren's penthouse, Rhea attempts to open the car door but it won't bulge, panic sets in as she begins to tug the door handle, Darren touches her, softly patting her " relax , you are safe"  he whispered. And just like that she relaxes .

Darren proceeds with caution still gently patting her " do you want to talk about this?". She nods " can um can we um do that um inside?". She sniffles .  " Sure ". Darren replies, he alights from his car and carries Rhea despite her little protest.  She mutters a thank you to him.

After gently setting her on the couch, he scurries off to get the first aid, Rhea tenses when she sess him going and only relaxed when he got back with the box and a glass of water. He gently tends to the wounds on her face. " Would you mind if I tend to your back."

She shook her head, she takes off his suit and her blouse and turns her back to him. Gazing at her back, his jaw tightened, as he sees the bruises on her back , both new and old , some were looking purplish, some had become scars. Rhea cringes thinking that he is irritated by her" I know I'm unpleasant to you eyes you don't have to um do this ".  She said .

Darren was both shoked and displeased with the statement she just uttered. " You are not unpleasant nor are you ugly, you are perfect just the way you are." He gently adds " I'm sorry if my actions made you feel otherwise" .

" No I should be the sorry one it's all my fault ". Rhea breaks down. Darren gently pats her head , " look at me, non of this is your fault, no one I repeat no one wishes to go through this , and no one should be made to go through this , it's that that ".

" Gerald, his name is Gerald" Rhea replied.
" Can we talk about it now or..".
" Yes I'm ready to talk about it".