Chapter 4

I left Ethan to sleep on the floor all night. Morning came, and he cornered me at the door, his face stormy. "Why didn't you come get me? Why did you have Mia come instead?" "No reason," I replied. "Don't you like her?" This response seemed to set him off. He grabbed my chin, his kiss furious and desperate. "This isn't right, Oli. You're not supposed to react like this. Why aren't you mad at me anymore?" I bit down hard until the taste of blood filled my mouth. Then, I spat, "You're pathetic, Ethan." He fixed me with a final, venomous look before leaving, throwing a warning over his shoulder. "Don't regret this." A cold glint of certainty in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine. But I didn't expect his retaliation to come so swiftly. A message from Mia suddenly popped up on my phone. "Having a little fun on the piano today." My head swam, a high-pitched ringing making the world spin around me. I barely managed to stay upright. Rage burned through me, incinerating every rational thought. That piano was my mother's legacy. How could Ethan do this? How could he bring Mia home, and on the piano of all places? I raced back, shoving the door open so hard it slammed against the wall. My whole body trembled at the scene. I bite down on my cheek until I taste blood. On the stark black and white keys, Mia lay completely naked on top of it. Ethan was behind her, and the piano groaned under their movements. The moment he saw me, he pushed Mia aside with casual indifference. A cold smirk lifted the corner of his mouth as his eyes met mine. "What's this? Having regrets already?" My nails dug into my palms, the sharp pain anchoring my composure. I spat in a hoarse voice, "Get out!" Mia slid off the piano, casually plunking a couple of keys. Then, suddenly, she grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it onto the piano. "Oops," she said with a defiant smile as she met my horrified gaze. "What should I do? I think it's broken." "I'm going to end you for that!" My reason was instantly consumed by rage. I lunged forward and grabbed her hair. Amidst her shrieks, I slapped her repeatedly. "Olivia, have you lost your mind?" Pain shot through my lower back as Ethan kicked me hard to the floor. My lower back slammed against the corner of a table. I tried to push myself up, but my body wouldn't obey. He anxiously rushed to Mia's side, helping her up with concern written all over his face. He glared at me furiously and roared, "You've gone too far! "It's just a broken piano. Do you have to make a big deal out of it? Have I been giving you too much leeway lately?" My eyes welled up. I clenched my jaw to hold back the tears as I trembled from head to toe. Ethan hauled me to my feet by my arm and forcibly dragged me into the walk-in closet at the back of the room. "What are you doing? Let me go!" The unease churning inside me grew with every step. When he switched off the light, my fear peaked. "Stay in here and think about what you've done. You don't come out until you come to your senses." My screams and struggles were swallowed by the darkness. My face went pale as I began to tremble. I had always been afraid of the dark. When I was a child, I'd been molested on a night walk. Ever since, that fear had never left me. Back then, Ethan had held me so gently. No matter how late he worked, he would come for me himself and make sure I got home safely. Now, he was using that fear as a weapon against me. Tears streamed down my face. I pressed myself against the door and pounded it with all my strength, my voice raw and broken. "Ethan! Let me out… Please let me out... I was wrong…" I banged my head against the door again and again until blood trickled from my forehead. Outside, the flirtatious laughter between Ethan and Mia was excruciating to hear. "Ethan, you're not feeling sorry for her, are you?" He replied indifferently, "No. I've been too lenient with her lately. It made her think she could get away with anything. It's time she learned her lesson." My fingers clawed at the door until my nails nearly split. Amidst the sharp pain, blood seeped from the torn nails. I wiped my tears away roughly and pulled out my phone to send a WhatsApp message to Kyle. "Come over now." I didn't know how much time had passed before the door finally opened. Ethan looked down at me from his height. "Oli, have you figured out what you did wrong yet?" The sudden light made tears roll down my cheek. My voice came out raw and hoarse. "Ethan, let's get a divorce." He frowned and said, "I've said it before, that's not—" I interrupted him, "I cheated on you." Ethan's words died on his lips. His Adam's apple bobbed violently, and veins throbbed at his temple. That was all the warning before his rage exploded. "Say that again."