“What’s wrong, sweetheart? You don’t like it rough?” His hand reaches out, and he squeezes my breast. Surprised by his movement, I gasp, and then he grips the top of my dress and tears it off me, exposing my breasts to him.

“Luca, what are you doing?” I ask, shocked and confused.

He doesn’t reply. Instead, he twists my right nipple and squeezes hard.

I cry out, begging him to stop, but he doesn’t.

“What’s wrong, Serena, am I not rough enough for you?” He sucks my nipple into his mouth with his other hand still holding mine captive above my head.

“Please, Luca, not like this.” Tears fall down my face now, and I twist, trying to avoid his torturous mouth. He doesn’t stop, even though I’m begging him.

He bites down on my nipple, and I cry in pain again. “You’re hurting me, Luca. Please, stop.”

Again, he doesn’t listen. An urgent hand rips my panties from my body, and he throws them on the desk beside me.

This can’t be happening.

No, it can’t be—this isnothow I had envisioned our marriage.

He’s never acted like this before.

This man’s always been loving and gentle when we made love. The Luca I know is not like this. This Luca is punishing me and making me pay for leaving, even though it wasn’t my choice.

I didn’t think it could get any worse, but when his finger enters me, I squeeze my eyes shut at the intrusion. It hurts. I’m so dry it burns when he enters a second finger, stretching me out.

I wriggle, trying desperately to break free. “Stop, please, Luca,” I beg again.

But he ignores me.

His lips come back down to mine in a punishing kiss.

I’m so mad that he’s doing this to me, and the only way I can stop him is if I bite his lip, so I do until the taste of copper touches my tongue. For a brief time, I have a sense of relief because he pulls back, licking his now cut lip.

“You made me bleed, Serena… you naughty tramp.” His eyes look wild, and I’m afraid that the only thing I’ve done is angered him further.

His hand leaves my pussy and moves to my neck, where he squeezes hard. I shift, trying to break free, but he still has my hands restrained. I try to knee him, but with him between my thighs, he makes it impossible.

I feel weak, the air in my lungs grows thick, and I can barely breathe. All the blood rushes to my ears, and I hear a ringing sound in them.

I’m not going to make it.

This is it—this is how it ends for me.

My hands break free from his hold, and I desperately try to push him away, but I’m no match for this man. He’s way too strong for me.

Suddenly, his hold loosens.

I cough, trying to get my breathing back.

I am dizzy, and my eyes are blurred with the struggle.

I can’t believe this is happening.

My hands fall on either side of me against the desk.

I’m too weak now.

I can no longer fight him.