Page 1 of Tangled Trust

1

ELLA PARKER

Sebastian is so handsome. When he looks at me with his intelligent, pale blue eyes, I instantly forget the world around me. No one has ever made me feel as special as I do when those eyes radiate with approval and admiration.

But taking Seb at face value is a mistake. I learned that the hard way. Even now, in this crowded room, I know that somewhere in the cosmos a switch is about to flip, and soon the very eyes that make me believe I can accomplish just about anything will cause me to cower inwardly with fear.

"Stop it, Seb. You’re hurting me," I whimper as he twists my wrist.

"Why were you talking to that manwhore?" he hisses at me, careful to keep his voice low.

I feel as if everyone at the party is about to stop and stare, but, unfortunately for me, no one notices. As always, I’m all alone in my insulated pocket of hell.

"I’ve told you. Ryan and I are just colleagues. That’s all," I say while maintaining a happy facade.

"We’re leaving," he barks and yanks on my arm.

"Wait. I have to say goodbye to…" I attempt, but Sebastian has other plans as he pulls me along steadily like I’m a ragdoll.

"Ella!" I hear Anna calling to me from the other side of the room. She looks confused.

"Uhm, sorry Anna," I wave my hand, "Seb has an emergency. I’ll call you in the morning."

Lying has become second nature. I often astound myself at the speed at which I can conjure up an excuse when Seb gives me that look. My boyfriend smiles from ear to ear as he waves at Anna and the rest of the guests. His smile frightens me because I know what’s coming. He digs his fingers into the inside of my upper arms as he leads me out to his car.

There’s no point in trying to defend myself now. The die is cast. It will be better for me not to resist, so I don’t even bother.

"You’re such a slut," he vomits out his vile words at me as soon as we are alone in the cold night air.

He opens the passenger car door for me and half-shoves me in. I stumble onto the plush leather seat of his expensive, German-engineered vehicle and fumble for my seatbelt. That way, if he breaks unexpectedly, I won’t hit my face on the dashboard again.

Sebastian starts the car and revs it into the red before we speed off into the darkness. The farm road is lit by a pale moon and I hold my breath as my boyfriend takes the corners as if he’s on a rally track.

I count the streetlights as they whizz by once we’re back on the main road. How many will pass by this time before my nightmare begins in earnest? Six? Eight? I try to switch off my mind while the monster next to me yells obscenities at me and gesticulates with his hands. It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. I’m a slut. He doesn’t know why he puts up with me. I’m worthless. No one else could ever love me and he doesn’t even know what he bothers. Blah, blah, blah.

In the midst of his rage-fuelled tantrum, Sebastian takes a swipe at me and the back of his left hand connects with my right cheek. He’s wearing his class ring, which leaves its telltale mark as it grazes my skin.

I’m not sure how long this one-sided attack will last. If I’m lucky, he’ll be tired before we get home. Thank God it’s a long drive, so there’s a glimmer of hope. I close my eyes and go to the place inside where I’m lying on a beach and the waves are lapping my toes.

* * *

"Hey, there. Where did you two lovebirds disappear so fast last night?"

I keep to the right of Anna as we do our patient rounds, so my right cheek is hidden from her gaze. As always, I’ve done a bang-up job of covering up the mark, but I’m not taking any unnecessary chances.

"Sorry, Anna. Drama, drama, drama," I say while maintaining a light disposition. "One of Seb’s patients was threatening to do a dive off a tall building. You know the drill," I lie through my teeth.

"Honestly, I don’t know how he does it. It must be so frustrating dealing with mentally unstable people day in and day out."

"Yup. It’s a challenge."

If only she knew the half of it.

"So…is it just me, or does Ryan have a huge crush on you?" Anna grins.

"Don’t be ridiculous!" I snap at her before I can stop myself.

Anna stops walking and looks quizzically at me.

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