Chapter 2 Woke Up With Another Man

Abel's head felt heavy, like it was crushed by an invisible weight. The smell of alcohol still lingered on his body, mixed with the scent of a man's perfume he didn't recognize. The bass sound from the nightclub floor below still echoed faintly, like a ghostly voice haunting his mind.

She opened her eyes slowly, trying to understand where she was. The room was unfamiliar, with dark walls and expensive leather sofas lining the corner. The lights on the ceiling cast a dim glow, just enough to see that he wasn't alone.

Abel turned his head, and in that instant his heart seemed to stop. Next to him, Reynald lay with a peaceful face, his breathing regular. Reynald - Aaron's cousin, the man he had only known as a friendly figure at family gatherings, was now beside him, naked, just like him.

"Oh my God," Abel murmured, his voice barely audible.

He sat up immediately, pulling the blanket over his body. A feeling of panic hit him like a huge wave. He tried to remember what happened the night before, but his mind was a blur. All she could remember was alcohol, lots of alcohol, and Reynald accompanying her to talk at the bar. They were dancing. Yes, they danced. But after that?

"What have I done?

" he whispered, more to himself.

The voice from beside him made Abel jump. Reynald moved slowly, rubbing his face with his hands before opening his eyes. When he saw Abel, Reynald's eyes widened, full of sudden realization.

"Abel..." his voice was hoarse, like a man who had just woken up from a long sleep.

Abel raised a hand, cutting off his words. "Reynald, what happened? Please tell me that... that it's not what I think it is."

Reynald sat up, pulling the blanket to cover his naked body. His face was full of guilt, yet also confusion. "I... I don't know where to start. You're drunk, Abel. Very drunk. I tried to take you home, but you said you didn't want to go. You were crying, and I didn't want to leave you alone."

Abel looked at him sharply, holding back the tears that were beginning to pool at the corners of his eyes. "So... us? Reynald, please tell me I'm wrong."

Reynald let out a long breath, bowing his head. "I can't lie to you, Abel. Yes, we... we did. But I didn't force you. You... you did-"

"Stop!" Abel cut in with a trembling voice. He didn't want to hear the rest. However it happened, the fact that he had betrayed Aaron now stood before him like a huge wall that he couldn't escape.

He squeezed his hair, trying to calm the swirling thoughts. Aaron. The name alone was enough to make fear creep into her entire body. What if Aaron knew? What if he saw the signs of her betrayal?

Abel knew very well the nature of her husband-abusive, possessive, and full of anger. Aaron was not the kind of man who would forgive, especially when it came to something like this.

"Abel," Reynald's voice called softly. "I will take responsibility. I know it won't be easy, but I won't leave you. If you don't want to go back to Aaron, I can help you. You know that, right?"

Abel looked at Reynald with eyes full of confusion. The offer sounded tempting, yet impossible. Leaving Aaron? It was not a simple choice. Aaron controlled everything-Abel's life, his finances, even his freedom.

"I have to go home," Abel said finally, even though his heart was screaming in defiance.

Reynald reached out, trying to touch him, but Abel pulled back. "Abel, you don't have to. You don't have to go back to her. She doesn't deserve you."

Tears began to run down Abel's cheeks. He wanted to believe Reynald's words, but the fear that was already ingrained in him was too strong. "You don't understand, Reynald. If I don't come home, she'll come looking for me. And if she finds out... if she finds out about this..."

Abel's voice broke. Reynald could only remain silent, staring at the woman he loved with pain. He knew what would happen if Abel went back to Aaron, but he also knew that forcing Abel to fight back would only make things worse.

With shaky steps, Abel began to put on the clothes scattered on the floor. Reynald didn't say anything, just watched him with a worried gaze. When Abel was done, he stood at the door, his back to Reynald.

"Thank you, Reynald," he said quietly, without turning around. "But I have to face this alone."

Reynald stood up, wanting to stop him, but Abel's pace was already quicker. The door closed, leaving Reynald in the room alone, full of regret and despair.

Meanwhile, Abel stepped out of the nightclub, onto the street that was beginning to bustle with morning activity. His head was still spinning, his heart felt empty. But one thing was certain: he had to get back home, to Aaron, and face the consequences of a night he didn't want to remember.

***

Abel stood in front of the house, his hand trembling as he reached for the doorknob. He was breathing heavily, the rest of the way home from the nightclub still felt like a never-ending nightmare. He knew what awaited him behind this door-Aaron. The man who always referred to himself as her "protector," but in reality was her prison.

He turned the key slowly, hoping his careful steps wouldn't wake anyone. But as soon as the door opened, Abel immediately saw Aaron standing in the living room, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest.

The man's gaze was sharp, cold like a knife ready to stab. His eyes scanned Abel up and down, taking in the rumpled clothes, tired face, and hesitant steps.

"You're finally home," Aaron's voice was low, but loaded with pent-up anger.

Abel swallowed, trying to muster the courage to answer. "I... I just went out for a while to calm down."

Aaron stepped forward, approaching Abel with slow but intimidating steps. "Out? Calm down? Until this early in the morning?"

Abel took a step back, but his back immediately hit the already closed door. "I... I need some time alone, Aaron. I don't want to prolong our fight last night."

Aaron laughed sarcastically, his laugh cold as poison. "You think I'm stupid, Abel? You think I don't know what you're really doing?"

Abel shook his head quickly, his eyes starting to heat up with the tears he was holding back. "I didn't do anything, Aaron. I just-"

"Stop lying!" snapped Aaron, cutting off Abel's sentence. "I can smell the alcohol on you! You think I didn't know you were drinking out there? What else were you doing, huh? Who did you go with?!"

"I was alone," Abel replied quickly, his voice shaking. "I wasn't with anyone."

Aaron leaned even closer, until his face was only inches from Abel's. His heavy breathing felt hot against Abel's skin. "You're lying. You think I can't smell something different about you? Something's off, Abel. Answer me honestly, now!"

Abel shook his head again, tears starting to fall. "Aaron, I didn't do anything. I was just... I was just trying to forget my pain for a while."

"Did nothing?" Aaron grinned, but the smile was filled with anger. "So you think I'd believe it if my wife wandered around outside until morning with the smell of alcohol, a tired face, and messy clothes? You think I'm that stupid, Abel?"

"Aaron, please..." Abel tried to grab Aaron's hand, but the man brushed it away roughly.

"Please?" Aaron mimicked his words in a mocking tone. "You have no right to beg for anything, Abel! You can't even respect this house. You can't respect me!"

Before Abel could defend himself, Aaron raised his hand and in one swift motion, the back of his hand landed on Abel's cheek. The sound of the slap echoed in the room, sending Abel staggering backwards, his back hitting the wall.

"Aaron!" Abel screamed, his hand holding his hot, throbbing cheek.

Aaron didn't care. He continued to approach, his face filled with anger that was now no longer controllable. "You think I'm going to let you get away with it? You think you can humiliate me, huh?!"

"I didn't humiliate you," Abel cried, his body slumping to the floor. "I'm just trying... trying to find peace. You have no idea what I'm feeling, Aaron."

"What do you feel?" Aaron's voice rose, his hands clenched into tight fists. "What you feel doesn't matter! I decide what's good for you, Abel. I decide what you deserve!"

Abel didn't answer again. He knew that whatever he said would only make things worse. Tears continued to run down his cheeks, dripping onto the cold floor below him.

Aaron stood over him, looking at him with piercing hatred. "This is my final warning, Abel. If I find out you did something out there, if I find out you betrayed me..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the threat was clear enough.

Abel nodded slowly, without daring to look at Aaron. He knew what Aaron could do, and he didn't want to provoke the man further.