Chapter 2 TWO

BELLA

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"You are such a disgrace to this family. What have we done wrong by bringing you in to live with us?" my aunt's husband, Ben, raged at me the moment I stepped into the house after returning from college. I just wanted to rush into my room and shut myself away, but unfortunately, I ran into all of them in the living room. One look at their faces and I knew-they had seen the video.

"Bella, how could you allow that boy to record you while..." my aunty Christy burst into tears before she could even finish the sentence. Shame washed over me. I hated myself for bringing distress to my family.

"I didn't consent to him making that video, aunty," I said quietly.

"Oh, please shut up, you slut," Ben snapped, pointing a finger at me with rage in his eyes.

"Ben, please, don't call her that." Aunt Christy cried, burying her face in her hands as she sobbed.

My heart broke to see my aunt in such condition and it pained me even more that she was like this because of me.

"Of course I'll call her that. She is nothing but a slut. Didn't you see the way she was moaning in that guy's arms? Exactly like a slut." Ben snapped.

"Please, uncle, I'm begging you, stop. I never gave him permission to record me. He did it and uploaded it without my consent," I cried.

"If that's the case, then we are going to file a complaint against that wretched guy." Aunt Christy said angrily, banging her palms against the table.

"Did you just say file a complaint? So we can be more of a laughingstock than we already are?" Ben interrupted angrily.

Just then, the front door opened and Jesse, my aunt's only child, walked in.

"Mum, Dad, I was so embarrassed in school today when I saw a video of Bella and... arrrghhh!" he screamed, too angry to finish his sentence. "I even got into a fight! You're so embarrassing!" he yelled at me before stomping into his room.

"We are not going to file any complaint and that's final. Your niece is a slut, and I don't want to see her in my house again," Ben spat before storming off.

"Ben no!" My aunt cried but he was already gone. We all knew her husband and it was no secret that he has always disliked me and my aunt has no say in her home because Ben would hit her each time she tries to stand up for me.

In a single day, my whole life came crashing down. Except for my aunt's house, I had nowhere else to go. I'd lost my parents in a car accident when I was just a baby. I didn't even remember their faces or how they died, but my aunt had told me I was there when it happened. I had no memory of it.

My aunt was all I had. And I hated to bring her this much pain.

"I have a friend who lives in the state. I'll send you her address so you can stay with her for the time being until everything settles." She told me, scribbling the address on a piece of paper and handing it to me.

I felt so hurt that even my aunt wanted me to leave. Maybe I had given her enough trouble. Maybe the poor woman was just tired of me.

I couldn't blame her, she has taken enough beatings for my sake.

I took the slip of paper, slid it into my pocket, and left without another word. I ran out of the house. But one thing was certain. I had no intention of going to see her friend.

I didn't stop running. I couldn't stop until I came to a dead end. A cliff.

Why not just end it all right here? My dreams were shattered by that single video. I couldn't go back to college. My part-time job? They had surely seen the viral clip by now. Everyone would be judging me. just like those in college, just like Ben, just like Jesse.

I stood at the edge of the cliff and stared down. One jump and it would all be over. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I thought of everything I had dreamed of...finishing college, getting a good job, helping out my aunty, getting married, having kids. All of it, just dreams now. Because the person I had envisioned those dreams with ended up ruining my life.

I dropped my bag on the ground and stepped back, ready to leap.

"Bella, nooo!" I suddenly heard Ana's voice scream. A sob escaped my chest. I hadn't truly wanted to do this. I wanted to live and chase my dreams. But now it felt like I had no reason to go on. I heard footsteps pounding toward me, and just as I moved to jump, Ana grabbed my arms. I dangled in the air, looking down at death itself, and finally realized-I didn't want to die.

"Bella, you can't kill yourself because of that jerk," Ana cried, holding me tight. "Don't let go!"

Slowly, she pulled me up, and we both collapsed to the ground, gasping.

"Have you gone nuts? You want to die while that jerk keeps living?" Ana snapped.

"I don't have the will to live, Ana. I can't go back to college. Who would employ someone with a scandalous story like mine? And now Ben kicked me out of the house," I sobbed. Ana hugged me, tears falling down her cheeks too.

"But you can't kill yourself. How about you file a complaint?"

"Does it even matter? Who would believe me? I just want it all to end."

"My aunt has a cottage downtown. She doesn't live there, but her son does-though he's out of town. You can stay there for a few weeks while we figure something out."

"How did you find me?" I asked suddenly.

"I was scared you'd do something, but I never imagined you'd actually try to kill yourself." She frowned her displeasure at me and slowly tears slipped from her eyes as she suddenly hugged me.

"Don't ever try that again. You have to live for yourself".

I nodded as I hugged her tight. I was grateful that I at least have one friend who is here with me.

"Here, this should cover transport to the cottage. At least you'll have a place to stay for now." She said as she handed me some money.

I hugged her tight and she just held me while I cried.

I boarded a vehicle heading downtown, with nothing but the clothes on my back and the little money Ana had given me.

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I was asleep in the cottage when I felt it, someone else was in the room. A hand slid along my thigh. I jolted up and saw a blond-haired boy bending over me.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" I shrieked, trying to move away.

"You came to my home to look for me, beauty," he leered. Then it hit me-this had to be Ana's cousin. Why was he back so soon? And worse, he was a total creep.

"I didn't come to look for you. I'm just borrowing the cottage."

"Of course, of course. You can stay-if you give in to me."

"You're such a jerk," I snapped, shoving him.

"Don't act innocent. I recognized you the moment I walked in. Did you think I wouldn't know you're the girl in that viral video?" His hand gripped my hair so hard my scalp burned. He yanked my head back, staring down at me. His lips pressed against my neck as I struggled, trying to get free. I felt the fabric of my dress tear. He slapped me several times.

"Stop playing games, slut. Just give in already," he snarled and the back of his hand whipped across my face.

The force of his slap forced my head backwards.

I have to think fast and act even faster or else, this guy will rape me and no one will even believe my side of the story.

I froze and grew quiet. I didn't struggle with him anymore. He should think that he has me. "Alright. You can have me. But you have to let me stay here."

He smirked, loosening his grip to undo his zipper. That's when I struck. I kicked him with all my strength. He didn't expect it. He crashed to the floor.

But then he didn't move.

My eyes widened. Blood was pooling from the back of his head. I trembled as I knelt and pressed my ear to his chest.

Nothing!

I had killed him.

Panicked, I got up and ran out of the room, out of the house. I didn't look back.