The third deadly sin

Lindsay's POV

That moment when you realize you made a terrible mistake. When you feel stuck, suffocated, and lonely. That moment when you look into the eyes of the man who once loved you, but see nothing but hatred. I felt it when I looked into the eyes of my husband.

"Let me go!!" I screamed at Asher as I tried to release my hand from his tight grip.

"Stay still" he struggled with me because I was relentless.

"Please. Asher. It's not what you think. He just wanted to...."

He didn't let me finish before cutting me off. "You have sinned against God and me. I can't tolerate that" he said, gazing at me with his wrath-filled brown eyes. I felt cold instantly, but I still didn't give up.

"Let me go!" I screamed as loud as I could, but that only made the situation worse. He slapped me on my already bruised cheek. The impact made my face collide with the wall. My head stung so much that I knew for sure it was bleeding.

He bent to my level, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and pulled it for me to look at him. "Lust is of the flesh. You desired another man other than me. You are disgusting" he said in a deadly tone. I shuddered, praying to heaven that I survived this.

"I wasn't. He is just..."

"Shut up!" he screamed in my face and I immediately kept shut.

He grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me again.

"Asher, please. You are not listening to me"

"I will not listen to the words of a sinner until you repent"

He was crazy, too crazy, but he was my husband. The man who once loved me. I remembered how we walked down the aisle with smiles on our faces. Thinking back on that moment, I couldn't help but feel regret. He had always been religious, but I didn't know it would get so bad to use it to hurt me.

Life was hell. Living with him was hell. He claimed he still loved me and always begged for forgiveness whenever he laid his hands on me, but I didn't believe he did. Asher Harrington was a devil I couldn't get rid of_ A religious devil.

He pushed me roughly into the room and locked the door before I had the chance to stand up.

"Asher?" I banged my fist on the door, ready to pull it down.

"Lindsay listen to me" he tried to speak, but I was too thrown off to listen.

"Lindsay" he called out from outside, but I was still screaming. "Lindsay!" He yelled my name in anger and I froze. All my rage turned into fear.. "listen to me" This time his voice was calmer. "Pray to God, tell him to forgive you your sin. Reflect on your sins and...."

I started crying hard. "Please" I let out a whimper.

"No no, don't cry, my love. Just do what I asked you to do. Please" he begged.

I slipped to the floor as tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't breathe. The only thing I wanted was to get out of there, but I knew that wasn't going to happen.

"When you are done, I will open the door for you to get out," he said while I sobbed quietly.

"I'm leaving now Lindsay," he said and I heard his footsteps afterward, signaling he was gone.

This was how the chaos started...

That afternoon, we got a new neighbor, across the street. It was thrilling for me because where we lived was kind of deserted. I made muffins to give to our new neighbors since it was thanksgiving after all. I left Leia, my five-year-old daughter, at home. I wasn't going to stay too long, but things didn't go the way I planned.

I stayed at our new neighbor's house for some time; Justin. We chatted about random things as we ate muffins, all in Thanksgiving spirit.

I got home back home to meet my furious husband who had our daughter in his arms, waiting for me.

"Where did you go?" He had that deadly tone that always found a way of sending a cold shiver down my spine.

"I was...."I stammered. I was scared because I knew what was coming.

He set Leia down and smiled at her. "Go upstairs," he instructed.

Leia looked at me, reluctant to do as her father had said, but she still went up. I was grateful she did because I knew my husband was going to beat the shit out of me even with our daughter there. He did it once.

"I was at the neighbor's house" I tried to keep my cool.

"Doing what?" he stood up from his seat and started coming closer to me.

"I made muffins" I stretched the tray which he flung away from my hand.

"For another man? Did he sleep with you too? Did you like it?" he was angry. I could see the redness in his eyes and skin.

"No, no, I just wanted to make friends with him" He knew it was a man. That made things even worse for me.

Asher kept quiet for a while and I knew what was coming next. "Please Asher, you have to believe...."

He didn't let me finish as he pinned me to the wall with his strong hand around my neck. He punched me with his other hand. I saw my life flash before my eyes. For a moment I thought I was dead. Then he grabbed my hands and began dragging me to my room.

Despite how much I struggled, I still ended up here. He won again. I bent my face to my knees as I wept. I wanted it to end. Sometimes I prayed for his death, but it never came. He was permanent in my life.

He always said, "You can't get rid of me easily, Lindsay"

******

My mouth felt parched, I had an agonizing pain in my head and my cheeks hurt. I flicked my eyes open due to the sun that crept into my room from the tiny creek of my curtain. I looked around for a while, then it finally hit me.

I had to be at work! My eyes widened as I jumped up from the floor I had slept on, but regretted it immediately. The whole room spun, and I nearly tipped over.

After steadying myself, I rushed to the door to check if it was open. I was glad when I found out it was.

I rushed to get myself ready. After that, I put on any dress I could find and walked to the big mirror present in my room.

I was so close to crying again. My face was unrecognizable. My eyes were swollen due to how hard he punched me yesterday. My cheeks were bruised and my lips were slightly cut. I grabbed my makeup kit and dabbed my face with a concealer to hide the bruises. When it was perfect, I set out to leave.

Asher wasn't home, which I was grateful for.

I worked as a teacher at a high school. That was so unlikely, judging from the fact that my husband was a multi-billionaire, but I had no choice. He didn't care about me, so I had to take care of myself.

I knew he had already taken Leia to school, so I decided to leave without checking. It didn't take more than 30 minutes to get to work.

I was already late, so I didn't bother running. It was useless, plus my body was in so much pain that I couldn't even walk properly.

"Miss Thomson" I heard my name and I turned to look behind me. It was Mark; my coworker. I smiled warmly even though my cheeks were hurting.

"I'm in so much trouble. Mr. Steward is going to have my head"

"About that, he said I should send for you once I see you"

My eyes widened as I panicked. "Is he mad?"

Mark shrugged." he didn't look mad to me"

I braced myself as I walked to his office. After steadying my nervous breathing, I opened the door and walked in. He was seated, scribbling something on a piece of paper but stopped when I got in.

"Miss Thomson" He called out.

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't make it on time. There was traffic and I.."

He didn't let me finish before shoving a piece of envelope across the table.

In confusion, I picked it.

"You don't need to explain yourself," he said as I opened the envelope.

I was anxious to see what was inside. As soon as I opened it, I began to read the content of the paper inside. My heart stopped. I looked at him in disbelief.

"I don't understand. Does this have anything to do with my late arrival?"

"No it doesn't" he replied stiffly.

"You can't fire me. I have always worked the hardest. You have no reason to fire me"

"How would I know that?" He asked, further pissing me off.

"This is absurd and you know it"

"You don't own this school, do you?"

I couldn't think of a reason he would fire me. I knew my late coming was not the reason. It was impossible. All of a sudden it hit me...'Asher'.

I clenched my fist in rage.

"How much did he offer you to fire me?" This time I didn't have the pleading look in my eyes. My eyes held rage instead.

"Miss Thomson, I appreciate your service, I really do. But I'm afraid this is the end" He couldn't even look me in the eye as he said those words. I took the paper and shredded it into tiny pisses, then threw it at him. "Fuck you" I muttered under my breath before storming off.

Asher was going to pay

Lindsay POV.

"Asher!" I screamed his name as I entered the sitting room. I didn't care about the consequences. The only thing I cared about was pouring out my anger on him. What he did was so uncalled for and inhumane.

"Asher!" I shouted, heading upstairs.

"Yes, darling" he had a smirk on his face as he walked down the stairs to meet me. He knew what he had done and he most definitely loved the pain I felt.

"How could you? It was the only job I had. How could you be so heartless!" I screamed at him, making sure I was far enough from him to avoid getting hit.

"The job has gotten to your head. You should stay home. That way, your sense will surely return"

I resisted the urge to rush over to him and drag him down the stairs, but I knew that was impossible. He was stronger than me. If I tried that, I would be the one going down the stairs.

"So what? I'm going to stay here and worship your feet for the rest of my life?"

"That doesn't sound like a bad idea"

"You are pathetic. A crazy person!"

He tutted. "Watch that tone, Lindsay. For your sake"

"Fuck you" I whispered in disgust and headed to the door.

"You will eventually come back." He said loud enough for me to hear.

I wished I could tell him; No, but that would be a lie. He was right, I would eventually come back, for the sake of Leia. He used her to trap me down because he knew if she wasn't there, I would have been long gone.

As I walked through the quiet boulevard, I thought about going back to my parent, but I immediately frowned at the idea. I hated them as much as I hated Asher. I once told them about Asher's constant abuse, but they didn't want to hear the end of my story. All they were interested in was his money.

I wasn't gaining anything from our marriage. Our love life sucked, and our sex life was way worse. Asher always insisted we pray before sex. That was crazy. He also didn't believe in foreplay. All he cared about was fulfilling his satisfaction, rather than mine. Instead of getting pleasure, I always ended up sore, but never for once did I complain.

I sat down on a platform and waited patiently for night to fall. When it did, I ambled to a nearby bar. I planned to spend the last money I had on me on alcohol. I wanted to feel life a little.

I didn't care if it was a sinful place. All my mind screamed was "fuck Asher" as I watched the barman prepare my drink

"Thank you" I smiled at him. I was going to drink into a stupor. All I wanted was to forget everything. Forget Asher, even forget the fact that I was married.

I drank the first, second, third, and fourth cups. I was more than wasted. I barely even knew what was happening around me. Even the worried bartender, was reluctant to refill my cup, but he did.

Someone sat beside me as I drank my life out. I was too focused on the drink to give a fuck. I rushed the alcohol to the extent I choked and I felt the hot drink in my nose as coughed.

"Hey, easy" A hand guided the drink down from my mouth.

I turned to look at the person. Even in my drunk state, I could still tell how handsome he was. His black-haired taper fade cut was perfect for his well-sculpted face. His chiseled jawline was a highlight of its own. As I stared at his blue dazzling eyes, I felt lost. I couldn't take my eyes off it. Then reality suddenly hit me. That was the same way I looked at Asher 7 years ago. Looks could be deceiving.

"You don't look like the type to be at the club," he said to me as I sipped the drink more slowly this time.

He was right. My long pleated skirt and long-sleeved shirt were not club attire, but I didn't care as long as it wasn't illegal.

"And you don't seem like the type to talk to a woman like me"

"You think so?"

"I know so" I slurred. The drink had already gotten into my head.

He turned to the bartender to order his drink. While he was at it, I pulled off my ring as fast as I could. I didn't know why, but I just wanted him not to know I was married. That action was induced by the sinful thoughts that kept clouding my mind as I stared at him. The drink was the main cause. But I liked it. I like the fact that I felt hyped and able to do anything at that point.

"Don't you think you have had enough to drink?" He turned to look at me

"I'm Just getting started"

"You are drunk"

"Not drunk enough. I want to get so drunk that I would forget everything"

He leaned closer to me and examined me closely. Although I was drunk, I still felt the tension. He was too close. I didn't think he realized that. "Does it have anything to do with this?" he pointed at my face as he leaned away.

"Yes," I blurted out truthfully.

"Is it ..."

"Don't ask me what happened" I didn't let him finish.

"I wasn't going to ask you what happened. I was going to ask if all this is worth it. You don't have to go through pain for anyone"

As he said those words, tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked rapidly to curb them from falling.

I chuckled, trying to act like I didn't know what he was saying. "I didn't get your name by the way"

"Shaun"

"Well you are such a gentleman Shaun," I remarked. "Can I ask you for a favor Shaun?"

"Shoot" he took the drink from the bartender after muttering a brief thank you.

"You have a home right?" That was a silly question. He looked well to do with the way he was dressed and the way he carried himself.

"I do"

"Take me there" I blurted out without regrets.

He was taken aback by my courage. Even I was stunned. The drink had a more stronger effect than I thought it had. But I was sure that was what I wanted. I didn't want to go back to Asher that night. If Shaun turned me down, I would be crawling back to my husband. That, I didn't want.

"You are brave" he took a sip from his glass.

"No, just desperate"

"Hiding?"

"No" I lied.

"Okay then, I will help you. You can spend a night at my house"

I smiled warmly. That was the most daring thing I had done since 7 years ago and the only thing that kept ringing in my head was. " Fuck Asher" but my fear still lingered.

*Two hours before they met*

Shaun Marco's POV.

I was filled with rage when I heard Luca say the words. "The Alfonso's family has declared us an enemy"

"After all we have done for them?" I asked Anthonio who only shrugged.

"I bet it was Flavio who pressured his father"

"For all I know, that guy should be killed and thrown into a lake for him to rot"

"I agree"

"Don't say that" I snapped at him. "You were the one who said he was reliable"

"I didn't know...."

"Oh save it" I puffed out smoke from my mouth and proceeded to throw the stick of cigarette to the floor. I walked closer to him with a glare on my face. "Fix this. Make sure you get my money back. Or else it won't end well for you. My father didn't hand me this fraternity to ruin it"

I could see the fear in his eyes even though he tried his best to hide it.

I stormed out and walked to my car. I planned to go somewhere to clear my head and probably not commit murder.

I started the engine and began to drive mindlessly.

"Shit!" I hit my car steering when the car suddenly stopped working. "Fuck" I muttered under my breath. I was initially frustrated, but the car was adding to it.

"Damn it" I breathed out sharply in distress as I leaned on the car seat. My eyes darted around where I was. The particular place was empty, not a single soul. The only lively place was the bar across the street.

There was no way I could wait here for one of my men to get me. I decided to wait in the bar rather than die of boredom. I stepped down from my car and sauntered to the bar.

After texting Cosmos to pick me up, I walked toward the bar counter to get my order.

There was a lady behind me. At first, I wanted to ignore her, but with one look at her and the bruises on her face, I suddenly became curious, but I still didn't speak to her. It was when she almost killed herself with a drink that I stepped in.

We talked for a while and I found her interesting, even in her drunk state. While we conversed, one sentence she made stunned me. "Take me there" She was talking about my house.

She barely knew me and I barely knew her, but she was so confident. She was all things but homeless, but she did look confused. The last thing I wanted to do was turn this angel down. She looked like she had been through a lot. The least I could do was grant her her wish. There was nothing worse that could happen.

*****

Lindsay's POV

I forgot how drunk I was, but I was reminded when I stepped out of the car. I almost tipped over but was saved by Shaun who grabbed my hand forcefully and dragged me toward himself.

I giggled, placing my hand on his chest. "You are strong" I loved the way he smelled. His manly cologne unimaginably stimulated me. I had not felt this way for years now.

"Let go in," he instructed when he was sure I was standing upright now. He was at the front while I struggled to walk at the back.

I took the first, second, and third steps, then I fell to the floor. I groaned in pain. My body still hurt. Being drunk didn't stop the pain.

"Are you okay?" he rushed toward me, but I waved him off with a smile as I tried to stand up.

At that point, the alcohol seemed to have taken over me fully.

He tried to hold my hand to aid me, but it was barely working. All I did was giggle, clapping my hands as I watched him try.

"Fuck this" he muttered under his breath and swept me off the ground, carrying me bridal style.

My brain was aware of our closeness and I couldn't keep my cool. I wanted to stay there forever. I just met him, but my body desired him. I leaned into his chest as I inhaled his scent. It was weird, I knew, but I wasn't thinking straight at that moment.

He set me down when we entered his house. I was indeed right when I concluded he was fucking rich. I admired the house briefly but didn't dwell so much on that. What I wanted was to admire the tall, tanned skin, handsome Greek God in front of him.

"Come let me show you to your room," He said, but soon realized I was a dummy at that point.

He sighed as he grabbed my hands and guided me upstairs. He got to a room door and opened it.

"You would be sleeping here," he said. "And take a shower, you reek of alcohol"

"Thanks for your honesty" I snickered as I walked into the room.

"I will tell one of my men to get you some lady wea..."

I didn't let him finish before slamming the door in his face.

"Thank you so much" I yelled with a smile.

The smile remained on my face as I dragged my feet to the bathroom. This was the first time in a long time I experienced peace. I wasn't scared of Asher hurting me.

As the water caressed my body, tears caressed my cheeks. I wasn't crying because I was scared, but because I was hurt and angry too. Why was I given such a heartless man as a husband when there were men like Shaun out there? I wished I never made the mistake of getting married to him.

This was the first time I had spent the night outside Asher's house and I couldn't just leave without relishing the moment. The drink I had boosted my morale and I found myself grabbing the white towel that was hung neatly on the hanger. I wrapped it around my naked body and marched out of the bedroom and also out of the room.

I went in search of Shaun. The cold shower I had, had already cleared my head a bit for me to move around, but I was still a little bit drunk.

"Shaun?" I called out as I walked down the stairs with water dripping from my body.

"Shaun" I called again.

"Over here" I heard his voice from the kitchen.

I braced myself up and walked to where I heard the voice from. He had a cup of water on his lips, drinking the content. I watched as his Adam's apple went up and down. God this man was perfect, I couldn't help but scream inside me. Everything about him was perfect, so good.

"Yes?" He turned to look at me after settling the cup on the kitchen counter. I saw as his eyes scanned my body which was only covered with a towel. He was confused, his eyes didn't hide it

"I... I uh" I stuttered, already feeling nervous, but I waved it off immediately. "I want you to fuck me," I blurted and watched his eyes widen.

He didn't expect that from me.