Open Marriage, Broken Promises: When Love Turns to Ashes novel Chapter 9

Emily's chest tightened, sharp pain stabbing deep inside her.

Dignity, trampled. Again and again.

She suddenly felt exhausted. Too tired to fight.

The man laughed, hearing the audio.

"What's wrong? Afraid I can't get it up?"

"You bringing your own porn to spice things up?"

His mouth—reek of liquor—pressed against her chest, sniffing through her clothes like a dog.

"Fuck, you smell good."

His hands forced her thighs apart, teeth dragging over her skin.

"See? This is what happens when you behave."

"I wouldn't have to hit you."

His words, sickening.

Emily squeezed her eyes shut, biting into her wounded lip until her whole body trembled.

No.

This isn't how it ends.

This isn't her price to pay.

Her eyes snapped open.

Fingers curling around a jagged rock.

She locked onto him—

And the second he lifted his head, she struck.

A scream tore through the night.

Emily kicked him off and ran.

She didn't know for how long—

Until someone called her name.

A group of men stumbled out of a bar, freezing at the sight of her.

Michael's crew.

They didn't expect Emily to come back.

And looking like… this.

Torn clothes. A swollen cheek.

Bruises covering every inch of her.

Before they could react, one of the guys—Alex—stepped forward.

He shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her.

"Do you need me to call the cops?" he asked, voice low.

Michael snapped out of it, laughing.

"Alex, man, relax. This is classic James."

"Just a little rough foreplay, not our business."

He grabbed her arm.

"C'mon, let's hit another bar."

Emily flinched.

The touch—

Her body recoiled, a scream ripping from her throat.

And now, they were offering her up like a party favor.

How ironic…

How disgusting…

"I don't nee—"

Before she could finish, Michael cut her off.

"Come on, don't put James in a tough spot."

Emily fell silent.

Not because she agreed.

She was just too tired to argue.

Would James have made the same choice if he were here?

The thought alone made her feel sick.

It didn't matter.

There was no "them" anymore.

Alex glanced at Michael, unimpressed.

Michael shut up immediately.

Alex stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"Come with me. I'll take you to the cops."

Emily looked up, her smile dripping with sarcasm.

"Do I even have a choice?"

Alex didn't argue.