Chapter 15: Broke

He tipped his head and chuckled, an offensive one. “Nah, Solene. I can control you in any way I want. You are mine. Mine only and no one can snatch you away from me.” I felt helpless in front of him as he looked like a predator who had already marked his prey.

I winced as he violently pressed my body against the door of his car. He claimed my mouth violently, pressing his lips against mine. Then his words echoed through my brain. *If I caught you lying to me, I’m going to punish you.”

His kiss was really a punishing act as I tasted my own blood inside my mouth after he had bitten my lip. My urge to push him away was tremendous but I don't have enough power to do it. He’s too strong and my body has also weakened due to his kiss and also from fear. I’m almost near flopping down to the floor due to my wobbly legs.

**“I don't like seeing you with other guys, Solene!”** He should before turning his back to me.

I clenched my fists in anger and I looked up to prevent more tears from falling down. **“You're so selfish, Fire. I can't make friends with other guys but you can make friends with other girls.”**

He stopped walking for a moment before he continued and went inside his car without even bothering to look at me. Not even one glance. I felt defeated. I remembered his picture with Lovelle, then more pain rushed into my veins.

**“Why can you smile with other girls? Why can you flirt with them while I can't even make friends with one guy? Oh, is it because you don't see me as a human? You also see me as your toy right? Which you can use, then break, and discard anytime you want.”**

**“Why don't you answer me?”** I screamed, my voice echoed in the air.

I have decided. I have decided to let out everything today. I have ignited a fire, might as well burn down a whole forest.

**“Oh I see!” I chuckled. “It's because it's what you're good at.” I grinned, amusement was in my voice. “You're good at using, controlling, and manipulating me.”** I laughed crazily.

**“Are you really a man, Fire? Because from what I know, men don't play with dolls.”** I said before he started his car’s engine and steered his car out of the parking lot.

I was alone. Silence was all over my surroundings as I stared blankly at nothing.
Everything has snapped. I finally snapped. I poured out the things I have been keeping in my heart. The things that have caused my insomnia, my nightmares, and my blind happiness. *After this, should I still look forward to a brighter day?*

*How did it come down to this? Everything crumbled into pieces at my feet. Lillian was right with her warnings. Pain will be the only thing I could get at the very end of my relationship with Fire. Excruciating pain.

I felt my cheeks damp from the tears that had already started to flow on my cheeks. They are now warming my cold face. I stood there like that for a while before I heard Shan’s voice.

“Solene, why are you crying?” He asked as he neared me. “Where is he? Did he hurt you?”

“It's nothing.” I said, wiping my tears away. “ I just remembered something sad.” I told him.

“Are you sure? He looked straight into my eyes, wanting to know if I’m telling him the truth.

I smiled trying to assure him but I’m pretty sure it came out bitterly. “Is this something to do with the one that talked to you earlier?” I just shook my head. I’m too exhausted to make up an excuse.

“Shan, could you please just drop me off at my apartment? I am not feeling well. I’ll just help you shop some other time.”

Without a single question, Shan led me to his car and he drove me home. I got out of his car without bothering to look back at him even though I could clearly feel his eyes following my every move until I went inside the apartment.

I was again alone in this cold and empty space. I looked around and realized that this wasn't mine. It was Fire’s. He was the one who acquired it, and the one paying for it. I initially planned to move out after I finished college and have my own job but I might leave this place sooner than I expected. I have said things to him that he wouldn't accept. He also did the same to me. We have wounded each other with our words that flayed and impaled us like a knife.

I was hurt. Emotionally, physically, and mentally drained. I forcefully dragged my heavy body until I reached my living room. My eyelids are heavy and my eyes are sore from crying. I sighed wearily as I let my body slump on the cold floor. I crouched and curled, hugging myself as the memories played in my brain.

We were still happy these last few weeks. We were still enjoying each other's company then. But after tonight, everything between me and him will change. There will be no reason to see each other anymore. There are a lot of consequences that entails my fight with Fire today. Consequences that will make a heavy blow on me, things that I will face alone. But those things stayed stored at the back of my mind as I only thought about our breaking deal. The intensity and damage of our argument was tremendous that I will not continue holding on to the contract anymore. Things have been said. Things have been done. And they're irrevocable. The damage they left will also leave a scar on me forever.

Maybe I’ll find my peace when I finally let go. When I finally let him go.