The Devil's CrownPart Two - Monica James Page 0,49

a chance to fight him off, he pulls me up by my hair.

Crying out, I twist and turn, desperately attempting to break free. But Frank only yanks harder, craning my neck so far back, I’m certain he’ll snap me in half.

“You dressed like a slut for him, didn’t you? You’re not getting any from me, so you’re getting it from someone.”

“Fuck you!” I scream, fighting like a wild cat.

“Fuck me?” he angrily spits, stunned I would talk back. “You need a reminder of who’s boss.”

He lets me go, only to push me into the wooden dresser. A pained gasp leaves me as I fight for air. Frank doesn’t allow the reprieve, however, and is on me, walking me toward the wall with his hand locked around my throat, making it impossible to breathe. He pins me to the wall.

“Tell me who you’re fucking!”

I frantically slap at his hand as I gag, unable to take in air. But he doesn’t let me go.

His eyes are crazed when he lowers his face so that it’s inches from mine. “Tell me!”

My eyes flicker. I’m on the cusp of passing out, but it doesn’t end this way for me. I refuse to be a victim at the hands of another Macrillo man.

Running on fumes of adrenaline, I raise my knee and connect with Frank’s balls. He gasps and lets me go, buckling in half. Shoving past him, I run for the door, but he reaches out and snares the back of my long dress, dragging me toward him.

“No!” I scream, flailing for my freedom.

Frank kidney punches me, which has me dropping to my knees, gagging and wheezing. “Look what you made me do! Just answer my question, and I’ll forgive you.”

But there is no forgiveness here. This toxicity was always bound to end in blood. So with nothing left to lose, I lift my chin and seal my fate forevermore. “You’re right; I am fucking someone else.”

Frank inhales sharply, closing his eyes as if needing a minute. He’s going to need more than a minute.

“I didn’t come back because I wanted to,” I reveal, gripping my middle as it hurts to breathe. “I left you, Frank, because I could never be your wife. You’re a spoiled mommy’s boy who is trying so desperately to be like his father. Santo asked Alek to bring me back because—”

“Because he loves me!” Frank says, wishing to live out his fantasy. But I soon shatter that with a sharp shake of my head.

“No, you fucking moron. Because he…loves me.”

Frank’s mouth parts, his eyes displaying the horror within. It only fuels me further as I come to a shaky stand.

“You asked who I was fucking? Well, surprise, it’s your f-father!” I proclaim breathlessly, the truth finally setting me free.

Frank staggers back, shaking his head. “You liar! You fucking liar!”

“No, it’s the truth. I returned to be your father’s mistress. I was to marry you, only for your precious papa to fuck me behind your back,” I crudely state. “Looks like he’ll always be bigger and better than you. And bigger he is.”

Frank vibrates, his face turning red and spittle foaming at the corner of his mouth. “He would never do that to me!”

His pain is like a drug to me, and I violently flip my hair over my shoulder, revealing the back of my neck. “No? Who gave me this then?” I say, exposing the bruises his father left behind.

My body, mind, and spirit are broken and bruised, but if this is my end, then I will ensure I go out with a bang.

“He fucked me in our bed. Doggy style. And I loved it. I loved every—”

I never get to finish my sentence because Frank advances with a roar and punches me in the face. Hot blood gushes from my nose, and all I can think is that it’ll ruin my dress. My mind is lost, lost to this family as all they’ve done is abuse me until breaking point.

Frank punches me in the stomach and ribs, sobbing like he is the one getting the shit kicked out of him. His tears please me because I know I’ve hurt him. I have no doubt he’s going to kill me, and I accept my fate, knowing what destruction I’ve left behind.

I’ve destroyed Frank. The fact has me laughing manically. This must be what it feels like to lose your mind.

“You whore! You lying whore!” Frank screams, kicking and punching me over and over again. By this stage, the fight