Chapter 1

On a frigid Texas evening, she slumped over the bar, clutching a chilled glass of beer, her second of the night. Despite the numbing effects of the alcohol, her anguish and pain still lingered, refusing to be drowned. With each sip, she felt a stinging sense of despair as she gazed at her friend, radiant with joy, laughing and giggling during a Facetime call with her distant love and fiancé, away on business as a company representative.

As she watched, memories of her own love story, once the envy of all, now taunted her. The sparkle had faded, leaving only a dull ache. Her mind raced with the cruel whispers of others, their jealousy and envy now replaced with pity and scorn. The pain of her shattered dreams and lost love threatened to consume her, fueling her desire to escape into the abyss of alcohol.

She thought of the way her husband's eyes, once full of love and adoration, had grown cold and distant. The way his touch, once gentle and loving, had become rough and uncaring. The way his words, once sweet and reassuring, had turned harsh and hurtful. The memories still lingered, a constant reminder of what she had lost.

Their marriage, once a beautiful melody, had become a discordant symphony of pain and heartache. He had started to prioritize his work, his friends, and even his hobbies over her. The fire that once burned bright had been reduced to smoldering embers, a constant ache that refused to subside.

As the night wore on, she couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong. Had she changed? Had he changed? Or had they both just grown apart? The questions swirled in her mind like a vortex, pulling her deeper into the darkness.

But for now, she just sat there, nursing her beer, lost in a sea of pain and regret, as the world around her seemed to move on without her.

Her mind was a maelstrom of remorse, as she lamented the fateful choice that had sentenced her to a life of unrelenting torment. The man she had once loved, now a monster who had mercilessly ravaged her dreams, leaving only a trail of anguish, abuse, and shattered hopes. He had callously desecrated their sacred marital vows, reducing their union to a mere facade of festering resentment.

As the weight of her regret threatened to consume her, she couldn't help but think of the prophetic warning her parents had issued, their words now echoing in her mind like a haunting requiem. She had spurned their counsel, rejecting her father's offer to join him as Assistant Manager after college, a decision that had ultimately led her down this treacherous path.

The memories of what could have been taunted her, a bittersweet reminder of the life she had forsaken. Her father's guidance, once deemed restrictive, now seemed like a beacon of wisdom, a chance to escape the clutches of the man who had become her tormentor. The pain of her choices seared her soul, a constant reminder of the devastating consequences of her disobedience.

As the torrent of thoughts ravaged her mind, a deluge of tears burst forth, streaming down her cheeks like rivulets of sorrow. She surrendered to the anguish, bowing her head in defeat as a heart-wrenching cry escaped her lips, shattering the bar's convivial atmosphere. The sudden outburst drew the attention of the patrons, their curious gazes converging on her like a swarm of vultures.

A stranger, his face etched with feigned concern, approached her, his voice dripping with insincerity. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone grating on her frayed nerves. She recoiled at his proximity, her eyes flashing with indignation. With a fierce cry, she unleashed her pent-up fury, her palm connecting with his cheek in a resounding slap. "Leave me alone!" she spat, her voice venomous. "You're all the same – hypocrites, pretenders, and abusers!"

"Hey, what was that for?" the stranger protested, his voice laced with indignation. "I was only attempting to offer solace and assistance, and this is the thanks I get?" His words dripped with feigned innocence, but she saw right through the facade.

A nearby patron, a woman with a sympathetic gaze, intervened, her tone dripping with condescension. "Don't be so harsh, dear. This gentleman was merely trying to help. You shouldn't rebuff kindness so callously."

The stranger's mask of benevolence slipped, revealing a glimmer of entitlement. But she was having none of it. "Gentle?" she spat, her voice venomous. "Wait until they start to deceive and betray you, until their tender words turn to poison and their loving touch becomes a suffocating shackle. Then, and only then, will you understand my scorn."

As she spoke, the lady's expression faltered, her eyes clouding with a mixture of confusion and concern. The stranger's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger, but she stood her ground, her words hanging in the air like a challenge.