Do It

Violet 

I hear the footsteps and pause. I don’t dare turn around. What will I tell him after all this time?

And here, of all places. 

Why did he choose to come back now?  My hands close into fists and I turn around.

But the man coming my way is not Dominic.

It’s Conor.

And he looks pissed. Very pissed, at that. 

“What the hell was that in there?” 

He growls, coming to stand before me. I take a small step away from him. 

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

I say. “I just needed some fresh air, it’s really suffocating in there. “

I’m keeping my voice neutral but he is already irritated to no end for some reason.

“Suffocating?”

He snorts. “You know perfectly well what I am talking about,” 

Then he takes a threatening step in my direction. 

Conor grabs me. Now, that it’s just the two of us, he has no reason to try to be careful and no one would see him.

He grabs me really forcefully and pulls me towards him, looming over me.

“I saw how you look at him.” he snarls. 

“At who?” 

I ask and Conor lowers himself further.

“Dominic,” he says the name with so much gathered in his voice that I feel goosebumps rising all over my skin.

“I know you used to like him before,” he says and I try to make him let go of me.

He doesn’t release his hold, so I stop struggling and look up to meet his eyes.

“It was years ago. “ I grunt, “And you know nothing happened. It was just a stupid girl’s infatuation. Nothing more.” 

“Yeah, “ he says, licking his lips, “ because he didn’t care about a poor rat like you. Did you really think he’d recognise you? You? Violet, nobody from the slums.” 

I clench my teeth so hard I feel like I might chip one of them.

“I never thought he’d remember me.” 

“No one would,” he says. “Even I married you out of pity.” 

He sounds so content and full of himself that I can’t stand him.

“Then why don’t you let me go?” I ask, this time more confidently. Hopefully, even.  “Hm?” 

“I told you no  “ Conor begins, very slowly, “And if you keep asking me for a divorce, I will ruin your life. And Evie’s.” 

At the mention of my sister's name I pause. He is right. Even if I manage to split with him I still won’t be able to provide for her education. 

A few more years, I remind myself. A few more years and I will manage to make my father’s business successful again. I can do it. 

 But right now… I am far from achieving anything remotely close to success and profits. The company was in ruins, it will take time until I make it successful again. 

“What do you get from torturing me,” I hiss at him and Conor smirks.

“I love seeing you humiliated,” 

He says it without thinking, “the proud Violet who thinks she’s smarter than the others. This doesn’t work on me.” 

“You are insane,” 

I snarl at him and he laughs. 

“Oh, no. I’m not. I just know you better than you think.” 

“Did you know he was going to be here tonight?” I ask, “Did you want to humiliate me in front of him too? ”

“You embarrassed yourself enough, “ Conor's eyes are a deep, dark colour, the black pupils have almost eaten out the blue irises.

“If you ever look at him,” he says, “you’ll regret it. You are not allowed to look at other men, especially my brother.” 

I try to pull away from him but I can’t.

“Let go of me.” 

I struggle, but he grabs me.

“You are my wife. “ he raises his voice, “Act like one.” 

“I’m not…”

I begin when he suddenly grabs me really hard, kissing me.

“No!” 

I try to push him away, but he is much stronger.

“Let go of me!” 

I yell, struggling.

“No!” 

I fight him, pushing him away from me as he is fording himself on me.

Conor has never done anything like this. All the offices and no kings have only been verbal so far. 

Right now, he is not letting go.

“Please, no.” 

I cry out as he grabs the front of my dress and almost rips the cloth. 

“Please, no…”

I keep struggling when he does it. 

“Ungrateful bitch,” he yells. Then he raises his hand threatening to hit me.

“Coward!” 

I shout, “Come on, do it. Hit me! ” 

Conor  pauses.

My eyes flicker to the lights of the manor behind us.  I see one of Conor’s bodyguards walking towards us.

“Sir?” The man calls, “Is everything all right?” 

Conor releases me but keeps glaring at me.

“Yes, Ethan,” 

He tells his bodyguard without looking at him.

“My wife and I just had a small argument, didn’t we, honey?” 

I hold his eyes.

“Yes. We… yes. “

“Everything’s fine. You are free,” 

Conor instructs and the man doesn’t come near.

“Uhhh, okay, Sir. “ he mutters, “Please call me if you need anything.” 

“Of course,” Conor says and Ethan vanishes.

“You can’t run away from me,” 

Conor says when it’s just the two of us, “Don’t ever forget that.” 

I won’t cry.

I won’t let him see me crying. And I won’t let him touch me- I’ll never forgive him for what he did.

Conor kisses the top of my head and I squeeze my eyes shut.

“I expect you to be back inside,” he says, “ We still haven’t cut the cake. “

Conor fixes his coat and then his tie.

“By the way, Grandfather wanted to see you. Don’t even think of mentioning to him what happened just now.” 

When I don’t respond, he grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him.

“Do you understand what I am saying?” 

“Yes,” I whisper, my jaw trembling and I am ready to do anything to stop my voice from shaking. 

“Fix your make-up before that. “

He says. “You look terrible.” 

Conor releases my chin, and steps away from me. 

“Anastasia is really beautiful, don’t you think?” 

He doesn’t even wait for me to reply before he turns back to the manor. 

“Don’t be too long.” 

Conor goes back inside, leaving me alone.

That’s when I can no longer stop the tears from spilling and I begin crying.