A/N: Hey guys! I'm so excited to start this new fic, the idea came to me and I just went with it. I really hope you enjoy this story as much as I am enjoying writing it and as usual comments and constructive criticism is most welcome Chapter Two is already completed and should be up in a matter of days I just wanted to test the waters with this first…so enjoy!

Chapter One

Blood trickled down the sleeve of my nightgown, staining the white cotton in deep crimson veins. Our eyes met; his bloodshot and frightened. Mine unblinking and in irrefutable, uncontrollable horror as my trembling hand dropped the knife that killed my husband.

"Chris..tine" He whispered, as he fell to the stone cold tiles, clutching his abdomen as blood oozed through his pale fingers, dripping like hot rain.

Time stopped. Regrettably it could not be reversed.

What had I done?

It was no accident. The deadly concoction of anger and fear that coursed through me like a burning fire fuelled my sudden thirst for revenge. Revenge against a man whom from the moment those damning words "I do" passed through my lips had held me hostage in my own home for eight long, torturous years. Revenge against a man who didn't just deceive me, but who repeatedly berated, beat and raped me, whilst publically disguising himself as my brave saviour whom had single handily rescued me from a life with a monster.

Little did the world know behind the façade of the great Viscount; Raoul de Chagny.

0o0

The night began as always, with Raoul leaving me alone in his decadent townhouse that served as our home and my own personal prison for the last eight years. Once the pride of his inheritance, Raoul's love of gambling, alcohol and prostitutes had meant the family fortune was virtually gone, and this once grand house was now a neglected, decrepit tomb that I desperately struggled to maintain alone.

It had not always been this way. It seemed so long ago now, and we were both undeniably different people back then; younger, happier, madly in love. Oh how I loved him! He was perfect and kind and he loved me, so much so that he risked his own life to save mine. But after we married I lost that man. Raoul's businesses failed, too many risks and too little experience, we would've managed had not Raoul resorted to his…methods of coping. Slowly our once safe and passionate love morphed into ugliness and pain as I watched this once magnificent man transform into a monster, and my own living nightmare.

I tried so desperately not to look to the past. But now, as I lay that night in my freezing bed waiting for Raoul to return, I could not help but think about all those years ago…about Erik and that night. It was years since I had let my mind drift to him and the pain and ache I felt, but how my life was right now there was no more pain I could feel.

Should I have stayed with a murderer? A psychopathic villain? Perhaps not. But over the years I had come to understand that our past actions do not define us as people, and that however good or evil a person may seem to be that can all change…

My thought was interrupted by the sudden sound of the front door to the house crashing open, shocking me back to the present moment as I heard the noise of a drunken Raoul stumbling into the hallway. Normally I would lie frozen in fear pretending to be asleep to avoid his drunken wrath, but tonight was different for some reason, and I found myself wrapping my nightgown around my tense shoulders and tip toeing down the stairs.

There I found Raoul leaning against the unlit fire place in the half empty living room, clumsily swigging a bottle of red wine as the scarlet liquid fell down his unshaven chin. I felt no pity only disgust and regret for the mistake I had made in marrying such a brute, as I hovered observing this revolting yet unsurprising display. Suddenly he swung around, wavering slightly from the suddenness of the action but clutching the ledge of the fire place for balance.

"Little Lotteeeee…" He slurred, a snarl twitching at the corner of his stained lips. I couldn't help but grimace as he tainted this once tender nickname that had made me swoon and fall irrevocably in love with my charming lover.

"Raoul, please put the bottle down and come to bed…it-it's late and y-y-you should rest" I stammered my spine tingling as a wicked gleam crossed his once honest and trusting eyes as he threw back the last drop of wine before hurling the bottle across the room as glass ricocheted across the floorboards.

"Ahhh Christineeee" he growled "My beloved wife, who is so embarrassed by her failure of a husband that she would try to send him to bed without a kiss goodnight?" His arms opened, inviting me to step into his threatening embrace. Hesitantly I stepped forward, hoping that if I adhered to his wishes that he would come out of this primal mood that I had witnessed one too many times. Suddenly Raoul lunged forward, his arms grabbing my shoulders with such brute force that I yelped in pain as he spun me round pushing my back hard against the ledge of the mantel piece.

"You are my wife! You do as I say" he hissed, his alcoholic breath hot against my skin before his lips pressed hard against mine, his tongue like a serpent trying to choke me as he thrust his body hard against mine pinning me back.

This was no unusual experience. Eight long years I had endured this. After a while, I had stopped thinking about what my life could've been, how different everything could've been. But then I suppose, aside from my father the men in my life had never been truly reliable. What I would do to feel real love that didn't turn so… ugly.

I couldn't take it any longer, as Raoul began to loosen the buckle on his jeans his actions becoming more volatile I pushed him firmly back, sending him staggering across the room before he clumsily regained his balance.

"Brave are we Christine?" he spat, his teeth gritting together staring me down like a lion hunting its prey. Fear sent the hairs on my neck a stand and I ran into the kitchen, confused and not knowing where to escape to in this house more like a prison, with an enraged Raoul hot on my toes.

We stood behind the large wooden kitchen table, eyes locked on the other, our breaths heavy.

Then… I spied it, lying just to my side. A sharp kitchen knife I must've left out from dinner earlier. Whether it was the adrenaline, the years of torment or something much…darker I did not know. The only thing my mind was sure of is that tonight I would no longer live this life any longer.

Raoul followed my darting eye, but he was too drunk and I was too fast. My hand swooped out with one swift motion and at the same time Raoul moved to grab it I plunged the knife deep into his stomach and pulled it out as fast.

As he fell to the floor his breathing became quick and shallow. I couldn't think, it felt like a horrific nightmare. I staggered out of the room my hands red from the splash of the blood as I hastily wiped them onto my white night gown. I had to leave. It was around midnight and rain thundered down heavily outside. I stood between the house and the outside frozen in shock. Before the sound of Raoul crashing through the house shocked me to my senses.

"Stop!" he screamed "Christine stop!"

But I ran. Barefoot in the pouring rain, with my nightdress on I ran senselessly and wildly down the street as the rain splashed around me and the sky thundered up above.

What had I done?