Alec held her neck in a tight grasp, "You'll do as I say, is that clear?"
Anger flashed across Selena's eyes but she nodded slightly desperately needed air.
"Good," Alec released her and she collapsed to the ground, panting. "Next time, if I want to go anywhere, you are to go without objection. Is that clear?"
A hard line formed on Selena's mouth.
"IS THAT CLEAR?" Alec shouted.
"..Yes…darling," Selena said quietly.
Alec's expression soften and he helped her up. "You're a good girl. You'd make a fine wife." He kissed her head and held her close. "I love you, alright?"
Selena met his gaze steadily, "..Of course.." She cringed at the thought of marrying.
Alec nodded and then helped her get home.
Selena quietly shut the door behind her and went to look for her father. He was in the kitchen reading a newspaper.
"Father," Selena greeted.
Gentle eyes met her, "Selena. How was your day with Alec?" His gaze went to her neck, there were bruises. He sat up, "What happened, Sel?"
She pulled out a chair and sat next to him, whispering, "Father, he's a monster. I hate him."
Her father grasped her hand, "Then you must break it off with him."
"I can't, Father." Her eyes grew wide. "I'm afraid of him. He's awful.."
"Selena Caitlin Marie afraid of boy?" Her father asked. "That sounds unlikely from a girl who challenged a 15 year old boy to fight when she was 6. What makes him so awful?"
A small grin came on Selena, "That 15 year old boy kicked our puppy. I couldn't let him go on a free rein." She frowned. "Alec…He's…Got a bad temper and he likes to…beat people.." She unconsciously touched her neck.
Her father took off his glasses, "Selena. You have to face your fears. I can only talk to him but I can't make him change his ways. It must be you who can get through him."
A beam of sunlight flooded the kitchen and Selena gazed at it. "I…I...I'm so afraid…."
He lifted her chin up to make her look at him. "Fear are the ropes that will pull you down and if you don't fight it. You'll drown." He let her go and stood up. "You know what to do, Selena" And he left her in the kitchen.
Tessa stood quietly at the entrance and slipped away before she was caught.
Alec sauntered up to her and placed a hand on the tree, angling his body towards her. "You needed me, Selly?"
Selena stepped away, expressionless. "I want us to break up."
Series of expressions flash through Alec's expression then he adopted anger. "What? Why? I want you!"
Selena gritted her teeth, "You're nothing but an ass to me! You never treat me right."
"I did EVERYTHING for you!" Alec shouted. "We're perfect together, Selena! Your mother wanted to wed us!"
"I never listen to my mother anyways! I am NOT her puppet and I am not your girl!" Selena snarled. "You're an abusive bastard who's full of himself. You're better off with Tessa."
Alec raised his hand to hit her and she ducked. "You'll do as your mother says and marry me. Tessa will find someone else!"
"I will marry no one." Selena said quietly and quickly climbed a tree and disappeared.