A/N: **** TRIGGER WARNINGS. ****

I DO NOT OWN THE VAMPIRE DIARIES OR THE CHARACTERS.

Chapter Thirteen:

I hummed quietly to myself, as I walked through the grocery store. I jumped, when I felt hands on my hips. They felt familiar, but not in the way I wanted them to. I moved out of their grip and took a step back. I turned around to see that it was none other than my ex-husband. I sighed. Does he really have to keep showing up? Why does he keep doing this?

"What the hell, Damon?!" I seethed, visibly shaken. "You have no right to touch me. I thought I made that perfectly clear."

Bonnie, I told you that I would get you back and I will. Can you really blame me for that? I love you, Bon-Bon. I miss you." Damon professed. His voice was low and husky. During the first couple years of our relationship, every time he would use that voice, I got hot and bothered. And damn, did he know it. I'd be lying, if I said that he doesn't still give me goosebumps, because he does. But his effect on me is nowhere near what it used to be. How can he not see that? Surely, not even Damon is that delusional.

"I don't love you anymore, Damon. I, honest to goddess, don't. I'm in love with two other people. They make me feel things that I didn't even know that I could feel. Somehow, they see all the best and worst parts of me and they still want me. We don't play games. We don't manipulate each other. Sure, sometimes I catch myself missing what we used to have, but I never want to go back to that part of my life. I don't miss feeling miserable or crying myself to sleep, alone. I don't miss the mind games or getting screwed over. I don't even miss the woman I used to be. I'm stronger now. I'm not her anymore. You need to accept what I'm telling you and respect it, because it's never going to change. Whatever delusions you have about the two of us rekindling that pathetic excuse of a relationship aren't going to ever happen." I lamented. He looked taken aback to say the least. But, there is something dangerous lurking in his eyes. It's something that makes me want to get as far away from him as possible. It's the same look that he gets, when he's desperate to get what he wants. Nothing good ever comes from it.

"You're just in denial. Let me show you just how good I can be." He tried again, as he began to inch closer. I took a step back to further avoid him.

"You had that chance and you blew it. I'm leaving, Damon. Please keep your distance. I think it'd be best for everyone, if we didn't talk or see each other for a while." I turned on my heel and started walking away. Once I was a few aisles away, I finally let out the breath that I didn't realize I had been holding.

I was shoved forward and stumbled, losing my footing. Someone yanked me forward and slammed my back against the grocery store aisle shelves. I was face-to-face, again, with a crazed looking Damon. I pushed against him, but he wouldn't budge. He pressed himself further against me. I was shaking. We both knew I was terrified and there wasn't a damn thing I could do to hide it. Damon knew that he had me at a disadvantage.

He looked so serious – he wasn't even smirking. He grabbed a handful of hair at the nape of my neck. My heart was racing and I could hear it pounding. It's all I could hear – the pounding echoing in my ears. I have no idea how I'm going to get out of this. Shit.

His free hand crept up my abdomen and came too close to my chest. I shook my head and fought to find my voice.

"Don't." I bit out. Damon wasn't fazed. "Damn it, Damon. I said, 'Don't.' Don't. Fucking. Touch. Me. I'm not yours. I swear to goddess if you do this, I will make you regret it." I hissed, forcing myself to stand taller. He just smirked. I huffed and drew my hand back and slapped him with as much strength as I could muster. His lip started to bleed. He licked the blood off and only seemed more determined. I raised my hand to hit him again, but he caught my wrist, stopping me. He forced his lips to mine. I bit down on his lip, hard, doing any damage I could.

Joke is on me. If anything, he seemed to like it. He became increasingly more abrasive. He was making a point to mark me as much as possible, like physically marking me would claim me as his. I had scratches down my arms and a bloody lip to match his, already. I won't be surprised if my wrist ends up bruised, either. I moved my head back, as much as I could. He didn't let me move much. I slammed my face forward, effectively head-butting his.

He groaned and moved his mouth to bite my neck. I hissed in pain, before screaming for help. He didn't stop. I maneuvered my leg between his and kneed him in the balls. He fell backwards and I made a run for it. I left my groceries behind, not even giving it a second thought.

As soon as I was speeding away in my car and I was sure that the doors were locked, I called Liz. I explained everything as quickly as I could. She demanded that I stayed on the line, until I reached the Sheriff's Department, safely. She relayed what was happening to Matt and asked him to call Kol and Kai. Fuck. How is this even my life?!

I had a protection order against Damon, I was exhausted and shaking like a leaf. The stress of everything was finally catching up with me and it was hitting – hard. Thankfully, we were finally leaving the station. Matt offered to follow up in Kol's car and Liz offered to follow in her squad car, so he would have a ride back to work.

I was too exhausted to fully comprehend what was happening. I just knew that I was – and always will be – eternally grateful for the amazing people in my life that always seem to be in my corner. What more can a girl ask for?

I mean, sure, it would be nice not to have a psycho ex-husband… But if you're gonna have on, this would probably be the ideal way to have one. Yeah, I could sit here and feel sorry for myself, but what good would it do? I'm thankful for everything good I have going in my life. I won't let Damon take from me or taint that. I won't. I just won't.

A/N: Much more Kai/Kol/Bonnie goodness next chapter. I know that this chapter didn't have any of it, BUT hopefully next chapter will make up for it. Stay tuned! Reviews are LOVE and would be spectacular!

Xo,
Anneryn