Suffering in Silence

This chapter has been prompted by Chandy, with the request Fraser's a complete gentleman and wouldn't hurt a fly, or at least that was what Sandy thought. But after getting on the gangster's bad side, she learns exactly how evil her husband is

Before Fraser, Sandy had never thought she would have another serious relationship, not because she didn't want to, but well, she wasn't getting any younger and it sort of felt like she'd missed her chance to properly settle down with someone.

But she was fine, she was still having fun – Dodger was proving to be the perfect distraction – and with all her boys around her, she didn't need anything serious anyway, or at least that was what she told herself at night, as she wrapped the duvet tightly around herself, trying to ignore the empty side which was basically taunting her, mocking the blonde on her complete and utter loneliness.

The moment she met Fraser, Sandy had been intrigued by the mysterious businessman. He was funny and seemingly down to earth, and the second she saw him in the Dog, sparks had flown. Those fireworks had only increased when they had shared their first kiss, Sandy had walked away grinning like a lovestruck teenager, in fact, she hadn't been able to rid herself of that smile for almost a day after.

It was a great feeling, she'd thought she'd lost her chance at true happiness after she'd lost Alan, after all, one soulmate is a given, but two?

Well it just didn't feel like Sandy had that sort of luck, but as she caught Fraser's eye over the dinner table, him laughing at a story Robbie was telling him, cutting in with a sarcastic comment every now and again with ease, the blonde realised she must do, because Fraser was her everything and she loved him more than she thought physically possible. Sandy knew in that moment she would do anything for the man she loved.

It was why she said yes to his proposal before he'd even fully opened the ring box, some people may have said it was too early, they'd been together for only a handful of months, surely marriage so soon after was a bit much, but it was the right thing, Sandy could feel it in her bones, and well, she wasn't getting any younger.

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The moment they'd exchanged their vows, it was like a switch had been flipped. It was only small things at first that changed, Fraser stopped helping to prepare dinner, He'd would spend both Friday and Saturday night down at the pub, instead of just the Friday, his hangovers therefore lasting twice as long, and because of that, his foul mood.

But soon it all started to snowball, sly digs were made about Sandy's cooking, her favourite dress was chucked because "it's not exactly age appropriate is it dear?"

Sandy felt helpless to stop it all, after all the catty comments from her beloved husband were probably just meant to be a joke, she was just being far too sensitive about the whole thing.

And well, that dress of hers was growing to be quite old, it didn't really fit in with today's ever-changing fashions, Fraser was a respected member of the community, of course he wanted her, as his wife, to look good at all times.

Everyday the bitterness would grow, until just a month and a half into married life, it felt like half the things Fraser was saying, was criticism. And it was driving Sandy up the wall, it felt like she couldn't even breath without being told she was doing something wrong, and she had been holding her tongue so far, painting a smile on her face and going along with what Fraser told her, but no more. No, Sandy Black was going to take back some control.

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"This chicken's a little dry dear," Fraser said as he forcefully swallowed a mouthful of his dinner, shooting Sandy a smile that was meant to be comforting, but the blonde could see that it was anything but. This wasn't the first time Fraser had said anything like this, but it was the first time Sandy was going to bite back.

Everyone else was out, making it the perfect opportunity to confront Fraser, Sandy was determined to not drag the others into this, they were all so protective of her anyway, Joe especially. If they thought anything was wrong with her and Fraser's relationship, they'd make sure his body was never to be found, and Sandy couldn't let that happen, even if it was a tempting idea.

"Well maybe you should help me out instead of lounging about all day," the nurse growled, not trying to hide the ferocity of her glare. When Fraser said nothing, just stared with barely concealed shock at her outburst, Sandy took a breath, ready to continue. "You have been treating me terribly for the past few weeks and I've had enough. I love you Fraser, it's why I married you, but this is getting too much for me, you're getting too much!"

Fraser was silent for a moment, he placed his knife and fork on either side of the dinner plate, before grabbing a napkin to wipe his hands. Every movement was precise, it all had purpose and nothing was without reason. It screamed calm, and Sandy couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief, maybe Fraser was finally hearing her and was willing to listen to what she had to say.

Why hadn't she spoken up weeks ago? Then this whole thing would've have been gone and sorted.

The illusion was shattered when Fraser met Sandy's eye, because she didn't see someone who was calm and willing to listen to reason. No, she saw rage and annoyance, and for the first time, Sandy was frozen in fear, unable to move as Fraser stood to tower over her.

"I'm sorry for treating you in the way you should, as my wife, be treated," Fraser spat, his tone making it clear he was anything but sorry. "You may not have noticed but I am quite the traditionalist, as we are now married we both have duties to perform, I apologise if you feel a bit more liberal."

"So what, I should stay in the kitchen slaving away whilst you leave to be the big man, the bread-winner?" Sandy snapped, not relenting as Fraser's glare only increased.

"Don't put words into my mouth," Fraser barked, taking a step closer so Sandy had to strain her neck to keep eye-contact. "I didn't say anything of the sort, all I meant was that if you're home like you have been all day, what's the problem with you making dinner?

"I would do the same for you, but as the owner of a number of successful businesses I'm sometimes stretched a little thin. Though next time, I'll help you out straight away, because God forbid I get a second to myself in this place."

Sandy sighed as Fraser turned, guilt washing over her as she realised that her husband wasn't treating her badly on purpose, he just seemed to be stressed, he was incredibly busy after all, sometimes getting up at all times of the night to sort problems at work out.

"I'm sorry love," Sandy said as Fraser turned to leave. "I don't know what came over me, I guess I've been so tired from work and all this family drama too."

"It's okay Sands," Fraser said softly, turning back and pulling Sandy from her chair effortlessly, through his grip on her wrist tightened immensely after a second, till the mother of six thought it would actually break. "Just make sure that it doesn't happen again, I don't particularly like being disrespected by my own wife."

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That night Sandy had slept on the sofa, crying silently to herself till she'd lost consciousness. What had happened to the man she had fallen in love with? He was soft and gentle, not a harsh and wicked monster. Her mind was spinning until she was awoken by Fraser the next morning, a full English in his hands and apologies falling ten to the dozen for the whole day.

Maybe she'd just dreamt the whole thing, because the two versions of Fraser she'd witnessed just didn't line up. So Sandy shrugged it off to a bit too much wine in his system and tensions running high between the pair of them. It was a one off, Fraser didn't deserve to lose everything because of it, so deciding to be the bigger person, Sandy forgave it all, ready to move on with the rest of her marriage, hoping for it to be less chaotic than the first few months had been.

But that fateful night seemed to have opened up the floodgates. No matter what she did, Fraser always found a way to fault it, and whenever she confronted him on the matter, it would always be her apologising in the end, more often than not clutching a bruised wrist after Fraser had squeezed it too tight.

It wasn't right, she knew that, but she felt powerless to stop and get help. Her family was finally perfect, her boys happy and she couldn't be the one to ruin it, to break it all up again. They'd hate her for it, she just knew it.
Those thoughts, and the cruel manipulations Fraser used to keep her silent was what kept Sandy up at night, as she tried to hold back the tears as her 'beloved' husband slept soundly beside her. This wasn't the man she married, the man she loved, but now it was too late to get out.

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When she'd first met Fraser, it was his eyes that had caught her attention. They were warm, full of love and laughter, with a cheeky sparkle catching the light. His eyes were what made Sandy comfortable in his presence, seeing the love that Fraser clearly held for her pushed down all the blonde's barriers, leaving her completely defenceless.

Because now Fraser's eyes were anything but warm and inviting. They were pale and full of malice, holding no love, laughter or warmth, hell, it seemed like there no emotion at all. His eye's would still spark when catching the light, but for completely different reasons. They'd flash as anger consumed the businessman, his eyes now burning hot, a dark and violent storm that would leave Sandy physically shaking with fear.

Anything would set him off nowadays, and it was always Sandy's fault. What used to be a harsh criticism slowly turned to a tight hold on her wrist. And then a shove. And then a hit.

In just weeks, Sandy was lucky if she went one day without any sort of torment from her 'beloved' husband, and no-one around her was any the wiser. Because Fraser was smart, he knew when the boys were home and how long they'd be out for when they weren't. He was the perfect showman when someone was there to watch, but as soon as they were alone, as soon as it was safe, the mask would slip off and Sandy would be left fearing for her safety, trying to protect the most sensitive parts of her body from Fraser's fists.

It felt like she had been suffering from the abuse for months, years even, though it must have only been a few weeks since the first time Fraser had physically hurt her. In that time, the change in Sandy was absolutely startling, no longer was she the outgoing and charming woman that everyone knew her as, no, now she was quiet and meek, doing absolutely everything to keep out of everyone's way, never making eye contact for longer than a couple of seconds.

Sandy wanted to speak out, wanted more than anything to tell everyone about just how monstrous her husband truly was, but the truth was, Sandy was too scared to breath a word of it to anyone.

Because she knew if she did, Fraser would only hurt her more than he was already, but it wouldn't stop there, the older man had already threatened her boys, to hurt them all in more ways than one, and Sandy couldn't risk that. Her life was absolute hell, but if it meant her boys were safe, then she knew what she would have to do, because they were her number one priority, and Sandy would do whatever she had to do for them, no matter how much it hurt her.

Her sons, bless them, could tell that something was wrong. The worried glances she caught, all directed to her shrunken form, were enough for Sandy to realise that they knew not all was right for her. So she plastered on a smile, straightened her shoulders and like her husband put on a mask, because they could never know the truth, they could never be subjected to the torture that she was put through on a daily basis.

When they found Fraser's body, cooling and bloody in an old car at the abandoned garage, Sandy had almost laughed with glee. It wasn't her who had committed the crime, she hadn't been near that part of town that night, but someone had saved her.

The blonde knew it was wrong, twisted even, but if she ever met the person to cut Fraser's evil life short, she would happily shake them by the hand and congratulate them, because unknowingly they had saved her. She was free, free to re-start her life and actually start living once more.

The next day Sandy took the wedding ring that had been like a shackle to her off, and she threw it into the grassy lands of the local park, content for the first time that she could remember, knowing that she'd never have to see the bloody thing again, because it was just another reminder on just how painful those last few months had been for her.

Sandy Black was finally free, and sure, it wasn't in the way that she had wished, a life had still been lost, but when she thought back on just how evil Fraser was, she couldn't think of anyone more deserving of that fate. And if that made her a little sick in the head, Sandy was sure she'd cope, because her abuser was no longer on this earth, no longer hurting her or threatening her children, and for that, she couldn't be more thankful.

Thank you all for your continued patience with my shoddy updating times, I'm so grateful that you're all so understanding and I hope that I will be able to update far more regularly next Tuesday when I've fully moved back and have an actual laptop.

Until then, I can only hope that I have the chance to post the next chapter before that date, but I can't make any promises!

Next Chapter - Robbie starts to develop feelings for Holly and becomes jealous of her relationship with Jason. At a party they kiss, but Jason spots them. Realizing that they are both in love with the same girl Jason and Robbie decide to go head to head in a boxing match, whoever wins gets the girl but will everything run smoothly in and out of the ring? - Matthew