53. Abused
"Oh, my god. Rin, I'm- I'm so sorry."
His arms are embracing her, holding her tightly to him, but Rin just wants to get away, to run and hide from him. Instead of pushing him away, though, she lays there in shock, still feeling the coursing pain in her cheek.
Len had been acting odd lately. Stressed, uncontrolled, angry. He wouldn't tell her why, even though she's his wife. Rin had questioned him, tried and tried to figure out what was wrong.
Then, Len started really losing his temper.
The first time was very similar to this. She was concerned, asking him why he was avoiding her calls and not talking to her, demanding to understand why he was acting this way. Rin had never expected him to turn on her like he did, snapping faster than lightning.
It took one hit, and she was on the floor. Sharp thorns in her collarbone, from where he had slammed his fist into her unsuspecting body. Seconds after he'd realized what he'd done, he had cradled her to his chest and endlessly apologized, showing her the Len he used to be, making her wonder what was real and what wasn't.
That wasn't the last time.
This same process kept occurring. Bruises littered her skin, cuts appeared that she had to explain away. She didn't want to blame him; she loved him, but inside she was terrified of what he would do next. Could he kill her? No, he still loved her, right? Right? Or did he...? Nothing made sense anymore, and she found herself thrown into inner turmoil, not sure whether to leave him, or to wait out this phase. If it was a phase.
"Rin, please forgive me, I- I'm so sorry-" Len pleading with her forcefully, his hands tightly holding her to him, as if he's afraid she'll fly away.
Something in her mind snaps, and she realizes this isn't just some phase. Finally, she realizes that this will never end. Something is wrong, and she can't stay and fix it. She'd be risking her well-being, her own life.
"Let go." It isn't a request. The tone is cold, and Len leans back in confusion.
"Rin-?" He's even more startled when she shoves him roughly away, jumping to her feet. Her face stings like thousands of hornets have stung her, but she doesn't care. She has to go. Rin can't do this anymore. She loves him, but staying would mean always hurting, always wondering why and what she did wrong. Rin can't deal with it any longer.
Without looking back, Rin leaves him sitting on the ground, not letting him see her tears as the door slams closed between them.