AnonGuest: Yeah, I was tempted to have Rina beat her to a pulp but hey… can't have it all your own way even if you are the writer. Lol.

ChaoticGracexoxo: I don't think I will give her a redemption arc, despite the original. It means rewriting but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make! Especially as it's so satisfactory to make her squirm. My endings are pretty extensive, I like to make sure that most things are wrapped up and it's a happy ending if that's what is the genre.

Kawii-Cherry: The crowd has spoken and so it shall be so! I will be very mean to these characters from here on out. Frustratingly so. Somehow they still haven't admitted they're in love? How?!

A/N: I know it's been a while but life has it's ways of being frustrating. I have done some rewrites and I don't particularly like this chapter but hey, hope you enjoy, regardless.

Chapter 34: Say it again. Please.

Rina moaned into the wet, cold washcloth that she had held to her face. She had seen Sebastian off that morning and once her chores were done, she took a moment to feel sorry for herself. 'Fucking cow,' she mutters as she looked into her phone reflection before throwing it down. There was a big, green and blue bruise on her cheekbone. Abigail's slap had weakened and softened her skin and then a repeated, heavier blow had created the damage, the bruise. She leans back and feels water trickle down the side of her face and neck, she ached all over and everything she did, hurt in some way.

The only thing that disturbed her was her phone going off. She pats the bed before finding it and simply holds it up to her ear. 'Hello, Rina Ty- Vance, speaking, in which way can I help you?' She said on automatic, not knowing if it was a potential customer or not. There was a small flicker of happiness when she had to correct herself about her new surname.

'Rina, it's Mayor Lewis, I need to discuss something with you,' he said simply. Rina frowned, his tone didn't sound good and it made her sit up straight, ignoring the washcloth that fell into her lap.

'Alright, what is it in regards to?' She asked, bluntly, a pit in her stomach.

'There's been a… complaint. It's quite a sensitive matter that I think would best be discussed in person,' he said awkwardly. Rina pauses, as if she was going to refuse and the Mayor spoke again, 'I would like to keep this as a simple conversation, I would hate if things were escalated and it got out… publicly,' he said, slyly.

Her lip twitches in anger, she knew exactly what he meant. He meant that her father could find out about it. With a deep breath in, Rina forced a smile and jovial tone. 'Of course, Mayor Lewis, whatever I can do to help, you know me,' she said, sickly sweet. Rina arranged to meet him in the town, his home within the next half an hour. She took the time to get ready, putting on a nice dress; which showed her mermaid necklace off, a pair of boots and a cardigan for the cold. There wasn't much she could do for her split lip or bruise so she just left them as they were.

Rina knocks on the door and waits for merely a moment before it's opened. Mayor Lewis nods and steps aside to let her in. She walks into the house and instantly sees Pierre and Caroline sitting on one of his sofas. 'Take a seat, Rina,' Mayor Lewis says as he comes up behind her.

'What is this?' Rina asked suspiciously.

'Just a chat, nothing more,' he replies as he takes a seat. Rina looked at Pierre, he had a face like a slapped arse and Caroline didn't look like she wanted to be there. Refraining from rolling her eyes, Rina clutches her bag strap a little tighter and sits down, perched on the edge of the seat. Mayor Lewis clears his throat and looks between everyone present. 'So, as I've been told, there was somewhat of a disagreement, last night. Between you and Abigail?' He clarified.

Instantly, Rina felt defensive. 'I'm sorry, why isn't Abigail here?' She said simply, not rising the nasty glare that Pierre sent her way.

Mayor Lewis pulls a face, 'she was not the one that made the complaint… her parents have done it on her behalf-'

Rina stood up. 'Is this a school? Am I a teenager being told off? No. The fact is, Abigail hit me first; to which I have witnesses, including my husband,' she said, noticing the flinch on Pierre's face at the mention of Sebastian. 'Now, I shouldn't have retaliated but she had been antagonising me and I had indeed had a drink,' she admits, 'but that is no excuse for what happened.'

Pierre's face was bright red and he stood up as well, ignoring Caroline pulling at his arm to stop him. He looks at Mayor Lewis and then at Rina, 'my daughter came home last night, covered in blood! She was beaten like a dog! You have the audacity to stand there and proclaim you are the victim?!' He snarls. 'Ever since you arrived in this town, my daughter has been totally isolated from her friends and the boy that was supposed to-'

'To what?' Rina interrupts, not allowing him to finish his sentence. Pierre's lip curls back but she doesn't let him continue. Mayor Lewis goes to say something and Rina shakes her head, 'no! I've had enough of this! I've done nothing wrong. I don't care about some imagined slights that Abigail insists that I've afflicted against her,' Rina snaps, glaring at Pierre. 'You need to get your daughter some damn therapy. That, 'boy' wasn't supposed to do anything. He is a man and he made his own decisions. As for her isolation, perhaps if she wasn't acting so toxic, her friends would make more time for her,' Rina said, bluntly. She turns to Mayor Lewis, 'so help me, if you ever think it's appropriate to disturb me while I'm working, for some, petty, insignificant, teenage hissy fit, then think again. I have done a lot for this community; I need not list it all. Pierre, I even sold you vegetables last week, to which I've never complained about the obvious markup that you then sell them with,' Rina hisses, fire in her eyes.

'Rina-' Mayor Lewis began.

'Mrs Vance,' she snaps back at him in correction.

'Mrs… Vance,' he corrects as he motions for Pierre to sit down, which he does, begrudgingly. 'You have to understand that an incident like this can cause fractures in our community, it has to be solved.'

'Here's a solution,' Rina said simply, crossing her arms. 'Tell Abigail to keep off my property, away from me and there will be no more problems. Unless, you wish for me to make my customers aware that I will only be selling privately from the farm and exclude my earnings from the town's revenue?'

Mayor Lewis' face pales and he looks surprised, it didn't look like he was aware that Rina knew he took a percentage of her profits, for selling her products. It was completely legal and above board. 'I am sure… Pierre and Caroline can have that conversation with her,' he said as he looks at Abigail's parents. Pierre clearly wasn't happy but Caroline nodded, placing a hand on her husband's knee.

'Good,' Rina said simply. She smiles at Caroline, 'I hope that I will still be able to join in with yoga, later today?'

Pierre was going to say something but Caroline cut in, 'of course, Rina. You're always welcome,' she said softly. Rina nods, a thankful expression on her face.

'Until then. Goodbye, Mayor Lewis, Pierre,' she says giving them each a nod. 'Thank you for the talk,' she adds, a light smirk on her features as she turns around to leave. Nothing was said as she let herself out the Mayor's house. Once outside, she took a deep breath in and swore quietly. That was not what she needed today.

-x-

It had been just under a week since the incident and while her skin was healing there was still some sign of bruising. It was a hot day and everyone was feeling it. Rina had been working in her fields all morning and was currently in her greenhouse, tending to some seedlings. She had found a few strange seeds in the mines and after donating one to the museum, she had been gifted in return with some she could plant. Curious to see what they would produce she had planted a couple in her greenhouse where she could control everything.

'Alrighty, little buddies,' she said as she looked at their leaves, 'you're looking good,' she muses to herself. She fussed with a bit of the soil, lost in her own world.

A stranger's voice interrupted her work. 'Ophelia Tyrell?'

Rina rolled her eyes and stood up; she wiped her hands on the rag she had tied to her belt. She wore shorts and a tank top to defeat the sun. Her hair was braided as usual and she flicked it over her shoulder as she looked at the man, he was either the same age as her or a couple years older. He wore an expensive shirt with slacks and her gut told her he was trouble. 'There's no-one here by that name,' Rina said simply as she walked over and picked up her watering can. The use of her real name instantly put her on edge.

'That's not what I've been told,' he replied as he looked around.

She raised a brow at him. He was what would be considered classically handsome but there was something in his eyes that made her wary, his height was a little intimidating but she made sure not to show any weakness. 'Well, then your information isn't worth anything,' she replied. Rina made a point of watering her seedlings before looking at him again. 'What do you want?'

He smirks and pulls out the magazine that Rina had been published in. 'See, I wanted to meet the woman who ran this farm,' he said as he lazily flicked through the pages.

Putting down her watering can, Rina pushed past him as she walked out the greenhouse. 'You're looking at her,' she replied. She caught scent of his cologne and glimpsed his watch. Both of which screamed money. Great, she thought. Rina ignored him and walked towards her fish pond; she was cycling special water for some rare fish that she had caught and were currently living in an isolation tank until the pond was ready. 'Look, the farm shop isn't open today. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you want anything from here either come between nine and one, or order online. Shipping can take up to three days depending on where you are,' she said annoyed that he had seemed to have followed her.

'You are Ophelia Tyrell aren't you?' He said as he leaned against one of the trees that overshadowed the pond.

Rina brushed her fringe out her eyes and stood up straight from where she had had her arm in the water, rearranging the pump; anything to look busy and not have to talk to this man. 'My name is Rina Vance,' she said bluntly. 'Had you actually read the article in that magazine, you would know that.' His eyes roamed her body and Rina instantly felt herself stiffen. Oh… this is not good, she thought immediately. She couldn't let him know that she had realised his possible intentions. Trying to calm herself she reached back down into the pond and grabbed a large stone with the façade of fiddling with the pump once more. She tilted her head at him, 'who are you and what do you want?'

'I am Zachery Hacklery and I was promised you,' he said, his tone cold and indifferent.

Oh fuck! Rina froze and her eyes met his. She breathed in deeply, her hand still in the water. 'Is that right? Well, this isn't the stone age and I'm not property,' Rina said with iron in her voice. 'If that's all, please leave my land.' Knowing that this could very quickly turn, all thoughts about defending herself went out the window. What she needed now was the safety of numbers. He stepped forward and Rina let go of the stone and stepped back. All façade was out the window and she knew she was showing her colours. Sometimes, bravado would hinder more than help. Where is Bastian? She thought to herself in a panic. Rina knew she was too far away for him to hear, taking out her phone would illicit a response from Zachery and more than likely not a positive one. She had to get close enough to attract attention.

Oblivious to her inner monologue, Zachery chuckled as he took another step towards her, enjoying her reaction as she instantly moved away, keeping the distance. 'My brother was a fool. To think that you had no fire when you're clearly brimming with defiance,' he said in a drawl.

Rina had to fight the retch that was determined to break free. I can't turn my back on him, she thought, feeling her chest tighten. The fact was that she had no idea what he could possibly do. It ranged from the worst thing she could possibly imagine to him simply standing there, wearing that amused smile as he watches her panic. The uncertainty of his character was what was most terrifying. To pacify him, she replied with a defiant answer; something he'd expect. 'Clearly it's something that runs in the family then, seeing as you're attempting whatever this is with a married woman,' Rina said bluntly. His features froze with that endearing expression and she took another pace back. He didn't move. Boldened by his suddenly calm demeanour she continued to walk backwards into the sun until she felt confident to turn around and pick up her pace.

Hating herself for it, Rina turned around after a few metres to see that he had gone. 'Thank fuck for that,' she whispered to herself and made quick tracks towards the house, passing her storage barn. Yoba, I hope Sebastian hasn't gone out- Her inner monologue was cut off as she was harshly grabbed around the upper arm and thrown onto the floor. Weight knocked the air out of her as Zachery pinned her to the straw covered ground. He had pulled her into the open doors of her barn, having used the side entrance to follow her, unknown. Rina lashed out with her legs but he had straddled her and so she couldn't buck him off.

The look of insane pleasure on his face almost made her heart stop. He had a hand pressed over her mouth, firmly to the point of pain so that she couldn't bite him. His elbow was pressed harshly into her upper arm, just above her own elbow joint and the intense agony meant that she couldn't bend her arm. Lastly, his other hand had grabbed her other wrist and kept it against the floor. She was completely helpless; he had weight, height, and strength above hers and in this position, unless she somehow freed a hand, there was nothing she could do. Zachery laughs lightly, enjoying the way she writhed and twisted under his grip. 'There, there, Ophelia. Just calm down,' he chuckled. 'You should get used to this,' he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. 'This will be your place very soon. Learn to enjoy it,' Zachery adds, privately relishing the way she screamed through her closed mouth and his palm. His cologne was all she could smell and she could taste blood with how hard he pressed her lips into her teeth, to stop her from biting him.

Rina lashed out with her legs again, her heavy boots hitting the barn door. Fuck you! I'll fucking kill you- I'll make you wish you'd never been born! Rina howled in her mind, ignoring the tears that ran down her cheeks as she thrashed again and again, determined to make him tire and in turn, change the circumstance. Ignoring the pain in her body, Rina attempted to reach up and grab him, bite him, knee him… anything. She twisted and writhed like a trout in a net, desperate to be free. The ache and sharp pulses of pain were becoming unbearable and she could feel her body failing her, tiring quickly.

It felt as if she had been there an age, lying there with that deranged bastard on top of her. She had almost given up when the sun that had previously been cast into her eyes, disappeared. After the sudden darkness, everything happened so quickly. She inhaled deeply as she sat up, catching sight of Sebastian grabbing Zachery by the arm and harshly throwing him aside. Rina gulped in belts of air as she tried to get her body to do what she needed it to. Sebastian hadn't hesitated to pin the man to the floor and she could hear the steady sounds of a fist meeting flesh. The wet, sticky thump that meant blood had broken free. Rina staggered to her feet, looking over at her husband. He was topless, covered in grease and dirt and wore the scuffed and ruined black jeans that he had saved for working on his bike. '-Bastian!' She cried out to him, her voice hoarse.

The sound of his name made him pause and he dropped Zachery instantly and stood up to look at her. Rina felt her heart break as she saw the pain on his face, the clear, insurmountable fury mixed with endless fear and worry. He ran the steps needed to reach her as he cupped her face, brushing back her hair. Rina could feel her tears falling down her cheeks and she tried to get them to stop but she couldn't; it was too much. Zachery broke the moment of peace by getting to his feet. Sebastian wasn't as strong as say Alex or even Sam but pure rage had put a lot of force into his blows.

Zachery spat on the floor and glared at Sebastain, 'learn your place,' he snapped.

Sebastian lost it and ignored Rina as she tried to stop him. He strode to Zachery and grabbed him by the collar, dragging the man, ignoring him as he fought back. Rina could only follow and attempt to get Sebastian to listen to her. She didn't begrudge him from beating down on the imbecile but she worried that he might take it too far. Sebastian's anger helped him carry the dead weight of the intruder and he dragged him the entire way to the edge of their property. With a heave, Sebastian threw him with force into the dirt and dust, watching as the man scrambled to get his feet underneath him.

It was the silence that worried Rina the most as she looked at Sebastian. Finally, he spoke as Zachery glared at him. 'Touch my wife again and I'll kill you,' he said simply as he stepped forwards towards the man, breathing heavily as he tried to control himself. Zachery sported a decent black eye and if Rina hadn't stopped the barrage, it was clear that his nose would have been broken as well. 'She is not yours. She is mine, and I swear to fucking Yoba that if I even see your fucking face on near my land again, I will not be held responsible for my actions,' Sebastian snarled holding Rina back with his hand.

'Big words from a little man,' Zachery said with narrowed eyes and looked at Rina. 'Enjoy your little delusion, Ophelia. You know as well as I do that your father will win this little… rebellion and when that day comes… you'll pay for this,' he snarls before turning on his foot and walking off.

Sebastian refused to move until Zachery had truly disappeared out of sight and only then did his body relax even an iota. He hadn't fought properly with the intent to cause serious pain since he was a young, stupid teenager and even then it was different. He spun around to see Rina behind him, shaking. 'Pheebs? Pheebs? Oh Yoba, are you okay?' He asked in a panic, seeing her lip tremble as she fought back tears. 'Please tell me you're okay. Fuck, I was so scared… Pheebs?' He said as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

'You… saved me… again,' she whispered trying to get a hold of herself.

'Of course, I... I saw the barn door banging and when I came out I heard you-' Sebastian tried to explain why it had taken him so long to find her. His voice was apologetic but Rina didn't want to hear it, didn't need to hear it. She grabbed his hand and dragged him back towards the house, pulling him inside. Sebastian followed blindly, wondering what was going on and worried that she was still hurt. His heart had almost stopped when he had found them and although his anger had ebbed for the moment, it was still on the surface.

Once inside, Rina turned to face him and pulled off her top in one swift movement, ignoring the scream in her arm muscles. Sebastian's expression was one of confusion and she ignored that too. She threw her clothing to the side and kicked off her boots as she undid the button to her shorts. 'Say it again,' she said simply as she walked closer to him. Normally when it came to intimacy, everything was clear and crystal between them but this was different. A different need. Primal. Reassurance. Safety.

'Pheebs, you oka-?' His sentence was cut off as she reached up and pulled him down into a kiss. He reciprocated with force, crushing her lips under his as he felt the desperation she poured into it.

'Say it again: she's mine,' Pheebs said through their kiss, her fingers wound through his hair and she wrapped an arm over his shoulder. 'Say it… please,' she was almost begging him. 'She's mine…'

Sebastian moaned into her mouth and lifted her easily, feeling her legs wrap around his waist as he supported under her thighs. The selfish need and desire for her attention swept any concerns away about whether this was the healthiest reaction to the situation. Drowning with the hunger for her touch he replied with the only thing he knew to be true at this moment. 'She's mine,' he said with a growl, making Rina inhale sharply, kissing him harder with a moan. He pushed her against the wall, 'mine,' he repeated. Each time the word left his lips, Rina felt as if a jolt of electricity ran through her. She arched her back and dug her nails into his skin, demanding more.

Eventually, they made their way to the bed where Sebastian refused to put her down and simply climbed onto the mattress while holding her. She was wound around him tightly, their hands simply caressing and pulling at clothing where it could. Rina panted; her lips swollen from the way she had been intensely kissing him. She ran a hand through his hair, brushing his fringe away from his face before letting her fingers softly run over his cheek and bottom lip, moving his piercing gently. 'You won't let anyone take me, will you?' She whispers.

The fire quelled for a moment and Sebastian took her hand, kissing the inside of her fingers. 'No, Pheebs,' he replies softly. 'You're mine and I am yours,' he assures. 'There's nothing that could come between us. I will always bring you home.'