Chapter 27
Joanna struggled desperately, but her resistance only intensified the danger.
"Bruce, don't Please"
His kisses were fierce, hard, and aggressive. Her shirt was torn. Terror consumed Joanna. She knew this imperious man would never be gentle; even during their marriage, his tyranny had been unbearable. His cruelty only increased with her suffering.
"Let go of me" Unable to shake him off, she bit him hard.
The taste of blood filled his mouth, but only fueled his aggression. Bruises bloomed on her neck. Joanna cried, feebly beating him. She hated him intensely, questioning her past love for him—a love so profound it had rendered her humble in his presence. He had never reciprocated with love or tenderness. Now, her hatred mirrored the depth of her former love.
A buzzing sound interrupted them. Bruce's cell phone rang. He ignored it, the buzzing persisting. His movements softened slightly. Initially reluctant, he remembered promising his grandmother he would bring the children to see her. He suspected it was her calling.
This distraction provided Joanna with an opportunity. She bit him hard again—a vicious bite. Beads of blood welled on his lips. Bruce gasped, frowning as he touched his lips and saw the blood.
"The damned woman," he thought. "How dare she bite me so hard!"
Joanna freed herself, weakly sliding down the conference table, her body trembling. She braced herself against the table to steady herself. "Bruce, if you do this again, I will call the police!"
"Do whatever you want!" He ignored her threat, picking up his phone. It was Roxanne; five missed calls flashed on the screen. He answered, frowning.
"Hello."
"Bruce, did you get on the plane? I'm going to pick you up."
"I've come back."
A pause. Roxanne's disappointment was evident. "So when did you get back?"
"Last night."
Her sadness deepened. He came back last night and didn't call me? she thought.
"What's wrong? I'm hanging up if you have nothing else to say." Bruce's lip throbbed; he wanted to end the call and return to Joanna.
"Bruce, how about dinner tonight?"
"I have a meeting tonight. Maybe some other time."
Overhearing their conversation, Joanna recognized Roxanne's voice. Fueled by Bruce's constant bullying, she sought revenge.
"Mr. Everett, you should spend more time with your girlfriend," Joanna announced loudly. "After all, we're divorced. Leave me alone."
Silence fell on the other end of the line. Bruce glared at Joanna, who glared back defiantly. It was deliberate; she wanted Roxanne to know he was with her, that he was pursuing her, not the other way around.
"I'll hang up then."
Bruce abruptly ended the call. The beep echoed.
Roxanne was devastated. Her hand trembled as she held the phone.
"Joanna, you slut! I can't believe you hooked up with Bruce again!" Tears streamed down her face. Her anger escalating, she called Gavin.
"Hello, Gavin. Are you there?"
Gavin was flattered by the call; Roxanne hadn't contacted him much lately. He assumed she was pursuing Bruce further and wanted to distance herself to avoid discovery.
"Yeah, yeah. It's me."
"I want to see you."
"When?"
"Now."
"Okay."
"Let's meet at the usual place."
"Okay."
Their secret meeting place was a sushi bar with private rooms. They embraced passionately upon entering, words unnecessary.
"Roxy, I miss you so much," Gavin murmured, striving to please her.
Moments later, Roxanne's impatience was palpable; she was breathless, yielding. She didn't love Gavin, but she craved the excitement and pleasure he provided. He understood her needs.
Afterwards, Gavin hugged her gently. "Roxy, what's the matter?"
He liked her but knew he wasn't good enough. He cherished their clandestine meetings.
Roxanne sighed wistfully. "Nothing. I'm just feeling sad."
"Why?" he asked softly.
Tears welled in her eyes. She wished Bruce could be as considerate, understanding, loving, and obsessed with her as Gavin.
The extraneous promotional text has been removed. The grammar and punctuation have been corrected and improved for clarity and flow. Sentence structure has been varied for better rhythm.