In the airport, a girl around twenty-three hurriedly dragged her suitcase toward the exit, signaling for a taxi when a man grabbed her arm fiercely and pulled.
Luiza - Let go, you're hurting me, Ryan!
Ryan - What do you think I am, to be treated like a nobody?
She struggled to free herself, but Ryan continued to tighten his grip on her arm.
Luiza - Let go, it's hurting!
She screamed and onlookers began gazing over in confusion. Ryan tried to smooth things over, flashing a sympathetic smile at the people around them. He opened the taxi door and Luiza got in with teary eyes.
The taxi driver popped the trunk and helped Ryan with the luggage. The ride to the hotel was silent. However, Luiza's melancholic gaze betrayed her disappointment.
Luiza Padilha, 23 years old, was a Brazilian librarian who had been living in New York for two years. She had a troubled relationship with Ryan Smith, a wealthy and successful American businessman involved in the commodity export sector.
Upon arriving at their hotel room, Ryan stopped in the middle of the room and watched as Luiza opened her suitcase and pulled out a small bag of medications.
Ryan - What's wrong?
She didn't answer.
Ryan - I'm trying here, Luiza!
Luiza - Why did you come after me? We were through!
Ryan - And who says I agree to you breaking up with me?
She sat on the bed and held her head in her hands, sobbing.
Luiza - This is all a nightmare, I can't take it anymore!
She cried out loudly.
Ryan - You need to understand once and for all, you're mine and I love you!
Luiza - You don't love anyone! You're an ambitious, damn mobster.
Ryan - Shut up, Luiza!
He moved closer, attempting to touch her, but Luiza pushed him away and retreated into the bathroom with her medicine bag.
Ryan - Open this door, girl, or I'll break it down!
She sat on the toilet lid.
Luiza - I HATE YOU!
He began to kick the door forcefully, frightening her, but she stayed firm, not opening it, only resting her head and covering her ears with her hands, trying to disconnect from the situation, and thinking pleasant thoughts.
Ryan eventually gave up, punched the door, and left the room, heading to the hotel bar. He sat at a stool near the counter, deep in thought with an angry expression.
Bartender - A drink, sir?
Ryan - Double whiskey!
The bartender served him swiftly, but one dose didn't ease his sorrows, so he requested a whole bottle.
Ryan - That bitch, who does she think she is to reject me like this?
Bartender - Sir?
He rolled his eyes at the young man wiping down the counter.
Ryan - I wasn't talking to you, you meddler!
Bartender - My apologies, sir!
Ryan - Just do your job and keep quiet!
He filled his glass again, and the alcohol began to dominate his senses.
...
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Luiza had removed her hands from her ears and stood up from the toilet, approaching the large mirror. She gazed at her weary reflection and screamed loudly.
Luiza - I can't take it anymore! I hate this man with all my might.
She washed her face and dried it with a towel, smearing both her cheeks and the towel with black from her eyeliner. She rinsed again, washing away all the makeup residue.
She took a migraine pill from the medicine bag without water, her head nearly bursting with pain.
Afterward, she took a hot shower and returned to the room wrapped in a towel. She leaned on the balcony railing, admiring the snowy street, when a smile appeared on her lips.
It was her first time in Alaska, a place she'd always wanted to see since living in Brazil. The cool air brushed her face, causing shivers due to the low temperature.
Luiza - How beautiful!
Curious, she took out her phone to capture her elated first impressions. On one hand, her dream came true, but at the same time, it became a nightmare. Ryan's presence was the last thing she desired at that moment.
Her love for him turned to hatred the instant he raised his hand and hurt her. For Luiza, it was unforgivable and there was no turning back. The question that haunted her was, "How do I rid myself of this monster?"
She knew it wasn't simple, and she feared what Ryan might do. She had recently uncovered the dirty dealings he had with the mafia, which only fueled her anger further.
Remembering the day she walked into his office and overheard him ordering two killings confirmed her worst fears about the real Ryan. He was never the man he presented himself to be, and this abusive love had become her worst nightmare.
Luiza took a deep breath and dropped the robe, put on warm winter clothes, and lay in bed trying to sleep and awaken free from the migraine. Sadly, she wrapped herself tightly in the comforter and hugged the pillow, smelling the sweet perfume on the pillowcase.
Luiza - One day at a time!
That phrase suddenly popped into her head.
Luiza - I have to end this relationship for good, he doesn't own me! He's not my owner!
As she repeated the words, silent tears flowed onto the pillow. Luiza stared at the door knob, half expecting it to turn at any moment, with Ryan entering sporting his customary deceitful smile, asking for forgiveness.
She reached out and noticed another bruise from the violent grip he'd used at the airport. It was deep purple and sore, the pressure still noticeable.
Focusing on the door knob made Luiza sleepy, her eyes blurred and she fell into a heavy sleep, finally resting despite the frantic thoughts that had tormented her over the past months.
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