-𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐃𝐄-𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐀-

George had taken me to his apartment. I looked around amazed. It looked beautiful in here. We started cooking pasta carbonara as I sat at the bar of the kitchen. He poured me a glass of wine as we talked non sense. We laughed and had fun talking. I felt comfortable around him. At one point we fell silent. He looked at me and slowly his smile faded and his face carried more of a concerned look.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Depends..."

"Are you... scared. Of Chris?"

I stopped smiling and looked him straight in the eyes. My face dropped I see it in his eyes because he's looking with more concern at me than before.

"Yeah."

My voice was barely a whisper as I looked at how my ring finger was softly drawing circles on the top of the wine glass.

"Why are you with him then..."

His voice was soft... gentle... almost supportive.

"I uhm... I'm scared he'll do something to me if I try and break up with him. I've once asked for a break..."

I staid silent as I felt my hands starting to shake. I swallowed hard.

"Do you want to tell me what he did?"

I nodded softly as I looked at my glass of wine and my shaking hands.

"He locked me... on the balcony. It was winter and snowing. I was only wearing a dress from work with my panties. He gave me a duvet from the bed and left me there all night. I didn't have my phone with me. I couldn't scream for help because he would hear me and he would have left me there all day if I would have gotten help. I was frozen by the morning. I hadn't slept at all because I was so cold. I was hypothermic at that point... he opened the door that morning before going to work and I immediately called in work to say I was sick. I spend the day in the hot shower. Trying to slowly warm myself. Ever since... I became even more scared of him than just his words and beating-"

"He beats you?"

I looked up to see George his face. He looked hurt. Hurt for me. I nodded as he looked at me. I could see a part of his heart breaking as I gave him the confirmation of that answer.

"He beats me exactly where I can cover it up. In the summer it's less because of bikini weather and all. He'll find other ways to hurt me mentally or physically. There's never been a moment in the last 4 years he's been real in. Only the first year..."

"You've been in that situation for 4 years? That's not human Isa."

I looked back up when he said Isa. I didn't mind it. I smiled softly at him as I felt my eyes being watery. I sighed before speaking.

"There was a writer... I believe his name is Ernest Hemingway... he said 'the most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much'. I was 19... Chris was my first love. He was always such a gentleman. Took me out on the best dates. Took care of me and made me feel seen and loved. I had never experienced that. I knew there were many men like that but now I had met one that wanted me for me. I threw my heart into that relationship only for it to be crushed into a million pieces. I could try and leave him... but it would never end well for me. I would be alone the rest of my life in freedom... but I would be lonely. Chris does give me a little bit of company on the weekends... not the right kind but it's till company. I don't know if there would be a man in this world crazy enough to place my heart back together... all of the million shattered pieces. Honestly... I don't think I'm even worth to try and heal... I think I'm in too deep. I'm shattered in every way possible. I can't speak up against anyone that's close to me. I even struggle to talk back to my own horrendous mother. So I think it might be better if it stays this way. I may hurt but I don't think there's anything left to be broken."

"There's always something left to be broken... and I would give you the world... I would put your heart back together if I could. The moment I saw you... you felt like someone I want to be around. Someone I could be comfortable around. Carmen and I broke up because we both felt a stronger connection to somebody else... I feel a stronger connection with you than with anyone else. Isa... I would give you anything if I could."

I was looking at George. He looked almost a little desperate at me. His eyes spoke volumes in this moment. He was not lying one bit. He let his heart speak. I opened my mind about to say something and closed it again looking George straight in the eyes. For the first time I could identify the strange feeling in my stomach whenever I was around him... they were butterflies... he gave me butterflies.

"I would let you if I knew how to."

"We can figure it out together... you just have to let me in Isa."

I gave him a soft nod.

"Do you want my help... I need words..."

"Yes... yes I want your help."

He smiled so softly at me I almost started to think I was just seeing it. He walked over to me and held my hand.

"We're gonna figure this out together okay? I'll only text you on Monday to Fridays between the times he's not there okay. We'll get you out of his grip. You'll be alright."

"Thank you..."

"I haven't done anything yet Isa."

"This is more than anyone has ever done for me and this whole... situation."

(1012 words)