***Trigger Warning***

The following work of fiction

contains verbal, drug use, and physical violence.

Read Part One | Part Two | Part Three

“Elizabeth!”

She heard him screaming and ran down the stairs.

“I’m here Valentin.”

“Elizabeth, can you believe what those interns did today?”

She tried to comfort him. “Now, Valentin, they are immature!”

“What?” Then he slapped her and knocked her down. “I am not asking for your opinion!”

Elizabeth struggled to get up. But she failed. His slap had been too strong once again. She fell flat on the floor.

She did not know how long she had been out. All she recalled is waking up on her bed. She tried opening her eyes.

All the lights were out, and there was complete silence in the house.

Did he leave? I wish I knew. Why do I have to be so weak?

Elizabeth heard footsteps in the hallway. Hum, it must be him again.

“Elizabeth honey, I am back now, darling.”

What is he talking about now?

“I brought the cold veggies to place on your cheek to help with the pain.”

 Not this again! Elizabeth cried. She could not believe Valentin was just going to shrug what he had done. What is he stupid?

By now she was so frustrated with him.

Moments later he stepped into the room. She did not engage him.

“Hey babe, come, let me fix this,” he pleaded.

Hesitantly, she turned over.

“Okay now, I will go easy on you,” he said.

I think I am going to be sick. 

Elizabeth tried to compose herself. She was so hurt and angry and looked down.

Outside a storm was brewing and Elizabeth could hear the raindrops falling. She envisioned the storm as Valentin who blew into a rage within a few seconds. This made her sad.

A few years before none of this was taking place. Elizabeth thought she knew who her husband Valentin was. It all had become very complicated. Elizabeth thought  about the happy times, she could see herself laughing with Valentin at one time.  But now all that was gone by his constant abuse both verbally and physically.

She couldn’t hide the bruises on the outside anymore. Elizabeth thought of all the deep scars within her. It was hard to get rid of them all. With or without the drugs Valentin did not have a right to torture her the way he did.

So why did she stay? It was simple. Elizabeth was afraid. She feared for her life. He had made threats before. This left her feeling very uneasy. It was a feeling like no other.

For now, it was back to Valentin acting like he was sorry, and it was back to her excusing his behavior.

I hate having to stand by him.

He smiled at her. “Okay, now Liz, my love, you just rest.”

She again became nauseous. So, he thinks I am okay with this.

On the other hand, he was not wrong. Valentin used his charm to get out of so many things as of late. There was nothing he could not obtain or get when he wanted something. This is what made the suspension at the hospital so hard for him.

Valentin hoped to get back to his patients. He loved being a doctor. It is too bad he was also a junkie.

His addiction was beyond help. It was bad enough he was using drugs. But, the complete disregard for his own life and career and not to mention her own.

Elizabeth loved being a Surgical Nurse. Medicine had always been a passion, and to be able to help others had always been at the top of the list.

Valentin tried to be coy about the fact he was a junkie. He thought by not mentioning it, Elizabeth would never noticed.

Valentin did not count on the fact that Elizabeth was a nurse at the same hospital, and the recent missing oxycodone made her a bit suspicious. It did not help that Valentin had been exhibiting strange behavior. One example is when he yelled at all the interns for no reason after they were working on some of their clinical. He had also missed two scheduled consults and one of his surgeries. Being a doctor was a big part of his life, and in all the time since he became the head of Pediatric Surgery Valentin would never miss a surgery.

He made up the excuse of being sick. Elizabeth had to lie for him. He begged her not to say he had forgotten then he resumed on to his next appointment.

There were times Elizabeth would think it was the drugs which were making him the abuser he was. Still, he would not seek help. When Liz brought it up to him one day. He got so enraged he knocked her out so bad. She had to miss a week of work due to the extensive bruises in her face.

There was no sense denying it. Valentin would never  be the man she married, and  he probably never was. Elizabeth thought Could he have been this way from the beginning?  Who knows? For now, she was trapped.

She lay on her bed with more bruises on her face. Elizabeth was scheduled to get back to work  after taking the leave.

How can I go back now? Look at me?   

She cried as she stared in the mirror and noticed all the scars in her body.

“Okay, rest now,” he said.

Then he came close to her and caressed her back. Elizabeth could not help but tremble in fear.

Is he going to hit me again? This was just too much.

She contained her tears and tried to fake a smile.

“Just get some rest, Liz.”

Then he walked away.

She shrugged. Then got up from the bed. She grabbed her diary. Then wrote:

 Dear Diary,

More and more I am losing myself.

Tonight, was  another example of the nightmare I am living.

I mean how could I let it get this bad.

This is my own fault. I can’t  blame Valentin.

I am so stupid. Stupid!   

Elizabeth.

She placed her diary back under the box under her bed. Then she walked towards the mirror once again and could not believe at the reflection in the mirror.  A song seemed to come to her mind. The one who talked about how she hurt herself this way. She sobbed. Her dark hair seemed frail and her blue eyes, usually piercing, looked pale and tired.

What has happened to me? Where is the girl I used to be?

Downstairs, back in the living room, Valentin, again, paced and seemed anxious. He looked at his phone and looked as if he was waiting on an important call on his cell. Come on, what is taking so long? I don’t have all day! He looked over his notes on the table.  Then he paced again.

After about 15 long minutes, his phone rang.

“It’s about damn time!” he shouted.

“Hey Valentin,” said a woman’s voice.

“Layla, do you have what I want?” he asked.

“Depends,” she giggled.

“Come on, doll. I don’t have time for games right now!” he shouted.

“Relax baby, I got what you need!”

“Okay, I am heading over now.”

“I will wait and make sure you plan on staying.”

“Sure, doll.”

Then he grabbed his keys and walked out the door. He was almost out, and then he remembered Elizabeth was asleep upstairs. Damn it I need to write Liz a note.

Valentin was in such a rush all he wrote was:

Honey,

Be back, at the hospital!

Valentin.

Valentin did not know Liz had overheard him talking to the woman on the other end.

Layla. Hum. The only Layla I know is the new intern who started a few months ago.

She scratched her head. Wow, now he is cheating on me too!

Elizabeth felt sick again and ran to the bathroom. She could not help but feel so betrayed.

Damn him!  How could he do this to me? Should I even be surprised? All she could do was sob. She was so hurt and angry.

On the other side of town. Valentin arrived at an apartment complex near the hospital. He wore shades and a cap, so he would not be recognized.

Valentin knew the place well since he had frequently been visiting Layla Moore.

She was the very attractive intern who started in the Peds Department and was working under Dr. Kiriakis. Immediately he felt an attraction for her. She had natural red hair and green eyes. She had a certain look to the actress of the old cinema a cross between Rita Hayworth and a dab of Monroe. It was not long before her and Valentin developed an affair.

Layla was seductive, and Valentin loved this about her. But, the most important aspect was she had a connection to the supply room which contained the oxycodone which Valentin needed.

They bonded in many ways. She was obsessed with the doctor from the very start.

Poor Elizabeth was clueless about his affair. To her dismay, this was not his first one. He had several while away on doctor conventions. In his eyes, they had all been casual and nothing exclusive. Layla was a bit more serious.  He enjoyed the time with her. After all, she was a bit crazy and sassy. Her ways annoyed the other interns. Even the Chief of Staff had his concerns.

Layla was not fazed. She lived in the moment. Her passion was medicine, but she enjoyed having a good time.

“Baby, you are here!” she exclaimed. Then kissed Valentine.

“Okay, doll, I am glad to see you too.” Then he closed the door behind them.

Back at the Kiriakis home. Elizabeth was spiraling to rock bottom. She grabbed a wine bottle and drank it all. Tonight, I am going to drink. I really don’t care if Valentin approves or not.

Tonight had been a terrible one for Elizabeth. Ironically, she never expected to learn of Valentin’s mistress too.

Damn just how much more of this am I supposed to take! As she sobbed.

Valentin was back at Layla’s having a great time. Layla was all over him.  He smiled while he got high in the process.

“Baby, I am so happy you are here.”

“Me too.”

Suddenly his phone rang. “Hum, looks like I got a message.”

“Wait to answer it, baby.”

“I can’t.”

“Oh, it’s her.”

“Yes.”

Layla rolled her eyes. Valentin then noticed Elizabeth had sent a text.

 I know. Enjoy your night! 

He gulped. This was not good. Elizabeth knew he was having an affair.

“So what happened?” asked Layla.

“My wife knows about us!” he shouted.

“Okay?”

“What do you mean, you idiot?”

“Who are you calling an idiot?”

“You Layla!”

“Listen, I am no idiot!”

“Well, you act like it!”

“You know what doc, leave now!” she screamed.

“Who do you think you are? Tramp!”

Then she slammed him.

He was about to hit her back when she took out a small gun. “Don’t you think about it!”

“Hey, come on, doll!”

“Leave, you bastard!”

“Come on, Layla. Don’t be this way.”

“You are the one who is being an ass!”

“I am sorry, doll, let’s not get hasty.”

Valentin needed to calm Layla down and make it right. She knew all about him and would spill everything If he bailed.

“Look I am sorry for being an ass, doll!”

Layla looked at him and dried her tears.

“Come here and let me make you feel better.”

“Okay, but if you leave to go be to her, I will spill everything I know!”

“No need for those threats, my love.” Then he kissed her.

As much as Valentin wanted to make things right with Elizabeth.

Damn my hands are tied I have to stay with Layla. I will have to speak to her in the morning.

He did not like it, but right now Layla knew too much. Valentin wanted to be sure she would keep his secrets.

After sending the text, Elizabeth went back upstairs. She was enraged.  First, she screamed and cursed Valentin at the top of her lungs. I hate you, Valentin! I hate you! Then she walked over to the mirror. No more Valentin! No more pain!  Then she went to sleep in the guest bedroom.

The next morning, Valentin got up early.

As for Layla, she was passed out cold.

Valentin grinned as he got up and showered. Well, Layla, you were fun. But, I am a married man. Then he got dressed and walked out the door.

Outside his only mission was to get home and explain things to Elizabeth. Little did he know. His wife had plans of her own.

She decided enough was enough and called into the hospital to inform them of her return.

It is time to be strong and go back to work.

She quickly got dressed and headed out the door.

Valentin was surprised not to find her at home. He ran up the stairs to check if she had packed anything. Okay, she didn’t pack anything. She must have just stepped out. He wondered where she was. I will try her cell phone.

But, before he dialed her number, Valentin got another text.

I am going back to work Valentin!

To say he was livid was an understatement he was beyond angry.

Is she crazy? She can’t.

Valentin broke the vases in the house. “You will regret this Liz!” he screamed. I have to think fast. Then he stormed out the door.

Back at the hospital, Elizabeth couldn’t wait to get back to her daily routine.

She was pleased the Chief wanted her to begin her duties right away.

This is exactly what I need right now.  

For an instant, her life appeared to be on track. But, she had no idea what her evil husband was plotting.

While waiting to speak to the chief. Valentin had maneuvered his way to see him before she did.

As the time went on. Liz wondered why the chief had not arrived yet.

She was just about to call it a day when he arrived.

“Hello Chief I was beginning to think you had forgotten about our meeting today,” she said.

“No, dear I apologize for not being here on time, please come into my office.”

“No, problem,” she smiled.

Once they were in her office.   He seemed a bit more somber and quiet.

“Is there something wrong?” she asked.

“Please sit Elizabeth.”

“Okay.”

“When you called today, I was so happy to have you back.”

“Yes me too.”

“However, certain things have come to my attention, and I am afraid with this new information I am sorry to tell you-you are on leave and suspended.”

“What do you mean?”

What the heck is going on here?    

“Elizabeth, I couldn’t believe it, I did not want to believe it, but the records speak for themselves.”

Elizabeth felt helpless and confused.

“Look Chief, with all due respect, what are you talking about?”

“Elizabeth, my darling, it was you all along, who took the missing drugs, the oxycodone!”

She was speechless.

“Not, me!”

“Elizabeth, the evidence is all here.”

“What?”

She looked at the backpack.

“What is this?”

“Look!”

The chief poured the contents out of her backpack.

There were about 50 containers of the oxycodone.

Valentin, he did this!

“Valentin came to me and told me how hard he was trying to get you help. He also said this is what was on his mind when he operated the morning of the unfortunate incident.”

“What?”

It was pretty clear to what Valentin had done. I can’t believe him.

Elizabeth’s eyes became watery as she shook her head to try to understand.

At this moment Elizabeth felt trapped, and only a small part of her could look out.

All he has done to me is lie, and all the vows he said were all nothing but fake promises. He is just the devil, and somehow I have to stop him.   

Photo by Kgorz | Pixabay