I stared at Jim, my husband of twelve years, as he sat hunched over on the edge of our bed, his broad shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The man I’d once been head over heels for—the one with the easy smile and the way of making me laugh until my sides ached—was a shadow of himself. His brown hair, usually neatly combed, was disheveled, and his eyes, red-rimmed and desperate, met mine only briefly before dropping to the floor. The air in our bedroom felt heavy, thick with the weight of unspoken words and the stench of desperation.
“Melissa,” he began, his voice hoarse, “I fucked up. I fucked up so bad.”
I sat beside him, my hand hovering in the air before I thought better of it and let it fall back into my lap. The distance between us wasn’t just physical; it was emotional, carved out by years of his gambling, his lies, and the slow erosion of trust. But tonight, something was different. Tonight, there was fear in his eyes—real, bone-deep fear.
“What is it, Jim?” I asked, my voice steady despite the knot twisting in my stomach. “What did you do this time?”
He took a deep breath, his hands clasped tightly between his knees. “The debts… they’re worse than I thought. I tried to pay them off, I swear I did, but…” He trailed off, his voice cracking. “They’re coming for me, Mel. Nick… he’s not playing around this time.”
Nick. The name sent a chill down my spine. Nick was the loan shark Jim had been dealing with for months, maybe years. I’d heard whispers of his name in Jim’s late-night phone calls, seen the panic in his eyes whenever it came up. But I never imagined it would come to this.
“What does he want?” I asked, my heart pounding.
Jim’s eyes met mine, and what I saw there made my blood run cold. “He wants… he wants you.”
The words hung in the air, sharp and jagged, cutting through the silence like a knife. My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. “Me? What the fuck does that mean?”
He looked away, his jaw clenched. “He said… he said if I can’t pay, he’ll take something else. Something valuable. And he wants… he wants you to sleep with him.”
The room spun. My chest tightened, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “You’re joking, right? This is some sick joke?”
“I wish it was,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “He said if you don’t… if you don’t do it, he’ll break my legs. He’ll ruin me, Mel. I can’t… I can’t let that happen.”
I stood up, my legs trembling, and paced to the window. The streetlights below cast a pale glow on the sidewalk, and I watched as a couple walked by, laughing, their arms wrapped around each other. How could their world be so normal when mine was crumbling?
“You’re asking me to sleep with another man,” I said, my voice flat, devoid of emotion. “To let some stranger fuck me because you can’t stop gambling?”
“I know it’s horrible,” he said, his voice pleading. “I know it’s the worst thing I’ve ever asked of you. But I don’t have a choice, Mel. And neither do you. Not if you want me to walk out of this alive.”
I turned to face him, my hands balled into fists at my sides. “And what happens after? What happens when I do this? Do we just… go back to normal? Pretend like nothing happened?”
He shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “I don’t know. I don’t know what happens after. But I can’t lose you, Mel. I can’t lose everything.”
I laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “You already have, Jim. You lost me a long time ago. This… this is just the final nail in the coffin.”
He looked up at me, his eyes desperate. “Please, Mel. Please. I’ll do anything. Anything to make it up to you.”
I felt something inside me crack—a mix of anger, pity, and a strange, twisted sense of loyalty. I didn’t want him to get hurt. I didn’t want to see him broken, both literally and figuratively. But the thought of sleeping with Nick, of letting another man touch me, was repulsive. Humiliating.
“Fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll do it. But this is the end, Jim. After this, we’re done. You hear me? Done.”
He nodded, his shoulders sagging in relief. “Thank you, Mel. Thank you. I promise, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll change. I’ll stop gambling, I’ll—”
“Save it,” I snapped, cutting him off. “Just… make the arrangements. And tell Nick I’ll do it. But I’m not doing it here. Not in our bed.”
He nodded again, his face pale. “He said… he said to meet him at his place. Tonight.”
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling as I smoothed down my dress. “Then I’ll go. But this is the last thing I ever do for you, Jim. The very last thing.”
Nick’s place was a sleek, modern apartment in the heart of the city, the kind of place that screamed money and power. The doorman gave me a once-over as I entered, his eyes lingering on my figure before he nodded and stepped aside. I ignored him, my heart pounding in my chest as I made my way to the elevator.
The apartment was on the top floor, and when the doors opened, I was greeted by the sound of jazz music and the faint scent of expensive cologne. Nick stood in the doorway, a smirk playing on his lips as he took in my appearance.
He was taller than Jim, with dark hair slicked back and eyes that seemed to see right through me. His suit was tailored, his shoes polished, and there was an air of danger about him that made my skin crawl.
“Melissa,” he purred, his voice smooth as silk. “Come in. I’ve been expecting you.”
I stepped inside, my stomach churning. The apartment was immaculate, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. Nick closed the door behind me and gestured for me to sit on the couch.
“Drink?” he asked, heading to the bar.
“No,” I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “I’m not staying long.”
He chuckled, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “Oh, but I think you’ll want to stay awhile. After all, you’re here to settle Jim’s debt. And I intend to collect in full.”
I crossed my arms, trying to maintain some semblance of control. “Just get it over with. I’m not here for small talk.”
Nick took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving mine. “Such a feisty one. Jim didn’t tell me that. But I like it. Makes things more… interesting.”
I felt a flush creep up my neck, but I refused to look away. “Just do what you came here to do, Nick. And let me leave.”
He set his glass down and took a step toward me, his presence looming large. “Oh, I will. But first, let’s make one thing clear. You’re here because Jim owes me. And I don’t take kindly to being rushed. So, you’ll do as I say, when I say. Understood?”
My heart hammered in my chest, but I nodded, my pride warring with my fear. “Understood.”
Nick’s smirk widened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing the strap of my dress. “Good girl. Now, let’s get started, shall we?”
His touch was electric, sending a shiver down my spine. I wanted to pull away, to tell him to go to hell, but the look in his eyes—cold, calculating, and hungry—made me freeze.
“Stand up,” he commanded, his voice low and commanding.
I did as he said, my legs feeling like lead. Nick stepped closer, his hands moving to my waist, his touch firm but not gentle. He turned me slowly, his eyes raking over my body like I was a prize to be won.
“You’re even more beautiful than Jim described,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “Such a waste that he couldn’t keep you in line.”
I bit my lip, anger bubbling up inside me. “Don’t talk about him,” I snapped.
Nick laughed, a dark, mocking sound. “Oh, but I will. Because he’s the reason you’re here, isn’t he? Because of his mistakes, his failures. And now, you’re paying the price.”
His words cut deep, and I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes. But I refused to let him see my pain. Instead, I straightened my spine, meeting his gaze with a defiance I didn’t feel.
“Just get it over with,” I said, my voice shaking.
Nick’s smirk returned, and he stepped back, gesturing to the bedroom. “After you.”
I followed him, my steps heavy, each one feeling like a march to the gallows. The bedroom was just as opulent as the rest of the apartment, with a king-sized bed dominating the room. Nick closed the door behind us, the click echoing in the silence.
“Take off your dress,” he ordered, his voice brooking no argument.
I hesitated, my hands trembling as I reached for the zipper. Slowly, I lowered the dress, letting it pool at my feet. I stood there in my lingerie, feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Nick’s eyes darkened with desire, and he took a step forward, his hands moving to the straps of my bra. “You’re even more stunning than I imagined,” he murmured, his fingers brushing my skin.
I flinched at his touch, but he ignored it, his hands skilled as he unhooked my bra and let it fall away. My breasts were exposed, and I crossed my arms over them, trying to cover myself.
“Don’t hide,” he said, his voice sharp. “You’re here to be seen. To be used.”
His words were like a slap, and I felt a surge of anger mixed with humiliation. But before I could respond, he reached out, grabbing my wrists and pulling my arms down. His gaze was intense, his breath coming faster as he took in my body.
“Such a perfect body,” he growled, his hands moving to my hips. “Jim didn’t deserve you. But I do. And I’m going to enjoy every inch of you.”
I tried to pull away, but he was stronger, his grip unyielding. “Let me go,” I hissed, my voice trembling.
Nick laughed, a low, cruel sound. “Not a chance. You’re mine now, Melissa. And I’m going to take what’s owed to me.”
He pushed me back onto the bed, and I landed with a thud, the air knocked out of my lungs. Before I could catch my breath, he was on top of me, his weight pressing me into the mattress. His hands roamed over my body, rough and demanding, as he kissed me fiercely, his tongue invading my mouth.
I tried to push him away, but he was relentless, his lips bruising as he devoured me. His hands moved to my panties, tearing them off with a sharp tug. I gasped, my legs kicking weakly as he pulled back, his eyes dark with lust.
“Such a tight little cunt,” he muttered, his fingers tracing my folds. “I can’t wait to fuck it.”
I felt a surge of panic, my heart racing as he positioned himself between my legs. His cock was hard, pressing against my thigh, and I knew there was no escape.
“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Please don’t do this.”
Nick’s eyes flashed with anger, and he grabbed my wrists, pinning them above my head. “Don’t beg,” he snarled. “You’re here because you chose to be. Because Jim couldn’t pay his debts. So shut up and take it.”
His words were like a knife, cutting through my last shreds of resistance. I closed my eyes, tears streaming down my face as he thrust into me, his cock filling me completely.
“Fuck,” he groaned, his voice thick with pleasure. “You’re so tight. So fucking tight.”
I bit my lip to keep from crying out, my body tensing as he began to move, his hips snapping forward in a brutal rhythm. Each thrust was deep, relentless, and I felt like I was being torn apart.
“Look at me,” he commanded, his voice harsh.
I opened my eyes, meeting his gaze, and saw the cruelty there, the satisfaction. He was enjoying this—enjoying my pain, my humiliation.
“That’s it,” he growled. “Look at me while I fuck you. While I take what’s owed to me.”
I wanted to look away, to close my eyes and pretend this wasn’t happening. But I couldn’t. I was trapped, both physically and emotionally, and all I could do was endure.
Nick’s pace quickened, his thrusts becoming more urgent. His hands gripped my hips, bruising as he pulled me onto him, his cock burying itself deep inside me.
“You like that, don’t you?” he taunted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You like being fucked by a real man. Not that pathetic gambler you married.”
I shook my head, tears falling silently. “No,” I whispered. “I don’t like this. I hate this.”
Nick laughed, a dark, mocking sound. “Liar. Your cunt’s dripping wet. You’re loving every second of it.”
I wanted to deny it, to tell him he was wrong. But even as the words formed in my mind, my body betrayed me. Despite the humiliation, despite the pain, I felt a coil of pleasure building deep inside me, unwanted and unwelcome.
Nick sensed it too, his eyes narrowing as he watched me. “That’s it,” he growled. “Come for me, you little slut. Come on my cock.”
His words were like a spark, igniting the tension inside me. My breath hitched, my body arching off the bed as I climaxed, my walls clenching around him.
“Fuck,” Nick groaned, his thrusts becoming frantic. “That’s it. Milk my cock, you filthy cunt.”
I cried out, my voice muffled as I buried my face in the pillow. The pleasure was overwhelming, a mix of shame and release that left me trembling.
Nick followed soon after, his body stiffening as he came, his cock pulsing inside me. “Yes,” he hissed, his voice strained. “Take it all. Take every fucking drop.”
He collapsed on top of me, his breath coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, we lay there, his weight heavy on me, the silence thick with the aftermath of what had just happened.
Finally, he rolled off, sitting up and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked down at me, his expression unreadable.
“Get dressed,” he said, his voice cold. “You’re free to go.”
I nodded, my body aching as I pushed myself up. I reached for my dress, my hands shaking as I pulled it on. Nick watched me, his eyes lingering on my body before he turned away, heading to the bathroom.
I stood there, my mind reeling, as the reality of what had just happened sank in. I’d done it. I’d let another man fuck me, let him use me to settle Jim’s debt. And now, I was broken—emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
When Nick returned, he handed me a piece of paper. “Here’s the address for Jim’s new place. He’s been relocated. You can go to him now.”
I took the paper, my hands trembling as I looked at it. “Thank you,” I said, my voice hollow.
Nick smirked, his eyes cold. “Don’t thank me. Thank Jim. He’s the one who put you in this position. And remember, Melissa, debts always come due. One way or another.”
I nodded, turning to leave. As I walked out of the apartment, I felt a numbness settle over me, a detachment from the world around me. I’d survived, but at what cost?
The elevator dinged, and I stepped inside, my reflection staring back at me in the mirrored walls. I looked the same—my brown hair, my brown eyes, my pretty face. But inside, I was shattered, a shell of the woman I’d once been.
And as the doors closed, I knew one thing for certain: this was the end. The end of my marriage, the end of my trust, and the end of the woman I used to be.
What came next, I didn’t know. But one thing was clear: I would never be the same again.