Edward was at the club with his friends, surrounded by unfamiliar women, reveling without restraint.
"Oh, this one's on me," he said with a sly smile when someone else tried to pick up the bill.
One of his buddies shot him a grin. "So, did you reel in a big catch tonight?"
"Yeah. Her friends are loaded," Edward replied coolly.
"Milking her for cash, huh?" another teased.
He just laughed. "Of course. Everything comes with a price," he said, winking at them. The group erupted into laughter at his boldness.
All the money he had borrowed—from friends, siblings, anyone willing to lend—was actually being paid back by his girlfriend. He didn't care about his own savings; he used those only for himself.
I'll pay her back for now... but soon enough, I'll have her by the neck, he thought, a dark smile creeping on his lips.
She was easy—too trusting, too naive, especially to those who circled around her.
I know she's a virgin. Six months in, right? Not bad at all, he mused with a sly grin.
After the party, he needed to go home. Anthony didn't come with him—he kept warning Edward that karma would catch up to him eventually.
I'll deliver that karma my way, Edward smirked.
He went to pick up Mariely from school. It was their six-month anniversary, and she greeted him with a bright, open smile.
He returned the smile and kissed her cheek softly.
"Are we eating out tonight?" she asked sweetly.
He looked at her, contemplating.
I want to taste her body. Tonight, I have to claim her.
He nodded. "Sure. Where do you want to eat?"
"Anywhere with good food," she laughed, clearly happy.
She's sinking deeper into my trap, he thought with satisfaction.
He took her to a restaurant. They ordered quickly, and she talked animatedly while he listened, carefully matching her energy. Their jobs were similar, so it wasn't hard.
As night cloaked the city, he knew it was time to act on his plans. To him, no relationship was complete without physical heat.
He paid for her meal, wanting to maintain his charm.
Inside the car, he asked, "Are you happy now?"
She nodded eagerly. "Very. Thank you."
Without warning, he kissed her—soft at first, then more demanding. She gasped, caught off guard.
"I'm glad you're happy, Faith. It's a pleasure to see you smile. I'm happy too," he whispered close to her ear.
Her cheeks flushed crimson. She was about to reply when he captured her lips again, this time more fervently. His hand roamed toward her most sensitive places.
But before he could touch her, Mariely pushed him away firmly.
"Faith, just one night?" he urged.
Her eyes flickered with confusion and fear, but he pressed on, trying to kiss her again. She shook her head, resisting.
Frustration boiled inside him, and he slammed his fist against the seat. Mariely flinched.
"S-sorry... I'm not ready," she stammered, voice trembling.
"Damn! I'm your boyfriend, right? It's normal. It spices up a relationship. We've been together six months. Do I have to wait one year to do this?" His voice rose sharply.
***
She was stunned by his anger. "I'm not ready, Edward," she said, shaking inside, scared of his sudden rage.
"You're hopeless. Come on, it's our monthsary, Faith," he insisted, relentless.
He tried kissing her again, but she turned away, terrified. Suddenly, his hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
"E-Edward, y-you're hurting me," she whispered, panic rising.
He released her without a word and resumed driving, cold and silent.
"This is the worst!" he muttered bitterly.
Then, glaring at her, he snapped, "Pay me for that food."
"But you said you'd pay."
"Yeah, but you ruined it—double it," he said, eyes icy.
She opened her mouth to argue. "What!?"
He cut her off harshly. "What!?"
She closed her eyes and nodded, defeated.
When they reached her parents' house, she got out, quietly leaving the money he demanded.
"Wait—pay for the gas too," he said.
She hurriedly grabbed the last thousand pesos she had and handed it over. Without a word, he sped away.
Her legs trembled as she stood there. If she complained, she feared what he might do next. Tears threatened to fall, but she swallowed them.
She had dreamed of a perfect six-month celebration—never this.
If I had given in, would we have avoided this fight? she wondered helplessly.
She shook her head to banish the thought and took a steadying breath before entering her home.
She didn't tell her friends. They might get angry at what Edward did.
She never thought he'd hurt her like this. Her fingers brushed her mouth where his hand had pressed.
Calm down, Faith. Maybe he was just tired. That's why he acted that way, she told herself.
"Have you eaten, dear?" her mother asked as she entered.
She forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, Ma. How about you and Papa? Have you eaten?"
"Yes, we saved some food for you. We'll just reheat it tomorrow," her mother said kindly.
She nodded again. "Ma, I'll go to my room now, okay?"
"Alright, rest well, dear," her mother said, smiling and patting her gently.
She went straight to her bed, sat down heavily, and sighed.
It'll be okay. If not, I'll be the one to end this.
Even though she loved Edward, she could never accept being hurt like this.
Days passed with no calls or rides from him. She tried reaching out, but he remained cold.
During a break at school, her phone buzzed—a message from Edward. Her heart skipped. He wanted to talk.
He picked her up, driving in silence that weighed heavily between them.
Suddenly, he stopped in an empty spot.
"Edward?" she asked cautiously.
"Aren't you going to say sorry?" he demanded.
"S-sorry for what?"
He yanked her arm harshly. "You're stupid."
Her patience broke. "If all you want is to hurt me, if you don't love me, then let's just break up," she said, voice firm.
He was shocked, then laughed coldly. "And you have the nerve to say that to me? Honestly, you're a worthless girlfriend. If we break up, no guy will want you, just by looking at your face."
She was tired of his cruel words. She remembered Frank's pain when they broke up. She had to be strong.
She tried to slap him, but he caught her hand tightly. "Don't you dare do that to me." His grip hurt.
He shoved her away. "I'll use you however I want. Don't worry, we'll keep this going," he sneered.
"I'll be your good boyfriend," he mocked.
"Let me out!" she yelled.
He turned to her and slapped her hard across the cheek. Shocked, she barely had time to react before he grabbed her hair.
"Try to resist or rebel against me, and you won't know what's coming," he threatened. "By the way, even if you tell your brother, I know they'll side with me. Want to try?"
Tears spilled from her eyes, but he didn't care. He drove her home without another word.
Before she got out, he said, "By the way, I borrowed ten thousand from your brother, fifteen thousand from Veron, and twenty-five thousand from Veron's boyfriend. You're paying them all back."
"What did you do with the money? Why should I pay?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Will you pay or not?" His voice was cold and threatening. "You'll see what happens if you don't," he said with a cruel grin.
He left her standing there, dazed and terrified.
What has he told to Nathan? she wondered.
Before going inside, her brother called. She answered immediately.
"Faith, what's this I'm hearing from Edward?"
"What is it?"
"That you're breaking up with him because you're tired of him? Is that true?"
It felt like the world collapsed on her. She remembered his threats—he could twist minds, especially her family's.
She held back tears. She didn't want to depend on her brother, who had his own family now. She took a deep breath.
"Brother, that's not true."
"Faith, don't tell me you still love that bastard. Are you fooling the one who truly loves you? I know you're going through hell with him, but Edward is doing his best."
Brother, I'm going through hell too, she thought bitterly.
Her brother lectured her, and she only nodded silently, accepting it even though it wasn't true. Family was her weakness.
She never told Edward about her past relationship because she didn't want to revisit it.
After the call, she stayed in her room, grateful her parents weren't home to see her bruised cheek. She was thankful it was Saturday tomorrow.
She sighed deeply. She had to find a way out. And she would pay off the debts he had racked up—no matter what.