Chapter 2 True Colours. 2898Words Elenas P.O.V. They say when you die, your entire life flashes before your eyes which is said to be a strange phenomenon known as a life review showing you everything youve experienced in life from the moment you were born to the moment you took your last breath but what does it mean if you experience this phenomenon and you live to tell the tale?. After I had announced to Tristan and Brandy that I wanted a divorce, I left the room and headed downstairs to call my brother who I was hoping could help me find somewhere temporary to live until after my divorce is finalised but before I could even get my phone out of my pocket, I was viciously pushed to the ground by my husband who then straddled me and beat me black and blue until I eventually passed out. I didnt come too until around twenty minutes ago and I was feeling so much pain but strangely enough, it was all physical pain, none of it was emotional or mental pain, I guess thats because I had already checked out of my marriage in that way a long time ago meaning theres nothing Tristan can do that could hurt me any more. When I married my husband at the young and tender age of eighteen, I like many other people on the planet believed that wed be together forever and that nothing could break us apart. I thought our marriage could stand the test of time and that divorce was just a forbidden word that one never spoke of or thought about, kind of like the three monkeys hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil, well, it was like that. I thought every single day of our marriage from the day we said I do to the day we would say our final goodbye and move on to the next life together would feel exactly like it did during the early days of our relationship which was filled with so much love, passion and lust. I thought wed do everything we could to make each other smile and feel happy but obviously, I was wrong because now, not even seven months after Tristan and I had celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary, I was here in our bedroom which was still a f*****g mess thanks to the two lovebirds and I was packing my bags with determination in my heart to leave this place for good and divorce my husband as soon as possible. Without context, most people would think we were just going through the seven-year itch and that I should think long and hard before I make any rash decisions that are permanent because I may or may not end up regretting it but thats not the case. I guess you could say that Ive had rose-tinted glasses on for the entirety of my relationship, from the moment I first met my husband to when he asked me to be his girlfriend when we were just teenagers in high school, right up to the very moment I had received that text message from my friend which blinded me from seeing the real Tristan. Even though subconsciously I knew who he was and the type of man he was, I still refused to see the bad in him but now my eyes are clear and are wide open and any love I had for him or that I thought I had for him is long freaking gone. Come on, come on, Brand, pick up the phone I mutter into the phone. s**t I groaned when the line went dead. This motherfucker has always got his phone glued to his hand and the one time I need his ass, hes MIA. Ive tried calling my brother umpteen times since I woke up from being unconscious but hes not answering me for whatever reason. I once again tried to call Brandon as I continued to pack up all of my things and make sure that Ive got everything that belonged to me because when I finally leave my former marital home, I plan on leaving it for good. Donovan here Oh, thank god, he answered me. Brand…Brand, its me Elena? Elena baby, is that you? whats wrong? is everything ok? Brandon asks sounding panicked which broke the wall in me causing me to break down. I..I need you, Brand, I cant do this anymore, I cant stay married to Tristan any longer, I..Im done Done? what do you mean youre done, Elena? what did he do? he hasnt hurt you again, has he? He asked angrily and I absentmindedly touched my lower lip which has been split open and bruised thanks to my delightful husband. Elena?…Elena sweetheart, talk to me, tell me whats going on? Brandon asked me and I sniffled. I hated crying and I hated feeling weak and vulnerable because Ive always been a strong woman but even the strongest of people are allowed to have a weak moment and this was mine. Can you just please come to my place and get me, Brand? Im leaving Tristan and this time its for good, Im not gonna tolerate his abuse any more Brandon is the only one who knows about the abuse my husband has put me through these past seven years but he didnt find out about it because I wanted him to, no, it was because he had walked into my room unannounced while I was getting changed and he saw a massive bruise on my back, as well as several other bruises on my abdomen. Tristan has always been very meticulous when it comes to hitting me because he knows Im a strong girl who can easily defend herself against anyone, so he only makes sure to hit me when he knows Im vulnerable and he always makes sure to hit me in areas which cant be seen and can easily be covered up. In fact, today was the first time he lost control of himself and hit me square in the face, as well as attempting to choke me out leaving marks on my face and neck. Brandon wasnt happy when he found out about the abuse, in fact, he was apoplectic and told me that he wanted to call in some of his army buddies to teach Tristan a lesson which I stupidly put a stop to but I wouldnt this time if he gave me this option. What do you mean, kid? whats he done? Im done, Brand, Im so done I sobbed as I sat down on my bed and ran a hand through my hair as fresh tears filled my eyes and fell down my face. He cheated on me, Brand…he f*****g cheated on me and when I confronted him about it and told him that I wanted a divorce, he went crazy and attacked me He what? Brandon growled causing me to flinch. You heard me, Brand I whimpered as my body shook with sobs. Hes been cheating on me, hes been having an affair for two f*****g years of our marriage and youll never guess who the skank is who hes been screwing behind my back with Who is it? is it someone we know? Brandon asks me and I chuckle. Oh yeah, its someone we know very well, Brandon…its Brandy What? Brandy? Brandon asks sounding shocked. Im sorry, I think I misheard you, kiddo, did you just say Brandy as in my twin sister and your older sister, that Brandy? is that who youre talking about, Elena Jade? Yep I say as I let out a sigh and run my hand through my hair wincing as I did when my hand brushed against a painful spot. I quickly pulled my hand away and looked down at it where I was shocked but not surprised to find some blood coating my fingers. Well, thats new. I cant believe this, Ellie, I cant believe Brandy would do something like this to you He says and I scoff. Really, Brand? can you really not believe it? because I can I say with annoyance and anger in my tone. Brandys always wanted what was mine and I knew it was only a matter of time before she eventually put the moves on Tristan, I just hoped and prayed that shed have enough pride and dignity in her to leave him alone Pride and dignity Brandon said with a chuckle. Youre talking about the same girl who opened up an OnlyFans account to celebrate her twenty-fifth birthday posting naked pictures and videos of herself every day, not to mention videos of her doing s****l things to herself and others bringing shame to our family name, that girl, right? Yeah, I am I groaned in disgust while chuckling. Wait, how do you know what she does on there? I ask with a raised eyebrow and Brandon groans. Some of my friends have seen her content and told me about it, one of them even showed me a video of her in a gangbang with five guys because he didnt know we were related and thought Id like it Hmm, nice. I thought to myself sarcastically. Anyway, it doesnt matter because I dont care anymore, Brand, the biggest asshole in the world can now be with the number one asshole flasher in the world for all I care, I just want to be free of them I said and Brandon chuckled but it was only briefly. Do you really want Brandy to be with an abusive bastard like Tristan, Elle?…I mean, dont get me wrong, sweetheart, I hate them both for what theyve put you through but nobody, not even Brandy deserves to be in a relationship with a scumbag who beats women the way he does with you, kiddo Brandon says with concern in his voice. Normally Id agree with you, Brand but to be honest with you, brother…I dont think she cares Why do you say that? He asks sounding confused while I let out a shaky breath to once again control my emotions. Because she just stood there and watched as Tristan beat me, Brand I said as a stray tear fell down my cheek causing a stinging sensation as it landed on a cut. What did you just say, Elena? Brandon asks sounding horrified and shocked. You heard me, Brandon I said as I let out a breath. At first, I thought I was seeing things when I saw her standing to the side and watching with a happy glint in her eyes and a smirk on her evil face…I thought Tristans hits were messing with my head making me see things that werent there but no, she was there and she was revelling in it That b***h Brandon groaned under his breath. Ok kiddo listen to me, go and pack your stuff and meet me out front, Im already in Black Hawk and Ill be at your place in ten minutes Ok, thank you, Brandon Youre welcome, Ellie Bear Brandon says and I smile. We then bid each other goodbye and I finish packing my things and taking them downstairs. I didnt have much because unlike my sister, Im not a flashy person and I prefer to put my hard-earned money to good use which will benefit me later on instead of wasting it on something Ill barely ever use because I need them or because I need and want to show them off to unimportant people so that theyll know or at least think Im rich. Im also not interested in anything designer or even expensive jewellery and if theres any of that s**t in my closet then its because Tristan bought it for me, I only buy what I need and thats it. I was in the middle of bringing the last of my things downstairs which wasnt easy considering my ribs felt like they were broken and were playing kerplunk with my insides when my soon-to-be ex-husband and my slutty sister walked in like nothing had happened. What the f**k is going on in here? Aww, it looks like shes taking out the trash, baby Brandy says with a smirk earning a glare from both myself and Tristan. Shut the f**k up, Brandy Tristan growls and she flinches as I roll my eyes. Actually Brandy, Tristan is the one who deals with the trash around here, not me, Ive got more class unlike some people who are more than happy to touch some nasty, used, washed up, disgusting, piece of s**t trash, in fact, he loves it, case and point I say with a smirk as I pointed my finger at my sister who glares at me while Tristan looks at me with shock evident on his stupid face. For years, everyone in town including most of my family and my husband have believed that I loved and idolised my sister and thats because I didnt want anyone to know how much I truly despised the b***h. The reason why is because if I do show my true feelings for her then that not only gives her even more attention which she doesnt need or deserve but it also gives her a new stage to play the hard done by victim which she wouldve milked dry because lets face it, its easy to sympathise with someone whos hated by a sibling, especially if we dont know the reason why. Babe, did you hear what she just said to… Oh and Brandy I cut my sister off from her whining. If I were you, my dear sister, then Id learn how to do this thing which is foreign to whores such as yourself and its a little something called keeping your mouth shut because if you dont and you continue to run yours like the silly little b***h that you are then Ill have no other choice but to give you one hell of a beating, one where your plastic surgeon will have no other choice but to make you pay for your procedures this time instead of accepting an old fashioned downstairs handshake and a slurpy for p*****t if you catch my drift I say with a smirk. Thats enough, Elena…youre out of order Tristan growls and my face narrows in confusion. Im out of order? What does he think I am? a Coca Cola machine?. I thought to myself while rolling my eyes. Yes, youre out of order, Elena, now apologise to your sister Tristan says and I chuckle. This man has lost his mind. Id rather French kiss a bulldog with herpes than lower myself to her level and apologise for telling the truth, Tristan I said with a sneer. Maybe next time you have an affair, you should try sticking your c**k in someone who has actually got a backbone and has got the stones to face the wrath of her lovers wife instead of cowering behind him like a pathetic little wimp…youre an embarrassment to women everywhere, Brandy Elena Tristan said through gritted teeth pissing me off. What, Tristan?…doesnt your mistress like to hear the truth? well, she should remember this day then so that shell be reminded to keep her legs closed to married men in the future and save herself from any further embarrassment, shouldnt she? I sneered at Brandy who whimpered and moved closer to my husband as she feigned innocence and played the wounded victim card to gain sympathy from Tristan which she got but I could see right through her act as smugness swam deep in her eyes. Dont be upset with my sister, baby, Elenas got every right to be angry and upset with me, I mean, after all, I did steal her husband away from her and I ruined her life, not to mention, Ive also been successful in giving you the one thing she cant Brandy said whilst gently caressing her stomach. Her words were like a red flag to a bull and she was successful in provoking me and flipping my b***h switch but it was Tristans response which shocked me even though it shouldnt have because hurting me is almost like second nature to him now. I know, baby, shes just jealous, thats all He said whilst kissing Brandys temple and rubbing her stomach as she smirked victoriously and mouthed I win again at me. You evil, spiteful b***h I growled as I stormed over to my sister intending to beat her ass and cause her a world of pain but before I could get close to her, Tristan grabbed me by my hair and viciously threw me against the staircase causing me to bang my head against the hard marble. I instantly became drowsy and I could feel myself losing consciousness as I heard three voices speak but it was the latter one which filled me with relief and happiness as everything turned black. Oh fuck…Elena baby, are you ok? Tristan asked sounding panicked. Oh my god, Tristan, what did you do? Brandy gasped sounding like she actually cared and was worried for me for the first time ever. I felt a hand gently caress my cheek as a loud, angry voice boomed throughout the hallway. WHAT THE f**k IS GOING ON IN HERE?…holy s**t, Elena Big brother has finally arrived and hes pissed.