Roman sat at his desk, he and Abe were working on a big case now, but he couldn’t concentrate. Thoughts of John and Marlena together were troubling his mind. How could she go with him? After she asked for his forgiveness, to take her back, begging him, pleading with him. He didn’t understand it, but well, he guessed he didn’t know his Marlena as well as he thought he did. The telephone ringing brought him back to reality.

“ captain Brady” he answered, the line was quiet at first “ hello?” He said. Still no word. Right before he hung up, he heard it. He knew this voice. He heard moans and intakes of air, he would recognize this voice anywhere. It was Marlena’s. He was shocked and hung the phone at once.

How do they dare… calling him, making him listen to them make love. If he only knew that what he was hearing is his wife being raped by Stefano. He closed his eyes, wanting to punch something, he raged out of the office.

Stefano smiled, still holding the phone up, he stared at the screen, the live feed from what took place at her bedroom tonight was playing, and he relished on every minute of it.

Marlena was driving for an hour now. Not long and she’ll be there again. She has stopped crying a few minutes ago. She cried for him, she didn’t want to leave him alone, she didn’t want to betray him, but she couldn’t stay in that room one more minute. She cried for her, for the black stain in her soul, she remembered how John’s mouth felt on her neck, against her lips, his hands on her hip, she loved that feeling, but then, when he grabbed her, she couldn’t take it. Everything Stefano did to her tonight came rushing in. She hated that, she hated him to ruin her capability to receive love, to have John touch her. She knew she had to do something, something that would make her feel confident again, an action that would give her some strength back. She opened the glove compartment in search for something she could use. The road was empty, she hasn’t seen another car in miles. She didn’t know how seeing him again would affect her, she only knew that she was tired and hurt, but she was a woman on a mission. She grabbed the small gun as quickly as she saw it. It was loaded. Holding it felt wrong but so as feeling that way that she did.

She was tired, her eyelids kept closing and she fought the need to sleep, she had to keep going.

“Sir” a tall, well-dressed man, knocked on the big wooden door. Stefano lifted his eyes from the monitor and gave him an angry look “ what did I say about bothering me tonight?” He was mad.

“ I’m sorry Sir, I thought you’d like to know that the car is on the move again.”

“ Oh,” he replied, surprise evidently on his face.

“Yes, but it’s heading back here, to the house. It’s only a few minutes away.”

Stefano stood up, wondering what is going on, he had to think fast. Was it John coming back to keep searching his past? Is he armed? He got out of here a broken man, how could he possibly drive?

“Sir? “ the man spoke again.

“Yes Paul, I want 3 armed men at the gate. No matter what, shoot to kill, the man is furious, and there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

The man nodded and left the room. He sat back on his leather chair, clicking his tongue, gazing back on the monitor. He saw her laying on the bed, her legs spread wide open, touching herself. He breathed out heavily and closed his eyes.

“you should have stayed away from John…” he whispered.

“ heyyyy partner, where you are going?” Abe caught him near the lift. He looked disturbed, he wouldn’t stand still for a second, passing through the hallways next to the elevator, waiting for it to reach their floor. “ Abe, I have to go” he replied “ I can’t believe them..both of them..” he didn’t make much sense, but Abe knew what he’s talking about. The hour grew late, and Roman was in need of good night sleep. “Roman, I think you should get some sleep, it’s late, come on, I’ll drive you home.”

“ no,” he said, looking at him “ I need to talk to Marlena. This is over. There would be no more pleading, no more asking me for forgiveness. No way, not after this. She wants to be with him, she could go ahead and do that. This...whore..this..” he was furious. “Oh man, you don’t mean that, do you? You love Marlena. What happened?”

Roman stared at him, breathing deeply, remembering the sounds he has just heard. It killed him. “ I’ll tell you alright” he hissed.

He didn’t know what to think. The car was gone, she took it. Could this be? Could she actually be going back to the house? And if she has, what would happen to her there? Her mental state was not one to make big decisions. He had to find her, had to get to her before it was too late before she’ll do something she’ll regret for the rest of her life. He bolted out of the room in search for a taxi, a leasing agency, something that’ll get him a ride back to Maison Blanch.

She could see the Mansion’s lights in the distance. If it weren’t for Stefano, this place could have been magical. It was so beautiful, and she was really fascinated by it, so sad it was filled with horrible memories now. It was the middle of the night, not an hour for heroic action, but she held an unstoppable force within her and she needed a  release, she ached to make him hurt. The way she has. The car flew like the wind, and she was happy to see the mansion’s sign. She’s almost there, she just gotta stay focus. You can do this, she thought, and for the first time this night, she smiled.