**Chapter 15: Desperate Pleas**

"Travis, I love you…can we please just take a minute?" Charlie begged, her voice shaking as she tried to stall for time. Her stomach started to turn again, nausea washing over her as she gazed up at Travis's unyielding face. Travis's expression didn't change, but Charlie saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He seemed to be enjoying her desperation, her fear. "A minute?" he repeated, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you deserve a minute?" Charlie took a step closer to him, her eyes pleading. "Please, Travis. I know I messed up. I know I shouldn't have seen Alex again. But I love you, and I promise it won't happen again." She tried to sound sincere, to convey the depth of her feelings, but Travis's expression remained skeptical. Travis snorted, his eyes rolling in disgust. "You love me?" he repeated. "You don't even know what love is. You're just a stupid little girl who's scared of being hurt." Charlie felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears began to well up again. She knew she was walking a thin line, that one wrong move could send Travis into a rage. But she couldn't help herself. She had to try and appeal to whatever humanity was left in him. As she stood there, her eyes locked on Travis's, Charlie felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Her stomach churned and roiled, and she knew she was going to be sick. She took a step back, trying to compose herself, but Travis's eyes narrowed. "What's wrong?" he spat, his voice menacing. "You're not going to try and play the sick card with me, are you?" Charlie shook her head, trying to deny it, but Travis's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. He knew her too well, knew exactly what she was thinking. And he was enjoying it. Without a word, Travis reached out and grasped Charlie's arm, his fingers digging deep into her skin. He pulled her towards the house, and Charlie stumbled after him, her stomach lurching with every step. As they entered the house, Charlie was hit with the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to permeate every room. It was dark and foreboding, and Charlie knew she was in for a long and terrifying night. She tried to struggle, but Travis's grip on her arm was like a vice. "You're going to stay here until I say you can leave," he growled, his eyes glinting with malice. "And you're going to do exactly as I say." Charlie nodded, trying to placate him, but her mind was racing with thoughts of escape. She knew she had to get out of there, had to find a way to escape before it was too late. But for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of a man who seemed to take pleasure in her pain.