Chapter 55: Descent into Darkness

Alev's sneer turned into a snarl as he took a step closer to Ashley, his eyes blazing with fury. She could see the anger building up inside him, and she knew that she was in grave danger. Ender, sensing his father's mood, was crying uncontrollably in Alev's arms, but Alev didn't seem to care. "You think you can just defy me?" Alev spat, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can just ignore me and do what you want?" Ashley tried to back away, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. She was trapped, and she knew it. Alev took another step closer, his fist clenched. Ashley saw it coming, but she couldn't move. She was paralyzed with fear. And then, it happened. Alev's fist connected with her jaw, sending her crashing to the floor. Ashley felt a searing pain as her head spun, and she tasted blood in her mouth. But that was only the beginning. Alev's anger had only just begun to boil over. He took a step back, and then kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her curling up in agony. Ashley felt like she was going to vomit. She was gasping for breath, her body wracked with pain. She could hear Ender's cries, but they seemed distant, like they were coming from another room. As she lay there, curled up in a ball, Ashley realized that she had hit rock bottom. She was trapped in a nightmare, and she didn't know how to wake up. Alev's abuse had been escalating for months, but this was the worst it had ever been. She slowly uncurled herself, trying to get to her feet. But her body felt like lead, and her head was spinning. She stumbled, and fell back to the floor, her vision blurring. Alev was still standing over her, his chest heaving with anger. Ender was still crying in his arms, but Alev's eyes were fixed on Ashley, his gaze cold and hard. "Get up," he spat, his voice like venom. "Get up and get back to work. You're not going to sit around all day, feeling sorry for yourself." Ashley knew that she had to get out of there. She had to get away from Alev, and find a way to keep herself and Ender safe. But for now, she was trapped, at the mercy of a monster. As she struggled to her feet, Ashley caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her face was bruised and swollen, her eyes red and puffy. She looked like a battered wife, a woman who had been broken by the man she loved. And in that moment, Ashley knew that she had to find a way to escape. She had to find a way to break free from Alev's grasp, and start a new life, one that was free from violence and fear. But for now, she just stood there, frozen in terror, as Alev's anger continued to simmer, waiting to boil over again.