It's obvious that Roman hates my guts. His gaze is filled with fury, as though he wants to finish me right this instant.

Now that he's standing close to me, the angry beast inside me roars to be unleashed. I feel like a ticking time bomb that can explode at any time. Rage has taken over my body.

The next thing I realize is throwing a punch at him. My fist connects with his face, sending him a few steps backward.

You bastard.

My chest heaves up and down. I can't believe that I just hit him, but my body is shaking all over with so much rage I don't think that I would have done something different. I want to rip him to shreds after what he has done to me.

Roman spits blood from his mouth. He looks deadly, ready to fight back.

In a second, he storms at me and punches me in the face. I step back from the blow.

Fuck.

I wipe the blood from the cut on my lips and stare at him coldly. My jaw tightens as I throw another punch at him, this time landing on his jaw. It's harder than the first one and almost sends him down.

Roman snaps his head back toward me, gritting his teeth. He growls, gripping my collar harshly. That's when we feel movement from the door.

"Roman, who is it--" Olivia's eyes widen in shock as she sees us. "Aiden?" Her voice is shaking, as if she can't believe that I'm here.

Her hands shoot to her mouth, and fear skates all over her face at the sight of us hurting each other.

"Stop." She rushes toward us. Panic is evident in her voice. "What is happening?"

Roman switches his attention back to me and tightens his grip on my collar. He doesn't care. He's about to swing his fist again to attack me when Olivia comes between us.

"No, Roman," she screams. "Stop it. Please."

She faces Roman, pushing both of us away from each other. She steps back with me behind her, shielding me from him.

"What are you doing? Stop fighting." Her legs are shaking because of the shock consuming her.

My knuckles are still itching to inflict more pain on the bastard, but I realize that violence won't solve my problem.

I almost forgot the reason why I was here in the first place. I shouldn't have hit Roman first, but it was impossible to control myself the moment I saw him again.

Roman scoffs. I can see the pain in his eyes when he watches Olivia.

"He hit me first. You don't have any problem with that, huh?" he asks her sarcastically. "You shouldn't defend him. You should defend me, your husband. You shouldn't stop me from beating that jerk into a pulp. In fact, you should call the police and report him for attacking me in our house."

Olivia is silent. She's speechless, still trying to absorb what's happening.

"Move out of the way," he commands, but Olivia shakes her head wildly.

She steps back, causing me to step back too behind her.

"Move," Roman roars, storming at me.

But Olivia pushes his chest, still placing herself between us as she struggles to shield me.

"No," she cries. "Please, Roman. You don't have to do this."

She doesn't want us to hurt each other, but Roman seems to have another thought in his mind. The fury in his eyes becomes more palpable.

He grips Olivia's arm, making her yelp. She winces in pain as he tightens his hold on her. With the way he's gripping her arm right now, it will be enough to leave a bruise on her skin.

"You are protecting him, aren't you?" Roman hisses. His eyes are red and almost watery because of how angry he is. His whole body is shaking too because of his rage. "You're taking his side, not mine? I knew it. It has always been him, hasn't it? All you care about is him." His voice booms, then he throws her away.

A small scream leaves Olivia's mouth before her head knocks the harsh ground. With her hand trembling uncontrollably, Olivia touches her forehead, trying to sit up with difficulty. She lets out a shaky breath, staring at her fingers stained with the blood from her head.

I'm stunned.

What did he do?

What did I just watch?

Roman is panting heavily. His eyes are wide, but now they aren't only filled with anger. They're filled with fear and shock, as though he can't believe what he just did to his wife.

I watch as he freezes on the spot too. Does he regret it?

But then, his loud voice echoes again, "Fine. Suit yourself," he snaps.

He's still very much furious although I can feel him about to break from the way his voice is shaking.

"He's finally here. Are you happy now? I don't fucking care." That's the last thing he says before he walks away toward his car. He gets into it, slams the door shut, and starts the engine.

"R-roman," Olivia stutters, watching in disbelief as he's about to leave.

The sound of tires screeching fills the air when Roman drives the car like a mad person. He makes a sharp turn and speeds off.

Then everything becomes silent, except for the sound of Olivia crying. She breaks down on the ground. Her sobs make me realize how much she's hurting.

I still can't move an inch. So many things are going in my head.

Olivia defending me.

Roman abusing her.

Their argument, which didn't seem like it was something new.

This is all too much for me to take.

All this time, I thought that I was the only one who suffered, while they lived happily ever after. It would have made more sense if they had ignored me.

The reality is playing with me. It dawns on me that I might have made a terrible mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have come here.

Rather than getting the answer I want, everything that has happened here makes me more confused. I shouldn't be here. It only makes things worse, not just for me but for them as well.

My eyes are still not leaving Olivia, who's still kneeling on the ground with her back facing me. Her shoulders are shaking.

Slowly, I approach her broken form. No matter what, she's a woman who just got hurt. She's injured. Even though I should go and avoid any misunderstanding, I can't leave her like this.

"Olivia," I whisper, bending down beside her.

Her soft cries are the only response coming out of her mouth. She turns her head toward me. Tears are streaming down her face. There's so much sadness in her eyes.

I help her stand up but then freeze as I see another bruise on her other arm.

This is not the first time that Roman has done that.

Olivia abruptly pulls away, trying to hide it. She sways but still manages to regain her balance and stands up on her feet.

My head is spinning. I wish that my eyes were lying.

I never thought that I would witness this kind of reality.