The Traps of Black Swan

Robert Dawson's bitterness on his wife for having another man's child, vexation for not having all the wealth in his name, the disappointment of being looked down upon due to nameless family background. He had vented all of it on a helpless weak girl, Ava Kelly.

He had called Ava Kelly sl*t, wh*re because he couldn't call that to his wife. He bashed her, imagining her as his wife. He had asked her questions like if the other man's bed was warmer.

Clueless Ava had no idea why he was blaming her for something she doesn't know. All she could do at that time was bear the pain, waiting for death.

This time Aarvi would decide how the man will live every hour, every day in his life.

Seeing Robert on knees, right in front of her, Aarvi sniggered at the man. Even though she was weak and helpless in the past, she never begged them so pitifully. She could never fall as low as this man had fallen..

An apology could never change the past. Forgiveness might change the future but Aarvi would never have any kind of association with this man. So forgiveness wasn't on her list.

She tried to show him the value of an apology. "Should I accept your apology?"

Robert Dawson thought it was his chance, He rattled his head in the last hopes. None would get to know if anything happens to him. His wife had already shown her support to Aarvi. So he was willing to hold any straw for his safety.

"Alright, I will forgive you." Aarvi lied.

Robert Dawson was exhilarated while the Shadow team raised their eyebrows. Aarvi being so considerate didn't fit with their understanding of Aarvi.

"R-really?" Robert Dawson asked with disbelief. "I-I promise, I will get away from your eyes and never trouble you. I-..." He paused when he saw a lopsided curve of her lips making her look more dangerously beautiful and daunting at the same time.

Aarvi took the crystal whiskey glass from Max, waved her hand for him to proceed towards Robert. "Since I have forgiven you, you don't need to hide from me." Although she spoke in the favor of Robert, her voice was heavy with the threat.

She pretended to take a sip of whiskey, "Argh…" She lowered her hand in deep displeasure before her lips could touch the rims of the glass.

Her eyes narrowed at the man and she spoke through her teeth faking her annoyance, "Do you know President Dawson? I am not allowed to touch alcohol because of you and your friends. How do you think I feel when everyone enjoys while I... I have to sit with a glass of water?"

Max was taken aback for a second. Then he reminded himself that the Young Madam was acting, even though it was a fact.

Robert crawled back. Each of them had beaten her and vented their frustration hearing Leon say she is the punching bag he found for them. He didn't know and he didn't care if what Aarvi said was the truth or an act, he needed to save his skin, "No- Aar… P-president Evans… Y-you don't have to be like us. Y-you are a good wom…"

Aarvi's cold, sharp voice cut in, "I was good and you all destroyed that goodness." She drew a deep breath to control her emotions and spoke in indifference, "And now you are that weak punching bag that I shall make use of."

Max and the other Shadow team realized her game. Robert, who had sat on his knees, stared at her in horror. He didn't want to believe what he understood.

"Slap him."

'Pak' Max did as per her instructions.

Robert's cheek flared in red as his head was thrown aside by the force.

"Harder on the right."

'Pak,' Robert rolled on the ground groaning in pain.

Aarvi didn't stop, "Grab his hair, slam him to the wall."

Max's hand shook slightly. Not because he has to beat the man, but her voice cracked. He saw her eyes were red. He realized she was recreating every hit she earned from Robert.

Max did as he was told and it continued for more than five minutes when Robert was feeling nerve-wracking pain from every joint of his body, lying on the ground and crying in pain

Aarvi let the dog smell the whiskey first. Then she slowly poured the whiskey on Robert's face as though she was enjoying watching the torture of the man. Whereas she was tormented by recalling every instance of the past.

"Leave the dog."

The other shadow team member removed the mouth guard and left the dog. Doberman rushed to Robert and started licking his face which had whiskey and blood.

The difference in this recreation was Robert had licked her blood and whiskey from her face when she was half-dead on the ground. Compared to her, Robert was in a more clear sense. However, he fainted as soon as the dog went close to him.

Max looked at Aarvi who was clenching her teeth, her eyes moist, staring at the fainted man and her cheeks stained with tears. There was no need to live the past in such a way. It was more like she was punishing herself mentally. He glanced at Alex who was standing upstairs.

Alex had crossed his arms over his chest, with his eyes fixed on her. Readably concerned about Aarvi. They didn't know if they should admire her for living through this nightmare or pity her for the past. They could imagine how she was mercilessly thrashed by those men.

Now they understood why she wanted to handle those men herself and didn't choose death for them. It was needed to release her pain, the darkness she had been through but not at the cost of her emotional stress.

Hence Alex had already called Aaron to reach there as quickly as possible before she emotionally broke down. Aaron was on the way before the call. So Alex was hoping he could reach quickly and take her out of her own recreated darkness.

Meanwhile, Doberman was taken away. Aarvi grabbed the glass of water which was previously served for her when she came. She splashed the water on his face. They woke her up to senses with water every time she fainted so she repeated.

Robert Dawson coughed hard, gasping for air. Aarvi was ruthless. She gave him no time, "Kick him in the stomach."

Max saw Alex nod at him to carry on. If Aarvi could endure it and still be alive, why couldn't Robert suffer and be alive? Even if he dies, they could clean up easily.

Max followed Aarvi's every instruction which made him thrash the scumbag with more hatred.

There was more to go when Aaron entered the mansion hurriedly. He didn't care about what state Robert Dawson was in. He strode inside looking at Aarvi who was persistent, holding herself stronger than needed which was breaking her instead.

She disliked physical violence. He couldn't understand how it ended up in a way that she was commanding each strike to beat a person. Without knowing what could have probably provoked her, he just wanted to soothe her.