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Paul Levesque stared at Stephanie, as though waiting impatiently for her to speak.
"What exactly is it that's on your mind, Steph?"
The tall brunette bit her lip, her stomach churning in her nervousness. Although theirs was a loveless - and even likeless - relationship, she knew he would fly off the handle at what she needed to say. There were definite benefits that came his way in being with her, and Stephanie knew Paul was not one who'd easily give them up.
"Paul," she spoke again, hating the way she was suddenly stammering, "we need to have a serious talk..."
"You already said that, damn it... Just spit it out already!" he demanded, his facial expression going from serious to angry.
The young woman swallowed hard, unable to hold back the thought that she wished Sean were here by her side right now. She could draw strength from him, feel a lot more courage than she was currently feeling.
"S-sit down and I'll explain..."
Levesque eyed her suspiciously, and with slightly narrowed brown orbs, but he allowed himself to fall back into the loveseat a few feet away from his fiancee.
Stephanie cleared her throat and spoke.
"I... Well... Okay, here's the thing..." She abruptly halted her speech as the burly man's face grew just short of fully enraged, her heart pounding at the sight of his suddenly clenching fists. This was not going to be good.
"I can't marry you," she blurted. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, steeling herself for whatever might come next. She didn't want to see the look on his face or think about how furious he was going to become - with her, at that. Although she didn't like the man at all, she absolutely hated and dreaded being the object of his wrath.
"What?! Tell me you're only joking..." Paul said in a dangerously low tone. As Stephanie opened her eyes to examine his face, she nearly cringed at the murderous gleam in his eyes.
The brunette shook her head slowly, her voice weak as she spoke her response.
"N-no, Paul... I'm serious - I can't..."
"And just why the hell not?!" Levesque rose from the edge of the loveseat and came to stand directly in front of her, his shoulders hunched forward in a way that made the brunette think he looked simian. He seemed to be, unconsciously or not, trying to intimidate her with his size - not to mention the ferocious expression on his face.
"Because there's no love between us!" the young woman exclaimed, surprising herself for the strength in her voice. "I can't marry someone I don't love! I can't! It's not fair to me, and it's not fair to you..."
Paul simply glared at her.
"You stupid little bitch... Who in hell do you think you're dealing with?" he snapped, poking a finger into her face as though she were an impish child he was attempting to discipline.
"I think I am your ticket to the World title, and to you getting all the leeway you want in the WWE!" she shouted. "But it's not going to happen anymore, because I want out..." Stephanie shuddered at the more intense fury that came into the man's eyes. "Not only do I not love you - same as you don't love me... I found someone else..." She gasped, shocking herself that she'd spoken those last four words aloud - and damning herself to eternal hell for doing so. Now, Levesque was sure to be even more angry with her, not to mention the object of her affection. She only hoped - as futile as that was - Paul wouldn't question her as to his identity.
"Oh, so you're screwing some other guy, are you?!" he shouted into her face, causing the brunette to wince. Not only did he spray spittle on her, his breath smelled rancid, and it was nauseating...
"No!" Stephanie cried, shaking her head frantically. It was the truth - she and O'Haire hadn't had sex. Besides, the dark-haired man probably didn't have any feelings for her that were deeper than friendship...
Levesque stared at her in silence for a beat, his lips pressed together so tightly they became a thin line. The brunette found herself quaking in fear over that look, her heart pounding uncomfortably.
"You're a liar, Stephanie..." His voice was reduced to a mere whisper, but it terrified her.
"No..." Stephanie said, shaking her head quickly, and her blue eyes widened in fright
as Paul suddenly made a lunge for her.