“No,” I sob.
Finally, the noises cease and the weight on the bed shifts, indicating the conclusion of my nightmare. Or is it the beginning?
“Call me anytime, sugar,” the woman purrs.
“Leave, now,” Art sneers, dismissing her.
“Asshole,” she says, stomping from the room.
I hear movement, then the shower running. I’m not sure how much time goes by before the water is shut off.
“Now you know how it feels for the person you love to give a piece of themselves to someone else.”
I work up the nerve to open my eyes, finding Art standing in front of me. He’s no longer naked.
“At least you washed the skank’s stench off,” I say in disgust.
“You brought this on yourself.” He unties me. “Don’t expect remorse from me.”
I reach down, take hold of the coffee pot, and smash it over his head. “Burn in hell!” I yell, fleeing the room.
“Cin!” he bellows.
Shit. He should’ve been knocked out cold. I make it into the elevator and press the button to close the doors. “Come on!”
I scream as Art comes barreling towards me, a murderous expression on his blood-covered face. I shrink back against the wall but thank goodness I’m ensconced in safety before he reaches me. Slumping to the floor, I give way to grief, crying uncontrollably. When the doors open, I make a mad dash for my car.
“Get back here!” Art roars, bursting from the stairwell.
Fuck, he’s right on my heels. I jump inside my car and speed out of the garage. In my state, I don’t notice the red light until it’s too late. Tires screech, horns blare, metal crunches, and then blackness.
A beeping sound penetrates my foggy brain.Where am I?I’m stiff and sore all over. As I become more lucid, a disinfectant scent assails my nostrils. It smells like a hospital. Memories begin to filter through my muddled mind. I was in a car accident. I move my arm, causing a pained sound to escape my dry lips. The right side of my torso hurts like hell.
“I think she’s waking,” Anneli says.
My eyes flutter open. It takes a second for my blurry vision to clear.
“Thank God you’re okay.” She leans over my prone form, wiping tears from her face.
“Oh, sweetheart, we were so worried.” Mom appears at my other side.
My heart skips a beat when my gaze lands on Art sitting in a chair at the foot of the bed. Cuts cover the left side of his face.Good.
“Get out!” I yell.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He stands, crossing his arms.
“I want him gone, now!” I cry.
“Art, you should go,” Mom says. “This isn’t good for her.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect, but Cin is my fiancée, and she’s carrying my child. I have a right to be here.”
“My baby.” I clutch my stomach.
“Is fine and healthy,” Anneli assures me.
I take off the engagement ring and throw it at him. “Unfortunately, you are the father of my baby, but I’m no longer your fiancée. I’ll never forgive you.”
