"Why completely undress?" Theo demands.
"You said you wanted her fully checked from the car accident. I figured that meant a full-body exam. Plus, for the IUD, she will have to be undressed from the waist down anyway. Might as well be thorough.”
"Oh, Ok. All right, Cassandra, do as Doctor Rhydel said.”
I stand up and start heading toward the room, but I catch a few hushed words from the doctor as I leave.
"You know there’s a statewide search for her, right? Don’t you know who her parents are? They own half of Times Square. They won’t stop until they get her back. They will have everyone in the state looking for her. Fuck the whole damn country."
"No, nor do I care. We will be leaving the country soon anyway. Good luck finding her in Europe." Europe? No way. Not happening. I have to escape before then.
I do as the doctor asks and am completely naked under the sheet.
"Ok, dear, tell me where the main pain is and your pain levels."
I go on to explain about my head, collar bone, fingers, and now my ribs after last night. He writes everything down to make sure he is thorough. Then, he begins to do the full body exam. When he lifts the sheet and sees all of Theo's handprints, you can tell he is taken aback. He looks at me with sadness in his eyes.
"Poor girl. I’m so sorry." He whispers. There are the words that seal my fate. Even he knows there is no escaping this. He is aware I’m a prisoner here. Broken apart by my captor, and yet he can’t do anything about it.
I let the tears silently fall as he finishes up the exam. My head is healing well, and he said that the tingling in my fingers will go away with time; it’s just my nerves and tendons healing. He gave me a list of exercises to help, like physical therapy at home.
"Ok, now for the painful part." He glances up at me as he positions himself between my bare thighs. I remember the pain when they put it in, but nothing could have prepared me for the removal. I feel like I’ve just been kicked literally in the uterus. I want to vomit.
"Normally, it doesn’t hurt so bad, but... you have some bruising and swelling down there." Ah, yes, from yesterday when Theo was drinking and decided to try something new. I can feel his eyes on all the marks on my inner legs. The look of disgust crosses his face but quickly disappears—the cuts causing new shame to creep into my face.
"Thanks, doc." Theo is leaning on the door frame.
"She’s healing well from the car accident. I believe her rib might be fractured if not broken. I can’t tell for sure without an x-ray. So make sure she rests. If that thing breaks off, it could puncture an organ, specifically her lungs."
"Will do doc. Thanks again. Say hi to the missus for me. We will have to have you two over for dinner once my girl is all healed up."
"That sounds lovely. Cassie, it was wonderful meeting you. I’ll see you both soon." He packs up his gear and walks away. I hear the front door shut and wait and listen for the noise of his car heading down the driveway. Then it’s just Theo and I, and he looks pissed.
"You did very well with the doctor, Cassandra." He says.
"Then why do you look angry with me?"
He saunters over. I clutch the sheet against my still-naked body. He cups my chin. I can’t help but tense at this gesture. It used to be so kind and tender; now, it just has me awaiting thepain of his fingers digging into my jaw. That pain doesn’t come this time. Instead, he runs his thumb across my bottom lip.
"I’m just mad that you were on it for so long where the doctor was certain it would be at least a month until there’s even a chance you will be fertile." He leans down and kisses my lips gently. "I just want us to start our family. Oh, that reminds me. I have another surprise for you, little one." He dashes out of the room.
Internally, I’m distraught, but I am calm and collected on the outside. I want a family one day, just not with him. I wanted it with Lucian. But he destroyed that future. I clench my fists so hard that my nails pierce into my palms. I want to kill him. I just don’t know how yet. He is much stronger than I am, so he can easily overpower me. I have to be stealthy.
"Ok, close your eyes. No peeking." He shouts from the hall. Great, what new collar or sex toy this time? "Are your eyes closed?" He asks.
"Yes, Sir." I want him to stay in this good mood. I wait patiently at the edge of the bed—the sheet wrapped around my naked body.
"Ok, open your eyes, little one."
I open my eyes to find him down on one knee. No, please, God, no. He pulls a velvet box from behind his back. He opens the box, and the most beautiful, princess-cut diamond is inside. Set with black diamonds on either side.
"Cassandra Noelle Miller. I have only been with you for a few months, but the memories that we have made and the feelings I have felt for you, well... It’s made these few months feel like a lifetime. I know the last few weeks have been rough. I’m not asking you to tell me that you love me right now; I’m asking that you say yes to becoming my wife. I know you will have the same love for me as I do for you in time. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I tear up, not from happiness, but frompure hatred and rage. My entire life is being taken from me, and there is not a damn thing I can do.
I swallow down this pure, manic rage that I have toward him tight now. I go to speak, but my throat feels like it is closing up. All I can do is choke out a single word.
“Yes.”
61. Lucian
