Setting the now-empty plate aside, I grab the book that looks the most interesting to me. It’s a second chance romance about high school sweethearts who meet again years later and fall in love all over again.
Before I know it, I’m lost inside the pages, clinging onto every word, and forgetting about my own life for a while. I’m so immersed in the story that I don’t realize I’m halfway through the book and hours must have passed until it’s hard to keep my eyes open.
I don’t have a clock in here, so I’m not sure about the time, but it must be very late by now. Placing my napkin from the tray between the pages, I close the book and set it aside. Unable to stay awake any longer, I switch the lamp off and nestle into my blanket.
It doesn’t take long before sleep finds me, but unfortunately, my night is restless. I keep waking up in the dark, still alone and unsure of where Liam is and what’s going on.
When I wake up the next morning, I’m groggy and on edge. Liam didn’t return, and I wonder if I’m just going to be confined to this room by myself now. Maybe it’s better this way.
I take a hot shower and change into some clothes. Even if I spend all my time in the bedroom, I want to get dressed to feel somewhat normal. As soon as I exit the bathroom, I noticeMaggie was here to bring me breakfast. I curse myself for missing her and make a mental note to wait tomorrow morning.
Today passes quicker, thanks to the books keeping my mind occupied. I also look forward to each meal, especially seeing Maggie. Even though our interactions are brief, I cherish them. It definitely makes me feel less like a prisoner and more like a human being.
It’s been a few hours since I had dinner, and I’ve already told myselfone more chapterabout six times, when the sound of the lock turning fills the space.
I immediately snap my book shut and lay it on the nightstand. Nervous energy shoots through my body, knowing that it’s too late for Maggie to come, which means this is most likely Liam. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel like I’ve done something wrong.
The door opens, and Liam enters the room. He doesn’t look at me or acknowledge me in any way as he locks us inside. Tension fills the air while Liam gets undressed quickly. Throwing everything but his boxers—which remain on him—in the hamper.
He spends a short time in the bathroom. When he reenters the bedroom, he walks right up to my side of the bed and reaches for the bottom corner of my blanket. He lifts it up, exposing my legs, and I know exactly what he is about to do.
I want to ask him to please not tie me up, but his cold demeanor stops me. His touch isn’t rough, but it isn’t gentle either. There is something clinical about it, as if he has detached himself from the situation. Somehow that scares me more than his smug comments and threats.
When the shackles are secured around my ankles, he covers my legs back up and walks around the bed. He climbs onto the mattress and settles under his blanket before turning off the light on his nightstand.
Fear quickly turns into a different emotion.
Now, I’m just angry.Angry at him, at my father, angry at the situation I’m in, and maybe even at myself for being so fucking helpless.
Most of all, I just want to know what happened. Why is he all of a sudden treating me like this?
“What happened the other night?—”
“Go to sleep,” he says with a stern tone.
“I just want to know?—”
“Sleep,” he orders gruffly. “Now.”
I press my lips together, forcing myself to shut up. I turn my body away from him as much as I can and try not to cry out of frustration.
My heightened emotions make it hard to find rest. It takes me forever to fall to sleep and when I finally do, nightmares plague my dreams.
My knees ache against the cold tile floor, my back burns violently as my father’s belt whips against my skin, but most of all, I loathe the vile eyes on my bare torso. My father likes to make a show out of my punishments. Humiliate me in front of his men. It sickens me how much pleasure he takes in my misery.
“This will teach you not to misbehave,” he hisses before bringing his belt down once more. The impact is so vicious, a scream rips from my throat. My father laughs in glee, and his men cheer him on.
Blood trickles down my back, and the pain becomes unbearable.
Another strike. More agony. My screams echo through the house, but no one is coming for me. No one can stop this. As always, I’m on my own. Just as I’ll always be.
12
LIAM
My eyes fly open as a bloodcurling scream rips through the darkness of my bedroom. I sit up and switch on the bedside lamp in one quick move. My eyes burn against the sudden light, but I ignore the discomfort and take in the scene before me.
Aurora is tossing and turning, whimpering between screams. I reach out and grab her upper arm, noticing a sheen of sweat across her skin.
