Page 12 of Wounded Hearts

Chapter 7

Once again Marafound herself in Drew’s Mercedes E-Class—this time in the front like a regular person instead of a stowaway. The plush black leather on the seats glowed around the edges in an electric blue from the ambient lighting. The car was luxury personified and large, she’d fit in the footwell with ease.

Running her hand over the soft leather, she marvelled at the turn her life had taken tonight. She felt free and safe for the first time in years—but knew it wouldn’t last. She knew Brayden would find her and bring her back no matter how hard or far she ran. He had more money than god and she was his property, and nobody walked away from him unless he wanted them too.

She should warn Drew, tell him about the danger she’d brought to his door by her reckless actions. She was risking his family for what? Her freedom? It wasn’t a good enough reason to hurt these people.

She glanced across at his profile, his strong hands on the steering wheel, shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal strong, muscular forearms that she wanted to run her hands over. What would it feel like to be free to touch a man like him? A man who’d so much strength—both physically and mentally—but had a heart as gentle and pure as a snowflake. He’d love and protect his family with his dying breath.

She leaned her head back, closing her eyes as she thought of Lizzie and the surprise confession Mara had made to her. The woman had been so kind to her—a stranger. As they’d walked through to the large locker room at Fortis past an impressive gym and pool, Mara had noticed the slight limp and the way she leaned her weight just a tiny fraction. Her physio’s mind awake after what seemed like a long sleep, Mara wondered what had happened to the vibrant, beautiful woman but didn’t ask as they’d stopped beside a locker.

“This is Lucy’s, she always keeps a go-bag with clothes, new underwear, and wash kit in it.”

“Won’t she mind us raiding her stuff?” Mara was unsure but she was desperate to get out of the dress. It felt tainted, made her skin itch. Any reminder of Brayden made her feel sick.

Lizzie chuckled. “No, Lucy is grounded until further notice.”

“Is she sick?” Mara asked without thinking and then blushed at her nosey behaviour.

Lizzie saw it and touched her hand lightly. “No, she’s not sick, she’s pregnant.”

Mara schooled her features as pain ripped through her at the mention of a pregnancy. Her heart was an open, bleeding wound whenever her thoughts went to her lost babies.

“Oh, that’s exciting.” She meant every word and was genuinely pleased for the couple she’d seen marry. They had been so much in love it had hurt to look at them, and a child deserved that. Parents who adored each other, who would die for each other.

“Your words say one thing, but your face says another.”

Lizzie had read her like a book and Mara found herself blurting out her truth without thought. “I lost a baby.” Looking away from the warm sympathy on Lizzie’s face, Mara panicked. She’d never told a soul about her lost babies. Only her and god knew that they had existed. She really had no clue what had prompted the sudden, and totally out of character, admission.

A squeeze of her hand brought her face up. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine the pain.”

Having someone—a virtual stranger no less—offer heartfelt sympathy almost made her break down, but she pulled it together. “Thank you.” She paused. “I honestly don’t know why I said that. Nobody else knows. I’ve never told a living soul.”

“Thank you for trusting me and if you ever need to talk, I’m always around. I know a thing or two about loss.”

“That’s very kind, thank you. Please don’t tell anyone.”

“Your secrets are safe with me, Mara.” With that, Lizzie turned to the bag. “Now let’s see what we can find you to wear. That dress is lovely but not practical.”

Mara felt relief that the charged emotional moment was over but also as if a weight had lifted slightly. She took the bag and slipped into the changing rooms.

“There’s stuff in there if you want to grab a shower. Drew is talking to Dane and Will about some boring cyber stuff anyway.”

A shower sounded like heaven. Maybe she could clean the stench of the cloying perfume that Brayden insisted on from her body. “Thanks, I will.”

She’d showered, using the cranberry body wash she found, but left her hair dry, not wanting to keep Drew waiting. Changed into soft, black yoga pants and long-sleeved purple t-shirt, Mara slid her feet into the trainers that were, by some miracle, the correct size and stood. She glanced in the mirror and cringed seeing the dark circles under her eyes, the hollow cheeks, and pale skin now revealed, instantly regretting removing her make-up in the shower. Drew may have thought her attractive in the past but now he’d see there was nothing left to love.

Mara paused as she crossed to the door wondering why she was thinking about love when she was only just escaping from her last ‘love’? Maybe it was because he’d not been her last love. Drew had held that position in her heart since she’d seen him take that first determined step towards recovery.

Something inside of him had spoken to her heart but it had already been too late. She’d been lost to an evil she couldn’t fight. Straightening her spine, she walked out of the locker room to see Lizzie exit from a room across the hall. Mara glimpsed a sleeping Smithy inside before Lizzie gently closed the door.

“How is he?” Mara would never forget the fear and confusion she’d seen in his eyes or the way he’d nodded in acceptance when she’d snuck into the car. He may not know it, but that moment had probably saved her life.

Lizzie looked back at the door as if it held all the answers of the universe. “He’s okay for now, but he needs to forgive himself for things that were out of his control.”

“Easier said than done.”

“I know, but until he does, he’ll continue to suffer. I wish I knew how to help him.”