Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 356(@200wpm)___ 285(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
We are well into our conversation, giggling and laughing when suddenly I feel a pinch on my arm.
I jerk to see what it is and find my mother, grabbing my upper arm to pull me away. In a flash, I shove back from her and grab on to the table, trying to shake her off, but she is persistent and digs her nails into my skin.
“Come on, we need to go. It’s not going to be good if you don’t get up right now and leave with us. Your father needs this!” Her voice is desperate and cruel. Unyielding.
Just then, my father walks in, and the sight of him makes my blood run cold. As always, he looks like a respectful pastor, with his hair slicked back and a smile on his lips. It’s all a mask, a facade. Blair reaches out to keep our coffees from spilling, but I couldn’t care less about coffee or patrons or anything for that matter. The look in his eyes means death, and I know if I go anywhere with them, I will end up six feet in the ground.
Suddenly, my mind is flashing back to all of the belts and extension cords and fists that have flown at me over the years. I instinctively put one hand across my belly, not wanting her or him to be exposed to this. Not wanting my baby to ever experience what I have gone through with them. I have to protect myself, but more than anything, I have to protect the innocent life growing inside of me.
“Leave me alone! I’m not going anywhere with you.” I try not to scream, but my voice comes out shriller than I expect.
My mother hisses, likely because she knows that she would get the belt from him if I don’t do what she says. It is always all about her. Her comfort, her fear of him, her inability to live her life. No! That is not my life! I will not be subjected to that ever again. I got out, and I’m staying out!
My father shoves my mother aside rudely, almost knocking her off her feet as she lands partially across a table. They’re making a scene coming here, and the only person that will pay for that will be me. All over again, I’m a little girl, trapped, begging to be protected while my mother watches from across the room as my father beats me.
He reaches for me, and I brace myself for the pain that will come, the bruises, the tears. Just before his hand connects with my arm, someone snags his forearm in midair.
“Oh, no, you fucking don’t!”
Seb! Oh my god, it is Seb. I could cry in relief but manage to blink them back so that my father doesn’t see any sign of weakness.
“I will ask you once, and only once, to exit the building right now, or I will call the police and have them remove you.” Seb’s voice is dark, menacing and unlike anything I’ve ever heard from him.
“You can’t call the police, she belongs to us. She is our daughter, and if we want to take her with us, that is our right.” In contrast, my father’s tone is angry and only aspires to be commanding. He is no match for Sebastian Miller.
“I believe she is an adult and can make decisions for herself. And she clearly does not want to go with you based upon the distressed look on her face.”
My mother takes a step toward me, her eyes demanding me to get up and go with them. To not make a scene any more than we already have, to not be the one that brings shame on them yet again. But I shake her off. I’ll never let them control me again. Never listen to her again. Not when she is under his thumb. Not when she is unable to stand up for herself or see how much she is hurting her own child.
Looking away from her, I take in the room. Literally, everybody in the coffee shop is looking at us. God, I just want the floor to swallow me whole.
“Remove your hand.” It is my father’s voice booming in the way that used to fill me with fear. But I know a thing or two about Sebastian now. I know the kind of man he is, the type of family he comes from. A family I hope to be a part of one day.
Looking over at Sebastian, I can see that he isn’t going to let this go. Instantly, the tears I tried to hold back release themselves. I know that Seb will help me feel safe. He’ll protect me from my own parents just as Lex would.
“I’m not letting go until you back away and leave. End of subject.”