Page 1 of Worth Loving You

Chapter 1

Chastity Monroe

That’s not my kid, no fucking way. That’s your mistake, not mine. Don’t you ever label her as mine again. I would never make something so fat and hideous.

You’re fat, Chazzy. You’re ugly, you’re fat, and no one loves you. You never should have been born. You are nothing but a hideous, worthless, sack of shit.

The last three words echoed in my head as I bolted upright in bed, choking on a yelp as I could almost feel the back of his knuckles crashing my cheekbone. Perspiration sheening my body and my breathing erratic, my pulse was thumping at my temples, my heart lodged in my throat.

My sight scanned around my bedroom, adjusting to see the familiar surroundings in the darkness. Gulping and groaning, I threw myself back to the mattress, my breasts swaying from the force.

“Fucking shit,” I wheezed, rubbing my forehead and clenching my lids.

There was a soft tapping on my door and a second later, the latch clicked, the hinges squeaking as my roommate pushed it open. A sliver of light spilled across the worn carpet, her tiny head poking around the corner.

“Hey, Chazz? You okay, sugar?”

I snorted at her southern drawl. After almost a year, I still got tickled every time she talked.

Dropping my hand to my rounded stomach, I rolled my head on the pillow and gazed at her. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“The nightmare again?”

My faint smile wavered, my insides weighted with dread. “Yeah,” I squeaked, picking at the front of my tee shirt.

The door pushed open a little more and she scampered across the room, hopping onto the mattress beside me. Wiggling closer, she laid her cheek on my shoulder, curling her petite body around my arm.

“You wanna talk about it?”

From the first day she moved in, she’d heard me waking up in the middle of the night, haunted by images of my past. Though I never divulged any details, she knew it was centered around my stepfather.

“Just the same old shit. What are you doing up? Did I wake you again?”

“Naw, I was lettin’ Gary out—”

“Jennifer!” I whined, stomping my feet on the mattress. “What have I told you?”

“I know, I know.” She flipped to her back and stared at the ceiling. “I can’t help it, Chazz. I love him.”

“He’s married.”

“He says he’s gonna leave her—”

“He’s been saying that for six months.”

“Ain’t you ever been in love?” she whispered, turning her head to stare at my profile.

I blinked at the ceiling, chewing the inside of my cheek. “No.”

Her lids rounded, her head lifting off the pillow. “Never?”

“No.”

“What about a intense crush?”

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “What is this, high school? No.”

She rose to an elbow, curling on her side to stare incredulously. “How?”