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I couldn’t breathe.
The memory of his hands, which had roughly touched my body in a bruising crush, came rushing back. His anger filled the air, creating an atmosphere of perpetual dread. He forcefully took from me something that I had vehemently denied him. The weight of the pain, degradation, and shame was so immense that it completely overwhelmed me, to the point where I felt compelled to scrub my own skin off my bones. Despite my best efforts, I found it impossible to shake the lingering feeling of him. The scent of his aftershave somehow still invaded my senses, almost like it had melded into my very essence, becoming an everlasting presence. Despite my unwavering resistance, he managed to incapacitate me entirely using his immense strength and claimed what I had staunchly tried to hold onto. The sight of him walking away, a satisfied smile on his face, transformed into a perpetual nightmare that has haunted me to this day. Even in my dreams, I couldn’t escape the haunting presence of his laughter, which was still clear and sinister.
The sound of the shower shutting off caused me to instinctively grab my head and release a silent scream of fear as images of him flooded my mind.
I slowly opened my eyes and a sudden flinch escaped me when Caleb swiftly wrapped a soft towel around my tremblingbody, carefully lifting me up from the cold, hard floor, and holding me tightly in his warm embrace. Carrying me into the bedroom, he tenderly sat down on the bed, holding me securely in his arms, offering me comfort and solace while I silently wept against his chest.
“Dad? Why is Mom crying?”
“She just had a bad day, sweetheart. Could you do me a favor and turn off the stove and oven? Then call Aunt Tessa and see if she can come over.”
“Are you sure Mom is okay?”
Sniffing, I muttered, “I’m okay, baby. I just need a minute. Go do as your dad asked.”
“Okay,” my daughter breathed before leaving, closing the door behind her.
“Bane told you, didn’t he?” I barely uttered when his arms tightened around me, holding me closer.
“Fury is still in surgery. Vicious is in recovery. Shame replayed the security cameras in the club. We all saw and heard what transpired.”
“Oh God,” I hiccupped and I sobbed harder, trying to make sense of everything.
They all knew.
“It’s not your fault, honey. None of this is your fault. Malice is looking for the son of a bitch. He will find him and when he does, he will never hurt you again. I swear it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? You did nothing wrong.”
“I shouldn’t have been there. You told me to never go without you. I didn’t think. I thought I could run in and get out before anyone knew. I’m so sorry, Caleb. It’s all my fault.”
“What are you talking about, baby?”
“I was running errands that day. For Tessa’s branding party. Sophia spent the morning with Virginia. We were supposed tomeet at the Tavern on the Green for lunch later that day, but I remembered I left Montana’s gift for Tessa in our room at the Playground. I knew the Playground would be closed, so I thought I would be safe.”
“Son of a bitch,” he cursed. “It happened at my club. The same day you got the call from your parents, didn’t it?”
I nodded. “After I left the Playground, all I wanted to do was go home and shower, but I was in too much pain. I had no choice. I went to the hospital. The nurse knew immediately what had happened. She and a doctor talked me into a rape exam, but I refused to call the police. They told me the results would remain at the hospital until I was ready. When I left, I went straight home, showered and changed. I barely had enough time to get ready for the party. I had just dropped off Virginia at the clubhouse when I got the call from my dad. With everything that happened, I knew I wouldn’t be able to look you in the eye without you knowing something was wrong. Then there was the fact that I went to the Playground without you.”
“You thought I would punish you.”
“Yes,” I sniffed. “I couldn’t bear it. Seeing your condemnation. Your displeasure with me. Plus Cynic told me he would shout to the entire club that I’d cheated on you if I didn’t walk away. He told me you would never forgive me, that my tarnished state left you with no choice but to cut me loose. That I was nothing more than a club whore and that you would treat me as such if I stayed.”
“Baby, how could you even think I’d do that to you?”
“Because I was pregnant, Caleb. I was going to tell you after the party. I lost the baby. Cynic not only took my identity, but he also killed our baby. My actions caused the death of your child. That was something I could never forgive myself for. So, when Dad called, I didn’t think, I just left.”
Chapter Seventeen
Mercy
TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains choking. Please take caution if choking is a trigger for you.
With my fingers tapping a rhythmic beat on the dining room table, I took in the heartwarming scene of Largo doting on our daughter, filling her with love. She truly was a remarkable mother. I felt incredibly grateful to have such a caring, giving, and compassionate mother for my daughter; I couldn’t have asked for anyone better. The way Largo managed to rise above every obstacle she encountered on her own, finding a path through life’s storm, was a powerful demonstration of her incredible character and resolute nature.
My wife was an extraordinary woman.
