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“Why?”
“Because I won’t have my future wife dressing like a damn whore at our wedding,” he shouts before taking a deep breath, seemingly to calm himself. “You’ll find a nice respectable wedding dress. I’ve already prescreened locations you can go to. One that is very promising is in Boulder City. I called ahead and had the owner pull a couple of selections.”
“Brad, the wedding dress is supposed to be a surprise.” I wiggle nervously in my chair. “I’m sure we can find something local, so we don’t have to drive so far.”
“I said no!” he yells with finality. “I spoke to both of our mothers, and they agree.”
“What?” I ask. “When did you talk to my mom about this?”
Brad smirks. “I talk to your parents all the time. I’ve discussed our relationship in detail with them. They both agree with me on the modesty of the dress. Of course, you will get to pick the one you want from my selections. I won’t know which one you pick until the day of the wedding. Personally, I can’t wait to peel it off you.”
I take a couple of deep breaths to steady my racing heart. For some reason, my parents aren't helping me get out of this, so it's up to me. I need to tell him we aren't right for each other.
“I’m sorry,” I begin. “I can’t do this anymore. It’s time for you to leave.”
“I’m not done eating,” he says dismissively.
“Brad!” I shout to gain his attention, and his eyes fix on mine.
Finally, we’re getting somewhere.
“I’m done. We’re not getting married. I don’t love you anymore. You’re not the man I thought you were. We’re both obviously looking for different things in a partner.” I pause for a brief moment before I continue. “I think you should go now.”
I take off my engagement ring and place it on the table to emphasize my point. Glancing at Brad, I see the shock written on his face. His mouth is set in the shape of an ‘O’, and his eyes are wide.
The shock lasts only seconds before his expression morphs into one of murderous rage. Without warning, he lunges across the table and grabs my hair, yanking me close to his chest. I cry out in pain as he twists his grip.
“We’renotdone,” he snarls. “Youwillbe my wife.”
“Let go of me!”
I pummel his chest until he releases me, but before I have time to run, Brad backhands me. The slap sends me crumbling to the floor, and I grasp my cheek.
I can’t believe he hit me.
“I told your father you need a firm hand to bring you to heel,” Brad sneers. “You’ve had too much freedom.” He marches toward me. “Don’t worry, I won’t hit your face again. Wouldn’t want to bruise all that beauty.”
The first kick to my ribs is a shock. I howl in pain and curl up in a ball, trying to protect myself as best as I can. He delivers two more kicks to my back before stopping and leaving me in a crying heap on the floor while he sits back down and finishes his dinner as if nothing happened.
I lay on the floor until the chair legs scrape on the hardwood as he moves away from the table. I scramble to my knees and crawl to lean against the wall, my body screaming in agony. Brad approaches me slowly, then he holds his hand out as if to help me up.
Frozen, I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified to accept his help and equally afraid not to. Fear of the punishment for not taking his assistance wins out, and I place my hand in his. Surprisingly, he’s gentle as he pulls me to my feet.
“I wish I didn’t have to do that, Violet,” he admonishes. “You left me no choice.”
Brad pushes my hair away from my face and cups my cheek. I hold my breath in anticipation and try not to pull away from his touch, unsure of what he’s capable of. After he pushed me into the wall a few weeks ago, I never dreamed he’d do it again. He was so apologetic.
I was wrong… so very wrong.
“You’re mine,” he continues. “And I don’t want to hurt you. We can be so happy together if you’d just submit to me and accept the love I’m offering.”
He’s insane!
I stare at him incredulously. There’s no way we’ll be together after my parents find out about this.
“Brad, you hurt me,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around my waist. “Not just emotionally but physically.”
“Baby, you pushed me.”
