Chapter 2
547words
I forced my swollen eyes open and recognized the attic room. Nothing but a bed in the barren space. My prison.
My hands remained bound behind me, though no longer with the tie. Every slight movement sent daggers of pain through my neck, making it impossible to look back. My entire body burned with pain, especially between my legs.
He'd unleashed his full rage on my body last night. I didn't need to see to know I was a canvas of bruises and welts. He'd been thorough in his cruelty.
Lawrence, ever the hypocrite, had dressed me in a long white nightgown as usual. Head to ankle, all covered in pristine white—as if hiding the evidence made it disappear.
I lay motionless on my back, the throbbing pain keeping me anchored to reality.
Through the haze, I heard children's laughter floating up from below—carefree and joyful sounds from another world.
Gritting my teeth, I summoned every ounce of strength to roll over, crashing hard onto the floor.
White-hot pain exploded through my body, too intense even for screams. Not that I could scream anyway—my voice had been spent during last night's ordeal.
I dragged myself to the window and pulled up with trembling arms. The scene below might as well have been from another dimension.
There he was, mask firmly back in place—the picture of fatherly dignity. Smiling warmly, holding a child in each hand, gently ushering them toward the car.
"Dad, where's Mom? Isn't she taking us to school today?"
"Yeah, and breakfast was different too. Where's Mom hiding?"
The innocence of children—somehow they actually missed me. Should that comfort me? Yet I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Your mother?" Lawrence glanced up toward the attic window.
The attic was on the fourth floor with just a tiny round window. Privacy film covered all windows—he shouldn't be able to see me.
But somehow, I knew he was looking right at me, our eyes connecting across the distance. Ice crawled up my spine as cold sweat broke across my skin.
"Mom's gone on a little vacation with some friends. She'll be away for a few days. Daddy will take you to school. Now be good and hop in."
After buckling the children into their car seats, just as he was about to close the door, little Yizhou spoke up in his sweet, innocent voice.
"Dad, since Mom's away, can Aunt Elaine come over to play with us today?"
"I want Aunt Elaine too!" Yiyi chimed in. "She's the best! Can she pick us up from school?"
"Be good at school today, and I'll bring Aunt Elaine when I pick you up tonight."
The children squealed with delight at this promise.
The moment the car door closed, Lawrence's smile vanished. He looked up at the attic window again, his gaze lingering for several seconds before he slid into the passenger seat and signaled the driver to leave.
With them gone, his people would come for me. Just like always.
As the car disappeared down the drive, that name twisted like a knife in my heart.
"Elaine Blackwood."
Yizhou Sullivan. Yiyi Sullivan. Her children.
Lawrence Sullivan, I've already decided to stop loving you. Why won't you just let me go?
