CHAPTER1
NOW
CAT
Iwake up strapped down onto a table. My head is throbbing, and my core is sore. I blink due to the bright fluorescent lighting and wince when I feel pressure on my abdomen.
“There's my Kitty Cat. Wake up Mommy and meet our baby,” he coos into my ear. I shake my head and pray this is just a dream. A twisted fucked up dream. A slap across my cheek has me jolting upright. But my wrists hold me down.
“Rex, what are you doing?” I whisper in horror as I watch him move a small wand over my belly.
Please god no. This can't be happening again.
A small whooshing sound hits my ears, and my eyes fill with tears. I know what that noise is. It’s a nightmare from my past.
“How could you do this, Rex?” I croak out, and his face goes from glee to pissed in seconds. Something shatters against the wall. His shadow covers the bright light as he spits into my face.
“How could I? Don’t be stupid, Kitty, you knew this was coming. What did you think I was doing keeping you plugged with my cum? After losing Adley, I swore to you I would do anything to give you a child again. And I did. See, Kitty, I always keep my word.” I bite my lip and shake my head.
“I told you I never wanted another child. I told you the thought of losing another innocent life was too unbearable to ever try again.” I’m full on sobbing now, and his eyes are changing from green to almost black. I know I have angered him, but for once, I couldn't care. After losing our daughter, thanks to a nasty fight, I swore I would never bring a child into this toxic world.
I fought to accept being pregnant, it wasn't some instant joy for me. I was terrified, and when we lost her, I was broken.
It took me months to climb out of the depression hole I was in, and I still have nightmares. Something that should be a dream for many women is a thing that haunts my nights.
CHAPTER2
THEN
CAT
Iwalk in the front door, done with all the drama today. If it wasn’t the bitchy girls, it was Rex and his crazy mood swings. One minute he loves me, the next he’s trying to strip me in Mr. Wilson’s empty classroom, then he’s pissed off and almost chokes me to the point of passing out. I don’t know how much longer I can deal with this. I just want the old Rex back.
“Cat, is that you?” my nana asks as she enters the kitchen with her arms full of groceries, surprising me.
I drop my bag with a soft groan and check that my scarf is covering my neck. I love the rough sex, but Rex went a little too overboard with the restraints yesterday. I am covered in bruises.
“Hi, Nana, what are you doing here?” I ask her, since it’s a bit of a shock. She lives about five hours away and only visits for birthdays and holidays. She gives me a sad smile and places the bags on the counter.
“Do I need a reason to visit my family? I missed you all,” she says in her soft spoken voice. I nod and move closer to give her a hug. She holds me tighter than normal and is quietly crying.
I pull away from her in concern, and she won’t look me in the eye.
“Everything okay?” I ask, and she nods, giving me a shaky smile.
I quickly text Rex, letting him know I made it home, then set my phone on the counter. I know he’s at practice right now, but if I didn’t text him, he would worry. I’m not up for a fight with him right now. I have a feeling one is brewing already.
“Yes, sweetheart. It's just been so long since I've seen you. You're all grown up and so beautiful,” she tells me, lifting my chin with her finger.
“How was school? I was hoping to get here sooner, and make some of your favorite cookies, but traffic was a nightmare, and my car is acting up.” I shrug and move over to the counter, helping her put things away.
“School is school. I'll be thankful to graduate and move on to more mature college peers. I'm sick of all the high school drama,” I sigh, and she looks at me once more.
“Have you thought about where you would like to go to college?” I shake my head and groan.
“I know that I have been wanting to go to CalTech for years, but now I’m thinking somewhere local or maybe in Virginia. Rex is looking at getting a football scholarship, and I would like to be close to him.” She drops the lemonade she was pouring and curses softly. I grab a hand towel from the kitchen cabinet and help her clean up.
“I’m just a klutz lately, it seems,” she tells me with a shake to her voice, moving over to her bag for some of her anxiety meds. After we lost my grandpa she’s suffered with heart issues and anxiety. I toss the now soaked towel into the sink and give her a hug.