Chapter two

Consciousness returned, surrounded by bright lights, the distant hum of traffic. Natasha inhaled sharply, her hand moving to her stomach, she didn’t feel pain. Her eyes opened, white ceiling, pale curtains moving, the smell of jasmine, not antiseptic, not blood or river water.

The memories came rushing in, the bedroom, the bed, Ashley and Liam tangled together, the chase, the impact, her baby, she was alive, which meant that the baby survived. She wondered why she was in this rom instead of a hospital. The room felt familiar like she had lived here before.

The door opened, her sister walked in, she looked younger.

“Is everything alright?” Sidney asked. “You look like you just saw a ghost”

She looks around

“Where am I?”

“What do you mean where are you” Sidney said laughing. Natasha still looked around confused.

“Are you okay?” Sidney asked touching her forehead. “You are burning up” she said getting up.

“I was in a car crash…. the baby, Liam and Ashley on a bed……. how did I end up here? Natasha asked. She had no idea what was happening. 

“What do you mean Liam and Ashley, the marriage is in in three months” “Do you want to meet him now?”

“What, we are already married, we’ve been married for five years already” Natasha said 

“Are you sure you didn’t hit your head, how can you possibly be married, mom and dad just agreed to the wedding yesterday” Sidney said staring at Natasha like she had two heads

“No that can’t be, the baby, I was in an accident, I’m not lying Sidney, please you have to believe me”

“I think you had a bad dream, see” Sidney said showing Natasha her phone

“What does the date say?” she asked her

Natasha stared at the phone, it was indeed five years ago, July, three months before the wedding.

Before the abuse, the miscarriages, before the pregnancy she had died protecting. A sound tore from her chest, raw, broken. she curled inward as grief flooded her. She had begged and prayed for another chance, a chance to save her baby, she got her chance but her baby was gone forever.

Her sobs echoed, Sidney trying to comfort her.

“I’m sorry” she whispers holding her stomach. “I’m so sorry…... I tried…. I tried so hard to protect you” she sobbed

“It’s okay” Sidney said patting her back, she had no idea what her sister had dreamt about but she knew it was scary and it was breaking her sister. 

Hours passed before she calmed down, Sidney still patting her. Eyes heavy, she sleeps, a dreamless sleep.

 Her eyes open, she stares at nothing, she could hear humming from the kitchen, Sidney, her heart tore. Natasha had always been close with her sister, but their relationship became strained after her marriage with Liam. Not just Sidney but with her whole family. Liam had convinced her that she didn’t need them. Her heart ached, this was her chance to make everything right.

She stood up stopping at the mirror, the woman who stared back at her, was younger, body beautiful and clear of marks, of any sign of abuse. Her hand touched her stomach, thinking of all her children she had lost. Natasha, vowing not to run away this time, she reached for her phone and scrolled to his name. Natasha remembered his smile, how his voice softened when he needed something, the pride he felt when success came easy because she made it so.

Natasha was going to destroy him, slowly, thoroughly, without mercy and Ashley, she was going to reveal their sick relationship to the world. 

“Here, eat this” Sidney said as she entered the kitchen. Natasha looked at the bowl, her heart warming up, she hugged Sidney “You feel better now?” Sidney asked hugging her back

“Yes, I do” Natasha replied smiling.

Liam came days later to see Natasha, she had refused to meet with him and ignored his calls and messages.

Natasha had finally agreed when she felt she was ready to face him; she had practiced her smile the night before until it looked right.

The doorbell rang once.

Natasha opened the door and Liam’s face shifted to concern, arm lifting Natasha up.

“There you are; I have been trying to talk to you” he said kissing her forehead.

“I’m sorry” she murmured. “I needed time with my sister”

“You should have told me; you know how much I worry about you” Liam said kissing her head.

Natasha smiled. Liam didn’t notice the way her eyes never softened, he never had.

“Hello Liam” Sidney said, her smile forced, she had never liked Liam, she had no idea what Natasha loves about him.

“Hi Sidney” Liam replied.

Sidney left the room giving them their space.

Alone with him, Natasha noticed how the air shifted.

“You seem different” Liam said breaking the silence.

“How?” Natasha said smiling

“I don’t know, more quiet”

Natasha tilted her head. “Is that bad?”

“No, I like it” Liam said smiling taking a sip from his drink. 

Liam sat beside Natasha, arm draped on the couch. He talked about work, about plans, about the future.

When he finally stood to leave, he cupped Natasha’s face.

“My family wants to meet you and your family, this weekend” Lam said 

“My family is not around, but I can come with Sidney” Natasha said. Liam eyes sharpened, his dislike for her sister showing briefly, before he put on a fake smile.

“Sure”

He kissed Natasha on the lips before he left. 

After the door closed, she stood there, the smile fell. She went to the bathroom and scrubbed her skin till it burned.