Chapter 1: Graduation

Hearing the latch click open, I walk into my parents' house to find my stepfather clutching my nightgown. As soon as he sees me, he quickly takes a pillow from his side and places it on top of the nightgown.

Mom rushes in with her bag, chatting on the phone with her employer about something, but I can't stop glancing at my stepfather, who is clearly hiding my underwear.

Taking the pillow, I pull my nightdress from his hands and feel something wet dripping from it. Horrified, I yell at him. "Why do you have my nightgown? It's damp and stinks of vinegar!"

As my mother walks in to see what's happening, my stepfather reaches for his penis and starts massaging himself.

"Gabe, honey, if you're going to do that, do it in our room. I'll be there soon," my mother says casually.  

Hearing her say that, I take a step back as my smartphone rings. Ignoring it, my stepfather continues to look at me while saying to my mother, "No, it's okay. Go finish what you were doing. I was close to finishing anyway."

Without another word, I bolt out of my parents' house and answer my phone. It's Nick, my lover, on the other end of the line.

For the past month, l've been trying to get my mother to listen to me about my clothes disappearing and my stepfather refusing to leave me alone, even though he's been doing my laundry for two years.

But today, he was blatantly masturbating in front of me, and my mother was fine with it. I don't have anywhere to go, but I know Nick won't kick me out if l ask to stay at his grandparents' place for the night.

"What's going on? You took so long to answer," Nick asks.

Running, I reply, "I'm heading to your house. I caught my stepdad masturbating on my nightdress, and my mom was fine with it, Nick."

"Fuck, that's disgusting. I'm not at my grandmother's house; I'm at Rick's, but l'm sure he can give me a ride," Nick says, and I hear Rick agree in the background. "Go to the main plaza. We'll pick you up there."

I keep running as I hang up the phone.

My graduation is tomorrow, and I know I have no way out of this situation unless I find a husband or someone to free me from whatever could happen in my life.

 

One Year Later

Stopping at a red light, I remove the cell phone from its holder and decide to call Silas.

"I'm pathetic and a disgrace already, so why even bother denying it now," | mutter to myself.

For nearly a year, l've been in a toxic relationship that has left me unable to handle anything in my life. My spouse is a sadistic asshole who enjoys beating me for things I have no control over.

He always had his demons, and they were never my concern. I never got involved in them, but after all he's put me through, I don't care what he thinks of me anymore.

The hardest part of my life has been owing my parents money, favors, and work for everything I couldn't afford.

If my parents wanted to send me to work in England, I wouldn't have had a choice.

However, I have a say in who I talk to and who I don't, and Taylor Black is one of the people I'll talk to regardless of what my parents or spouse say.

Growing up in a third-world country presents many challenges.

Finding anything to improve my future is even more difficult, and finding a husband is one of them.

One of the many mistakes I made was marrying my military douchebag spouse, Nick Hanson.

My eternal life's error is that he is a blonde with bright blue eyes, the body of a Greek god, and the attitude of Lucifer himself. He's one year younger than me, and I'm 19 years old.

Maybe if Silas is home, we can hang out for a change and invite the gang over to relieve stress with video games and things. Hearing the phone ring, l'm relieved my parents let me come home for Christmas and possibly New Year's.

Growing up on the islands, I was used to more work and less stress, but now that I'm married, everything is stressful no matter what I do.

"Hey sis, you called just in time. I'm bringing a friend of bro's around. Do you want to come? I'm cooking, and we're sleeping over."

Silas and I met through a mutual acquaintance in high school and became good friends after that. The group consists of only me and seven other guys, not including Silas.

As the light turns green, I speak over Bluetooth.

"What time?"

I begin to speed up, heading toward my parents' vacant house, as Silas instructed.

"At nine, and it's the entire weekend, sis, so sleep over.

  Don't forget."

  With a bright smile, I decided to do something first before I even reached his estate, I park on the main plaza of this small city and start looking online for divorce papers.

Nick and I haven’t been in good terms for the longest of times and yes I may not have money, but I can find a better way to live that isn’t being married to him.

I know Silas would let me stay with him if I asked him and with that idea in my mind I decided to go to the court house instead.

Driving back I park the car and go inside to fetch my suitcase for the stay at Silas's place, after packing quickly I take my detour and reach the court house and there I filled for divorce, they will be in contact with me later on over the divorce process. Driving back to his house, I make sure my car is positioned just in front of his.

  He lives in section eight, and his current residence is on the ground floor. 

  It has two bedrooms, a connecting living area with a kitchen, and one bathroom.

  Opening my door, Silas leaves his flat, spreading his broad arms with a large smile on his face.

  "Bella!"

  I grab my bag and toss it to our mutual friend, Petter, who stumbles after catching it.

  Petter collapses and shouts in amazement.

  "Damn, what do you have in here, Bella-the entire sex shop's merchandise?"

  I get out of my car to give Silas a well-deserved hug as we hear Erin, Jayson, Nelson, Spencer, Dilen, and Axel laughing and making more jokes about my luggage, suggesting it includes a large number of sex toys.

  Growing up, I had to do a lot of exotic work and still have many acquaintances in that profession who l'm sure would enjoy spending time with us this weekend.

  "Silas, I need to forget my biggest mistake this weekend, please."

  Hugging me tightly, Silas agrees, and I tell him and the rest of my friends why I need a moral break for one weekend. Taking out my phone, I show them evidence of my husband being unfaithful to me with a girl online. They all start cursing him, while Spencer and Nelson call him to curse him out for his shitty actions.

  Last week, I returned home from working at a fast food restaurant and heard Nick moaning. When I entered the living room, he was fucking a girl online.

  Because Nick was wearing his gaming headphones and other accessories, he didn't hear me enter the apartment.

  Instead, I turned and left, choosing to sleep in my car that night. The next day, I used my money and his savings to return home for the holidays.

  Texting some of my girls who know my guys' likes, they all agree to meet at Silas's place.

  With a huge smile, I notice Petter pulling out my swimsuit and shaking his brow at me while rubbing my bikini top on his chest.

  "We're going to the beach!" he says in a sultry voice, and everyone goes to get ready.

  The beach is only a short walk away, and I put on my tube top that reads CAUTION and bikini bottoms that say Slippery When Wet.

  Finally arriving, I see a small group of four guys, one of whom captures my whole and undivided attention.

  Erin's tan, well-built torso with tribal tattoos prompts him to lay his hand under my gaping jaw and close it, laughing at my stunned reaction to this attractive man. His hair is white and pulled back in a high ponytail.

  I can't see his face from this angle, so I quietly whisper to myself, “Fuck, I wish he would turn so I could see his face.”

  When he finally does turn, his bright gray eyes take my breath away, and I can't stop the goosebumps from rising on my skin. My entire body feels hot and restless.