Semua Bab The Billionaire’s Captive Bride: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The sun felt warm on my skin, making me savour every second of it. Once again Mrs Thornton came to my aid getting permission from Leo to allow me go outside for some minutes.I sat on the stone bench in the gardens, my legs tucked underneath me, my eyes drifting across the roses swaying in the cold breeze.There was a book that was yet to be opened on my laps, my fingers toyed with its corners, but my mind was elsewhere.Apparently I couldn't trust any of them.I exhaled and leaned back, letting the breeze kiss my face, hoping it would soothe the anxious pounding in my chest that had become far too familiar these days.That's when I felt it, that feeling when someone's watching you. I scanned the garden confused when I didn't find anyone or see anything suspicious until I came in contact with him.He stood on his balcony, leaning against the tiles like he'd been there for a while. A cigarette dangling between his fingers, burning slowly like he hadn't taken a drag in minutes. His gaze

I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. My chest heaved like I'd been running for miles. The nightmares had felt too real - my dad's voice, the belt, the knives, the helplessness.It always felt too real because I felt everything. I felt every single thing which made it more painful and scary.I sat on the edge of the bed, hands shaking slightly as I rubbed my eyes. It took me a few moments to remember I wasn't back in that suffocating house, the smell of cigarettes and stale sweat, or at the club with drunk hands grabbing at my skin.I was here. In Leo's mansion.A knock snapped me out of it.“Come in,” I croaked, my voice scratchy from crying and probably screaming in my sleep again.Mrs Thornton walked in with a tray of breakfast, scrambled eggs, toast and fruits. “Good morning, dear,” she said gently, setting the tray on the nightstand. “You look pale.”I gave a half smile. “Didn't sleep much.”“You're not the only one. Mr Castelli was in his office all night.”“All night?”Sh

The footsteps nearest the library door.My breath caught.No, no, no.My eyes widened in fear, I quickly picked it up quietly rushing to the back of the library looking for somewhere to hide. I ducked under the thick oak table that was hidden behind the shelves.I pressed my hand to my chest, my heart was racing. There was silence, no single sound. I closed my eyes trying to calm my breathing.The door creaked open and I froze. Every inch of me tense.One…Two…Then the door shut again.I waited, barely blinking. The seconds dragged on. Maybe it was a guard, maybe they were just checking the room. Maybe-The doorknob turned again.This time, the footsteps entered. It was solid and intentional.I cursed under my breath as I shifted back until my back hit the wall.I pressed my back tighter against the wood and covered my mouth with both hands. I heard a low grunt, a chair pushed to the side, a book was flicked through. The steps got louder and closer, then silence.Right in front of th

LENA'S POVThe first thing I felt was cold. Not the kind you can shake off with a blanket, the kind that sits in your bones and whispers that something is terribly wrong.My lips were dry, and my throat felt like I'd swallowed fire.My eyes snapped open to a dim ceiling, sterile lights and a beeping sound beside me.Hospital?I looked around the room and didn't see any other bed.My body tensed and that's when I felt it.The fabric against my bare skin. A hospital gown, thin and exposing.My stomach dropped.No! No, no, no…I jerked upright, ignoring the mind splitting headache I felt. My hands grabbed the blanket, clutching it to my chest.My breathing quickened, heart racing like a trapped bird in my chest.My back.My thighs.My arms.They had seen it.Someone had seen my scars.“No,” I gasped, ripping at the wires and the bandages. “No, no, no…WHO TOUCHED ME?!”The door burst open and a tall woman in a pale blue coat rushed in, dark curls pulled into a bun, a stethoscope swinging

It's been three weeks since I got back to this house.Three weeks since I stopped bleeding.Three weeks since my last peaceful sleep.Three weeks since I started losing my mind.Dr. DeLuca took out the stitches last Thursday and Mrs Thornton smiled like that was supposed to mean something.“You're healing,” she whispered.But I wasn't.Mentally, I was more messed up.Mrs Thornton had to switch the calming pills to sleeping pills trying to help but things got worse.Every night I closed my eyes, the same scene replayed. Flashes of the fire, the pressure in my lungs, the sound of the walls splitting apart like bones. Only now, there was more, my mother standing behind the smoke staring at me. My father holdingLeo's voice like a weapon.“Blow it up.”I screamed in my sleep, some nights I woke up clawing the sheets, drenched in sweat. Other nights I didn't wake up at all. I just sank deeper and deeper into the nightmare, paralyzed and trapped.And sometimes, I didn't wake up at all, not un