Page 89 of Falling With a Spin

“Yes, that's what I said.”

“How would you have known that? Did you see him drug you?” I hadn’t seen Chad drug me, but the feeling afterward was as if I had eight drinks instead of two.

“No, I didn’t see him put a drug in the drink that night.”

“And how many drinks did you have, Ms. deKatner?”

“Two from what I can remember.” It comes out more shaky than I intend it to be, and that gets Chad's attention as he shoots me a smirk.

“Let me get this straight. From what you have told me, is that what you wore got the attention of your boyfriend, and when he brought you another drink, you were already under the influence heavily.” My mouth opens to correct him, but he continues. “Which led you two upstairs in a room together to engage in sexual intercourse like you have done before, right?” He looks at me with his arms crossed and brows furrowed.

Shock runs through my body because that isn’t what all happened. That's what Chad wants it to look like, not what it’s supposed to be shown here. I wasn’t drunk but drugged. I wasn’t having sex but being assaulted.

“No, It wasn’t just a sexual intercourse, it was rape. Chad forced himself on me, and I was trapped.” The words come out hoarse, and the tears I was desperately trying to keep back fall down my face.

“Okay, did you scream for help? Did you push him off? Did you tell him no?” He questions me.

“No, I was unable to move my body, and my mouth was stuffed while my hands were tied together.” I look at him in disbelief because I have already explained all of this.

“Yes, because of the amount of alcohol you consumed.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. “That's all I have for you, Ms. deKanter.”

“No, you don’t have it right.” I plead to him, voice breaking.

“Please let me explain more. Show you that you have it wrong because you do.” My body starts shaking.

“He did this to me.” I point to my chest, the tears streaming down.

“He ruined me. Made me feel worthless, a piece of toy you throw out after so many uses.” My voice finally cracks.

“He is written all over me with each bruise, remark, and action he took on my body. I was left alone when he should have been there with me. None of this should’ve happened because you and I shouldn’t have happened.” I glare at Chad through my glossy eyes.

“But Ms. deKanter, you stayed with him.” He sits back down as it becomes Kiley’s turn to ask me questions.

I answer Kiley's questions, and when I step down from the podium, I can’t tell you what she had asked me or how my response was. It’s as if I blacked out, and my brain knew the answers to her questions. My body became numb after Anthony Calver destroyed whatever was left of me.

“Alright, everyone. We are going to call this a day and resume tomorrow morning.” The judges’ gavel rings through the room.

When everyone leaves, Hunter comes to my side and helps me up, walking me out while I hold myself together.

Today is just the beginning.

Chapter 33

Emma

I feel him all over me. Each thrust becomes more painful than the last, and my wincing is muted by the cloth that’s stuffed in my mouth. No matter how hard I struggle to release myself from his grip, he is just stronger. Stronger in more ways than I'll ever be. My body just lays there, watching him and screaming at myself as he takes more pieces of me that he never had claimed over. Why didn’t I ever leave him before?

“You’re mine forever.” He whispers into my ear as his thrusts get sloppier

I move my head away, shaking as the tears continue to flow down and the pain becomes too much.

“Mr. Prescott, how are you doing today?” Anthony's Voice rings through the room, startling me back to reality.

Blinking away the tiredness and sitting up straight to stay awake, sleep hadn’t come easily to me last night, and I was tossing and turning throughout the night. Yesterday's events were on repeat in my head, and when my eyes would finally close, it would start with a nightmare, one different from the others. I was aware of what was going on, feeling the pain of what was being done. That one kept me awake for the rest of the night, clutching my pillow in my hand, staring at the wall, and willing myself to stay awake.

“I’m doing well, thank you.” Chad’s masked voice stabs me in the ribs. His sinister smile is bright and white, but little do they know it’s deadly.

“That’s amazing.” Anthony’s smile matches his all too well. Lethal. “Can you tell us a little bit about your and Ms. deKanter’s relationship?” He looks at Chad and then over at me.