Page 40 of The Hermit

Not after last night.

Every movement causes my body to ache, and it feels as if I have shards of glass inside me.

“Grace!” Braden shouts from inside.

I stand still, nauseating fear coating my skin.

When he comes out via the sliding doors, my survival instinct takes over, and I break out into a run. I have no idea where I’m going as I race across the yard.

Even though flowers are in full bloom around me, I don’t see any of it.

Braden plows into my back, and I hit the ground with a harrowing cry.

His fingers brutally grip my hair, and my face is pressed hard into the grass.

I hear his zipper go down, and I lose my mind as I hysterically fight against his hold on me.

Coming to with a fright, sweat coats my body, making my skin feel overheated and sticky.

I become aware that I’m lying on the floor as I gasp for air, the remnants of the nightmare making my stomach spin with nausea.

Tears spill from my eyes, dripping from my face and soaking into the carpet.

I have no idea what time it is, and I have zero strength to get up.

How will I survive Dominik?

Maybe I should just end it all.

My eyes drift shut as the thought wars with my will to live.

No matter how dark things get, there’s always a part of me that believes life will get better.

Will Dominik really not force himself on me? Do I dare hope?

A hopeless sigh shudders from me because there are no answers to any of these questions.

With zero energy, I groan as I pick myself up off the floor. I walk to where my cell phone is lying and grab it.

Opening the chat I have with Ciara, I read her message again before responding.

Grace: I would’ve gone with you. Please be careful out there and check in regularly. I love you more than anything.

After I press send, I notice it’s one am. Knowing I won’t be able to sleep, I glance at my closet.

Do I pack and go with Dominik, or do I refuse to marry him?

Will it help if I fight?

He shot Dad for slapping me. I don’t think me saying no will make any difference. He’d probably knock me unconscious and drag me out of the mansion like a caveman.

Jesus.

My heartbeat speeds up, and a frustrated moan escapes me.

Becoming hysterical has never done me any good, so I close my eyes and take deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.

Once my heartbeat slows down, I walk to my closet and open the doors.

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