Page 88 of Mending Scars

I hung my head as tears dripped from my eyes. My sight blurred as I looked down at my belly. I thought about the life inside me, something so perfect that I had helped create, something I’d finally done right. I wasn’t going to let Hayden suffer from my destructive actions.

I kept my gaze downcast, hoping Bryce would think that I’d given up, then leave the room. Once he did, I could finish untying the ropes and get the fuck out of there.

“I’m sorry it had to come to this, Ky, but I can’t live without you.”

I felt him kiss the top of my head before the sound of his footsteps receding filled the room. The door closed and left me alone with just the dull murmur of the waves lapping up on the shore.

I waited a few minutes before straightening and working on the ropes around my wrists. My back was strained from the position I was in, making it harder for me to work on my task. Not to mention that I was utterly exhausted from everything that had happened.

My shoulders and arms burned after God knows how long. I was so close to untying the knots, but I just couldn’t get them undone. I slumped in fatigue and sobbed, ready to give up.

I can’t do this. I’m too weak.

Then, something amazing happened—Hayden kicked me, right when I needed it most. He reminded me of what I was fighting for, why I couldn’t lose hope. Him.

I will get out of this. I have to

Sitting back up, I worked on the ropes again. I wasn’t going to let Bryce win—I was going to escape and ensure my son’s safety. Hayden was all that mattered.

After several minutes, the sound of a door crashing open halted my actions.

What was that?

Sounds of fighting, furniture breaking, and indistinct shouting followed. I strained to hear, but couldn’t make out the voices through the closed door. All I could tell was that they were male.

What’s going on? Who’s here?

I started to get my hopes up that Ryker had come for me, but then I remembered our fight. He probably didn’t even know I was gone. And if he did, he probably didn’t care anymore.

His words replayed in my mind, making my heart sink back down into the pool of despair where my demons lay.

We’re through.

The sting of tears assaulted my eyes as I thought about never seeing Ryker again, never feeling his skin against mine, or hearing him tell me he loves me.

The sound of doors opening roughly slamming into the walls broke through my thoughts.

“Kaiya! Kaiya!”

My breath hitched. I knew that voice.

Am I dreaming?

The voice became louder, sounding desperate and terrified. “Kaiya! Kaiya, where are you?”

The tears that had been pooling spilled over. “In here! I’m in here!”

Footsteps pounded down the hall, getting faster and louder as he neared. “Kaiya!”

I wriggled in the chair, trying to free my hands. “In here!” I screamed.

I didn’t stop screaming until the doorknob jiggled seconds later. “I’m right here, baby. I’m gonna get you out of there.”

Several thuds echoed off the door before it was kicked in. Ryker appeared in the doorway; his gaze immediately found mine, and in seconds, he was kneeling in front of me. Reaching behind me, he untied my wrists and slipped the rope off before unfastening my ankles from the bottom of the chair. He helped me stand, then wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly to him. He expelled a breath of relief. “Thank God I found you.”

My hands fisted the back of his shirt as tears ran down my face. “You came for me,” I whispered in disbelief.

Ryker pulled back and framed my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine. “Of course I did, Warrior.” He moved one of his hands to my belly. “I love you. You and Hayden are everything to me.”

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