Prologue
One Year Ago
My sixth sense was sounding off alarm bells. I knew something was not right, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. So I ignored them, thinking it was my adrenaline and paranoia due to the fight I had with Jack.
That morning, I had decided to work from home on impulse, so after dropping my girls off at school, I just came right back home. It was a great perk being with the same company for a long time, and its CFO. All the years of working hard for my master’s degree and proving myself at this small privately held company paid off, and I was proud of myself, and grateful for such a great company.
A loud door slam shook the house and scared me to death. I was only a few hours into my work day. I stood up abruptly, my office chair falling back onto the floor. I quietly walked out of my office and peaked into the foyer.
“Gemma,” I heard Jack’s angry voice reach me. I relaxed just slightly, thankful it was not a burglar. I turned around not bothering to answer and went back into my office. I went to pick up the chair when unexpectedly from behind a rough hand grabbed me by my hair.
“Where is he?” Jack spat out, his eyes furious. He lifted his other hand, and I knew what was coming next. I desperately tried to block his incoming hand but was unsuccessful. The impact had my head jerking and the sting of pain across my cheek brought tears to my eyes. I could have sworn I saw stars.
“Let go of me,” I tried hard to push him away.
“You fucking whore!” he yelled, pulling me by my hair. “Where is he?”
“There is nobody here,” I screamed back. “Let go of me, you sick asshole.”
He let go of my hair and switched to my arm, squeezing tightly. As he dragged me up the stairs, I stumbled trying to keep up. He pulled me hard, and my arm cracked causing pain to shoot from my shoulder to my fingertips. When we reached the top, he kept dragging me along, pushing me into our bedroom. He searched around with a crazed look in his eyes.
“Jack,” I pleaded. “I promise you, there is nobody here.” Jack had so many infidelities, he became paranoid I was doing the same. He really did not know me at all. He stared hard at me, as if evaluating my words.
I could sense his rage slightly subsided, but before I could take a breath of relief, he rasped, “Good, then I’ll fuck you.”
I pushed his arm away with all my strength. “You are fucking crazy if you think I’d let you touch me.” I rubbed my cheek with my good hand.
A crazed lust appeared in his eyes, and I took a hesitant step back. It was the wrong move, because I was backed up against the bed. With a cruel smile on his lips, he pushed me onto the bed and started unbuckling his pants.
“Jack,” my voice was shaking out of fear. “Please don’t do this.”
His pants were down, and his boxers followed. He was hard, but all I felt was disgust and fear. “Go to one of your willing girlfriends,” I spat out. “I despise you. Your touch makes my skin crawl.”
He pushed me hard against the bed and used his hand to force my legs apart. My ears were ringing from the fear and adrenaline pumping through my veins. I remembered my life flashing before my eyes, and I couldn’t believe where it found me.
Jack towered over me, pushing his hands hard against my pussy. I felt tears start to stream down my face. “Please, Jack.” I whispered, choked up. “Don’t.”
He was too far gone. I knew him well enough by now, and I knew he wouldn’t stop. I braced myself for humiliation and pain, as tears rolled down my face.