Page 8 of Wrapped in Perfection

"I need to call the bank."

"Anna, does Mitch have access to your accounts?"

My gut twists. "Yes. We have joint accounts. Since he manages money, I let him do what's best for us with it. We keep two thousand dollars in it at all times, and he invests the rest."

"Do you have other cards?"

"No. Mitch doesn't like debt. This one is only for emergencies."

The color in her face drains. "Do you have access to the investment accounts?"

"I assume I do."

"You've never seen them?"

"No. Mitch takes care of it."

She furrows her brows. "Do you have online access to your account?"

"Yes." I try to log in to my bank account first, but I can't get in or reset the password. My credit card is the same. The air in my lungs becomes thick.

I pick up my phone to call the bank. There's a text message from Mitch.

"I'm sorry about tonight. It won't happen again. Call me."

I start to text him, and Vivian pulls my phone out of my hand.

"Do not talk to him tonight."

"Vivian—"

"No. He cut off all your access to your funds. Your money, Anna. Not his,yours. My guess is the investment accounts don't even have your name on them."

"He wouldn't do that," I claim, but the voice in my head says that she's right.

"Anna, I know this is hard for you, but you need to be honest with yourself about what is happening right now. If you go back to him, he will hurt you again, possibly kill you. He's cutting off your access to money so he can control you, thinking it'll drive you back to him."

I don't want to hear or believe it. Deep down, I know everything she's saying is true. "Why does this have to hurt so bad," I finally admit.

She pulls me into her arms, and I sob. When my brother comes back from the hospital, I'm still crying. His right hand is in a cast.

Mitch attempts to call me, and Chase grabs my phone.

"What are you doing?" I cry out.

He turns my phone off. "Anna, go to sleep. Tomorrow, we are talking."

"Give me my phone!"

"No. You can have it back tomorrow, if I can trust you."

"If you can trust me?"

"Yes. You aren't talking to him."

"I'm not a child."

Chase looks at me. All I feel is like I've disappointed him. "No. You're my beautiful sister who deserves someone to worship you, not hurt you. And if I have to lock you in a room to keep you away from him, I will. So help me, God, Anna, if he steps foot near you ever again, I will be in jail for killing him with my bare hands."

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