Page 43 of Cavern of Silence
What do I care anymore? The Global Leaders will eventually find me, and there will be more hell to pay.
"Julieta—"
"Jonas Torres." My tears are a never-ending faucet turned on high.
I didn't think Ryker's eyes could get any wider, but they do. He spins me into his chest and holds me tight to him.
"Don't look at my back."
"Shh."
"No. Please. I'm a freak show."
He turns me to the mirror again, holding me tight to his chest and putting his cheek next to mine. "You aren't a freak show. You're a beautiful woman."
"Not anymore." I sob.
"Then you don't see what I see." He points to my reflection. "There's no way anyone on earth couldn't see how beautiful you are."
It makes me cry harder. "I'm not. I couldn't even keep my husband."
He spins me back to him and tilts my head up. "Your ex is an imbecile. And any man who would do that to his wife, well, he's not a man."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I... I didn't know how."
"Shh." He embraces me again and strokes my hair. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance to explain."
"He took it all. I paid for all this and lost my freedom, and it was all for nothing," I cry. "And he took my family, too. No one will speak to me. I have no one. They didn't even know I was missing. I was living in a pit, and not one person was looking for me. That's how unlovable I am." Saying the ugly truth out loud only makes me feel like more of a pathetic loser. And I can't stop my emotional outburst.
"No, baby. You aren't unlovable."
"I am."
"No, you're not," he firmly states.
"I'm exhausted. I just want to die," I cry.
He holds my cheeks. "Don't say that."
"I do. I'm so tired of hurting."
He wipes his thumbs under my eyes. "I know what that's like. And it'll get better."
"It won't. They own me."
"Who?"
"Jonas Torres. The Global Leaders."
"You need to tell me everything, Julieta."
"I can't. When I talk, I pay for it. Other people get hurt."
"What do you mean?"
"Please. I don't want to discuss it. I can't."
He hesitates then says, "Okay."
