Page 37 of Hannah's Dom

“That might be better than what I was like when I came here.”

Hannah studied her friend. It was the first time she saw the shadow of sadness in her eyes. “Why?”

“I was given to a man when I was sixteen. The very first night he raped me.”

Hannah’s hands went to her mouth. “Oh, God. That bastard.”

Cat nodded.

Hannah wasn’t a violent person, but if the guy was in the room with her right then, she’d do as much damage to him as possible for hurting Cat.

“Do you want to talk about it? You don’t have to.”

“I was stuck with him until I was twenty, and then I left.”

“Where were your parents?”

“They’re the ones that gave me to him. They said they owed him.”

“So, they gave the bastard their daughter,” her voice slowly rose with each word until she was yelling.

Cat grinned.

“How can you smile?” Hannah asked.

“Because I’ve come to grips with it. You can make your life anything you want it to be with hard work, but if you’re bogged down with the past, you’ll never get anywhere.”

Hannah thought about that for a moment. “I like the way you said that. It will stay with me for a long time.” She hugged Cat. “I’m so glad you got away, found Macy, and are my friend.”

Cat hugged her back. They both giggled when they sniffled at the same time.

“We’ve worked on this long enough. How about we go to my place and have lunch? We can always play cards before we have to get dressed.”

“I haven’t played cards in years.”

“Do you know how to play poker?” Cat asked.

Hannah shook her head.

“Then I’ll teach you.”

“I’d love to learn.” Hannah smiled.

Cat turned off the computer and stood. “Let’s go.”

Hannah was afraid they’d run into Jake all the way upstairs to the private corridor, but she wasn’t ready to face him just yet. She sighed in relief when Cat’s condo door closed behind them.

“Ah, there they are,” Macy said.

Both girls screamed and turned toward the living room window where the two men stood. Hannah swallowed when she saw the suspicion on Jake’s face.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Jake said.

“Oh, um … here I am,” Hanah said and tried to smile.

“Yes, here you are,” Jake said. He turned to Macy. “I need some time with my sub. I’ll see you later.” Jake walked toward her and held out his hand. “Come with me.”

Hannah looked at Cat and saw the worried look on her face. Hannah smiled and patted her shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”

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