Page 4 of Broken

KARA

Telling Damon I wanted to leave was way harder than I imagined. The fact that he was just letting me go, admittedly kind of stung a little. I expected him to put up a bigger fight. However, I wasn’t sure how much fight I had left in me, so I was slightly relieved I didn’t have to make the effort.

I knew leaving right now was the right thing to do. I needed to work on myself and establish my independence.

I stood in front of Damon, trying to regain my composure. “Thank you for everything.”

“Stop thanking me, Kara. Anything I did, it was because I wanted to.”

I moved to walk out of the bedroom, closing the door behind me. Pausing outside the door before heading to my room, I heard Damon’s rage as he punched his fist into a wall. I jumped. He hated knowing that he couldn’t fix me and make me all better. No one could fix me but me. I had to break free from the chains that were holding me down.

Inside my room, I located my suitcase and stashed all my workout clothes inside as well as six pairs of jeans and a lot of tops. I grabbed around five pairs of shoes and stashed those in an overnight bag. Next, I entered my bathroom to grab all the essentials that Damon had spoiled me with.

Placing all the bags on my bed, I heard the door open. “You’re leaving?” Susie questioned, but she knew.

I offered a forced smile. “I’m sorry. I have to leave. I need to…”

She cut me off. “I know, Kara.”

I choked back my tears because I didn’t want to leave. But it just felt like I had no choice. I had to figure what I wanted and who I was, especially before I could give myself to someone else.

“Just don’t wait too long to come back.” Susie winked before wrapping her arms around my shoulders and hugging me tight.

“One day, you’re gonna have to tell me your story,” I said, taking a step back.

“If you have time, we can have some tea and I can tell you all about me.”

I was so shocked by her response and her openness that I was lost for words. I just stared at her, making sure I heard her correctly.

“Okay.”

We walked down to the nook area in the kitchen. “Sit. I’ll make some tea,” she told me.

I sat, watching her move around the kitchen. She was at home here. Once she was done, she pushed a mug over to me as she sat down with her own. I braced myself for whatever she was about to tell me.

Taking a sip of the hot liquid, I was ready to listen to her.

Susie sighed at first. “To be honest, I don’t know where to start. I was in a bad relationship or what I thought was a relationship until that guy and his friend raped me. Not once, not twice, but three times. They hit me, put objects in my body that weren’t meant to be there. They even drugged me, and I never did drugs before.”

My breath caught in my throat. What happened to her was beyond horrible.

“They held me against my will. And after three days, I escaped when they fell asleep after doing some drugs. I was rushing down in the street in a torn-up nightgown. And then I met Damon. He was driving down the road and saw me. He pulled over and he immediately knew I needed medical attention. I tried to fight him on it, saying the men would kill me if this was reported. He offered me protection. He stayed at the hospital the whole time. They even wanted to keep me overnight, but I refused. Damon didn’t like that I refused. But he offered me a place where I could heal and get back on my feet. Then after all that, he offered me this job. Damon saved my life.”

“I’m so sorry you went through all that.”

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him. I just followed suit with the others calling him Master or Sir. He didn’t ask to be called that, but I knew it was out of respect. We all respect him. He might not show it, but he has a heart and he’s loyal to those around him. And he doesn’t let people in until you earn that privilege. And I see how different he is with you. He’s never had any other woman here. So, you are special to him. I know he has some fucked up ways about him.”

I nodded in agreement. “I appreciate you sharing your story with me. It means a lot to me. And again, I’m sorry to hear you went through all that.”

“Thank you. Can I ask, do you love Damon?”

“I do. But things have happened and it has changed me.”

“I know. Believe me, I know. I hope you make your way back.”

“Thank you again for telling me your story.”

She offered a smile and we both stood and hugged each other again. With her hands on my shoulders, she smiled and that was when I noticed her looking past my shoulder. Following her line of vision, I saw Damon leaning against the doorway and my things were being brought down.

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