Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
“Lou,” he murmurs, and I shrug.
“He continued beating me and cutting me every night until, finally, we were able to get Clara out. I had to leave before she did, though. Because he tried to kill me when Eliza and Elliot got out since the Grandmaster was pissed and blamed me. The only reason I didn’t die from my injuries was because Austen rushed me to the hospital when she found me. Three days later, we picked up Clara, and we never looked back.”
“My love,” he whispers, moving his fingers along mine. “I hate that this happened to someone as amazing as you. I wish you’d let me go after them.”
“So you can be just as bad as them? I’m done. I’m out. I’m thriving and surviving, not them. I won’t let you drop to their level, give them power once more.”
He slowly shakes his head. “You’re incredible.”
I give him a small smile. “Thanks. Though, now I’m screaming and crying from my dreams, so I don’t feel very incredible.”
He leans in, kissing my top lip. “You are,” he promises, kissing me again. His eyes burn into mine as he cups my face and gently moves his thumb along my jaw. “I just don’t get it, though. How can a mother let this happen to her child?”
I roll my eyes. “My mother isn’t a mother. She was a broodmare and cared more for herself than any of us.”
“But still, she could have stopped him. Where is the compassion?”
I shake my head. “She couldn’t stop him. Women had no power there, and I was his.”
“What do you mean, his?”
I don’t like the look in his eyes, almost like he suspects something that isn’t true. Cautiously, I say, “He owned me.”
“No, that doesn’t make sense. How can he own you if you didn’t want him?”
“Nothing about that place made sense.”
“Lou, how could he own you?”
Did I leave something out? I thought I was pretty thorough, but then, it is a lot to tell. With my chin held high, I state the one fact that I hate the most.
“I took Clara’s place as his wife.”
CHAPTER 47
Ciaran
It’s moments like these that I’m reminded my heart isn’t my own.
It’s Louisa’s, and I’m in awe of her.
Pure, unadulterated awe of the strongest, most beautiful, and most incredible woman I have ever met in my life.
“You were married to this bastard?”
Silence stretches between us as our gazes stay locked. I can see the fear in her eyes, and I can still hear her screams. It kills me. I want to wrap my arms around her, hold her, and try to make her completely forget her past. Louisa’s eyes search mine for a moment longer before she nods. “I was, in the eyes of the cult.”
I want to scream. I hate that this wonderful woman went through this. He can’t come back, can he? She is truly mine? “Did you divorce him?” Once the words leave my lips, I hate them. It doesn’t fucking matter. She got away. She won. I just have to make sure he isn’t coming back for her.
Her brows pull together. “I didn’t have to. It wasn’t legal. I was given to him, and I was his until he was done with me. Since I left, I don’t abide by their rules anymore.”
Chills run down my spine, and I want to rip the fucker to shreds for not only hurting her, but for putting her in such a nightmarish position. He forced her, he abused her, and he gave her no choice but to protect her sisters. I hate him, and I don’t even have to know the fucker to know I would kill him at first glance. All she’d need to do would be to point him out, and I’d rip him limb from limb. Before either of us has time to say anything else, a knock sounds at the door. I gently move her legs and get up without a second glance, my mind reeling as I try to process this. I open the door, and I know the guy greets me, but I can’t hear past the pounding of my heart in my ears.
How could anyone let this happen to her?
A lump forms in my throat as I watch the guy wheel in our food. I hand him some cash before shutting the door. When I turn, I find Louisa watching me, her brows still furrowed and her jaw set tightly. I clear my throat, and I feel my hands start to shake. I squeeze them tightly and check my watch. I still have plenty of time. “Why didn’t anyone stop him?”
Her eyes are watery orbs, so lost in the pain of her past. “It’s the way things are. It’s normal in that world.”
“That’s not normal. That’s abuse, torture. I can’t even imagine.”