14

Michael

"I'm detective Voight, and this is detective Ruzek. We wanna ask you a few questions."

My body immediately tensed.

"What kind of questions?" I asked.

Detective Ruzek looked at Victoria and said, "why don't we step outside and let your girlfriend rest."

"I'm staying here," I said firmly.

"Alright," detective Voight said as he reached behind his back," we didn't want to do this. Michael Lopez, you're under arrest for illegal possession, unlawful distribution, and the domestic battery and rape of Victoria Watson."

I was yanked up from my chair by detective Ruzek, and detective Voight put handcuffs on me. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read you?"

Not wanting to look bad, I simply agreed, "yeah."

I was guided out of the hospital to a black van waiting outside the emergency room doors. Detective Voight shoved me into the van and slammed the door closed. Although I was in deep shit, I wasn't worried. I knew my attorney would work everything out in my favor, and Victoria wouldn't dare speak against me.

Victoria

I slowly opened my eyes; I could not move my head due to a pounding headache. The constant throbbing caused tears to build up in my eyes. I looked around and saw that I was in a hospital room.

Why am I here?

"Victoria," I heard someone gently say.

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a tall man with short red hair and a gentle smile walking toward me.

"My name is Dr. Halstead, and I'm taking care of you."

I wouldn't dare make eye contact with the doctor; Michael would be pissed if I did that. I looked around the room for him, but there was no sign of him besides his cologne's faint smell.

"Where's Michael?"

"Your boyfriend had to step away for a while. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths.

I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay.

"Now, Victoria, you fell down the stairs. Do you remember what happened that caused you to fall?"

I tried to think back, but I couldn't remember anything. My head hurt immensely, and Dr. Halstead's presence made me nervous.

"No."

"That's okay. It's common to not remember a few things when you have a concussion."

"A concussion?"

"Yes. Now, I have a few questions to ask you."

"I have a massive headache. Can you please give me something for that? Also, I'd prefer a female doctor. Please," I practically begged.

Dr. Halstead looked at me, confused.

"Of course. I'll have one of my colleagues speak to you."

"Thank you."

An RN came in with a small cup; I assumed the cup had painkillers for my headache.

"Here's some Asprin," the RN said in a kind voice. She poured me a cup of water and passed it along with the aspirin.

"Thank you."

"The doctor will be with you in a few moments."

"Okay."

Dr. Halstead walked out of the room, and after a few minutes, I heard a woman's voice say, "Hello, Victoria."

She was short, had dark brown hair that she put in a ponytail, and although she had a gentle smile, I could tell she was no-nonsense.

"I'm Dr. Bekker. Dr. Halsted told me you had a nasty fall that gave you a concussion."

"Apparently. I have no memory of what happened."

"That's okay; we just need to make sure you get proper rest. However, I need to ask you a few questions."

"Okay."

"Have you been taking any medications to increase your sex drive?"

"No. Where did you get that question from?"

"Well, your blood work showed abnormally high levels of estrogen and progesterone. Although you were pregnant, there was no way your hormone levels would be this high. These hormones are what causes a woman to go into libido, so some women take medication to boost those hormones."

Did she just say I was pregnant?

"No. I'm not on any medications."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, we'll have to run some tests for cancer or any tumors."

"Fine."

"Have you noticed an increase in your sex drive?"

I could feel my cheeks turn red from Dr. Bekker's question as I remembered all the sex Michael and I had been having. I was embarrassed, but I knew it was vital for her to know.

"Yeah. Over the past few weeks, I've been constantly in the mood."

Have you felt any uncomfortable symptoms?

"Recently, I've also felt dizzy and had difficulty staying focused."

"Well, the dizziness and difficulty focusing isn't unusual with how high your estrogen and progesterone were."

"Okay."

"Do you have a history of self-harm?"

"No."

"Is someone abusing you?"

No one had ever asked me that question before. I had a flashback of every time Michael hit me, strangled me, and raped me. I so desperately wanted to say yes. However, fear of Michael caused me to shakily say, "No."

Dr, Bekker let out a sigh.

"One moment," she said and turned around to leave the room.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I still had a headache, but it wasn't as bad as when I woke up. I needed something to eat. I saw a menu on the nightstand next to me. When I reached over for it, I noticed the bruises from Michael hitting me with his belt were exposed.

Shit. They saw the bruises.

I quickly put my arm back under the blanket and waited for Dr. Bekker to return. About twenty minutes later, there was a knock on my door. I looked over, and my eyes widened when I saw Dr. Taylor.

"Hello again, Victoria."

"Hi," I uneasily replied.

"Michael has been arrested."

"What? Why?" I panicked; I didn't want Michael to think I had reported him.

"Victoria, this is the eighth time you've been admitted to the ER within six months."

"I'm clumsy!"

"Dr. Taylor has been trained to recognize the signs of domestic violence," Dr. Bekker said from behind. "Her suspicions have already been documented, and there are notes from several other doctors who suspect abuse. We reported him as soon as we saw the bruising on your arms."

"Victoria," Dr. Taylor said, putting her hand on my arm. "You had mentioned before that you have a son. I understand you don't want your child's father to go to prison, but our social worker and Child Protective Services have already been informed that you're potentially a victim of abuse. Child Protective Services will take your son away if your boyfriend is released and you end up here again. It will be challenging to get back custody after that.

Tears built up in my eyes. My time with Antonio was already limited because of Michael; I couldn't imagine him being taken away from me. Would I ever be able to get him back if he was taken away?

"Victoria," Dr. Bekker said. She was now standing next to me. "I understand that this may be difficult, but the police will need to let your boyfriend out soon. If you speak up, he can be kept behind bars for the time he deserves, and he won't be able to hurt you again."

The tears I tried to suppress managed to escape my eyes.

"His family will come after me; they hate me. I don't even know where my son is; Michael keeps him away from me."

"We can ensure you're kept safe; our social worker can arrange safe housing. Is there anyone besides Michael's family who knows where your son is?"

Only one person knew what Michael was like and pitied me. I nodded my head.

"David. He takes care of the house."

"Okay. We'll reach out to him. Are you willing to give a statement and press charges?"

Was I really going to press charges against Michael? I remembered how happy Antonio and I were before Michael found us as I debated. I wanted that back.

"Yes."