6

Victoria

When I finished crying, I stared out the window since I couldn’t do anything else. My arm was killing me, and my throat felt so dry. I didn’t turn my head when I heard the door open; I was angry at Michael and had no interest in speaking to him.

I heard someone else clear their throat. I turned my head and saw it was David, Michael’s assistant and butler. I wondered what his opinion was on this situation. He looked at me with the same pity from when Michael and I were dating.

“The attorney will be here soon,” David said as he unlocked the handcuffs.

I quickly sat up, making sure to cover myself.

“Michael’s okay with the attorney seeing me like this?”

“No. Michael told me to inform you that there is makeup for you in the bathroom and clothing in the closet.”

“Okay. How much time do I have?”

“Twenty minutes, ma’am.”

“Thanks.”

As soon as David was out of the room, I got up and ran to the restroom. I looked in the mirror to see the damage Michael had done. I had handprints on my neck that were dark purple and blue. I touched my neck but felt pain as soon as I applied pressure.

This is going to be hard to cover up.

Letting out a sigh, I washed my face and applied toner and moisturizer. After ensuring the moisturizer was rubbed well, I began applying makeup to cover the bruises. This was a routine I had grown used to when Michael and I were dating. When I finished my makeup, I saw I had ten minutes left. I quickly changed into black slacks, a royal blue long-sleeved blouse, and a pair of black heels. I looked at the clock and saw I had two minutes left, so I started walking towards the door and ran my fingers through my hair.

I was startled to see Michael standing outside the door. Before I could say anything, he grabbed my bad arm, causing me to cry out in pain, and pushed me inside the room, throwing me on the floor and slamming the door shut.

“What is taking so long?!”

“I have two minutes left,” I shakily said.

Michael let out a sigh, firmly gripped the injured part of my arm, pulled me up, and grabbed my throat.

“Did you forget?” He asked. “When I give you a certain amount of time, I expect you to be ready five minutes early. When I say twenty minutes, I want you ready in fifteen!”

“The attorney’s going to hear you.”

Michael scoffed and let out a sigh.

“Ahhh., Victoria. I had this room soundproofed, just in case we have moments like this where I need to set you straight.”

My eyes grew wide, causing Michael to chuckle.

“Lucky for you, we have some paperwork to sort out, so I’ll let you get away with this one. Don’t repeat that mistake again. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Michael gave me a gentle kiss.

“Let’s go,” he said as he let go of my arm and throat and grabbed my hand.

I smiled once we stepped into the room where the attorney waited for us.

“Good afternoon,” the attorney said.

“Our apologies,” Michael replied. “We’ll be heading to my parents’ house after we finish, so she was getting ready for that.”

“In that case, I’ll make this quick. Victoria, I already straightened everything out with your identity. All paperwork that listed you as “Leslie Parks” has been changed, so you’re listed as “Victoria Watson.

I gently nodded my head in response.

“Now, for the paternity over Antonio. Victoria, I need you to sign these papers authorizing Michael to claim paternity.”

I took the papers from the attorney and signed wherever there was an X. It was challenging to keep myself from Shaking as Michael watched my every move. After Michael signed some paperwork, the attorney bid us farewell and left.

I remained seated on the couch while Michael headed upstairs. After a few minutes, I heard a baby babbling. My head snapped toward the sound, and I immediately stood up when I saw Michael carrying Antonio.

“Hi, my baby boy!” I said as I went to grab Antonio. Michael gently passed him to me, and I hugged Antonio close.

“My parents are throwing a party for Antonio, and I want him to meet everyone,” Michael informed me.

I internally cringed; I didn’t want to go to a family party, mainly because of Michael’s cousins.

“Don’t worry, I reminded my cousins to stay away from you,” Michael said.

That eased some of the stress I felt.

“What did you tell everyone?” I asked.

“Because I love you, I lied and told everyone I had to send you away because of some business I was taking care of.”

“Business?”

“Yes, I’ve been at war with a rival gang that decided to be idiots and try to steal from me.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Victoria, I’m already lying to my family for you. I don’t have to tell you about my business.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Come on, let’s get ready to go.”

I hadn’t noticed David bringing Antonio’s carrier and diaper bag into the sitting room. I secured Antonio in his carrier and ensured we had everything we needed in his diaper bag. As I was putting my jacket on, Michael snatched it away from me and pushed me against the wall.

“You know,” Michael said as he began to undo my pants. I haven’t slept with a single woman since you left. Dylan encouraged me to, saying it would help me regain my sanity, but I kept refusing.” Michael was now pulling my underwear down. “Which means you have a lot of time to make up for.”

“Michael, please,” I shakily said as Michael finished undoing his pants.

“Shhh… Don’t you love me?” Michael asked as he shoved himself inside me, causing me to wince in pain; I was already sore from earlier.

“Well?” Michael asked as he began to kiss my neck while thrusting inside me.

“Yes.”

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem with this. When two people love each other, they make love.”

I clenched my hands, digging my nails into my palms as I endured Michael’s assault. As his pace quickened, the pain got worse.

It’s almost over. It’s almost over.

Finally, Michael ejaculated. When I thought he would pull out, he whispered, “I think I’d like to make another baby.” My eyes grew wide, and Michael went at it again. After ejaculating two more times, Michael finally pulled out of me.

“I’ll help you clean up,” Michael said before running to the bathroom; he came back with tissue and baby wipes. I would’ve preferred to clean up myself, but I couldn’t move; I was frozen in place with my eyes locked on a spot on the wall.

“You’re bleeding a lot. Do you have your period?”

“Probably,” I said flatly.

“That’s okay. Maybe once your period is done, you’ll get pregnant.”

“Maybe,” I shakily said. In all honesty, I did not want to have another baby.