"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." Nelson Mandela

Veronica

The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating. Every creak of the cabin, every rustle of leaves outside, sent a jolt of fear through me. I lay on the bed, my hand resting protectively on my belly, trying to calm the frantic beating of my heart. I had to be strong. For my baby. For Saint.

Suddenly, the door swung open and Liam strode in. His face was flushed, his eyes wild. He reeked of alcohol. My stomach lurched. He closed the door behind him and locked it, the click echoing ominously in the quiet room.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he slurred, his voice thick.

I sat up, my back against the headboard, trying to appear calm. “I’m not going anywhere, Liam.”

He laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. “That’s right. You’re not.”

He moved towards me, his steps unsteady. “You’re mine, Veronica. You always have been.”

I recoiled, my heart pounding in my chest. “No, Liam. I’m not.”

His eyes narrowed. “You think you’re better than me, don’t you? You think you can just walk away?”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into my skin. “You’re not going anywhere,” he repeated, his grip tightening.

“Liam, you’re hurting me,” I said, trying to pull away.

He ignored me, his eyes burning with a dark, possessive rage. He yanked me off the bed, pulling me towards him. “You’re going to regret this, Veronica,” he hissed.

I struggled against him, my fear giving me a surge of adrenaline. “Liam, stop it! Don’t do this!”

He laughed again, a cruel, mocking sound. He tried to kiss me, his breath hot and stale against my face. I turned my head away, disgusted.

“You’re mine,” he muttered, his grip tightening on my arms. He pushed me towards the bed, his weight pinning me down.

“No!” I screamed, my voice raw with terror. I thrashed beneath him, my hands pushing against his chest, trying to create some distance. “Get off me, Liam!”

He ignored my pleas, his eyes filled with a terrifying lust. He tried to force his lips on mine again, but I twisted my head away, my teeth gritted.

I wouldn’t let him. I wouldn’t let him touch me. I wouldn’t let him hurt my baby.

With a surge of strength I didn’t know I possessed, I kneed him in the groin. He grunted in pain, his body going rigid. I seized the opportunity, shoving him off me with all my might.

He rolled onto the floor, clutching his groin, gasping for air. I scrambled off the bed, my legs shaking. I had to get out of there. I had to escape.

I ran to the door, fumbling with the handle. Locked. Panic seized me. I was trapped.

Liam was getting to his feet, his face contorted with rage. “You bitch,” he snarled. “You’re going to pay for that.”

He lunged towards me, his hand outstretched. I screamed again, my voice echoing through the silent cabin. I wouldn’t let him win. I wouldn’t let him take this from me. I would fight. I would fight for my life. I would fight for my baby. I would fight for Saint. And as he lunged, I saw something gleam in his hand. A knife. My blood ran cold. This wasn't just about control anymore. This was about survival. I had to act. I had to protect my child. As he reached me, I grabbed the closest object – a heavy glass vase on the bedside table – and swung it with all my force. It connected with his head with a sickening thud. He staggered back, his eyes wide with shock, then crumpled to the floor.

I stood there, frozen, the vase falling from my numb fingers. Liam lay motionless on the floor, a dark crimson stain spreading beneath his head. I stared at him, my breath coming in ragged gasps. Had I… had I just…?

The reality of what I’d done crashed down on me, and I sank to my knees, my body shaking uncontrollably. I was terrified, but a strange sense of calm settled over me. I had protected myself. I had protected my baby. And now… now I had to get out of here. I had to get to Saint.