9. Chapter 9
Ten Weeks Later
Another contraction rips through me, and I grit my teeth against the pain. Stephan [STEE-VAN] had finally driven me to the hospital when my contractions started to be two minutes apart, but until then, I had lain in agony on the bed while he worked in his office.
For eight fucking hours.
The jackass even had the nerve to yell at me to keep my voice down so that he could concentrate on his work when I kept crying out in pain.
The night Uncle Diego and my cousin, Isaac, kidnapped me was the worst day of my life.
I woke up in a room that almost mirrored a prison cell, just without the concrete and bars. In their place were sheetrock, tiles, and a locked door that I wasn’t able to pick with my bobby pins. Granted, there was a pedestal sink, a toilet, and a shower, however there were no walls separating any of them. For the shower, there was just a half-moon rod with a clear plastic curtain attached. There also wasn’t a divider between my bed and bathroom area, so I always had to be careful of slipping on wet tiles since the shower curtain hardly kept the water in the shower where it belonged.
Without any windows or a clock, I had no concept of time and quickly lost track of the days. Later, I’d found out that I’d been held in that room for a month with no outside contact except for doctor visits, which I later found out were bi-weekly. However, even those were held in my cell and the doctor never said a word to me. Never asked how I was doing or feeling. Nothing. My food was delivered through a slot in the door and promptly shut. Even when I yelled after them, no one would come back or talk to me.
I had begged the doctor in the beginning to help me, but all that got me was reduced rations. They also limited my shower privileges in that they controlled the water flow to my shower. Almost immediately, I learned that I was only allowed five minutes and the only way I knew that was during the second shower, I counted out the seconds since I had no clock until the water shut off. And five minutes is if it was a good day.
Then, I was moved up to the main floor and into another prison cell, but with better furnishings. The carpet felt heavenly under my bare feet after spending so much time in the cold room downstairs. There’s a soft, queen-sized bed that felt like I was getting a hug with a navy blue bedspread and sheets. On the other wall was a dresser with a matching desk and nightstand.
Relief flowed through me when I saw that I had a window, but I quickly found it was sealed shut. I was surprised to see a cute little crib nestled in the corner with a diaper changing table next to it, but then it dawned on me that a man like Stephan probably wasn’t going to lift a damn finger for anything in the house. Or to help with my son. I was going to have to do everything myself. Tears had pricked my eyes, but I had waited until I was alone before letting them fall and mourning all that I had lost because of my mother’s family’s greed.
A couple plusses to no longer being in that basement cell was that my meals improved, which was a relief because I’d been feeling extremely weak near the end of my stay in that first room due to the reduced rations. Another was that I was allowed longer showers, but I never dawdled, not wanting to have them reinstate the five-minute rule.
The same day that I was moved upstairs was also the day that I was informed that I was married to Stephan Hayes. Well, it had happened the day after I was kidnapped, but I wasn’t informed until that day. Of course, everything was forged. There was never a chance for me to say I didn’t want this. I didn’t have a wedding, let alone say, ‘I do’. Not that I wanted one with Stephan.
That first day upstairs was also the day that I met Stephan for the first time, as well. While he was good looking with his blond hair, hazel eyes, and his fit, lean body, he wasn’t my Luke. It also didn’t help that I got a bad vibe whenever he was around or when I would sometimes catch him staring at me.
I was also never allowed to leave the house, and if I did, it was only with Stephan. I have, and still am trying to think of ways to be able to escape. Unfortunately, the asshole somehow always knows when I’m thinking about escaping because then he reminds me that if I even tried to disobey him or leave him, that he would kill my baby before sending me to be used as a plaything for his boss’ underlings.
I’d found out really quick that Stephan is part of a human trafficking ring, even though he’s a cop himself. And not just any human trafficking ring. The one my uncle, Diego, has ties to. I have no idea if my grandfather, Antonio, knows about it, but for some reason, I almost believe that he doesn’t. Nothing in the past gave me an inkling that Grandfather was sleezy like that. Then again, appearances can be deceiving.
Stephan actually boasts on a regular basis that he ‘saved’ me from that sort of life when he bought me. In his words, for that alone, I should be grateful to him for anything and everything that he does for me and my ‘bastard child’ as he calls my son.
Asshole.
My son wouldn’t be that if my so-called family hadn’t kidnapped me. By now, Luke and I would have already eloped.
Pain sears through me again and I grit my teeth to stop the cry of pain I so desperately want to let loose. I don’t want Stephan taking out his anger on me or my soon-to-be-born son. Asshole knew I wanted an epidural, but I should have known that he wouldn’t let me have anything for pain relief. By the time I got admitted, I was too far along to get one.
“I know it’s going to be difficult, but on this next contraction, I need you to not push. The doctor will be here in a few minutes,” the nurse says, and I groan in exhaustion.
My throat is so dry. Shakily, I reach my hand out to the cup of ice chips on the bedside table. I knew Stephan would be parking his ass down in the recliner as soon as we got in here and wouldn’t help me in the slightest. Which is exactly what he did as he continues working on his laptop. Even the nurse has side-eyed him multiple times. At least she’s refilled my little cup for me as needed since I’m so exhausted I can’t lift the pitcher.
Suddenly the door opens and a man whom I’m praying is the doctor steps in with a gentle smile on his face.
“Hello, Mrs. Hayes, I’m Dr. Greene. Let me just wash up and you’ll soon be meeting your son.”
“Mary, please.” I give him a tired and small smile in return, but really, it’s that I hate that Hayes is my last name now. A moment later, I wince in pain as another contraction hits and again, I fight my body so that I don’t push like the nurse had requested.
Moments later, the doctor steps between my legs and it’s only then that Stephan closes his laptop, but he doesn’t get up. Instead, he crosses his arms across his chest as he watches the doctor’s every move. Then he gives me a sharp look, reminding me of his threats.
Internally, I roll my eyes. There’s no way I’d be stupid enough to risk my son’s life when I’m so vulnerable. Even if I did manage to get away from Stephan, there’s no way I’d be able to physically run after just giving birth.
That and I have no money.
Well, I know I’d be able to request a new card from my bank back in Forest Creek, but I’m sure Stephan would cut it up as soon as it arrives in the mail. Just like he had my last one cut up. I was surprised when he had shown it to me, which meant he or someone else had gone through my house, making me wonder what else they had taken. He took great glee in cutting up my card and telling me that I was only allowed whatever he deems fit and that I was to stick to whatever budget he gives me, otherwise there would be severe punishments. I’m also almost positive the asshole drained my account before cutting up my bank card. He’s crooked and greedy enough to do anything to get his hands on more money. And that’s only after knowing him a little over two months.
The doctor clears his throat, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Alright, Mary. On this next one, I want you to push. I can see the baby’s head.”
Weakly, I nod before getting some more ice chips. Though, as soon as they touch my tongue, I instantly regret it as I almost choke on them. Another contraction hits and I can’t stop my cry of pain as I push as hard as I can. God, I wish Stephan would have brought me sooner so that I could have had an epidural. Black dots dance across my vision as the pain intensifies, but I refuse to give in. I will not leave my son unprotected around that asshole.
“His head is out, so give me one more big push like that last one on the next contraction, Mary. Come on. You can do this.”
His encouraging words give me strength, but I also don’t miss the side-eye he gives Stephan as he sits stoically in the recliner. For what seems like the millionth time, I wish it was Luke at my side instead of Stephan. There’s no doubt in my mind that Luke would have been the usual supportive, loving husband that’s also eagerly awaiting the birth of their child.
When the next contraction hits, I push hard again and then I hear it.
My son, crying, for the first time.
Dr. Greene places my son on my stomach as the nurse helps to clear his airway and clean him.
I brush my hand across his little cheek and I feel like my heart is trying to beat its way out of my chest. He’s absolutely perfect.
He’s got my black hair, but I think it’s too short to know if it’ll end up being curly like mine or straight like Luke’s. I continue running my finger along his cheek and wonder if he’ll have inherited his daddy’s stunning green eyes. His little fingers curl around my finger and tears start to fall down my cheeks.
“Dad, do you want to cut the umbilical cord?” Dr. Greene asks.
My breath hitches as my gaze snaps over to where Stephan is still sitting.
A look of disgust comes over his face for a second, and I lower my gaze. I know he hates that he wasn’t the first to claim me or put a baby in me, but it’s not like that’s my fault. I’m here against my will.
Stephan sighs as he gets up and follows the doctor’s instructions. Then the nurse whisks my son over to be fully cleaned up and check him over.
After a few minutes, she places him in my arms once again. “Congratulations, Mom. What’s his name?” she asks excitedly.
My stomach churns at having to give my son a different last name, but it’s the only way I’m allowed to choose his name. Not to mention keeping him with me. Stephan had told me multiple times that he wouldn’t be raising a son that didn’t have his last name. It would put a stain on his reputation. So long as the last name was Hayes, and that I didn’t name him or any future children after any of my relatives, I’d be able to name him whatever I wanted.
“Asher Lucas.”
She smiles brightly, and I can’t help but return it.
The nurse helps me with getting Asher to latch on, which he does after a few attempts. She then wheels over the table and places a piece of paper and pen down in front of me.
Asher’s birth certificate.
I glance in Stephan’s direction, but he’s already back on his laptop. Since Asher is nursing on my left breast, I should be able to fill out some of the paperwork while he nurses. Picking up the pen, I start filling it out, but I leave the father’s name blank. There’s no way I’m putting Stephan’s name there, but I also know he won’t tolerate me putting Luke’s name down. That would just earn me another beating or more verbal abuse. However, the worst is when he shows me multiple pictures of Luke being intimate with other women.
At that thought, my chest tightens and I swallow my sob.
It killed me seeing pictures of Luke having sex or getting a blow job from someone other than me. I’m still holding out and trying to believe that the pictures are fake. There’s no way Luke would cheat on me. We love each other too much.
Thinking about that has me filling with dread for when the doctors clear me to be able to have sex again. With the looks Stephan’s been giving me, I’m afraid that’s when he’ll finally end up forcing himself on me. So far, he hasn’t touched me sexually, but if he’s serious about keeping me under lock and key, it’s inevitable that it’ll happen. I just hope that when it does happen, that it’s over quickly. The less he touches me, the better.
The nurse frowns when I hand her back the document. Then she does something I wasn’t expecting.
She pulls out a piece of paper from her pocket and holds it where Stephan can’t see it. Or at least I think he can’t see it.
Are you safe with him? I can help you if you need to get away from him.
My breath hitches, and at that moment, Asher stirs in my arms and I look down at him.
I want so badly to accept this woman’s help. For a moment, I dream about being reunited with Luke. Him holding his son and me in his arms.
Asher fusses and I switch him in my arms, trying to get him to eat from my other breast. Nibbling my lip, I lower my gaze and nod. With all the threats Stephan has already given me, I know he would destroy her, her entire family, and her friends if she helped me. I can’t risk all of them.
I’ll try to find a way out of this somehow. On my own.