Chapter 8
The next Sunday morning, I get up and head into the kitchen to make coffee. Once it's ready, I sit at the table, sipping it and enjoying the quiet. I can hardly believe how happy I feel.
A knock interrupts my thoughts. I get up and peek through the window. It's Bianca. When I open the door, she hands me a basket. “Mom sent some goodies, since you skipped family dinner to spend time with Graham. Uncle expects to meet the man who's taking his daughter away.”
I smack her arm. “You told them?” She nods. “I'm not lying to our family. You're a big girl. You can explain why you haven't introduced Graham to them.”
I roll my eyes. “Bia, I don't even know what we are. I'll introduce him when I figure that out.” She grins. “Have you had sex with him?”
I shake my head. “No, but honestly, I want to. So badly. He's making it hard to resist.”
She squeals and pulls me toward the couch. “Oh my God. Well, if he's anything like Owen, it'll be worth the wait.” I frown in confusion. “Bia, I'll be honest. Sex with my ex wasn't good, so I'm nervous I won't enjoy it.”
She shakes her head. “Look, Nora, I know you hate talking about your past. But what did he do that made it bad?”
I took a deep breath. “He'd say I wasn't attractive enough to get him hard. That it was my fault because I was ugly. Since it was my fault, he made me give him a blowjob so he could have sex. Once he was hard, he just took what he wanted. No kissing, no touching. It hurt. It was awful.”
She shakes her head in horror. “Nora, sex should never be like that. It's supposed to feel good for both people. What he did was wrong. I've seen how Graham looks at you. He would never do that. God, it pisses me off that your ex treated you that way!” Her voice rises.
She pauses and draws a deep breath. “Nora, an orgasm should feel amazing. Head pressed into the pillow, toes curling, screaming your head off amazing.”
I laugh and stand. “Yeah, I've definitely never had that.” Bianca watches me pour another cup of coffee. “Nora... Those bruises when you first came to the restaurant. Were they from your ex?” I look at her over my cup. “Yes.”
She gets up and comes toward me. “Is that why you don't have any family?” I take a deep breath as a tear slips down my cheek.
“Bia, I can't talk about it. Keeping quiet is the only way I can keep everyone safe.
All I can tell you is that my dad killed my mom, and he used to beat me.
He got tired of me and basically handed me to another man who was much worse.
I ran away from him and ended up here. I'm afraid he'll find me one day and kill me for what I did.”
Bia pulls me into her arms. “What happened? Nora, I won't tell anyone. You're my sister, and I love you. You can trust me. You need to talk about it so you can move on.” I sob against her shoulder. “Bia... God, my ex was so cruel.”
She rubs my back. “Please, Nora. Talk to me. I'll never say a word, but you need to talk about this. You need to let it out.”
I nod. “He was evil. So much worse than my father.
He tried to take my virginity, but I refused.
He'd beat me until I couldn't move. One day, I came home from seeing a doctor about my broken ribs and found him fucking another woman in our bed.
When I walked in, he stopped and made me sit there and watch.
It was awful. The beatings got worse whenever I refused sex, so I gave in.
I couldn't take any more broken bones or bruises.
I gave him what he fucking wanted. I thought he'd be kinder once I did. I was wrong.”
Bia brings us to the kitchen table. She watches me quietly and rubs my hand.
“Bia, it got so much worse. He'd make other women do things to me while he watched.
He humiliated me sexually. The beatings never stopped.
I tried to run away once, but he found me and fractured my skull.
He kept telling me I was worthless and nobody wanted me.
The night I escaped, he gave me the worst beating of my life.
We'd been arguing. He said a guy had looked at me ‘the wrong way’ and accused me of cheating.
He grabbed my arm, and I tried to get away.
I told him I wasn't cheating, and I tripped down the stairs.
When I got up, blood was running down my legs.
I didn't understand what was happening.”
Bianca looked at me, angry and confused.
“Damon took me to his doctor. After examining me, he said I'd miscarried because of the fall. I could see the fury in Damon's eyes. As soon as we left the doctor's office, he grabbed me and threw me into the car.”
Bianca gasps. “You were pregnant?”
I nod. “I didn't even know. Damon was furious.
He said I'd done it on purpose, that I'd killed his baby and now he'd kill me.
When we got home, he strangled me and beat me for what felt like hours.
I woke up on the floor, barely able to move.
I sat up in the bathroom and looked in the mirror, wondering who I was and whether this was going to be my life.
That's when I decided to run. I cracked the door to listen for him.
He was upstairs in our bedroom with a couple of women.
I turned on the shower, slipped out the window, and ran. That's how I ended up here.”
She pulls me into another hug, and I sob against her shoulder. “Nora, you're an amazing woman. Graham would be lucky to have your love.”
I take a deep breath. “Bia, I've always wanted children, but part of me was relieved when I miscarried.
I knew he'd never let me go if I had his baby.
God, I'm a terrible person.” My sobs grow harder.
Bianca rubs my back. “No, you're not. Anyone in your situation could feel that way.
None of this was your fault. You can't blame yourself.” I nod and wipe my tears.
“Does Graham make you uncomfortable, or remind you of your ex?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. Not even close. They're as different as night and day. Graham is so good to me. But part of me is scared he'll flip a switch one day and turn cruel. He's so much bigger than Damon. I know I couldn't survive beatings from him.” Another tear rolls down my cheek.
Bia wipes it away. “Nora, Graham would never do that. Hell, you've got him wrapped around your finger.”
I smile and kiss her cheek.
Bianca's phone rings, and I see Owen's name on the screen. She turns to me. “Go get cleaned up.” She kisses my forehead.
In the bathroom, I discover that I look like a fucking disaster. I wash my face, trying to clear the blotchiness. Then I go into my bedroom and put on shorts and a tank top.
When I come down the hall, Bianca gives me a huge grin. “Grab your bathing suit. We're going boating.” I grin back and return to my bedroom to put on my black string bikini.