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ChapterOne

ROWAN

“HeySis!Whatchabeen up to since we talked last?”

“Oh, the usual.Hada dress fitting yesterday for a benefitRoberthas later in the week and other than that,I’vejust been fiddling with things here at the house.Whatabout you?”Ireply, forcing cheer into my voice.

Rubypauses andIsee her eyes darting across my face.However,Ifeel my husband’s cold, dead eyes boring into me the longerItalk to my sister on ourFaceTimecall.Sonow isn’t the time for her scrutiny, andIprompt her to reply quickly.

“Sis, are you listening to me?”

“SorryRowan, my mind drifted off there for a second.”

Afteryears of marriage,Ishould be used to the level of intrusive control that he exerts over every miniscule facet of my life, butI’mmost assuredlynot.

DidIuse getting a drink of water, the only thingI’mallowed to have without restrictions, as a cover to move across the room and situate myself just so?Absolutely, yesIdid.AmInow standing in front of my bathroom vanity wearing the shortest sundress in my closet knowing that it’sTuesday, the allotted family phone call day?KnowingthatRubywould be able to see my legs in the mirror just outside the door?

Yes,Isure as shit did!

Thelook in my big sister’s dark brown eyes as she takes in the bruises that cover the back of my legs almost has me cringing.Thisis my hell, my secret, my embarrassment.Andas much asI’vetried to stay strong by hiding the horrors of the lifeIchose,Imust get out before my mind splinters.I’vetried to be strong on my own, butIneed help and she’s allIhave in this world.Iknow my sister and there’s no way that she won’timmediatelystart making plans to get me out of this hellhole ifIsay one simple word.Aword we’ve used since we were kids to keep each other safe.TheoneI’vewanted to scream out loud, only to whisper it in my mind over and over every timeIthoughtIwouldn’t survive another day.

“Rowan?Whatthe fu…”

I’velet my mind float off, and nowRuby’svoice spreads terror through me becauseIcan’t let her finish that sentence.Robertis watching, like he always is, andIwon’t risk him knowing thatIallowed my sister to figure out what he’s doing to me.

Pastingan even bigger and brighter smile on my face,Ishake my head as minutely as possible.Mysister isn’t stupid and instantly stops mid-sentence and switches gears.Herbeloved face creases into her fake smile.

“Hey,Iwas thinking of stopping by onThursday.I’mgoing to be traveling that way to pick up some new uniforms in the next city over from ya.I’msure the boss wouldn’t care ifIswung by on my way back.”

Thursday…shewouldwant to come onThursday.Nauseabegins roiling in my gut asIforce myself to airily respond to her.

“Ohh,Thursdaywon’t work for me,Ruby.I’msorry,Iwould have loved to see you.Roberthas a few of his colleagues coming over that evening and you know my main job is to be a good hostess.”Ifonly she knewexactly what being a delightful hostess entailed…

Thebottom drops out of my stomach when she replies.KnowingRobertis listening,Ifight to keep the small amount of food he allowed me to have for breakfast in my belly where it belongs.

“Hey,I’ma waitress, so hosting is whatIdo best.Idon’t care to help you out.”

Rubycan’t be here.Welook so similar that many people mistake us for twins, andIrefuse to allowRobertto get his hands on the only person on this earth that loves me and whomIlove in return.

“Absolutelynot!”Mywords come out in a harsh snap, andIhide a wince.Robertdoesn’t permit me to raise my voice, andI’veno doubt he’s going to use that as an excuse toeducateme on how a lady comports herself.

Softly,Iclear my throat, making a concentrated effort to gentle my voice and lose the edge to my tone.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to snap at you, butRobertis so picky about how he wants things done.Youwould probably be in the way more than anything else.”

Movementout of the corner of my eye catches my attention andIfreeze.Roberthas decided that my conversation with my sister has lasted long enough and he’s on his way to make my excuses for me.Hiscold voice reaches me asIput a hand over the speaker on my phone, soRubycan’t hear what he says.

“Rowan, my precious pet, you’ve exceeded your allotted phone time today.Wrapit up now, or your punishment for raising your voice on the phone will worsen…drastically.”

Ifeel myself nod, numbness beginning to seep in.It’sthe only wayI’vemanaged to survive this long being married to a depraved monster.

“Sis,Ineed to go,Robertneeds me.CallmeThursdayandI’llsee if our plans have changed.Ilove you, go have fun!”

EventhoughIknow those particular plans won’t change, no matter how many timesI’vebegged whatever god or gods that were listening to end my suffering.

Mythumb is moving to end the call asIfeel my husband’s hand wrap in my curly, waist length red hair, viciously yanking me away from the bathroom counter.Myflailing knocks the half-empty cup of water over, the liquid spilling across the marble surface dripping onto the floor as my husband drags me across our bedroom to the closet.

Bothof my hands are gripping his wrist, trying to alleviate the pressure on my scalp.Thankfully, he allows me to do that since most of the time, when he drags me by my hair,I’mrequired to crawl alongside him like a good, obedient wife.Iclose my eyes and will myself to get through this…just one more time.