Page 38 of Stand: Part One

A few seconds later, Clive and Owen came back into the room, shutting the door and sauntering inside. I didn’t need to look at them to know they were wearing their signature “told you so” smirks on their faces.

“Still want that daily glass of dumb bitch juice, Jaden?”

“Shut the fuck up, Clive.”

12

Crystal Clear

The very next day, Darren sent Anya and Irina to me for my full workup.

Waxing, haircut, manicure, pedicure—the works. Apparently, since I was so eager to return to the world, I needed to look like I was ready. That meant returning to my usual badass redheaded goddess image that I wore so well.

Aside from the wonderful pain of waxing just about every crevice of my body, I had to admit that I did feel a little more human after they left.

Another week went by of just stretching, standing, and light exercises. It was my extended punishment for going against my husband, for daring to challenge his rule. His methods made zero sense to me, but the more I thought about it, the more it made me see the only truth possible.

He liked me like this.

He liked me trapped. Vulnerable. Dependent.

He liked being needed by me.

Not to mention I’m sure he loved knowing I was always in the same place every moment of every day. He could always count on seeing me in bed the second he walked into the room. And I imagined every time he did, he would hope to see that longing in my eyes, the relief that came from his presence, and the desire to keep him close.

Delusional fuck.

Once upon a time, that had been true. Painfully true. But those were the darkest days of my life. Days of mindless instinct for survival, days when I allowed my shell to be Darren’s puppet while I retreated internally in an attempt at self-preservation. And those wretched days were over and never coming back.

However, I had to imagine it was a lot more enjoyable for Darren when I had working legs. He had to miss it, right? The fighting, the fucking, showing me off to the world, the pure unadulterated entertainment that came with owning a woman like me.

There was no way he was satisfied with the current state of things. How was he so calm knowing I was this defenseless? And while we were at war, for fuck’s sake!

He should have been ecstatic about my progress, but instead, he acted like an angry bear as he pushed my wheelchair outside and stopped near the pool. I was finally going to start with water therapy today. It was the closest thing I could get to walking, so I would take it with open arms and a grateful smile.

Sid stood with two other members of his staff next to the pool, waiting for me. Camaro lay down on the bed that had been brought out for her next to Clive and Owen, who sat in the shade.

“Good morning, Mrs. Davis,” Sid greeted with a genuine smile. “Are you ready to walk again?”

“Absolutely.”

I could feel the disapproval coming off Darren in waves as he tried to hide his scowl from me. He didn’t like my eagerness. Well, too fucking bad.

“Excellent. Then let’s get started.”

Dressed in a sporty two-piece bathing suit, I was lifted from my chair and carried directly into the pool. Darren had changed into a pair of black swim shorts so he could help me if I needed him. I was determined not to.

Once we reached the three-foot marker, Darren reluctantly lowered me into the water. When I stood upright with no assistance, I felt the smile on my face reach well beyond my eyes.

“How do you feel, Mrs. Davis?” Sid asked from above. “Any pain? Discomfort?”

Darren’s eyes sharpened as he searched my face for any sign that I might downplay what I was feeling. But I was happy to speak the truth.

“Nope.”

Granted, the water helped keep any weight off my pelvis, but either way, I was finally standing on my own.

“Okay then, one little step at a time,” Sid instructed.