Chapter Thirty-Nine:

Someone touched my back. I jumped and pulled stitches in my stomach. The pain shot from my lady-parts, to my ass, to my stomach. Everywhere feels stiff. I breathed sharply and tried to stop crying. God, it hurts so badly. I turned onto my back and saw Matt staring down at me. I closed my eyes and grabbed for the remote that controlled the bed. I hit the button until I was basically sitting up.

“What do you want?” I asked him. He didn’t say anything for a minute. He just eyed me. I must look awful and now I’m sitting in front of my ex-boyfriend. This is just fantastic. This is the last thing that I wanted. I used my free hand to fidget with the soft cast on my wrist. I’m surprised they haven’t put a hard cast on it. They probably had other priorities.

“I wanted to see you and make sure that you were okay.” He told me.

“Why is that?” I asked him.

“I care about you, Angela.”

“You have a funny way of showing it.” I told him.

“I didn’t mean anything that I said. I only broke up with you to try and keep you safe. I didn’t want there to be any chance that you’d get hurt because of me. I couldn’t live with myself if I let that happen to you. What kind of man would I be?” He asked.

“And I’m just supposed to trust you and take your word for it?”

“I’m not expecting you to just forget everything that happened. I just wanted to clear the air. I hated treating you that way.” He cupped my face. I turned away from him. It hurts too much to have him touch me and after everything that’s gone on between us. I want to believe him. But, what he said before, it hurt me, so much.

“You knew exactly how to hurt me and you used it on me. You said you wouldn’t bail on me and that’s exactly what you did. I shared part of myself with you that I’ve never willingly shared with anyone else and you made me feel worthless for it. I felt inadequate and unimportant because I can’t give you more than that. I know that you deserve someone that doesn’t have as much baggage or issues with their body. I can’t change who I am. I’m not going to get better any time soon. It’s going to be rough for a long time. I have to know that you’re going to be there for me, even when times are tough. Can you promise me that? And what if we did work out? What happens when we get serious or when we settle down? I can’t have kids. Did they tell you? I’m not okay, mentally or physically. Can you handle that? I don’t need someone that’s going to flake. I don’t need a boy. I need a man. If you can’t do that, I’m giving you an out. Tell me now.” By the time I got it all out, I was trembling.

“I will never walk away from you like that again. I promise you. I will stand by you, as long as there is something between us, I will be there. I can’t stay away from you. I don’t know what it is about you. I’m so sorry I hurt you.” He apologized.

“I can’t jump back into anything.” I told him.

“I understand. I’m not asking you to. We can go slow. Hell, we can start over.”

“I can handle going slow.” I told him. “I just need you to be there.”

“I’m here.” He touched my face and I lost it. All the composure I fought so hard to keep in front of him was gone. I don’t know what it about him that makes all of my walls come crashing down. Tears were free falling. He moved closer to me and cradled my face against his chest. I sobbed into him and tried to let the pain go. “Let it all out.” He whispered. I don’t think I could stop if I tried. There’s so much pain built up that’s trying to get out. “I’m here.” He repeated. I clung to him as I cried.

-.-
Jace’s POV

“He’s been in there for awhile… Should we check on her?” I asked mom. She shook her head.

“I think they’re healing, or trying to. Give them their time. She needs this.” She told me. I sighed. As long as she’s happy, I can put up with seeing them together.

“Will she recover from this?” I asked Dr. Sullivan.

“It’ll take a long time, and some things will probably always stay with her. She needs a lot of support. She’ll need you all to be there for her. She’s experienced a great deal of traumatizing things. You’ll need to be patient.” Mark warned. No one said anything. We just sat in the waiting room in silence.

-.-
Angela’s POV

I let go of Matt and mopped my face with a wad of tissues. It took me a minute to gather enough courage to look Matt in the eyes. He looks so sad. I shouldn’t have leaned on him so much.

He leaned down and kissed me. I couldn’t think about anything else but his lips on mine. They’re warm and soft. I didn’t realize just how much I missed his touch until I had it, again. With just a touch, he makes me feel so much safer, stronger, and more feminine. I’m still not used to it.

I pulled away and looked at him. I touched my lips. He smiled and brought his lips to my forehead. I took his hand in mine and held it. We sat in silence for a little while.

-.-

“Hello Angel, you didn’t think you’d actually escape me, did you?” Eric asked me, sitting on my hospital bed. I jumped.

“How did you get in here? You’re supposed to be in j-jail.” I stuttered.

“What’s the matter? Not happy to see me? That hurts. I thought we had something special.” He frowned. “Well, hey, we’ll always have the house. We had some good times there, didn’t we?” He smirked and grabbed my hand before I could stop him. The worst parts of the few years flashed before my eyes.

I remember finding my mother’s lifeless body in bed. She was so cold. She almost looked like she was sleeping. I don’t remember much of that day. I remember screaming for help and calling an ambulance. The rest is in bits and pieces. I wouldn’t leave her. I remember that much.

I remember the first time Eric decided to touch me somewhere that was just a little too close to something that no parent should touch.

My memories kept flashing before my eyes. Every vile thing he ever tried or made me do sped before me. When it stopped, I focused on Eric and his arrogant smirk.

“I love you, Angela. I had to make sure you liked the parting gift I gave you.” He smiled and punched my stomach. I cried out. It feels like he ripped all my stitches. “You didn’t think I was really done with you? Did you?” He asked. Leg restraints appeared on the bed. I scrambled to get away from him, but I didn’t have the strength to fight as much as I wanted to. He had my ankles fastened and he yanked up my hospital gown. I sobbed.

“No. You’ve done enough. Leave me alone.” I begged.

“That’s right. Beg for daddy.” He sneered. He dropped his pants and climbed on top of me. He thrust his member into my battered core. I screamed.

“Wake up! Angela! Wake up!” Matt shook my arms. My eyes flew open. People flooded into my room to make sure I was alright. “She had a nightmare.” He explained.

“Are you alright?” Mark asked me. I nodded.

“Just shaken in. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry everybody.” I apologized.

“Do you want a sedative?” Dr. Cooper offered. I shook my head.

“No, please. Later, but not right now.” I declined. Everyone filed out of the room. A police officer came in with Jared. “What’s wrong?” I asked. Jared shook his head.

“Nothing, baby girl. The results came back on your rape kit. The DNA tested positive for Eric’s. We’ve got a really strong case, now. Jace gave my lawyers the date stamped pictures that you took after he attacked you the previous times. This is looking good for us.” He smiled.

“Good. Something good. Finally.” I feel like I can breathe again.

Notes

Hopefully this chapter won't make everyone cry. Finally some good news for her, right?

I may have another chapter up today. It depends on how productive I am.