Chapter 1
When I married Thomas, I thought my life was going to be perfect. No more living from paycheck to paycheck. They say that every decision you make changes the course of your life but when you realize that change, it's too late to turn back. You just have to find that next turn off. Some people don't make it to the next turn off. I can only hope that I do. We just walked in the door from one of his work functions and are in the bedroom. I take off my dress and he walks up behind me as I let it fall to the floor. I feel him place soft kisses to my bare shoulder before trailing them up the side of my neck when all of a sudden I feel him grab my hair and sling me to the floor. "What the hell was that? No one told you to speak to my partner. Are you fucking him too?" Thomas asks. "No. Of course not. He just asked how I was." I say. He gets in my face and says "You're nothing more than a white trash whore. I only married you to have something pretty on my arm. You think you mean anything to me?" he asks and I don't answer. He smacks me across the face before putting his hand around my throat and squeezing until I pass out. I wake up a little later and am still on the floor and he's nowhere to be found. Must have gone to see his mistress that he thinks I don't know about. I move to the bed and try to get a couple of hours sleep.
Waking up the next morning, I get up and shower. I put on some makeup, do my hair and get dressed. I put a scarf around my neck and put on a pair of big sunglasses to hide the bruises and walk out to the car. I pull up to the church and walk inside. I sit in the back pew and do the sign of the cross before kneeling to pray. "Our Heavenly Father…" I start and go through my prayers, thanking him for letting me survive Thomas' wrath and praying that he continues to look over me and protect me. Once I say my prayers, I see the confessional empty and I take my place inside. "Forgive me father for I have sinned. It's been one week since my last confession. It has been a trying week for me. I still feel like I am failing at being a wife and partner. It seems like nothing I do is right. I have had thoughts of self harm and suicide. I know if I do either of these, I will not get into heaven but I don't see any other way out of my situation. I don't know how much more I can take of the beatings and the cheating. I am so ashamed of myself for not being what he needs but I don't know what else I can do." I say as I start to sob. "My dear child. It is not you that should be seeking forgiveness. You are merely a victim of your own life. Of your own hell." the priest tells me. "Meet me here for confession tomorrow and I will help you get away from him." he says. "But, father, divorce is frowned upon." I say. "Just trust me, my child." he says. "Thank you father." I say before exiting the booth for the next person to take my place.
I get home and start dinner. I place it on the table at six on the dot, like he likes it and take my place at the table. I don't eat until he comes in. Sitting there, waiting, watching the clock. The clock strikes ten and he's still not here. I clear the table and clean the kitchen. An hour later, I am showered and in bed alone. I wake up to the bed dipping down and feel Thomas turn me over onto my back. He doesn't even bother with anything but pulling the covers back and moving my panties to the side before he enters me roughly. Putting his hand around my throat while he thrusts in and out until he finds his release inside me. Once he pulls out, he still has his hand around my throat. "You're a worthless whore. Making me cum is all you're fucking good for." he says before smacking me again. He lays on his side of the bed and drifts off to sleep while I lay there and sob.
While I was at home, making dinner for my husband, the priest was having a meeting of his own. "Obispo, I wouldn't ask you to meet if this wasn't important." the priest says. "No problem Father. What can we help you with?" Bishop asks confused while the rest of the club just listens. "I have a parishioner, came to confession and…" he starts but Angel cuts him off. "Ain't you supposed to keep that shit secret?" The priest looks at him and says "Normally yes but this particular parishioner, she's being abused. She shows up for mass with large sunglasses on, scarves around her neck and her coat pulled tight around her to hide the bruises. She's a young woman who doesn't deserve to be treated this way. If she stays, he's going to end up killing her." the priest says. "What can we do?" Taza asks. "She needs help. She won't divorce him because she's afraid she will be shamed but something needs to be done." the priest says. "And you want us to help her?" Coco asks. "Yes. But I can't know anything. She can't be the one to do it." the priest says. "Tell her to have her things packed and bring them to you. We'll send the prospect tomorrow to get her things and then tell her that we will be coming for her and to be ready. We're going to kidnap her but let her know we won't hurt her." Bishop says and the priest nods. "Gracias." he says. Bishop just nods.
The next morning, I get up and make breakfast for Thomas. He gets up and sits at the table and I place his food in front of him with his coffee. I start cleaning up the kitchen while he eats. "Are you that fucking retarded?" he asks and I freeze. "You can't even make my coffee right!" he yells before throwing the coffee mug at me. I duck and it hits the wall above my head and shatters right above me. He storms over to me and kicks me in the ribs. "You're fucking worthless. I never should have married you. You're nothing more than white trash but that's okay because I have someone that's everything I need and want. You're days here are numbered." he tells me before punching me in the face.
He leaves for work and I get up and clean up the mess before getting dressed, covering my bruises and putting on my scarf and my big sunglasses and heading to the church. Just like the day before, I kneel and do the sign of the cross and say my thanks and my pray for protection as the tears fall down my face. I see the confession door open and I take my place inside. "Forgive me father for I have sinned. It has been one day since my last confession and I fear things are getting worse. My days are numbered and I am no longer what my husband desires. I fear for my future and can only hope that God forgives me and allows me to join his kingdom when the time comes." I say. "My child. God will protect you and there is nothing to forgive you for. Meet me in my chambers in five minutes. I have a solution for you." he tells me before walking out of his side of the booth. I walk out of mine and five minutes later, I am in his chambers.
"Hola Father." I say as I walk inside his chambers and take a seat, looking down at my hands. "Take your glasses off my child." he says and I slowly take off the glasses. He walks over to the front of the desk and removes my scarf and sees the handprints. "Where else are you hurt?" he asks. "My ribs and back." I tell him honestly. "I need you to pack a bag and bring it to me as soon as possible today." he tells me. "What? Why?" I ask shocked. "I have some friends that I am sending to help you." he tells me and then tells me what's going to happen.