I'm going through the first two chapters and editing things like grammar, spelling and evening adding more detail. You don't have to reread one or two, the plot didn't change it's just cleaner. Thank you for the feedback and hope you guys continue to enjoy this story as much as I do!
Chapter One
I lay in my bed dwelling on the fact that Michael was going to be home soon, not only have I not started dinner but I haven't even attempted to clean the house. Do I know that he's going to kill me? Yes absolutely, but do I care? No, not really. At this point in my life, I suffer from severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD, that's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for all you non-educated folk.
Not only do I live with an abusive asshole of a husband but being raped and impregnated isn't really the highlight of my life either. Did I keep the baby? No, but I did go through with the pregnancy, I had a natural birth and everything. I just couldn't keep him so instead, I gave him up for adoption. Even though I will never see him again I do know his name but only because I got to name him. The family that adopted him as the name so the kept it. I also know the family and keep in touch with them from time to time, but I don't think I have it in me to ever meet him in person, not as his birth mother at least.
But I'm rambling. I should get up and go cook dinner and clean the house, I'm not going to be very successful at this considering he's going to be home in an hour, but you'd be surprised at what I'm capable of doing in the time span of an hour. I made my way downstairs surprised to find a drunken Michael (not really that surprised). I ignored him and walked into the kitchen. The house was almost dead silent except for the sound of my heels clicking on the floor and the clink of the ice against Michael's glass cup. I got out my needed ingredients for dinner and began preparing Chicken Parmesan for dinner.
Pulling out the chicken breast I quickly seasoned them setting them to the side and began to mix my breading, after I evenly coated the chicken breast with the breading, I then layered it with tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, parmesan, and I topped it off with drizzled olive oil. Once finished I put it into the already preheated oven, washed my hands and headed back to the Livingroom to clean while dinner cooked.
As I pick up the mail and tiny bits of trash, I could feel Michael's eyes on me the whole time. I turned and faced him, probably making the worst decision ever, "Michael I feel you staring at me. Do you need anything? Do you want to talk about anything?" He didn't respond to me, didn't even blink twice. He looks like he's from an old black and white film, where the woman's husband just caught her sneaking back into the house, he's drinking whiskey in a glass cup with is bow-tie untied around his neck. Except, in this case, the wife was already home and it's the husband who's been out all night, probably cheating.
Turning away from him I walked back into the kitchen checking on dinner, threw away the trash I had and went back to the Livingroom to continue my cleaning. Mike motioned for me to come over to him, I walked over and he set me on his lap. You see sometimes he's the man that I fell in love with but it's very rare now, we've been married for three years. We married when I was twenty-five, I'm going to be twenty-eight in a month and a half; I can't keep living like this. Coming home not knowing if my husband is going to beat the living shit out of me, or if he's out cheating on me. I'm tired of being terrified around any men in general. I'm a fucking lawyer my damn self, my job is to help put people like him away. You'd think I would've left year one when the abuse started.
Leaving my thoughts, I turned and looked at Mike, "You know I love you, right Isabella?" I nodded yes not wanting to verbally respond. Then I felt his hand on the back of my neck, he roughly grabbed me and not the type of grab that would make a girl moan but the type of grab that hurts like hell. I could feel him trying to chock me and succeeding at it. "Then why do insist on defying me? Dinner should have been done before I walked into that door. Why wasn't it? You better have a good excuse."
"I-I w-wo-worked la-late" I managed to say while not being able to breathe. He threw me onto the ground still keeping hold of my neck, he slapped me across my face, "You better not be lying to me or I'll really hurt you. You understand me?"
"Y-yes." He let go and kicked me in the side hurting my already bruised rib more. "Now go finish my dinner. It better not be burnt, oh and one more thing you ain't eatin tonight. Got it?" I stood and shook my head as I walked to the kitchen praying that the chicken wasn't burnt, but the universe was against me today because low and behold it was burnt. Not a lot but just enough for him to have a reason to be upset.
I didn't say anything; I just plated the food and sat it in front of him. I started to walk away when he stopped me. "I didn't say you could leave. You're going to sit and watch me eat if there's one thing wrong with this, there will be consequences. Sit, now." I sat in the chair next to him waited for him to finish eating. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Isabella, you burnt my food...again."
"What? That isn't even possible; I checked to make sure it wasn't burnt " I lied through my teeth as I stood up from my chair and started to back away but I was a lot closer to the wall than I thought I was. Mike stood and stalked toward me like a hunter to its prey. I started to panic; he grabbed me by the neck picking me up off the ground in the process, I struggled against his vicious grip. My breath began depleting, "What did I tell you about burning my got damn food Isabella?" Then a fist flew at my face, hitting me in my left eye, causing it to most likely blacken. "I didn't see that it was burnt," I said breathlessly and lied again.
"Bullshit." He threw me onto the ground, kicking me on both my sides. I could barely breathe as he kicked. I was desperate for air and choking on my own saliva "You sleep here tonight; I don't want to hear a word out you. At all, you hear me?" I nodded; I wouldn't dare respond to him, that would only make it worse. I'm stupid I'll admit that. I'm living with a guy that beats the living day light's out of me whenever he feels like it, yet I'm still with him. Why?
I can't even answer that question, to be honest with you. Maybe it's because I really am just a fucking idiot or maybe just desperate, lonely even. I don't even know anymore; I gave up trying to figure it out years ago; I know when I did. It was after the literal love of my life moved away, Edward Anthony Masen Jr. I still remember being with him like it was yesterday. It almost feels like a past life or a movie. But that's the past and it's not returning any time soon, he's long gone, off in Chicago. Pursuing his dreams of becoming a Doctor, his father never agreed with his choice. His dad wanted him to be a Lawyer like him, but Edward said no he wanted to do what made him happy and he did just that.
God bless his heart, he's so kind and caring. I miss him, I miss his crooked smile, his gorgeous emerald green eyes, his warmth, feeling his hand in mine, and I just miss him in general. But that's all behind me, now I'm married to a horrible person. Someone I deserve... I guess. I don't know when it happened but sleep soon found me. I didn't realize I went to sleep until Michael kicked me, sending a shock of pain into my side and making me jump to life.
"Get up. I'm going in early when I get home tonight my dinner better be done and my house better is clean." I stood and went upstairs, using the banister for extra support. I walked into the bathroom and looked at my reflection, I look like absolute shit. My left eye was blackened, lip swelled, knotted forehead, and both of my ribs were bruised a deep purple. I had a doctor's appointment today and thought about rescheduling it, but I needed these bruises treated and I trusted my doctor to get that done.
I moved away for the mirror and got into the shower, the hot water on my skin soothed the bruises but they still hurt like hell. Ignoring the bruises, I got ready for the day, I dressed in a pencil skirt, blouse, heels, and some makeup just to make my face seem natural and not beat to a bloody pulp. I sighed remembering I had a court hearing after my doctor's appointment today, might as well be ready for it.
I was heading out when my phone started ringing, it was my best friend and Edward's twin sister Alice Masen. "Hey Ally, what's up babe?" I got my paperwork and coffee together while talking to her.
"So, guess what"
"Uhhhh, chicken butt." I joked.
"No silly" She giggled "So you know how that new club just opened up downtown?"
I stopped and thought, "Yeah, Eclipse, right?"
"Mhm, so Edward just finished his Residency up in Chicago and is moving back here to work with Carlisle. Since Carl's head Physician he got in pretty quickly, but let's face it even if Carl wasn't head Physician, he still would've gotten the position."
I froze, thrown off by her words. Edward's coming back; this isn't happening it can't be. He can't come back, he's supposed to disappear from my life, no longer exist. I should be happy but I know Edward like the back of my hand if he finds out what Michael's doing to me, he'll kill him...literally, I'm not joking. He's almost done it before over me, that is a whole other story for another day though.
"Bells?" Alice broke my train of thought, pulling back to reality. I shook off my shock and fear.
"Sorry droned out there for a second, question though. What is he going to be doing at the hospital?" Why I wanted to know this I have yet to figure out, but I asked it anyway.
"He's head of ER, I'm so proud. I just know he's going to do great!" Dammit head of ER. With the amount of time's I go to the ER I'm screwed. Or you could just grow some balls and leave you good for nothing husband, but that would be too easy wouldn't it. I ignored the voice in the back of my head, even though it was right.
"So, I am assuming we're going out to celebrate him coming home and his new position at the hospital."
"Yeah, so it's just going to be our normal circle of friends but can you do me a tine tiny favor?"
"Sure, anything for you babe."
"Can you not bring Michael, please? He ruins everything, including your beautiful face which is hard to do. Oh yeah, and that reminds me don't forget our lunch date today."
So fun fat Alice kind of knows about Mike's ways and has been helping me get what I need. She keeps telling me, more like forcing me, to leave but I'm a stubborn bitch and won't listen, more like scared to listen. What if I do leave, then he comes after me and actually kills me, or I get a lawyer go to court but he doesn't show because he was never arrested and went into hiding, now not only is he not in jail but he's still able to come to find me and kill me. No thank you, not taking that chance.
"I know babe I'll be there; we'll talk later I've got a doctor's appointment to get to."
"Okay, I love you."
"Love you too Ally." I grabbed my briefcase and coffee, walked to my garage and got into my black 2018 Audi R8, my pride and joy. Bought it myself, no one drivers her but me. No, I lied; I let Rosalie, my brother's Wife, drive her. I love Rosie we've been best friends longer than she and Emmett have been together, did it bother me when they started dating, of course, it did, my twin brother started dating, my best friend. That shit sucks, but I got over it, plus they're so cute together.
Once I was at the hospital, I went in going to the front desk to check in, "Hi honey, what can I do for you today?" The nurse asked me a sweet southern voice, smiling at me.
"I have an appointment with Dr. Cullen." I smiled back.
"Isabella Newton right, have a seat dear, Dr. Cullen will be with you in a moment." I nodded and took a seat, waiting patiently.
"Mrs. Newton the doctor will see you now" One thing I love about early morning appointments, I'm the only he schedules' them for. Out of his entire clientele... is that the right term? Anyway, out of all his clients' I'm the only one who gets schedule early morning appointments. Mainly because I'm his literal best friend, Carlisle and I started being friends when I was a sophomore in high school and he was a junior. He and his wife Esme had been together since freshman year at that point, but we meet because I needed a tutor, the school gave me a student tutor and it was him. He thought I was cool and asked me to hangout out with him and Esme, of course, I brought Edward along and we've been besties ever since.
The nurse led me to the room; we were silent as we walked, a comfortable silence. "Have a seat Mrs. Newton; Dr. Cullen will be with you in a moment." I nodded in reply and sat on the hospital bed. Not even minute later Carlisle walked in, "Good morning Mrs. Newton, how you feeling" I rolled my eyes at his formality while talking to me. "I'm fine Carlisle," I said sarcastically.
He chuckled "I see, well your black eye tells me otherwise Isabella." He arched his brow at me, I looked away quickly. I didn't think he'd notice with the makeup on. "Isabella" he sighed, "I and you both know who did this to you. I need you to listen to me when I say this, leave your husband." I shook my head in disagreement.
"Yes, you being with him terrifies me to death and if it wasn't for Essie I would have been in jail for murder a long time ago. Michael is going to kill you if you do not leave him, I and you both know this." He lifted my chin making me look at him and sighed, "I need to take some x-rays of your ribs and see what I can do about the swelling on your face. We don't have to bail Edward out of jail tonight now do we?"
I didn't even think about that, if Edward sees me like this tonight, he'll lose his shit. I love the guy but he has the temper of a child and it gets him in a lot of situations' that his father has to get him out of. He used to take medicine for it but stopped junior year, he felt that he didn't need it anymore.
After like an hour of x-rays I was finally able to sit back down, "So I got your x-rays back and your ribs are bruised badly but will heal rather quickly, I suggest you take it easy for a while though. Now as for the eye, swollen lip, and head I have prescribed you some cream for the eye, strong ibuprofen for the swelling in the head along with a lip serum."
"Thank you, Carl, I really appreciate it" He nodded and walked away. Carlisle was upset with me that much I could see; I know he wanted me away from Mike so I could be safe and not hurt anymore. A part of me wanted that too, but another part of me knew how dangerous he was and what leaving could put me in the risk of. I don't want my family or friends protecting me from him because it'll only get them hurt, that's the last thing I want to happen.
Carlisle returned with release forms."Okay, Isabella, you're free to go, all the paperwork is filled out and you can pick up your prescriptions at your usual CVS down the road."
"Thank you' I said while hugging him, "You're a lifesaver."
"Mhm, now I'll see you tonight?" I nodded. He smiled, "Good, you need a break." Carlisle walked me to my car we chatted about work and other nonsense. I got in my car and waved to him as I drove off. You could hear the light rain tapping on my car, it was relaxing, I love the rain the way it feels the way it smells makes calm and at peace of mind. That's why I love living in Seattle, Washington, because that's all there usually is.
I drove to CVS and quickly picked up my meds, paid for them and left. I looked at my clock "Shit!" I still have a court hearing to get to, fuck me sideways I'm late! I put my car in drive and swiveled out of the parking lot nearly hitting something I'm not sure what it was but it was something. I sped to the courthouse barely making it out of my car and into the building without falling on my ass. Great, no my ass hurts too!