**Trigger warning. Borderline sexual abuse and there is abusive content within this chapter** Read at own discretion. *oh and I've decided to change Leopold's occupation from doctor to businessman, so both Regina and him are business people, although i dont think ti will come up i this chapter. I am splitting the scene in two parts, sowwie bear with me. But if enough people ask, ill post the second part later today :) thanks for reading!
MM and Emma sat in silence the next morning, each slowly sipping their drink. MM came in early, before Regina, Henry's mother, was scheduled to come in. She could see that Emma hadn't slept one wink, slightly purple bags under her eyes showed up on her paler than normal skin. Her blond hair was tied up into a messy pony tail and not even her usual bouncy curls seemed to be alive. Her eyes were glossy and were nothing but a dull green. "You gonna talk to her today?" Asked MM as she took another sip of her coffee.
"Yep.." was Emma's reply.
"And what are you going to tell her…" MM pressed.
Emma clutched her hot chocolate with cinnamon to her chest, feeling the warmth of it. She took a gulp, letting the scalding drink burn her insides. "I don't know…" she said softly.
"Emma you know you can't just demand her to get a divorce with her husband."
"MM, I know, but I can't just sit here and let everything play out the way it is. I need to do something." MM eyed her. "Look," Emma said, setting her drink down and leaning forward into MM. "If I can't convince her in one week to change any of this, I will go to the police."
MM rolled her eyes. "A whole week, Emma? If things are as bad as you say then the only time you really have is the weekend! Emma, I know you care for Henry and his mother, who may I remind you is a stranger as well, but this situation is dangerous!"
"Yeah well so is taking Henry away from his mother!" Emma sighed, taking a swig of her hot chocolate. "I don't care if she's a stranger. You're right this situation is dangerous but I'm not going to let a mother lose their child. Not like I lost mine, or my parents lost theirs, okay?" MM sighed. She tried to give Emma a sympathetic look but Emma had her hands in her face, rubbing her temples. MM grabbed her things, headed for the door.
Regina marched up to classroom 215. She was fuming at Henry for telling her that she needed to go to a meeting with his teacher and at the fact that he wouldn't tell her what for. She was about to burst through the door when she heard her son's name being mentioned from beyond it. The door was slightly ajar and Regina peered in through the crack. She saw a pastel clad, brunette short haired woman sitting in a chair facing a blond in a red leather jacket.
"I know you care for Henry and his mother, who may I remind you is a stranger as well, but this situation is dangerous!"
"Yeah well so is taking Henry away from his mother! I don't care if she's a stranger. You're right this situation is dangerous but I'm not going to let a mother lose their child. Not like I lost mine, or my parents lost theirs, okay?"
Regina gasped at what she heard. What situation are they referring to? Oh, God, do they know about Leopold? Does Henry know?! Regina almost turned to run when the door swung open to reveal the brunette woman, making her way out of the classroom. "Oh! Sorry!" She said, nearly bumping into the Regina. "Ah, you must be Regina White." She held out her hand which Regina didn't take. Perplexed, MM let her hand drop. "I'm Mrs. Blanchard, Henry's English teacher. Miss Swan is waiting in there for you." Regina eyed the woman as she left and slowly walked into the room.
Emma was rubbing her eyes when she heard the clicks of heels walk up to her desk. She glanced up at a wonderfully beautiful woman but Emma noticed that every inch of her was covered from head to toe; dark, black jeans, a black turtleneck, leather gloves, and the same heavy black jacket Emma had seen on her yesterday. The sight of all the clothing only made Emma's stomach lurch. Emma blinked a few times before regaining her cool and she stood up holding out her hand. "You must Regina White, I'm Emma Swan." Regina gingerly took the hand before quickly releasing it, she tried to hide the pain that flashed through her eyes but Emma caught it.
"Mills," Regina said. "Regina Mills. I don't take the name of my husband." Emma indicated for her to sit down and Regina did so, crossing one leg over the other. Emma sighed, unable to find words to what she needed to say.
"So… you're probably wondering why I have called you into here…" Said Emma slowly, trying to kick start her brain.
"I would imagine it has something to do with my son," Said Regina, masking what she had heard earlier. "I assure you, if he has done anything wrong, it is out of character. He normally is a splendid, well behaved, boy." Regina had hoped that this was about her son but from what she had heard from the conversation she knew it was not. Panic flared through her body.
Emma shook her head nervously. "No, no, Henry hasn't done anything wrong at all and yes he is splendid and well behaved." Emma sighed. "Henry has told me that…" She paused. "That, your husband…" Emma chose her next words carefully. "Does not treat you so.. well." Regina's eyebrows shot up to her hairline
"Did he now?" Regina kept her panic from rising in her voice. "And what did he tell you exactly, Miss Swan?"
Emma rubbed her temples. "He said that he hurts you. And I'm concerned for you yours and Henry's safety." Regina closed her eyes. Why Henry? Why did you have to tell your teacher? "Mrs. Mills?" Said Emma. Regina glanced up, peering into Emma's eyes. She saw worry, sadness, and pity. Like Regina was some lost, abused puppy. I am not weak.
Regina shot her a deadly glare. "I can assure you Miss Swan that there is nothing terrible going on within my life!" Regina grabbed her bag and stood up. "Please do not mettle into people's lives. You could do more hurt than good." Regina turned to storm away, angry that the one thing that made her vulnerable had been revealed to not only a stranger but her son as well. Emma couldn't help but think like mother like son. "Mrs. Mills!" Emma called, grabbing her hand.
Regina shouted in pain as she pulled her hand back rapidly, her black gloves slipping off in Emma's grip. Emma gasped in shock as she stared at the sickening bluey, purple splotches on the ivory colored hand. Regina's face fell as she stared at Emma who slowly raised her eyes to Regina. "Is it true, Regina. Is... this… actually happening to you?" Regina only closed her eyes and gave a silent nod. Emma tenderly placed the glove back on the hand with great care. "I have an obligation to go to the police, the only reason I haven't is because of Henry. He doesn't want to be separated from you. And I promised him that I wouldn't let that happen." Emma closed her eyes and reopened them. "But if this..." She indicated toward Regina's hand. "If this is what is happening, I won't have a choice. "
Regina nodded, her regal, bitchy attitude fading. "I understand Miss Swan but…" she bit her lip; Emma noticed a little scar just above her upper lip. Her eyes threatened with tears. "Things are complicated, between me and my husband. I've tried many times to leave him but I can't. It's difficult." Emma took a step toward the brunette.
"I know you'll probably say that I don't but I understand. I was in a similar situation as you, when I was 18. It was tough for me, especially since I had no one fighting for me, I was on my own, but I'll tell you this, Regina, I won't give up on you or Henry. I can help you get through this." Regina smiled, letting tears spill out from her eyes. Emma quickly scribbled down her phone number and address and handed Regina the piece of paper. "I know I barely know you but I know your son and if you're anything like him, I know you're a good person. And good people don't deserve to be treated this way, no one deserves to be treated this way. Think it over tonight and give me a call in the morning. And if you ever need to get you and Henry away for a night, my door is always open." Regina smiled, wiping tears from her eyes.
"I'm sorry if I came off rudely to you earlier. I'm not used to letting others see me weak. Or knowing my secrets. And for a complete stranger to show me kindness, well, it was too scary to even think about it. But thank you. I will think it over and call you in the morning." Emma smiled; Regina returned it and walked out the door and out the school building to where her Mercedes Benz was parked.
Regina was in no mood to return home any time soon. Henry was starting school in a few minutes and Regina was off today anyway. She drove to the beach and sat in the sand, staring at the rolling waves as they crashed onto the shore. Snatches of long regressed memories pierced through her head. Even after all these years, all these years of running from her mother, she could still hear her voice ring clear in her head.
"In two days you'll be married. After that you're free to go, whenever you're with him."
"Mama, I don't want to marry "the king". I don't want this life!"
"You're just frightened of having all that power."
"I don't want power! I want to be free!"
Regina's tears poured from her face. Damn her mother for setting her up in an abusive relationship just because he did have power and money. Regina cried until the sun reached its peak and began to settle back down again. She composed herself and drove to pick up Henry.
"How was your day, honey?" Regina asked when Henry plopped into the car, reaching for his seat belt.
"Good." He mumbled. The click of the seat belt rang in the air as Regina started for home. "Did you talk to Miss Swan?" Henry asked tentatively after a few moments of silence.
Regina let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, I did, and she wants to help." Regina replaced her grip on her steering wheel. "Henry, do you really love me?"
Henry stared at his confused at the randomness of the question. "I-Yes, I do. Why would you ask me that?
Regina shrugged. "I just need to be reminded every once in a while. Regina pulled up to the mansion on Mifflin Street. She got out of the car and Henry bolted from the vehicle running up to his room and shutting the door behind him. Regina kicked off her heels at the door.
She heard the clink of glass from across the foyer. Her husband was home and he was drinking. She attempted to cross the house without making a sound but Leopold called her. "RRREGINA?! Baaabby are you hooomee?" She slowly made her way to the study. Her husband was sprawled out on the couch with some sort of dark amber concoction in his hand.
"Hi…baby.. Yes. I am home." Regina said stiffly. Fear pulsated through her body. Just leave me alone. Just leave me alone.
"C'mere bbabby… Come lay doown with your looving hersband." Leopold was drunk off his mind, no matter if Regina wanted to or not, she had to do what he said. She tentatively walked to her husband and rigidly placed her body on top of his, nestling her head in the crook of his arm. His shirt was half unbuttoned and his hot, sticky sweat beaded onto her face. But she would not complain. "You know, I was a-thinkin that maaybe we should have serme fun toonight." Regina's face paled, her body becoming very clammy. She could take the verbal abuse and she could stand the physical abuse but she couldn't deal with the non-consensual sex. Regina searched through her brain for an excuse to avoid this night.
"I-I-I c-cant tonight… Baby. I feel sick." She rubbed her tummy, as if it would really convince him.
"Aww, but you ssaid that lasst time remember?" He rolled on top of her pinning her down. Regina was suffocating under him. The smell of alcohol filled her nostrils and the pit in her stomach grew.
He relieved the pressure off her, only to begin kissing down her neck, groaning when the turtle neck blocked his path. Regina squeezed her eyes shut, tears starting to stream down into her hairline. "L-Leopold. P-please. Get o-off of m-me." He chuckled in the base of her jaw and continued. Regina felt a rush of adrenaline as she felt hands attempt to pull of her turtleneck. She forced her eyes open before quickly saying, "I want a divorce." She abruptly kneed him in the groin, pushing him off her and ran out into the foyer, calling for Henry. He came bounding down the stairs as Regina yelled for him to get to the car. They were almost to the door when Leopold came tripping out of the study.
"You little bitch and shitty bastard, get back in here NOW!" Regina pushed Henry toward the door, searching for a piece of paper in her back pocket. She shoved the paper into the boy and the boy out the door when a fist pulled her back by her hair.
Regina screamed and yelled for Henry to go as she was dragged back into the house, the door slamming after her. Henry stared in horror at what just happened. He glanced at the piece of paper, memorizing it before he ran off to find the apartment.