A/N. As promised, here it is. The next chapter. I just want to warn people before you continue reading, that this is a very dark chapter. This is where Chloe reveals what happened with Tom and Mike. If you don't feel comfortable continuing to read this then I completley understand. The chapter after this will be a much happier one, but I am very worried and nervous about posting this :( XX

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Drugs, abuse, and mentions of rape

"I met this guy before I went to Barden. His name was Tom. He told me that he could help me escape the sad life I was living, and he'd loan me the money to go to Barden; I just had to work for him in a few years' time to pay off my debt".

"I was so desperate at that point. I needed to escape. I needed to go to college and this was the only way I could so I agreed… I was so stupid".

Everyone – bar the rest of the Bella's that were listening to the conversation next door – were sat at the table. Jesse was holding onto Aubrey's hand and listening intensely to what Chloe had to say. Jessica joined them at the table, as well as Beca who was sat as close to Chloe as she could. No one dared to interrupt the redhead, too scared that if they did, she wouldn't continue the story. No matter how hard it was to listen to it.

"Tom and his brother, Mike…. They were different. The first few years at Barden went smoothly. They checked in with me occasionally, and that was as far as it went. Things changed during my last senior year. It seemed as if they were everywhere I went. At competitions in the audience, outside my lecture halls, even outside my bedroom window. It was like they were behind my shoulder constantly. Then one day, they left me a note on my pillow; how they got in there I will never know. It said I had to go meet them and tell no one".

For the first time throughout the story, Chloe hesitated. She'd replayed this story a million times over in her head, but she had never told this story out loud. Saying it out load would make it even more real, and even though she wasn't quite ready for it yet, she owed it to her friends and family. The only people that had ever been there for her.

"I went to the address, and it turned out to be their den. I should have turned around when I had the chance, but Mike saw me before I could. It was too late".

"He led me inside and locked the doors. They sat me down and told me I was ready to begin working. I had my first delivery to make, which really confused me, but it clicked when Tom handed me a bag. They wanted me to deliver drugs… I refused and tried to leave but they had trapped me. You see, they ran their own drug business, and I was to be the one to make their deliveries. They did it to protect themselves. If anyone would have been caught, it most likely would have been me. I didn't want to do it. I really didn't".

"There was a reason that they kept showing up everywhere I went. They knew where I lived, they knew who I trusted… they knew who my closest friends were… they threatened to hurt you all... they threatened to hurt you all so badly and it would have been all of my fault. They were so serious, and to prove it… they…"

Deep breath in, deep breath out Chloe had repeated to herself.

"I came home covered in bruises, and that was the night I told you all that I fell down the stairs. There were no stairs, just Mike and Tom".

A sob erupted from Aubrey's chest. She had a feeling that this story was going to get worse, and she couldn't understand the pain that her best friend must had been through. How she went through it all alone. It broke her heart.

"I kept my head down and did as I was told. I made the deliveries. It didn't start off with many. Once or twice a week I'd have to sneak out at night, drop off the drugs, pick up the money, and take their money back to their den. I wish it had stayed that easy".

"A week after worlds, and a few weeks before we all moved out of the Bella's house, they wanted me to meet them at the den again. At first I thought that they just wanted to tell me that I was done working for them… turns out it was the complete opposite"

Flashback

"Sit down Chloe" Mike was sat on the couch, cigarette in his mouth as per usual, not a hint of happiness on his face. Tom had his hand placed gently at the bottom of the girl in question's back, leading her to the opposite couch, as well as leading her into a false sense of security.

So she sat, and she placed all of the money that she'd earnt for that day in front of Mike on the coffee table, with Tom still lurking behind her.

A shallow smirk appeared on the tall blonde's face as he reached forward to count the money that now belonged to him.

"Hmm you're getting good at this Beale. You've settled nicely into this lifestyle". Once the money had all been added up, he placed it back down and turned his attention to the redhead before him.

Hands clasped together as he sat forward and lent towards her, he began to talk. "So nicely in fact, that you'll be doing this on a more permanent basis. Best pack your bags Beale, you've got a lot more money to repay". His face turned more sinister as he took in Chloe's shocked appearance.

She thought that was it. That had to be it? She hadn't gone to college to leave as a full-time drug dealer. No, she couldn't do this. She had a very strong feeling that Mike and Tom wouldn't like her response, but she had to say something.

Chloe opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to find the right words to say. Were there any words to say that would get her out of this situation? "N-no. No! I can't and I won't!".

It was a weak response, and as she tried to stand up to leave, she felt Tom's strong hands pushing down on her shoulders; making her stay put.

"No? I don't remember it being a question, sweetheart" Mike said with a low chuckle, amused that Chloe thought she had any choice in this matter.

"I'm not doing it! Please! I've done everything you asked for, I need to be free now!" Once again, she tried to stand, but was stopped instantly by Tom grabbing a fistful of her hair and Mike slapping her right cheek.

"This is all your fault. YOU needed help, and WE kindly offered you it. YOU were the desperate one, not us. YOU bought this on yourself, NO ONE ELSE! WE'VE done our end of the deal, now it's YOUR turn!" Mike yelled inches away from her face. But Chloe wouldn't go down without a fight.

The redhead kicked her knee out as hard as she could behind her, giving and excruciating pain to Tom in between his legs, causing him to let go of her hair and crouch down. As fast as a cheetah, she clenched her fists, and punched Mike twice, as hard as she could- once in his chest, winding him, and once in his face.

Whilst the two brothers were still in shock, Chloe ran as fast as she could through the hallway and towards the door. She could hear fast and heavy footsteps behind her, and she knew that they were gaining on her. She burst through the door, and sprinted towards her car. She was almost there. But it was too good to be true when she felt a heavy body tackling her to the floor from behind. Her head smacked against the pavement. She was knocked out. The last thing she could remember from that night was someone dragging her by her feet across the floor. The things that she remembered from the morning after had scarred her for life.

Chloe woke up the next day and to that day, had never felt worse. Her head was pounding. Her eyes were stinging. Her arms were aching. Her legs were sore.

She opened her eyes to look around. She was confused. She had never seen this room before. Suddenly, the events of last night caught up with Chloe. She sat up as quickly as she could, and regretted it instantly as the pounding in her head increased instantly. But none of that compared to the pain inside as soon as she saw who was lying next to her. Mike. Naked. She looked at the side of the bed. Her clothes were ripped to shreds.

She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. She was in complete shock. Tears fell from her eyes as she realised what had happened.

She felt Mike's intense stare beside her. He stroked her cheek, and she flinched away from him, his cruel chuckle echoing in the room.

"Hopefully that will put you in your place, slut. So, we'll try this again; pack your bags. You're moving in with us and you're starting work in a few weeks. Get ready". And with that, Mike left the bed and walked out the door, leaving a distraught Chloe.

Chloe wasn't given a choice. She didn't distance her self and leave because she wanted to. She left because she had to.

For all of these years, she was paying back what she owed the two brothers. Well. Working it off.

It was hard for the others to get their heads around. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, but no one dared to speak a word. Everyone was speachless. A gut wrenching sob from Chloe awoke the others from their thoughts. Without a second to think about it, Beca wrapped her arms around the red head, pulling her in close. Chloe tucked her head into Beca's chest and let all of her tears out. She felt tear drops land on her head from the brunette, so she snuggled in closer.

Seconds later, it turned into a group hug, as Jessica, Aubrey, and Jesse left their seats to embrace the strongest person that they have ever met. Chloe Marie Beale.

Minutes later, the hug broke apart. The laywer in the room had one more question to ask.

"So, Bella... her dad..."

"Mike. It only happened a few times after that but she's definitely Mike's". Aubrey was about to add something else but Chloe interrupted her.

"Bella doesn't know I don't think. Mike barely acknowledged her when we were living with them. It was just me and her, but now?"

Chloe looked around the room at every person sat around that table, towards the door which the rest of the Bella's were supposedly 'sleeping' behind, and she cracked a teary smile.

"Me and Bella have found our family. We've found our home".