Ch34

Later on that day, Mark forced me to get up and get dressed so I could go talk to my mom. I wanted him to come with me, but he wanted to stay at my place so he could get a few things packed for me. Although I told myself I would never get with another man who tried to control me, Mark was doing just that but I liked it. I couldn't believe he pretty much told me I was marrying him and moving to Houston with him and my baby. I thought about it a whole lot as I drove over to my talk to my mother. Upon arriving at my aunt's house where she and Kevin were staying, I noticed my biological father outside playing with his dog. I glanced at him as I got out of the car and made my way up to the main gate.

When he spotted me, I froze for a split second before asking, "Um…is my mom here?"

He stared at me for a moment and then nodded, "Yeah, she's in the house with Maria."

I dropped my gaze almost wanting to change my mind but I knew that Mark would only force me to come back. I rested my hands on the gate and asked meekly, "Can I go talk to her?"

For a moment he looked like he was disappointed that I didn't show up to talk to him but then he patted his dog's head and nodded slowly. I sighed and then opened the gate to go into the house. I was halfway up the side walk before I decided to ask the question that had been burning in my mind since the wedding.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I said as I came to a halt. "Why didn't you tell me you are my father?"

He stopped messing with his dog and slowly turned around to look at me. "I thought that would be obvious Carmen. I've been with your aunt for quite some time and if she would have found out that you were my child, she would have divorced me."

"And she should have." I said as I glared at him.

"She did…well…she's planning to." He said. "We're not together anymore."

I folded my arms and turned towards him, "You were so angry at me for lying on you….and yet you've been lying to me my entire life. How fair is that?"

"It's not fair, which is why I would like it very much if you gave me a chance to make things right with you."

I sighed and raked my hand threw my hair letting my ring sparkle in the sun. He looked at me in shock for a few moments and then smiled.

"Carmen you're getting married?"

I looked at him as if he was crazy and then remembered the ring on my finger. "Oh…yeah I am."

He shook his head, "Wow I've missed so much….I've been so upset with your lie I haven't bothered to pay attention to you at all."

"Herald this just happened this morning…but I'll think about us having a fresh start." I said as I went to walk in the house.

"Will you think about calling me dad?" he asked.

I stopped walking up the steps and looked over my shoulder at him. "Don't push it….anyone that attacked me the way that you did can't be called dad."

"And any girl that lies on a man like myself doesn't deserve to called my daughter."

"Oh that's nice…" I said.

He frowned as I turned and headed into the house, ready to speak to my mother. She was in the living room watching TV when I walked in. I wasn't sure if she saw me until I went to say something and she cut me off.

"Come to yell at me some more?" she asked.

I sighed and stepped into the room. "No I didn't come to yell…I came to apologize for freaking out the way that I did during the wedding…"

She nodded, "It's fine Carmen and I'm sorry about how Kevin treated you. I honestly had no clue he was doing things like that behind my back."

I nodded and then walked over to the couch and sat next to her. "Are you still with him?"

She shrugged, "I haven't decided, but if I end up going back with him I want you to stay around us more. I think I made a mistake letting him come see you all alone."

"Yes, that would work…" I said before we shared a laugh, "Mom why didn't you tell me that Herald was my dad?"

She dropped her gaze and then sighed, "I wanted to tell you Carmen and I wish I had before that dreadful family reunion."

"I wouldn't have said anything mom, although it would have been hard not to talk to Herald about it." I said.

She nodded, "Yeah I know honey but I am sorry about not telling you the truth. From now on I promise to always be honest with you."

I smiled loving how serious she was, "Ok mom."

"Now, with that being said….who gave you that big ass rock?" she asked with a big smile.

I giggled and looked down at the ring, "Mark did, we're getting married."

She gasped in excitement, "AWWWWEEE my baby's getting married. Oh there is so much to plan!"

I laughed as she began rambling about what ideas I could use for my wedding. I wasn't certain of how long I was sitting there talking to her but by the time I was about to leave it was dark outside. I hugged my mother and gave her a kiss before sending Mark a text to let him know I was on my way back. I stepped out of the house and quickly walked to my car so I could leave. It was dark and a bit too quiet in the neighborhood. I looked around to make sure I didn't see anyone before digging through my purse for my car keys. Just as my fingers touched the keys, someone came up behind me and placed a black cloth over my nose and mouth. He pressed me against his strong body as I kicked and tried to scream.

"Shh, shh, shh…." He said as I began to fade. "Don't worry, you and I are going to have a real good time…."

My body went limp as I fell unconscious, feeling so unprepared for what was about to happen.

Readers: Since you all love this story so much I've decided to try a series with this one! Stay tuned for the next story in this twisted little saga =)