2003

Roman looked at Delia with tears in his eyes. He tried to keep them from spilling as he examined her body for bruises, and wiped away whatever blood they had drawn from her that day in their anger.

Her own parents were abusive, and she had no one else but Roman in her life to trust. He loved her with all his heart. He knew they were young but it felt right. It felt like they were meant to be. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe. Something that very soon would be a reality instead of a fantasy.

"One more day, sweetheart," he said. "You only got one more day left with them. Once that clock strikes midnight, Cinderella, you're 18 and officially legal of age. They can't stop you. You run and never look back."
"You're gonna be there, right? It's not some sick game to you, right?" She asked nervously.

He pressed his lips against hers in a heartfelt kiss. He would never play her or anyone like that. She already lived in a cruel world. He wouldn't be adding on to it.

"I love you so much," he said. "I'll be in my car outside by midnight. I'll wait all night if that's what it takes for you to get out of there. I got the key, and the apartment is fully furnitured and ready for us."
"I can't believe your father did all that for us," she said.
"We'll still be paying rent," he smirked. "It's a normal working day for him. Rent out one of his properties. It's what he does for a living."

She closed her eyes and nodded. She kept them closed for a few seconds before opening them again to look at him. He could see it. She was scared.

"What if we don't work out?" She asked.
"I will never send you back to them," he said. "It doesn't matter what happens between us. I won't let them hurt you anymore."

He had kept that promise. And as he had known already back then, she was the one for him. They had stayed in Minnesota but moved to the other end of the state to start a new life away from her family. Years later they had married, and they had even adopted a dog. Everything had been perfect until this moment where her parents apparently had tracked her down and decided to walk back into her life.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Roman growled.
"We're here to see our daughter," her mother said.
"She doesn't wanna see you. She's not your daughter. You lost any right to call yourselves parents," Roman said.
"Delia!" Her father whistled. "Come here."

Her father actually whistled as if he was calling a dog to him. Roman sneered. He knew that was always her father's memo back in the day. He whistled and she better come running within seconds or there would be hell to pay. Most times there would be hell to pay no matter what. She was nothing but a punching bag to them.

"Delia!" Her father yelled.

Clearly she hadn't responded fast enough so he went back to his old ways with raising his voice and becoming angry. Roman took a look over his shoulder. Delia still stood on the same spot and shook her head no. He turned his head back to her parents and smirked.

"She says no," Roman said.
"Not her call," her father said.
"Yes, it is," Roman said. "If you try to take one step inside, you'll have to dance with me. I won't allow you to put a finger on her. Never again."

Her father looked worried. Roman could see he was running it through his mind to figure out whether or not it would be worth it to try and force his way inside. The older man chose wisely when he decided to stay outside.

"Delia," her mother tried. "We're your parents. We need your help."
"With what?" Delia asked.
"We got into some money trouble," her mother said.
"Did you finally gamble them all away? Or was it the alcohol that took over?" Roman asked.
"You're so fucking smart, aren't you?" Her father growled.
"Smarter than you. I got her out right under your noses, and you never fucking knew there was a plan in place for that to happen," Roman said.

Her father clenched his fists. He clearly wanted to take a swing at Roman but didn't dare hit the bigger man. Roman smirked again. He knew he had the upper hand.

"We need money and it's your duty as our daughter to help us," her mother said.
"Duty?" Delia asked.
"We'll be on the street next month if we don't pay rent," her mother said.

Delia walked up to stand next to Roman. She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. He squeezed back to let her know he was on her side.

"How the fuck did you track me down?" Delia asked.
"That commercial your company did. You were in the background in one of the clips. We waited outside and followed you home yesterday," her father said. "Guess who's smart now, Roman?"

Roman was about to say something back but Delia opened her mouth first.

"You're both sorry excuses for human beings," Delia said. "I never wanna see any of you again."
"We know where you live," her father said.
"Get the fuck off my property or I'll call the police," Roman said.

Roman slammed her door, grabbed Delia and held her in a tight embrace. She broke down in his arms and cried.

"I won't let them hurt you or come near you again," he said.
"Too late," she said. "They're right there on the other side. They'll catch me alone at some point."
"No, they won't!" He gritted his teeth. "I made you a promise years ago. One that I still tend to keep."