Chapter 6

I moved my bedding onto the couch. I had no choice but to give 'us' some space. It would be nice if this space had two bedrooms. I could have my own time without running into Luke.

I went down, as usual, to do 'daughter-in-law' work, cleaning and tidying the house to take my mind off us.

"Ma'am, you shouldn't do the cleaning, this is our duty," Ruth observed as I wiped the little shelf in the living room.

"I'm doing everything I can to end my boredom," I stated.

"Ma'am, you have a lot of options. You can go for a walk or hang out with your friends," Ruth explained.

"I don't want to add more issues, Ruth", I stood up, smiling at her.

"Ma'am!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide open, her mouth gaping at my forehead. "What happened to you?! Is that a bandage?"

"It is. I slipped in the bathroom and accidentally smacked my head on the floor," I explained.

"You should go to the doctor", said Ruth.

"No need, it's just minor injuries, I can treat myself", I said.

"But, ma'am..."

"It will heal," I assured her.

"Back to work, Ruth", I said.

"You always have something to keep my mouth closed," Ruth replied.

Soon as I'm done cleaning, I take some food from the kitchen and feed my empty stomach that hadn't been filled overnight. I enjoy the taste in the center of a quiet room. With no distractions, just me.

"What are you doing here? Isn't breakfast hour over?"

Reggie!

"So, I shouldn't eat my breakfast, even if I starve to death," I said flatly.

"That's not what I mean", Reggie spoke as her eyes remained centered on the bandage.

"Who did that?", she shared a curious look.

"I slipped in the bathroom", I said.

"Are you sure? It doesn't seem to be the case" stated Reggie.

"I'm positive," I responded.

"Sarah, you can talk to me," Reggie remarked, eager for information. Just look at her, she doesn't care at all.

"Aunty Gie, let me eat in peace, please leave me alone!" I scowled at her.

"Wow, that's very kind of you, Sarah. You made a terrible mistake!" she exclaimed as she stormed off.

I dropped my head on the table. What have you done, Sarah?! Your goal is to be a decent and obedient daughter-in-law, not a troublemaker.

Now I have to wait for Delores's explosion.

My body shivers with fear as her name appears in my mind.

I wanna get out of here! Help me, Luke! My hands are on my brow.

I shouldn't think of him, it's over between us, all that's left is the ring he puts on, as my mother said "Formalities". My life became a formality for my family and Luke.

Still, the name of that cruel man springs to mind. My heart longs for his presence and wishes for him to be my savior. It's dumb, yet, it's true. I miss my husband.

Wake up, Sarah! Wake up from your madness! Luke is not your savior, he absolutely despises you! You're your savior!

I locked myself in the room, I sat on the floor, hands around my knees, waiting for Delores' lethal blast. Delores' shrill voice calling out to me kept repeating over and over in my head.

I was once smitten by her pleasant demeanor and gentle manner.

I'm terrorized. Every time I pass or meet her eyes, I feel as if I'm in the abyss of death.

I waited and waited, impatient for my turn to come. Face me now, Dee! I'm scared to death!

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I jerked to my feet. My heart raced in response to the knocking sound.

(The doorknob moves)

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

The rattling became louder. She's here! She's going to attack me!

I mustered up the courage to open the door.

"You?" I was stunned at the person standing behind the door.

"What's wrong?", Luke asked.

He looked at me with concern, "Sarah!", he shook my shoulder.

"She's going to attack me" Sarah

He tilted his head quizzically, "Who?"

No Sarah, don't say anything, he will hit you again! They're all the same!

"Nobody", I turned around. He furrowed his eyebrows as he stepped in.

I laid myself down.

"Why are you sleeping on the couch? Is my bed too small for you?", asked Luke.

"I'm asking!", said Luke.

I rolled to the other side, I pulled the blanket over my head. I'd rather stare at this plain white weave than at him.

(Luke POV)

What's wrong with her? She looks pale, she covers herself, not as she used to. Who is the woman she mentioned?

I locked my gaze on her. Is she imagining things? I scared her a lot, poor Sarah.

Leaving her in the room, I went inside my study.

(a moment later)

"Ma'am"

Who's that?!

I walked to the door. "Ruth?"

"Sir, Mrs. Silas wishes to see Sarah," Ruth stated.

"She's sleeping.", said Luke.

(Sarah POV)

"I'm up", I tossed the blanket. I rushed to her.

"Let's leave!"

We left the room.

"REGGIE CONFESSED EVERYTHING! IS THIS HOW YOU BEHAVE?!", said Delores.

"SHE ASKED BECAUSE SHE CARES ABOUT YOU!", said Delores.

"She doesn't care about me, she seeks the information, maybe she wants to celebrate my misery." I glanced at Reggie.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM, HUH?! A PIECE OF S***?!", displeased with what I said, Reggie yanked my hair in rage.

"If she cared, she wouldn't have done this," I said to Delores.

"SHUT UP SARAH! You spoke a lot, YOU NEED TO BE PUNISH!" exclaimed Delores.

Reggie pushed me to the ground. She began to whip me.

"AAAH!", I roared in pain, as she continuously beat me.

BRAAK!

The slam of the door surprised everyone in the room. I looked up, and saw Luke standing at the door. His fiery red eyes glared at Reggie, as he was ready to strike them all.

Luke watched me sprawled on the floor, he stared at Reggie's hand grabbing the whip.

"What have you done?!", said Luke.

"Luke, that's not what you...", he stopped his mom.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?!", asked Luke in a loud tone.

"You misunderstood, I didn't do anything." Reggie sidestepped her act by saying.

"WHY IS SHE SCREAMING IN PAIN?! WHY DID YOU HIT SARAH?!?" He moved closer to Reggie, his powerful hand choked her neck.

Reggie's whip crashed on the floor. "Luke...let go of...me," her words stuttering.

"LUKE! Let her go. She's your aunt!", said Delores.

He growled at his mom. She took a step back and flashed Beth and Indy the red light. Their faces were deadly pale.

"Luke... she... made a mistake... I have to... punish her...", said Reggie.

"WHO ARE YOU TO PUNISH HER?! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! ONLY ME!", said Luke.

Reggie's face flushed, she was short of breath. "Let go of my sister, she could die!", Beth worked up her nerve to speak as she pleaded to her nephew.

She flopped limply as Luke loosened his grip. Delores rushed over to grab her a glass of water.

"THIS IS THE LAST WARNING!" said Luke.

(Sarah's POV)

Luke? he came? I froze at Luke's action. He choked her and snapped at them. It was too real to be true. Luke saved me. His presence brought a glimmer of joy. He's there for me.

He is entitled to me, neither them nor my parents.

He threw his arm around my waist and pulled me back to my feet, while I rested my hand on his shoulder. He carried me out of the torture chamber. I stared at him as my lips smiled weakly. This stranger still had a sense of care within him.

He locked our room. He put me on the bed. He poured a glass of water while holding the first aid kit in his left hand. He sipped me the water and set the glass back on the small table next to him.

He has both of my hands in his, his eyes staring intently as his thumb traces my bruises and cuts. I groan in pain.

"Sorry", said Luke

"Is this what you're afraid of?" he hoisted my legs into his lap, his palm massaging the bruises.

"I knew your mother would chastise me, but I didn't see this coming," I nodded.

"Why did she chastise you?" he said, wiping the wound with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab.

"Ouch..."

"Hold on a little", said Luke.

"After you left, I went downstairs looking for activities, temporarily forgetting what happened to us", I said.

"Then I went to the kitchen to get some food. Reggie showed up, her eyes fixed on ...", I pointed my finger to the bandage on my forehead.

He raised his head. I noticed guilt on his face.

"And"

"She asked..."

"You say?", asked Luke.

"I slipped in the bathroom", I said.

"Why did you lie?", asked Luke.

"My privacy stays between us", I said.

"Next"

"She's not convinced and keeps digging," I explained.

"I glared at her and said, let me eat in peace, please, leave me alone!", I said.

"Is that all?", said Luke in disbelief.

"Yes, she went, I made a big mistake, and she complained to your mother", I said.

"What caused Reggie to hit you?" Luke inquired.

"I said, she's seeking information, and wants to celebrate my misery"

He looked at me. "What a dumb excuse!"

"Yeah, a billionaire family with a dumb mentality."

He gave me a steady look.

"Don't give me that look, the last thing I need is to lie dead due to you and your family's domestic abuse."

"Why did you come?", I asked.

"Something is unusual. When Ruth called to you, I saw you scorched with terror," Luke replied.

"I couldn't sit still. I walked out, and heard your screaming behind that door", said Luke.

"I was shocked, I didn't expect you to be there," I explained.

The atmosphere returned to silence. He concentrated on treating my wound.

"Sarah", Luke broke the hush.

"Yes?", I asked

"Why didn't you tell me?", said Luke.

I smiled.

"I don't think this is the right time to smile," said Luke.

"Do you miss banging my skull again?" I asked.

He fell silent. His gaze set on the floor, passingly, his hand wrung the cotton.

He sighed, "You look jaded, should take a rest". He went back to his studies after tending to my wound. I lay down on the couch, I pulled my blanket up to my chest.

(Ladies POV)

"YOUR SON IS CRAZY!", yelled Reggie.

"HE DARES TO STRANGLE ME FOR THAT WOMAN!" exclaimed Reggie.

"Low your voice, Gie! Calm down!", said Delores.

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CALM DOWN?! LOOK AT WHAT YOUR SON DID TO ME!" exclaimed Reggie.

"YOU'RE ALIVE REGGIE! AND IT'S OUR FAULT!", shouted Delores.

"Are you blaming us? For the way she treated me!", said Reggie.

"I blame us for touching her!", said Delores.

"That doesn't justify him touching Reggie!" Beth added.

"Luke is evil! He assaulted his own aunt for the sake of his wife," Indy explained.

"WE ARE MONSTERS TOO INDY! DON'T ACT LIKE A GOOD GIRL!", said Delores in a harsh tone.

"Don't be mad at me, Dee! I said what I had to say", said Indy.

"Watch your tongue, Indy!", said Delores.

"He had better watch his behavior!", said Beth.

"We have to do something. She has to pay!", said Reggie.

"Not now, do you want Luke to strangle you again?!", said Beth.

"I agree, he nearly killed you, Gie," Indy remarked.

"She nearly killed Sarah, don't forget it, Indy!" exclaimed Delores.

"Don't blame everything on Luke, he's not a killer!" exclaimed Delores.

"You're defending Luke way too much, sis-in-law!", said Beth.

"HE IS MY SON! Beth", said Delores.