Brought By Destiny

Chapter 7

The Shadows Lengthen

Michael’s POV:

I don’t know how to process what I’ve just heard. My ability to think clearly has completely deserted me. The woman sitting beside me is tougher than anyone I’ve ever met. She has endured horrors that I couldn’t even conjure up in my worst nightmares. It’s sickening to realize the sheer weight of what she has survived.

Gently, I scooped Ryan into my arms. He was heavy with sleep, his head lolling against my shoulder.
I walked upstairs to my room and tucked him securely under the covers, watching his small chest rise and fall in a peaceful rhythm that felt entirely at odds with the chaos of his life.

I didn't want to believe my ears. It felt too barbaric to be real. Anthony isn't a man; he’s not even an animal. He is a twisted, sadistic monster. How could any human being treat his own daughters like currency? The thought made my blood roar in my ears. I am consumed by a white-hot rage; if I ever get my hands on that man, he’s dead.

I leaned down and kissed Ryan’s forehead, a silent promise of protection. Lilly came into the room a moment later and sat on the opposite side of the bed.

We stared at each other in a hollow, blank silence. She leaned over, kissing Ryan’s cheek and ruffling his hair with a tenderness that broke my heart. She isn't his biological mother, yet she loves him with a devotion that is absolute.

A small, sad smile touched my lips.
"What exactly happened last night?" I asked in a low whisper, breaking the quiet.

She sat up straight and took a deep, shaky breath. Her face was scrubbed clean, but her eyes were rimmed with red. "The café where I work belongs to his friend," she began.

"His son, Steven, had been eyeing me for a long time. He used to come to the house and... many times..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

I understood her meaning perfectly, and the anger in my brain spiked to a new peak. I didn't fully understand why I was feeling this protective surge for a stranger, but the thought of anyone "using" her made me want to tear the world apart.

"Yesterday morning, while I was setting up the decorations for your proposal, he came to me," she continued, her voice trembling.
"He told me to be ready at night. He said he was bringing some of his friends over because Anthony had borrowed money from them and hadn't paid it back. I stayed quiet.
I knew nothing would change.
I thought I just had to face the night."

I kept my expression neutral, though my jaw was clenched tight. She sighed and went on.

"After work, I went home. I was terrified, nervous and anxious but I had no other choice. I gathered my courage and went inside. The house was silent; Anthony wasn't there. Since it wasn't dark yet, I decided to go see Ryan. I went next door to Jazz’s place. When I knocked, her husband, Jack, opened the door looking frantic. He told me Jazz’s mother was ill and they had to leave immediately. Their older girls were already with relatives, but Ryan is so small... he won't stay with anyone but Jazz or me. They were waiting for me, hoping I'd show up. I told them to go and not to worry,"

she said, her eyes softening. "I love being with him. He’s the only reason I’m still alive. He needs me. After they left, I brought Ryan back to my house. I was so distracted playing with him that I didn't notice the time."

"Then, the front door was kicked open with a deafening bang. I jolted up. Ryan was on the carpet with his toys. Two massive men entered, brandishing guns. I recognized them, they were the ones searching for me in the parking lot yesterday morning. Anthony owed them money he couldn't repay. One of them lunged at me, grabbed a handful of my hair, and yanked me to the floor. He demanded to know where my father was. I told him I didn't know, which was the truth, but he didn't believe me. They started to beat me."