Brought By Destiny

Chapter 12

Rescue from the Abyss

Lilly’s POV:

I slowly peeled my eyes open. Anthony was sitting on a wooden chair, his legs crossed, leaning back as he watched me with eyes full of a terrifying, familiar lust.

Every inch of my body screamed in agony as I tried to move. My skin felt raw, and my muscles were stiff from the beating. I managed to drag myself upright, resting my bruised back against the cold, damp wall. I took a shallow breath and stared at him, my vision slightly blurred.

He smiled, a twisted, predatory expression. "Baby girl, you know your daddy loves you, right?"

I met his gaze with a blank, hollow look before turning my face away in disgust. The silence seemed to agitate him.

"Who is Michael?" he asked sternly.

My heart hammered against my ribs. How does he know about Michael? Did he hurt him? Fear for Michael surged through me, sharper than the physical pain, but I clamped my jaw shut. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of an answer.

"I asked you a question!" he barked.
I remained numb, staring at a patch of peeling paint on the far wall.

I wasn't going to give him anything.

"I saw his number on your phone," he sneered. "And he even came to the house this morning, didn't he?"

Still, I said nothing. Infuriated by my silence, he lunged out of the chair and rushed toward me. He grabbed my arm, wrenching me upward with such force that I winced. He pinned me against the wall, his hand moving to my throat, squeezing until the air was cut off.

"Dare to ignore me again, and I’ll feed you to my dogs alive," he hissed, his breath hot and smelling of stale alcohol. "Do you understand? Answer me when I talk to you!"

He released his grip, and I slumped to the floor, coughing and gasping for air.

Once I regained my breath, I looked up and spoke in a hoarse, broken voice. "It would be better if your dogs ate me than to die by your hands."

His eyes flashed with a murderous rage.

"Oh, I will surely kill you with my bare hands," he promised. "But before that, I need to get out of this city, and for that, I need money. I called that guy of yours and told him to bring five thousand. Once he pays, I’m done with you. But here's the best part: as soon as I get the money, I’m going to kill both of you. Then I’ll disappear, and that’s the end of the story." He let out a wide, triumphant smile.

"What? You called Michael?" I asked, my voice trembling with shock.

"Yes, I did. And I must say, that guy loves you a lot. He agreed instantly to pay the ransom and save you. Poor guy doesn't realize my plans."
He laughed, a high, chilling sound. "What did he see in a slut like you?"

"You will never understand the meaning of love," I spat at him.
"A monster like you will never know what true love is."

"True," he mocked, leaning down until his face was inches from mine. "I don't know how to love, but I know how to fuck."

He reached out to touch my face. I tried to flinch away, but he grabbed my chin in a bruising grip. He kissed me with a disgusting force that made my stomach churn. I felt a deep wave of self-loathing wash over me. He began fumbling with my blouse, his rough hands tearing the fabric until I was half-exposed. He cupped my breasts, pinching them until I gasped in pain. I was helpless, tired and broken.

Suddenly, he stopped. I looked at him with pure loathing. He licked his lips and laughed. "Your taste has gone, baby girl. You’re not even worth the effort anymore."

He walked out of the room, still laughing. I sat there in a trance-like state, the tears finally overflowing. Why is my life like this? What does God want from me? I felt dizzy and dehydrated. My entire body was a map of black and blue bruises.

I lay down on the freezing floor and closed my eyes, but my mind wouldn't rest. Is Michael really coming? If he does, Anthony will kill him. I couldn't let that happen. I had to think of something, but I was bound and weak. Michael, please don't come. Let me die, but stay away.

The darkness finally claimed me, and I drifted into an unconscious void.

Dush... Bang... Dush...

The sound of gunfire and crashing wood jolted me awake. My eyes opened slightly, catching glimpses of movement beyond the door.

"Lilly! Lilly! Lilly!"
I heard voices, faint but frantic.

I struggled to sit up, crawling toward the door on my knees. I tried to stand, managing to lean against the frame long enough to kick the wood. I kicked twice before my strength failed and I tumbled back onto the floor. The cold air bit at my exposed skin.

"Lilly? Lilly, are you there?" a male voice shouted.

I recognized it instantly. It was him. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but then the door was kicked off its hinges. There he stood. Our eyes met, and I managed a weak, trembling smile. I was so happy he was alive, but seeing the tears in his eyes broke my heart.

He sprinted across the room and dropped to his knees beside me. He immediately shed his jacket and wrapped it around my shaking shoulders. He pulled me close to his chest, his hand gently stroking my cheek.

"You're okay, right? Just stay calm... I'm here. Nothing is going to happen now. Just breathe for me, Lilly," he whispered, his voice thick with worry.

He pulled out his phone, never letting go of me. "Jordan, I've got her! Call the ambulance and make sure there's a nurse on board," he barked into the receiver.

He hung up and looked down at me. I looked back, a single tear sliding down my face. He wiped it away with his thumb and pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, holding me as if I might shatter.

"Don't cry, baby. There is nothing to worry about now. Just stay strong. You are my brave woman," he said with a small, encouraging smile.

I snuggled into his warmth, feeling him lift me into his arms. I closed my eyes and rested my head against his shoulder as he carried me out of that hellhole. As we passed through the building, I heard other voices asking if I was alright, but Michael didn't stop.

He laid me down onto a stretcher. He took my hand, kissing my knuckles and then my forehead once more. I felt him move away slightly to talk to a nurse, telling her to take care of me and that he would be following right behind in his car.

I felt a small prick of a needle in my arm. Within seconds, the world faded into blackness once more.