Let It Burn

Chapter 22

^Song up here^

*4 years earlier*

Valeria Mendez's POV

When I came here, I quickly regretted accepting this marriage and my first thought was to call my family so they can get me back home...

But of course it couldn't be that simple.

Xavier had me excluded from the whole world.

No phones, laptop, or even anyone to talk to. The only people permitted around me are maids and guards... and him.

I tried to escape once while we were having dinner and since then I am always served in my room.

I've been begging one maid to get me a phone for a week now and she finally accepted after hearing what I've been going through, and of course the amount of money she could get out of it.

She said she'll bring it at night when she brings dinner.

Usually Xavier joins me about half an hour after I get served... which technically gives me enough time to make my call.

I had no weapons to defend myself with, my room had no windows that I could break to use it's glass and he even forbade me any flatwares that aren't spoons. Plus the guards make sure that I give it back after each meal.

But I was supposed to get a knife delivered with my phone today...

I finally hear the key twisting in the door lock.

"Omg Madelyn, you came" I whisper in relief.

I saw her coming in and checking her surroundings before closing the door.

"You're sure no one saw you?" I ask.

"Yes, don't worry I did exactly like you told me to"

"Great"

"Here's the phone" she says, getting it out of her apron's pocket.

"Oh god, thank you so much"

"It's mine, so I'll have to take it back once you're done, be quick please"

"I will" is all I say before I open the phone.

My dad and Lionel usually change their phone numbers very often but not my mom, and my dad got his office phone. I had two options to try and I hoped it was going to work.

I decided to start by dialing my dad's office.

Just as I am doing so, Madelyn hands me a kitchen knife. I look up to meet her scared gaze.

"This is all I could get, I- I hope it will be enough" she confesses.

"I will never forget how much you've helped me" I promise her while getting the knife in my pocket.

I start the call and impatiently listen to the ringing waiting for someone to pick up.

No answer.

Come on this isn't the time to be skipping calls.

I try again with my mom's number. I wait a couple of seconds before I finally hear her voice at the end of the line.

It was like a melody to my ear, a melody that fulfilled my heart with hope and gave me a little taste of home. It's like finally remembering what I was fighting for.

"Hey mom" I sob.

"Sweetheart I've been waiting to hear from you, I called many times! Were you so busy with your new man that you couldn't find one little minute to call your mama?!"

"No you don't understand, that's why I am calling you, I need-"

Before I could finish my sentence, I watch the door suddenly opening and slamming against the wall.

"YOU DISOBEYED ME!" Xavier shouts, snatching the phone out of my hands.

He quickly turns his head towards Madelyn and I can see all the rage in his eyes.

He is about to do something horrible, I can feel it.

"You... you gave her the phone! You will both pay for this treason!" He screams.

Two guards quickly get a hold of the maid and three others surround me.

"No please don't hurt her, this is all my fault! Let her go Xavier please !" I argue loudly.

"Yes, it is your fault my love. And you will watch her pay for your stupid actions before your turn comes" he admits getting closer to me. "You know Valeria, things could've been much better if you weren't so stubborn" he continues caressing my cheek. I shake my head at the contact of his palm with my skin. "But it's on me, I haven't been hard enough on you".

"NOT HARD ENOUGH? You rape me, you beat me up for every minor inconvenience and you lock me in here with no way to contact my family, and you call this not hard enough?! What could possibly be worse than this ?!"

I feel a slap throwing my head to the side.

"Don't you ever dare talk to me in that tone ever again! You are about to discover what can be worse than this... I'll make your life a hell until you submit to me, I promise"