Between us

Chapter 11

"Happy Valentine's day, Charlie dear." A voice whispered in my ear and I opened my eyes slowly, Ryder's voice sounds different. I turned towards the voice and then my heart stopped.

Dominic?! What's he doing here?! Where's Ryder?!

I jolted up from the bed and he looked confused. "What are you doing here? Where's Ryder?!" I asked and then he smiled.

"Oh, didn't Ryder tell you about Valentine's day?" He asked and I stepped away from him.

"What's going on?!" I asked with a cold voice, although deep in my heart, I was scared.

"Well, Ryder thought that it would be better for me to stay here with you, to keep you safe." He began and I felt nauseous. Ryder lied, he said that he would never leave me alone, turns out, he lied.

Feeling betrayed, I sank to the floor and began to cry, and then Dominic came closer and began to unbuckle his belt, smiling menacingly.

"W-What are you doing?" I asked and moved further away from him, pushing against the wall.

"I've been gone from you for so long wifey...I think I deserve some love." He laughed and then he painfully gripped my arms, pulled me up, and ripped my pajama-top open, exposing me to him.

I shouted for help and then I saw Ryder, standing in the doorway. I was so relieved, but only for a second, because he smirked evil, and he took out a camera.

The son of a bitch!

Before I could go give Ryder a beautiful round house kick, Dominic violently picked me up and threw me on the bed. I suddenly felt a painful tug in my stomach, and then I screamed in pain.

I looked down and began to cry. There was blood, there wasn't supposed to be blood! I touched my stomach but Dominic yanked my arms up and tied them above my head, he also tied my legs down.

"My baby!" I cried and they both laughed. "Ryder! Our baby is dead!!" I shouted but my screams fell on deaf ears. Ryder put the camera on and then he put it down to face us, and then he also began to undress.

Dominic planted disgusting wet kisses on my face and body while Ryder spoke cruel words in my ears...

"Nooo!!!"

I quickly sat upright on the bed, my face was wet with sweat and I was out of breath, and soon comforting arms pulled me closer to a warm body.

"Charlie, are you okay?" A deep sleepy voice asked and then I was confused. I immediately turned on the bed lamp and looked at my stomach. No blood. It was a nightmare. I looked at the time. It's 1 am.

"God dammit Charlie! What's wrong?" Ryder asked and I remembered the nightmare. Panic began to rise in me. Another panic attack.

"Leave me alone." I whispered out of breath and ran to the bathroom. Ryder was quick on his feet to follow me but I locked the door before he could open it.

"Charlie! What's wrong? Is it our baby?! God dammit! Open the door!" He banged on the door and I cried.

"Leave me alone Ryder! Just leave me alone!" I cried but he wouldn't go.

"No! Just open the goddamn door!"

"Stop acting like Dominic! You're not my husband! Just leave me the hell alone!" The words were out before I could stop them.

It was quiet on the other side. Too quiet. But I didn't care. I just want to be left alone. I sat down onto the cold floor and began to cry uncontrollably.
           
                              *****

When I woke up it was already light outside. I stood up from the cold floor and walked to the basin to wash my face. What time was it?

I looked in the mirror, and the tears began to flow. "It was just a nightmare, it was just a nightmare." I whispered to myself. "Ryder would never hurt you, he would never betray your trust like that."

I touched my the gentle swell on my stomach. "He would never hurt Puppet, he would never hurt my baby."

"Charlie! What's wrong? Is it our baby?! God dammit! Open the door!"
I remembered his words and cried harder.

He said 'our' baby.

I was so wrong to push him away like that. I washed my face again and went outside. There's no one in the room, where's Ryder? I searched the entire house, but no Ryder.

I went back to the room and changed into something warmer. I came back to the kitchen and saw that the car keys were gone. I sighed.

I tried to call him but it went straight to voicemail.
I also wanted to call Teresa and Jacob, but then again, I would have to explain everything.

Where are you Ryder?

I waited for the whole day for him to come but he didn't show up. It was busy getting darker and the doorbell rang. With a lifting heart I rushed to it, only to be disappointed.

It was a delivery man with a parcel. "Mrs Gray?" He asked with his heavy Italian accent and it felt so weird to be called that again.

"Yes that's me." I said and he handed me the parcel. "Sign here." He then said and left.

I shut the door and saw that the parcel came from New York. Dominic.

I hastily opened it up and saw that there were divorce papers inside. Dominic has signed the divorce papers! Along with the papers is a little note.

You may have won this round Charlie, but I promise that you will come back to me on your own. Ryder isn't who you think he is...

What? Nah, he's just trying to get inside my head. It won't work this time. I happily signed the papers and laughed. Ryder kept his promises. I'm finally free from Dominic! I just need to get to Nana.

I took my phone out tried to call Ryder again. But as you guessed it, straight to voicemail. I sighed and sat on the couch. What a gloomy Valentine's day!

I made a quick easy meal for myself and ate in front of the television, watching, The fault in our stars.
Which was obviously a bad idea because I cried for them, and then also for myself.

Feeling numb after all that crying, I locked all the doors and went to his room and went straight to the closet to wear one of his sweaters. When I opened it I saw a giant teddy bear with a heart shaped note on top of it. For you, Mrs Storm. Happy Valentine's day. I love you.

I thought that I cried all my tears out for the movie, but I was wrong. I cried hard and held the teddy bear close.

He loves me!

I went to sleep with the teddy bear in my arms and with a smile on my face.

"I love you too, Ryder Storm..."
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A/n: Hey guys!👋
Love is in the air!❤
It's just a pity that Ryder isn't here to celebrate it with Charlie. :( And let's acknowledge the fact that Charlie is almost free from Dominic! Yay! 😅

Sorry about this long and intense chapter...but as you know by now...things happen for a reason...
Where has Ryder gone? When will he come back?

Q: What did Dominic mean when he said that Ryder isn't who she thinks he is? What secrets does Ryder have? Was it just a lie to scare Charlie? Or is it something way more sinister?...
Stay tuned for more action...and passion. ^_^

Please forgive any typos and please comment...and don't forget to vote! ;)

Kind regards and stay safe :)

A . Freeman
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