The S-Gene: Bethanie (Book #2)

The Escape

"BETHANIE! MY SWEET SWEET GIRL."

Before Bethanie could even breathe, her mother knocked the air out of her lungs by hugging her a little too hard. She gasped, her arms flailing but her sides, barely able to escape her motherly embrace.

If she were honest, she didn't expect to be back home. She knew Dr. Harper and her had a conversation regarding it, but part of her feared he might keep her away for long. Unfortunately for her, being home did not bring her any relief or sense of peace.

She was still nervous.

She was still a wreck.

Finally, air made it into her lungs as her mother pulled away from her. Her chest expanded, air filling her. Her freedom was short-lived since her mother grabbed her face with both hands, sort of slapping her in the process, and squeezed her face.

"Let me look at you," she said in a panic. "Did that bastard hurt you? Did he hurt my precious baby girl?"

"Hmm." Bethanie wanted to speak, but she could not. How could she when her face was being squished?

"I am so glad Dr. Harper was able to find you and save you."

Yes, save her. Find her.

Even though she felt like he had given her away on purpose. She didn't know the logistics, or what was real and what wasn't. But she did know something was off. Now, she had to figure out if her family knew about it.

Or if they were in the dark as much as she was.

Her mother... appeared concerned for her. If she worried about her, would she give her away to simply anyone? Could the woman who carried her and birthed be able of something so cold and cruel?

She didn't know anything anymore.

"I have a whole day planned for you. We will pamper you and we will help you forget what this horrible thief has done! And to think he almost took you away from your soulmate."

That word.

The word was drilled into her head since she was born. A word that used to bring her such peace and joy and now it felt like a lie. The dread was like a heavy rock in her stomach, rolling around, and bringing forth bouts of nausea.

"A massage, a spa, a facial! The whole thing! You will put this behind you and you will be ready to be with your love."

Again.

Was this normal? Was this how it should be? They should not be ready to ship her off to the next person after what happened. Shouldn't they want to give her time? Bethanie wanted to believe there was good intention behind it, that they thought being with the one would help her ease.

But... now the veil had been pulled, and everything was clear.

Something wasn't right.

"Mom?"

"Yes, my dear girl?"

"Cou-could Jennifer come with me?"

"Oh?"

"I- she was with me a lot before the wedding, and I'm... it still feels a little strange to be by myself."

Jennifer.

Her name was on the file and it sounded like she wasn't married because of love. Yes, there was a chance she knew, but there was a chance she was a victim too. Bethanie couldn't risk coming clean to her mother, not with the way she was being too much.