The Red House

Chapter 35

The world stopped in Matthew's senses as he comprehended Feather's announcement.

"I'm pregnant... with our baby." She said.

She's pregnant... it kept echoing in his thoughts. They were gonna be a family. They were going to have their happily ever after. But the reality was, the only way that was going to happen, is if Adrian, his own brother, his own flesh and blood, was stopped from raping the mother of his child.

"Feath,..." he smiled, cupping her cheek. "Oh my god." He leaned down and planted a kiss on her soft lips. "Are you sure it's mine?" He couldn't help but ask. She laughed off the question. "Matthew, you're the only guy I've been having sex with for the past few months..."
"I'm gonna get you out of here," He said. "I promise."
She nodded. "I know you will..."
"How are you gonna do that?" Adrian spoke, ruining the couple's moment. "She's not allowed to leave this house. She's my property, Matt. She belongs to me."
"She's a human being who belongs to no one but herself. Adrian, didn't you hear? We're gonna have a baby: my baby! Let her go." Matthew begged.
He shook his head. "So what if she's pregnant? I have a wife pregnant at home and that doesn't stop me! I'll have it aborted then."
Matthew pushed Feather behind him, acting as her shield. "Over my dead body." Adrian rolled his eyes. "What the hell's going on with you, Aid? I thought you loved Taylor? How long has this been going on? You're about to be a family. I thought you loved her?"
"I do, Matt. I love her." Adrian admitted.
Feather her noticed Patricia quiver at the statement.
"But I can't help it. She hasn't given it up to me for months and I have needs. Besides, I've had this place since way before I met Taylor, so that doesn't really mean I'm cheating. Sex is who I am, Matt. This house defines who I am. This is my life." Adrian continued.
"That's fucking twisted!" Matthew complained. "You have a wife who loves you and yet you do this... bullshit because she can't have sex with you? This isn't your life, Adrian! This isn't you!"
Adrian simply shook his head.
"At least let Feather go." Nick begged.
"I can't have that, little brother. If I let one go, then everyone else would want to follow." He said.
"Adrian!" Nick cried.
"I'm sorry, Matt." He shrugged.

As if on cue, the door crashed open. Feather and Patricia shrieked in terror. Matthew quickly wrapped his arms around Feather. Ricardo Heart stood in front of a mob of police officers. Vanessa stood scared and worried behind the crowd, seeming to have been the point woman.
"Daddy?" Feather called, confused.
He seemed to have ignored her for a moment and asked out loud.
"Is he the owner of this place?" He pointed at Adrian.
Matthew and Feather nodded. Patricia still in a trance.
"You're under arrest for human trafficking and various sexual harassments." He gestured the police to go straight in. They took Adrian by the arms and dragged him out.
Feather sighed in relief and collapsed into Matthew's arms. He felt her tears pierce through his shirt. Tears of joy: she was finally free.

"Are you two alright?" Rick asked, walking over.
Matthew and Feather released from their hug and nodded at Mr. Heart.
Feather ran over to her father and hugged him tight.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"I went here to give you something but when that young lady over recognised me, she told me everything. I called the cops." He pointed at Vanessa who was busy telling her tale to an officer.
"Give me something?" she asked, letting him go from her hold.
He walked out of the room for a moment and came back with a paper bag. He handed this to Feather.
Matthew came to her side when she took a look. She gasped. She took out the white dress Zac gave her on her birthday, still clean and untouched.
"We found it at the scene. The bag it was in saved it from any vandalism. I knew it was Zac's gift for you during that night... I would, he asked me for money." Ricardo narrated.
Tears bumped up to Feather's eyes as she felt the emotion take over her. She looked up at her father with happiness.
"Thank you for bringing me this, daddy." She said.
"You might want to put it on now, sweetie." Rick blushed. "You're still just wrapped by a blanket."
"Oh!" Feather blushed and winced. "Sorry... I'll be right back."