Love's Unwritten Contract

10

( there is a triggering mention in this chapter)

Ophelia's view 

getting up in the morning was more accessible than others. I crept out of the room, grabbed a few things, and packed a few garbage bags when Dominic's voice came behind me. "What are you doing?" he sounded exhausted. "Nothing. dress nice Religious parents." I mumbled, walking upstairs to change myself and get cleaned up. I have been wary ever since the issue with Ace. I was grateful that Dominic told me he hadn't wanted me in the room alone with him. Since he had been here, I felt he was always watching around the corner. Once I returned upstairs, I checked the room before undressing and jumping into the shower to ensure the curtain was closed. Standing under the warm water, I was slowly preparing for what would come or even what could happen. The bedroom door opened. " Red or green sunshine," Dominic's voice rang through the room, " green, shower curtain is closed," I called back slightly before the bedroom door closed. Since he first walked in, Dominic and I devised a system. If the door room was closed before entering fully, we would crack the door so the other could hear us and call for red or green. Red: not wanting the person to enter. Green: it was okay for the person to enter. It made having time to myself quieter. I didn't have to hide in the kitchen. And not overbaking everything just to have an excuse for being in the kitchen in the first place. I finished showering, wrapped a towel around me, and looked at myself in the mirror. I crossed my arms, digging my nails into my skin to help me make sure I would burst into tears at anything that could happen. I stepped out, and Dominic wasn't in the room; I smiled. That is one thing I can appreciate. He was quick about going in and out if he needed anything in here. Heading into the closet, I stared at the dress I wore every year for Christmas. The red dress had a white lace touch around the bottom and laced sleeves. Or the dress I got last year from my aunt on my mother's side was a straight, deep red with an exposed back.

I shuttered as the memories flooded in from my first experience in the basement. My skin hummed unpleasantly, the pain coming into my mind, and it felt as if my touch had turned to ice. I shook my head violently, snapping my thoughts out of the dark headspace I had found myself in. " Change is good.. you can do this.." I whispered, my voice cracking with each word as I reached for the deep, wine-coloured dress. I slipped the towel down and got dressed first thing. After the dress, I did my hair. As it was already long enough to cover my exposed back, I still had wet hair. Finding a blowdryer, I quickly dried my hair, taking my curler out and doing thick curls. Finishing with that, I spun to make sure my hair would hide the family secret. The curls would perfectly conceal everything. 

With even a shake of my hair to loosen the curls, there was no site of any scar. A slight knock came on the door. Who is it?" I mumbled, heading to the door and seeing Lexie with two bags in hand." Dominic said you were getting ready. I wanted to help. Is that okay?" the girl chirped, smiling from ear to ear. " I wasn't going to do a lot of makeup; thank you, though.." I let out a soft whisper before closing the door and making my way to the bathroom. " Oh, that's okay," she called back, able to hear her through the door with no issues. I sighed, doing as I said, placing waterproof mascara. Grabbing the toy I had been sleeping with the past few days and my purse, I made my way downstairs, where I found Oakley and Dominic in a matching suit set, black suits and a matching tie that matched the colour of the suit. " Where are all of you going that got you dressed up so nice?" Ozella smiled as she stepped out of the kitchen area into the hallway that would attach the living room and both the stairs downstairs and the stairs leading up. " We are heading to her parents for dinner tonight cause they insisted we went today instead of tomorrow," Dominic cleared his voice, and the little boy hugged my leg." You look pretty mama.." he would mumble softly, looking up at me in awe. I smiled, picking him up, and he clung to me, resting his head on my shoulder. I headed out with Oakley, strapping him in the car in his booster seat. For the long hour drive to my parents. Dominic came out cursing under his breath. The slammed door could be heard from where the car was, a walk from the house. " Princess, are you ready to go?" His tone and facial expression changed to softer as we got into the car; I nodded, buckled as the car started, and drove off. Our first stop was Dominic's parents because they had asked for him the night we visited my parents.