Truth be told

Chapter 18

THIS CHAPTER IS TOLD FROM CAROLYNS POV.

I couldn't believe that he had turned up after all these years. He is worse than he was before. So I had better explain things. When I was 17 I met Aaron. He made me feel incredible. I fell in love with him quickly. We were a couple. I was a senior in high school. I was nearly 18 and looking forward to going to college to pursue my career. I wanted to be a doctor.
Aaron actively encouraged me, at first. I couldn't believe that I had such a supportive boyfriend.
We had been together 6 months when I graduated high school, top of my class. Aaron and I spent a wonderful summer with each other. I felt bad not seeing friends, but Aaron said that he wanted me all to myself. Cell phones back then weren't how they are now. It was just texts and calls.
It was getting nearer to me leaving for college. I began to have doubts about leaving. Aaron said he would be devastated when I left. He was scared that I would find someone else. He said that once I got to college I would meet more people and forget all about him. I reassured him many times that that wouldn't happen. I told him I loved him and that we would be together forever. Or so I thought.
I was feeling nauseated and put it down to planning for college. The feeling wouldn't go away and on some occasions I would puke. I realised that I had missed a period too. I swallowed hard and went to the pharmacy. I picked up a couple of pregnancy tests. I took them both. I waited. I looked and they were both positive. I was pregnant with Aaron's baby. I didn't know what to do. I was meant to be starting college in the fall. I couldn't have a baby and go to college. I was premed. The workload was extensive.
I told Aaron thinking he would be upset. He grinned at me.
"We're having a baby." He said
"I I don't know yet Aaron."
"What? You are not getting rid of this baby. You will have to quit going to college."
"My dream of being a Doctor....."
"You selfish bitch! You would abort our baby, so you can go to college, make fancy new friends and leave me behind."
"I didn't say anything about an abortion." I said crying.
"Good because that wasn't happening anyway." I furrowed my brow and looked at him.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I own you now. You have my baby growing inside of you. "
I,nodded. I had to cancel my college acceptance. Aaron got a job and found a small apartment to rent. He insisted that I move in with him. My parents were against it. Aaron had me convinced that we had to be together, so that we were a proper family. Aaron was even talking about marriage. So I moved in with him. I was never allowed a minute alone, unless he was at work. I was expected to keep the apartment clean and tidy. Aaron was a very particular person and had high standards. If he thought it wasn't good enough, he would make me do it again and again until it was perfect, in his eyes.

3 months later and life was unbearable. I couldn't go to the bathroom without Aaron following me. He wouldn't let me close the bathroom door, so I had privacy. I was nearly 4 months pregnant by now. I had all the necessary checks. Baby was healthy.
One day I had an ultrasound appointment. Aaron came along. The sonographer smiled as we entered.
"How are things going?" He asked. I looked at his name tag.
Ben Warren.
"Hi Ben, yea things are going good. We just need to see how bubs is." I smiled. Aaron was quiet. He laid a possessive hand on my shoulder. I laid down on the bed and Ben put the gel on my stomach. He put the wand on me and I could see our baby.
"Aaron, look. It's our baby." I said excitedly. Aaron looked at the screen then at me. He showed no emotion. His eyes were dead looking. I dismissed his mood and enjoyed looking at our baby.
"Sex?" Ben asked.
"Oh yes please." I said. "We want to know, don't we Aaron?" Aaron just nodded once.
"Ok," Ben said looking closely at the screen. "You are having.....a girl." He turned and smiles at us.
"Congratulations guys." He smiled. Ben got some paper towel and wiped the gel off my stomach. I got up and we left the doctors office.
We drove home in silence. I went to turn the radio on bit Aaron swatted my hand away.
We arrived home. I put my purse on the hall table. Aaron brushed past me, went into the bedroom and slammed the door. I sighed and went to sit down with my book for a bit.
Suddenly the bedroom door opened.
"Thanks for checking on me! Making sure I am ok!" Aaron said coming back out the bedroom.
"What?" I frowned. "Aaron...." I started to say.
"You being a whore in that doctors office. That's what I am pissed about."
"Whore? What the fuck?" I was utterly confused at this point.
"Carolyn you were flirting with that guy. Hell you may as well of climbed on top of him."
"Aaron I was being polite and talking to the person that was making sure our baby was OK. Do you just expect me not to talk to anyone?"
"Yes. Yes that's exactly what I expect from now on. You can't speak to someone without my permission first.' Aaron said.
"Huh, I don't think so." I laughed. I got up to use the bathroom when Aaron grabbed my wrist.
"Bitch you will do as I say! You are my property." He raised his hand to slap me, then decided against it. That's when I knew I had to leave him. He was getting worse and I couldn't allow that around this baby.
I planned my escape. I was squirreling away money from a little waitress job I had. Aaron wasn't keen but I told him that we would need the money. So he "allowed" me to get the job.
Every tip I received went away. I was also buying baby things for the apartment but some I would put away.
The day I had planned to go had arrived. I had enough saved to get us far away from Aaron. I would have to change my surname, so he couldn't trace me.
As I got ready, Aaron unexpectedly arrived home.
"CAROLYN!" He shouted. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU PLAYING AT?"
Oh no he had found out about my plan to escape. I closed my eyes feeling the dread consume me. He was going to kill me.