Stark's Daughter

Chapter 54

* before I begin this chapter, I would like to apologize for taking forever to update all of my books. And thank you to all of you who stayed with me and supported me. And who still support me. I love you guys 😊❤️*

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*The Next Morning*

I swing my legs off the side of the bed and stand up carefully. My eye is swollen, or that's how it feels anyway. On the other side of the bed is Nathaniel...sleeping. My heart races and I feel violated. I wonder how long he's been there. Looking away, I tiptoe towards the door to the hallway.

Within ten steps, I was at the door. Slowly, I reach out and twist the doorknob. The door creaked open and my escape was interrupted by a intimidating voice. I close my eyes and breathe slowly.

"Where do you think you're going?" Nathaniel asks.

I spin around and watch as he sits up in the bed. His eyes piercing back at mine. His mischievous smile, haunting my thoughts.

"I'm going to go check on the kids. Marc will be here soon to pick them up." I reply, sternly.

"I'll take care of it." He stands up and begins walking toward me.

"No. No. They're my responsibility." I say, opening the door fast.

I jump out of the room, in hopes of him not following me. I rush into the bathroom first. I lock the door and find myself staring back at myself in the mirror. Mixes of colors surround my left eye. Dark purple, blue, and black. I feel ashamed, so I look away.

As I walk out of the bathroom, Nathaniel leans against the wall beside me. My breathing quickens and I walk past him and back into the bedroom. I pull on a pair of ripped jeans and a long sleeved shirt. I tie my hair up, quickly, and find a pair of sunglasses to cover my eye.

The door opens and Nathaniel comes in. He starts to walk toward me, but stops.

"Damn, I shoulda came in sooner." He smiles again, his eyes searching my entire body.

"Go to hell." I spat, watching his smile turn into a frown.

He takes a step closer to me, but I hold a cold stare. At this very second, I realize my powers aren't working. My eyes widen, yet I still stare back at him. He takes another step toward me and I back up more.

I back up until I back into the dresser. My hands reach behind me and hold tightly. Again, I try my powers, but they don't work. I don't understand.

"Look, Nathaniel, I'm sorry. Truly. Let me make it up to you. Just come a little closer and I'll give you a nice long kiss." I suggest.

"That does sound pretty nice. Yeah, okay." He replies and swiftly takes another step.

We're face to face now, just a couple inches apart. I squint my eyes.

"Close your eyes, baby." I say.

My hands search for anything behind me. Before he can lean down, I grab the lamp off the dresser. Forcefully, I launch it at his head. He yells out in pain and swipes his fists at me. I dodge at all costs and leap behind him. I kick the back of his leg, causing him to fall to the ground. I shove my hand into the back of his head, smashing it into the dresser.

He falls to the ground, still breathing, but knocked out. With shaky breaths, I open the top drawer and scramble through the clothes. At the bottom of the drawer, lays my pocket knife. I grasp it and shove it into my pocket.

I run out into the hallway and into Rhys and Kyra's room. Both glare at me as I burst inside.

"Cmon, kids, we have to hurry. Mommy's got some business to take care of....and I can't have either of you around when it's taken care of. Okay? Daddy's on his way here now, so just pack your things. Now!" I'm heaving for breath now, as I help them both stuff their things into their bags.

They both take my hand and we all run downstairs. They're still in pajamas, but I couldn't risk another minute of them being in here.

Thankfully, as I open the door, Marc's car sits in the driveway. He exits the car and waits for Kyra and Rhys to greet him.

"I love you two. Be good, alright?" I tell them, as they go towards Marc.

I slam the door and lock it. I huff, but have no time to think before Nathaniel screams my name from the top of the staircase. Tears now sting my eyes, but I quickly blink them away.

"Please, Nathaniel, calm down." I beg.

"Oh, it's too late for that." He takes five steps down the stairs and I can see the blood that stains the side of his forehead.

As he takes the last step off the staircase, he reaches at the small side table to the left of the stair case. With strong force, he snatches the glass lamp.

"You don't have to do this." I try compromising with him.

He pulls the lamp cord from the outlet, "I didn't want it to come to this, Steph. I'm just returning the favor."

Nathaniel throws the lamp at me. I leap out of the way, as the lamp bursts into pieces right where I was standing. Before he could come any closer, there's a loud knock at the door.

We both freeze.

"Answer it. So help me, if you say anything stupid, I will kill you." He whispers from across the room.

There's a moment, filled with dead silence, but I swear you can hear my heart pounding against my chest. I don't believe him. He wouldn't have the guts to.

"Or I'll kill one of the kids." Nathaniel broke the silence, and now I'm listening.

I walk to the door. Before I can open it, a nudge on my shoulder brings my attention away. Nathaniel hands me my sunglasses. I must've not noticed that they fell off. I took them and put them back on.

I unlocked the door and opened it slowly. Marc stood with a concerned expression.

"What's going on?" He asks, trying to look past me, "I heard glass shattering."

Demarcus tries pushing the door open to come in.

"Everything's fine." I reply, hoping he doesn't think otherwise.

"Are you sure?" He asks.

His eyes hold worry in them and I almost give out. I almost tell him what's happening, but I feel a small push into my back.... A gun. I steady my breath.

"Yes." I say, with hesitation.

"What's up with the sunglasses, Stephanie?" His eyes are focused and watching me carefully.....reading me.

I couldn't think of anything to say. Marc isn't stupid, he knows when something's wrong. I just hope to God he knows. He extends his hand to my face and grasps the sunglasses. Once they're off, anger is written amongst his face.

"Marc... don't." I whisper, my heart pounding.

"Where the hell is he?" He whispers back.

"Just leave it be. Just go." I say, allowing fear back into my eyes.

The gun presses harder into my back.

"Stephanie.. please. What's going on?" Marc asks, determined.

"I....can't say. Just go." I say, tears finally falling from my cheeks.

"I can't leave you like this." He replies and tries to push open the door again.

"Stop. I'll be okay. Just leave." Desperation tangled into my voice.

He takes one more good look at me and backs away from the door.