Forced Into Marriage ✓

Chapter 17

AT HOME

It was late at night when Eleanor emerged into the pitch black room. Theo was lying on the bed fast asleep,lost in a peaceful dream. He looked like a dark shadow on the bed, as he lied on his back.
She slipped quickly under the comforter.

His eyes opened immediately. "Where were you?"

She nearly got a fright. "I thought you were sleeping."
Reaching beside her, she switched on the bedside lamp for dim light. "I was downstairs talking to your mother on the phone."

"About?"

About our baby and...

"My father." She answered.

"You told them and not me? Didn't I mention in the car that I want to know everything in detail about your father. And I'm still waiting." He chided.

Oh he's so demanding!

Her gaze took in his masculine chin, the plump lips and piercing brown eyes_only right now they weren't piercing.

"Well you can keep waiting." She fired at him. "And by the way, I only told her about what happened today. Not the whole story."

"You and your sister did not deserve to get beaten up like that."

"My mom does not deserve this either." She retorted, watching the sparkle fade from his eyes, leaving them soft, sweet chocolate pools.

"She couldn't be much of a great mother if she let him lay his filthy hands on you." He pointed out, then heard her hiss of indrawn breath.

"She was afraid of him."

"I know but you needed her. You needed your mother."

"She was there when I needed her the most. Most of the time,she was there."

"Why did he always hurt you like that? That is the million dollar question."

She remained silent,eyes averting to her hands.

"Eleanor." His jaw tightened. She looks at his eyes and they flashed a warning.

"Don't you want to tell me?" He asked firmly. "You don't trust me with that information don't you?" He assumed, arching a dark brow. "I thought so."

"It's not a matter of trust."

"Tell me. It's the only way I'll understand."

"Well maybe I don't want you to understand." She snapped.

His expression revealed astonishment for a brief moment, and then his eyes flashed with anger. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"You have no idea how excruciatingly painful it is to be beaten by a belt. He made me feel worthless and confused."

He remained silent.

"The bond of our relationship is broken and will never be replaced. I'll never forgive him because of the way he treated us. Like garbage."

Theo watches her silently.

"Andi and I were stupid mistakes. Dad never actually wanted children. And from what mother told me,hewas abused at a very young age."

"Thats terrible." Theo muttered, reaching to grasp her warm hand. "you're not worthless Eleanor. Don't ever feel that way."

"Do you know how happy I am, living here?"
Her throat constricted and unshed tears stung her eyes.

"Because I'm free to do whatever I want,happy to be with you. Back then that house was like a prison. We couldn't go out and have fun like other teenagers living their life.  No parties,no hiking,or eating out...going to the beach. None of that. All I wanted was to be happy. Not stressed, not hurt, not angry... Just happy. And all I wanted that time was to see the outside world...and you showed it to me."