Prologue

Presley

Nugatory. Silly. Pathetic.

If ugly phrases are thrown at you usually sufficient, they ultimately turn into your reality. It’s an advanced, gradual course of carved by years of cruelty. The shift is so diminutive in your on a regular basis life; you don’t see the gulch forming till the harm has already been accomplished. On the first fissure, you’re second-guessing your individual ideas. Then, because the hole widens, you begin questioning your values, irrespective of how deeply rooted they might be. Over time, little items of your soul are chipped away daily till your self-worth is so diminished, it’s residing on the other finish of the canyon. You hardly acknowledge the particular person staring again at you within the mirror. The one factor you realize for certain is how ashamed you might be of what you’ve turn into.

I do know this as a result of I converse from expertise.

For nearly twelve years, I’d been meticulously conditioned. Molded by a grasp manipulator. Barely a lady when Sebastian and I met, I used to be drawn to him. Curious as a result of he was so subtle and drastically completely different from every little thing I had ever identified. I used to be flattered by his apparent curiosity. Absolutely, a person that profitable and enticing might’ve had any lady he desired. But, he selected me—a easy lady from a small southern city, eleven years his junior and hopelessly in over her head. This worldly man wore costly fits with an impeccable smile as he made fairly guarantees to fix my damaged coronary heart. Alone in a brand new metropolis and so very determined to ease my sorrow, I used to be the proper little lamb to a vicious wolf.

A freshman in school on the time, I used to be younger and naïve sufficient to consider the fairy story. To take his title as my very own lower than 9 months after we met. If solely I had the power to confess the reality on our wedding ceremony day. That the person I used to be about to marry would by no means have my coronary heart as a result of another person already owned it. Perhaps issues can be completely different. Perhaps I’d’ve walked away and by no means identified what a monster Sebastian would turn into. Perhaps, simply perhaps, I wouldn’t be so battered and bruised.

Sebastian had damaged me down all through our marriage, time and time once more till all I knew was what he needed me to know. All I used to be, was a fairly face on the arm of a strong man. Right here in Manhattan, I’m surrounded by tens of millions of individuals, however I wouldn’t take into account any of them a pal. I’ve alienated each individual that ever mattered to me as a result of my husband satisfied me I wanted nobody however him. And because the controlling, abusive aspect of him got here to the floor, I maintained that distance as a result of I didn’t need my family members to witness my humiliation.

In hindsight, I do know that it was all a part of his rigorously orchestrated plan. Due to him, I’ve no confidant. Due to him, I’ve no Plan B. Due to him, I’ve no escape.

I’m his prisoner in a Park Avenue penthouse.

The medical doctors say I’m fortunate—this might’ve been a lot worse, however luck is the final phrase I’d use on this state of affairs. As I look at my reflection within the little mirror above the sink, I survey the proof of Sebastian’s brutality. I’m a residing Picasso, all lopsided options and managed chaos. Half my face is badly disfigured, whereas the opposite half barely has a scratch. Reddish-purple marks mottle my pores and skin, considerably darker round my jawline and the bump on my temple. My lips are cut up and puffy, with dried blood crusted on the nook. My left arm is resting in a sling, cradling my just lately dislocated shoulder, and my proper eye is almost swollen shut from the forceful blow of my husband’s offended, drunken fists. I wince as I swallow, rigorously prodding the ring of bruises round my neck.

I’m not such an amazing trophy spouse in the intervening time, am I?

I’d chortle on the irony of my situation if I didn’t assume the motion would damage a lot. Sebastian’s sometimes extra managed, fearful I couldn’t do my finest impression of a Stepford spouse throughout considered one of his many enterprise capabilities. Normally, he prefers to work via his rage by slamming his dick within me as an alternative of utilizing his fists. I truthfully can’t determine which is worse. I can’t bear in mind the final time I desired intercourse, not to mention loved it in the course of the act. It turned a device I used to pacify the monster as a result of, in accordance with him, a spouse’s sworn responsibility is to please her husband at any time when and whichever approach he sees match. Lord is aware of I’ve heard him say it sufficient occasions over time.

I gingerly return to the mattress, cautious to not tug on the IV in my hand as I decrease myself to the lumpy mattress. As I lie right here listening to the excitement of the emergency room, I can’t assist however take into consideration who I used to be earlier than transferring to New York. A cheerleader with a perennially sunny disposition. The promenade queen who stood proudly beside her adoring king. A younger lady along with her entire life forward of her, a smile so brilliant, it might gentle up the darkest of nights. Somebody who dreamed huge, laughed freely, beloved wholeheartedly, and believed in fortunately ever afters.

That was who Sebastian Winters married. That was who he destroyed. That lady, Presley James, died a few years in the past.

Chapter One

Presley

– Age 5

“Presley Anne, come on over right here. I would like you to satisfy somebody.”

I drop my dolly and run on the sound of my daddy’s voice. Once I make it throughout the dust to our huge purple barn, I discover him inside with a person and a boy ‘bout as outdated as me.

“Hello, Daddy!”

He motions me over and tucks me below his arm. “Presley, that is Mr. Armstrong. He’s going to be our new foreman. He and his son are transferring into Papa’s outdated home. Say hi there, honey.”

Mr. Armstrong is huge like my daddy, ‘cept his hair is darker. My daddy has plenty of white on his head. Mama says it’s from years of attempting to run the horse ranch with simply him and a pair’a different grown-ups. She says Daddy is cussed as an outdated mule relating to askin’ for assist. Mama made him rent an entire buncha new individuals after he damage his again actual unhealthy.

“Hello, Mr. Armstrong.”

Mr. Armstrong goes low to the bottom like Mama does typically when she’s talkin’ to me. “Nicely, hi there there, Presley. Aren’t you a fairly little factor?”

“Thanks, sir.”

He laughs and scoots the boy nearer. “Presley, this right here is my son, Beckett. In keeping with your daddy, you’re each beginning kindergarten within the fall.”

I give the boy a giant smile. Mama says my smile is contaminated, however that don’t make no sense to me. I had an owie get contaminated as soon as, and it was actually gross. Grown-ups are bizarre typically.

“Hello, Beckett. You wanna go see our fishin’ pond?”

Beckett appears to be like as much as his daddy. “Can I, Daddy?”

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