Warning:

Warning: This book contains sexual violence and rape that may trigger some things for sensitive readers. It contains graphic abuse and paedophiles. Sex scenes are described rather visibly, so please read responsibly.

*Monitor Beeping*

Alix... I heard voices, worried voices... Laura, no... not just Laura, Tina and Marvin... Is that Ash- Ugh... I reek...

Wait... it is coming back to me. Ash, help, I screamed, but no one answered. My voice sounded silent despite my screams.

I feel weak... please don't, she whimpered, she thinks he is carrying her from one room to another, music bustling, people dancing... I was dancing, was I dancing? Cara and Kat were there... They were saying something.

The

They slipped something into her drink... so, she felt her heart buzzing, but that wasn't scary... Bran had picked her up.

Oh no! He was going to have his way. It finally dawned on me. I fought with him last week, and he threatened to get back at me. "This was his way of getting back".

He's entered another room now, she thinks, farther from the noise of music. She could hear the music, but faintly. Too tired to move, too weak, yet she struggled.

He's placed her on a couch or bed now, She felt the softness... Open your eyes damn it, but I couldn't, not completely... she heard him now.

Not so cocky now, he chuckled devilishly... More voices now, she heard them say...She is a pretty one, Bran, no wonder you were smitten.

You get to go first, another one said.

No oo, she screamed or tried to scream, but her voice was silent... then, I felt him on me. Over her, he tore her clothes with a knife... she knew because she felt the nick on my stomach.

It hurt so much that her eyes, that had been heavy, flew open and she watched in tears as Bran had his way with her...

Ah "... she screamed in horror, but she was helpless, he was tearing through her, they were laughing... He was mocking her...

Annoyed at her weakness, she struggled again, but he struck her hard, a blow to the head, another to her stomach; she cowered now, not in fear but in pain...

Tired--" she wanted to close her eyes... but he was already pounding... she was a virgin, but now it's useless... Another came in as Bran slid off her...

It's terrible, but she must fight it... Please stop it, she sobbed silently. No one's coming, she thought, so she might as well close her eyes and let it all go...

But someone did come, Ash... her love, her life, my anchor, and she gave in at last...

He was here, and she was safe.

NINE MONTHS AGO

"Alix"... Laura called her from the door. Her cold face glared down at her as she stirred something in the pot.

"What for?" Alix asked in annoyance. "She'd tolerate her uncle's constant abuse but not her cousin's, who is her age mate. "Something about accommodation for the school".

"Oh"! Alix nodded... In two years, she will have access to her inheritance, but her trust fund will be fully managed by her in two months when she turns eighteen.

Laura would have hers as well because her father had provided that haven for them both. Her trust fund comes from the money her parents had kept for her since she was given birth too and her uncle had no access to that money to her luck.

He had no access to hers and Laura's, just the house, the companies and the cars till she came of age. She was orphaned at the tender age of five.

Parents dying mysteriously, left in the care of an uncle who was supposed to fill the void but ended up being the villain.

Her aunt Elizabeth Whitlock, who was her uncle's wife, had been a mother to them both till she died of late-stage cancer two years ago, and since then hell had been what she had seen.

"Yes", Uncle Trevor, she said immediately she got to him. Laura walked towards her father nonchalantly and sat a distance from him.

"I called you to discuss your admission to the university". Okay! she thought. "Sit down", he offered, making her look at him in trepidation. She hopes this won't end up in her getting beaten again.

"Relax", he chuckled, making her sit on edge again. "Have you thought of your accommodation?" He asked. "Ahh"... at a loss for words, she looked at Laura, who stared at her blankly.

"I think you should stay at your father's house. The one close to the school, that way you wouldn't be far from home, and I can be assured you girls are safe".

Since when did her uncle start caring about her? Was her coming of age finally changing things? Because no matter what, she was willing to fight tooth and nail to get her inheritance from him.

"Don't you have a mouth to speak?" He snapped, making her flinch... God! He raised his finely trimmed eyebrow at her... "It is hard being nice to you", he muttered.

"I,,, am,, so,,, sorry"... she stuttered..." "I prefer to stay in the dormitory, uncle... She watched Laura from the corner of her eye and saw her smile at her a little, which was strange.

She had begged her to refuse the house and stay on campus before they left the kitchen, and honestly, staying on campus would also give her the needed freedom from them both.

But his next word made her freeze in her seat, and she saw the annoyance but relief on Laura's face.

"Then you two will be staying together on campus".

"Okay," they said reluctantly.... "But I will be staying at the house close to the campus instead to watch over you two".

"What!" They whipped their heads at him in shock.