Lyra's POV
I stood at the edge of the beach, staring out at the ocean as the waves crashed against the shore. Anderson had gone out to clear his head, leaving me alone with my thoughts.The tension between Anderson and me was palpable. After his parents found out our whereabouts, everything changed. Anderson confessed his feelings to me, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was only doing it out of pity or obligation.
I was lost in a sea of uncertainty, unsure of what the future held for us.
As I gazed out at the water, I sensed a presence behind me. I turned to see a man approaching me, dressed in a tailored suit that seemed out of place in the casual beach setting. His eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.My instincts screamed at me to run, but my legs felt like lead.
"Lyra," he said, his voice low and smooth. "It's been a while."
I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as I took in his polished appearance. To anyone else, he might seem like a charming gentleman, but I knew the truth. Underneath his polished facade, he was a monster - a rapist and a woman beater.
Reginald Richardson. The man who had destroyed my life.
I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. Reginald's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, as if he enjoyed seeing me so unsettled. He took a step closer to me, and I flinched.
"Don't worry, Lyra," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm not here to hurt you. At least, not yet."
"What do you want, Reginald?" I spat out the words, trying to keep my emotions in check.
Reginald smiled, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, Lyra. I think you know exactly what I want."
My heart racing, I took a step back, trying to create some distance between us. But Reginald just laughed, his eyes never leaving mine.
"You're a clever girl, Lyra," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But not clever enough. You think you can just waltz into my life, pretend to be someone you're not, and then try to pass off my child as someone else's?"
I felt a surge of anger at his accusations, but I tried to keep my cool. "I don't know what you're talking about or what child you speak of" I spat out.
Reginald chuckled. "Don't play dumb, Lyra. I know all about your little charade. You're not the sophisticated socialite you pretended to be at the party.Which when I found out I began to think what exactly drew me to you? And what exactly was your purpose?You're just a... opportunistic little thing, aren't you?"
His words cut deep, but I refused to back down. "Opportunistic thing? You drugged and raped me you beast!" I hissed.
Reginald's expression turned cold. "Well, about that, it was just the heat of the moment. I tried to be nice to you but you were playing hard to get but that's by the way darling. And the fact you let yourself get pregnant? Are you that naive or just scheming?"
"Scheming? Oh you disgust me a lot and for your information this isn't in anyway your child. I won't let my child anywhere and evil man like you. You may be all rich and mighty but you're just an evil pig!" I yelled disgust and anger boiling inside of me
"Oh, but you are. You see, a Richardson always takes care of their own. And that includes our children. You're going to come with me, and we'll figure this whole thing out. After the baby is born, you can... dispose of yourself however you see fit. I'll even pay you off, if that's what you're looking for."
My skin crawled at his words. "Over my dead body," I snarled.
Reginald's eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly regained control. "We'll see about that, my dear lyra" he said, his voice dripping with menace.
I tried to make a run for it, dashing down the beach as fast as my legs could carry me. Before I knew it, Reginald's men were after me. It was as if they appeared from no where. I had to use all my strength to run but Reginald's men were too quick, too strong. They caught up to me in seconds, grabbing me by the arms and holding me in place.
Reginald strolled up to us, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Be careful with her," he instructed his men. "We don't want any... accidents."
The men nodded, their grip on my arms tightening. I struggled against them, but they were too powerful. They dragged me back to the parking lot, where a sleek black car was waiting.
Reginald opened the door, gesturing for me to get in. I hesitated, trying to think of a way to escape. But Reginald's men were too close, too watchful. I had no choice but to obey.
As I slid into the car, Reginald leaned in close. "You just be a good girl Lyra," he whispered. "And everything will be fine."
I shuddered at his breath on my skin, feeling a wave of fear wash over me. Where was Anderson? Why hadn't he come back yet?
The car door slammed shut behind me, and I was trapped.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Reginald leaned back in his seat, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face.
"You're probably wondering why I've gone to so much trouble to bring you back," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.
I didn't respond, my mind racing with thoughts of escape and rescue.
Reginald chuckled. "I know I'm not supposed to care but you see, Lyra, you're carrying something very valuable. Something that belongs to me."
His eyes dropped to my stomach, and I felt a surge of revulsion.
"This is my baby," I spat out, trying to keep my voice steady.
Reginald nodded. "Your baby? Honey, it takes two to make a baby so that's my child. And I'll stop at nothing to make sure it's raised with the proper... upbringing."
I glared at Reginald, my anger boiling over. "You're sick," I spat. "You think you can just take me and my baby and do whatever you want with us? You're disgusting."
Reginald's face twisted in anger, and he took a step closer to me. "How dare you," he hissed. "You think you can just insult me and get away with it?"
I stood my ground, my heart racing with fear. But I refused to back down. "I'm not afraid of you," I sneered. "You're a monster, and you'll never get away with what you've done."
Reginald's anger boiled over, and he raised his hand, slapping me across the face. The sound echoed through the air, and my head snapped back, my eyes widening in shock."That should keep you in check." He said nonchalantly
I felt a surge of pain and fear, but I refused to give in. I glared at Reginald, my eyes blazing with hatred. "You'll pay for that," I spat. "You'll regret ever touching me."
Reginald's eyes narrowed, as he glanced at me. I could see the anger and hatred in his eyes, and I knew I was in grave danger.
As the car sped down the highway, my mind racing with possibilities. Where was Reginald taking me? Had he found out about my involvement with the Smiths? How was Anderson going to save me? And how was I going to escape, considering I was barely into my first trimester?
Panic set in as I thought about all the things that could go wrong. Reginald's slap still stung, and I could feel my eye swelling. I gingerly touched my cheek, wincing in pain.
Why was life getting so difficult? I had finally found a sense of safety and security with Anderson, and now Reginald had ruined everything. Again.
I glanced around the car, looking for any opportunity to escape. And I noticed another thing, this wasn't the road to Reginald's house at least the one I've been to. Reginald's men were watching me closely, their eyes fixed on me like hawks. I knew I couldn't outrun them, not in my condition.
As the car turned off the highway and onto a winding road, I felt a sense of unease. Where were we going? Some isolated mansion where Reginald could keep me prisoner?
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I had to think clearly, come up with a plan. Anderson would come for me, I knew that. But until then, I was on my own.
As the car continued down the winding road, I caught glimpses of a large estate in the distance. My heart sank. This must be where Reginald was taking me.
As the car pulled up to the estate, I could feel my anxiety spiking. Reginald's men escorted me out of the car and into the grand entrance hall of the mansion. I was immediately struck by the opulence and extravagance that surrounded me.
But my awe was short-lived, as Reginald's family turned to face me. His mother, a pinched-faced woman with a cold gaze, looked me up and down before turning to Reginald.
"Really, Reginald, how could you?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "She's...beneath us. A low-class...girl, and you've gone and gotten her pregnant?"
Reginald shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to me before returning to his mother. "It was a mistake, Mother," he said. "It happened in the heat of the moment. I thought she was...different."
His mother raised an eyebrow. "Different? You thought she was one of us, didn't you? A socialite, a woman of breeding and refinement?"
Reginald nodded, looking sheepish. "Yes, Mother. I was mistaken."
I felt a surge of anger at Reginald's words, but I bit back my retort. I knew I had to tread carefully, at least for now.
Reginald's mother turned to me, her eyes cold and calculating. "Well, you're here now," she said. "And you'll stay here, until the baby is born. Then, we'll decide what to do with you."
I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the true extent of Reginald's family's plans for me. I was nothing more than a brood mare to them, a vessel for their precious family's heir.
But I refused to give up. I would find a way to escape, no matter what it took. For myself, for my baby, and for Anderson.
I fell to my knees, desperation etched on my face. "Please," I begged, looking up at Reginald's mother. "Just let me go. I'll disappear, I'll go far away, and I'll never speak of this to anyone. Just please, don't keep me here."
Reginald's mother gazed at me with a cold, calculating gaze. "The baby is of our own blood," she said, her voice firm. "We won't have it raised elsewhere. You'll stay here, under our care, until the baby is born."
I felt a wave of despair wash over me. I was trapped, with no escape.
Reginald's mother nodded to one of the maids standing nearby. "See to it that Lyra is comfortable," she instructed. "Assign a maid to attend to her needs for the next six months or so until she puts to bed. We'll make sure she's well taken care of."
The maid curtsied and took my arm, helping me to my feet. "Follow me, miss," she said, leading me away from Reginald's mother and the grand entrance hall.
I stumbled along beside her, my mind reeling with thoughts of escape and rescue. But for now, I was trapped, a prisoner in this grand estate, forced to carry Reginald's baby to term.
As the maid led me to my new quarters, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror. My eye was swollen and bruised, my face pale and pinched. I looked like a shadow of my former self few hours ago, a fragile and vulnerable thing.
But I knew I couldn't give up. I had to find a way to escape, to get back to Anderson or at least get my life together for the sake of my family
I woke up to the sound of my door opening, and Anna the maid, walked in with a tray of breakfast. "Good morning, Miss Lyra," she said, her voice cheerful, but her eyes sympathetic.
I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. It had been a week since I'd been brought to the estate, and every day felt like an eternity. I was being watched and guarded constantly, with no chance of escape.
The food on the tray looked delicious, but I had lost my appetite I don't think I've had any the past week. I had hoped to use my prenatal check-ups as an opportunity to escape, but Reginald's mother had other plans. A doctor had been brought to the estate to tend to me, eliminating any chance of me leaving the grounds.
I sighed, pushing the tray away. "I'm not hungry Anna"
Anna looked concerned. "But Miss Lyra, you need to eat for the baby's sake."
I shook my head. "I'll eat later. Just drop the tray you can come back later for it"
Anna nodded and dropped the tray of breakfast on the table and left.
Reginald's mother, Mrs. Richardson, visited me every day, fussing over my health and the baby's well-being. She'd bring me gifts, fancy clothes and jewelry, but I didn't want any of it. I just wanted to leave.
At first, I tried to play along, pretending to be grateful for her attention. But as the days turned into weeks, I couldn't keep up the charade. I felt like a prisoner, trapped in this opulent cell.
Mrs. Richardson would coo over my belly, talking to the baby as if it were already born. I'd force a smile, but inside, I was seething. This child was a constant reminder of what Reginald had done to me. The pain, the fear, the humiliation.
I began to resent the baby, wondering if my life would have been better if it hadn't existed. Maybe I could have started healing, moving on from the trauma. But now, this child was a constant reminder of Reginald's brutality.
I thought about terminating the pregnancy, but I knew it was too risky. Mrs. Richardson would never allow it, and even if I managed to find a way, my life would be at risk.
I felt trapped, stuck in this nightmare with no escape. I felt like the baby was a pawn in Mrs. Richardson's game of power and control, and I was just a vessel, a means to an end.
As the days turned into weeks, I became withdrawn, unable to pretend anymore. Mrs. Richardson noticed the change in me, but she just smiled and told me it was hormones.
Hormones. As if that could explain the despair, the anger, the hatred I felt towards this child.
I'd begin to loose count of the days and the weeks. Time had become irrelevant.
I felt like I was drowning, suffocating under the weight of the Richardson's grip. Mrs. Richardson's constant visits, the endless questions, the probing and prodding... it was all too much.
I just wanted to be free.
I wanted someone to save me, to rescue me from this prison. But who? Anderson was gone, and I had no idea if he was even looking for me.
Reginald? Ha! He was the last person I'd want to save me.
I was trapped, alone and adrift in a sea of despair.
As the days blurred together, I found myself withdrawing further and further into my own world. I stopped eating, stopped sleeping, stopped caring.
Mrs. Richardson would try to rouse me, or find anyone who would to get me to talk, to eat, to live. But I just couldn't.
I was a shell of my former self, a hollow husk of a person.
And yet... and yet... I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me, waiting for me.
Anderson? My sick mom? My dad?
Or someone else?
I didn't know, but I held onto that hope, that glimmer of light in the darkness.
It was all that kept me going.