Page 76 of Fractured
“You thought you could get away with it; marry me, fuck me, tease me, and make me want something I never knew I wanted. Well, guess what bunny? You thought you signed to win, but the only thing you signed was your death warrant.”
He turns and starts to walk away. Sebastian and Carlos come running in and stop short at the end of the couch and look at me, crying on the floor. I look up at Sebastian and he looks down at me with disgust and pity, and it breaks my heart even more.
“I didn’t do anything”; I tried to say it, but it never leaves my mouth. Carlos leaves without saying a word, or even looking at me at all, and I slide down the wall, my body crumpling on the floor as I hold my crushed throat.
The door closes, the room falls quiet, except for my sobs and ragged breathing. I’ve felt pain before; I’ve felt betrayal from my family. But this pain in my chest is beyond anything I have ever felt. I’d rather he had killed me than leave me lying on the floor knowing they all hate me for reasons I don’t understand.
I don’t know how long I lay there as I look out over the carpet. The coffee table is tipped over, the dishes are smashed, and my flowers are a crumpled pile of dust and sticks. Stretching my hand out, I run my finger along a withered stem. My hourglass has run out. I close my eyes and silent tears run hot on my cheeks, slowly pick myself up and crawl over to the tray, setting it upright on the floor.
I work on autopilot, mindlessly picking up pieces of glass and food, putting them on the tray. The vase is smashed, and I put the pieces in a pile on the tray. Then crawl over to the coffee table, trying to tip it back up when a set of hands grabs the other end and helps me set it right.
I look up and Sasha is there, her eyes full of pity and remorse.
“They are all gone now, Isabella. They left twenty minutes ago.” She rounds the coffee table and grabs my elbow, helpingme stand.
“Come sit, please. I got this.”
I do as she says, and I watch her. It’s like I can’t think, or I’m thinking too much. I’m just numb. Sasha takes the tray to the door and comes back to me. “Let me see your neck.” I shake my head and hold my throat. I don’t want anyone touching me right now. She holds her hand up in surrender. “I understand, I do. Can you talk?”
I try to say yes, but nothing comes out and I cry over the pain shooting through my throat.
“I thought as much.” She shakes her head sadly. “I’ve worked for some fucked up people, but this? This is fucked up. Come on, let’s run you a bath, and put a cold cloth on your throat.”
I shake my head no. I’m too scared to move right now. She looks me over. “You are covered in food and glass. You need to change and get out of those clothes. They are gone, Isabella, you’re safe and I won’t leave you. I’ll get Rose to make you some clear soup and tea.” She looks around at the mess in the room.
“I also think I’ll get that little brunette to come and clean up while I guard the bathroom door.”
She pulls me by the hand, and I follow her. I just do what she says because I don’t know what else to do. Sasha sits me on the toilet and starts the tub. I bend over and take off my socks, dropping them on the floor.
She grabs a face cloth and runs it under water. She brings it over.
“Put this on your throat till I can get a bag of ice. You got this?” She points at the tub.
I just nod and hold the cold cloth to my throat. I mouth thank you and she smiles down at me.
“I’ll be back with soup and ice. Get in.” She points at the tub. “You’re in shock. I’ll be just a few minutes. Don’t bloody drown while I’m gone.”
I undress, put my clothes in the hamper, and step into the tub. My feet tingle and burn. They are so cold. I lower myself in, turn off the water and lay back on the edge of the tub. It hurts to swallow.
He said I signed my death warrant. What does that mean? I signed nothing, ever. He said I was working with my dad, trying to take his father’s seat. This must be something my father has done? It has to be. But he won’t believe me no matter how much I try to explain, and I can’t even if I wanted to. I don’t even know what’s happening.
I can hear the vacuum cleaner and movement outside the bathroom door. Sasha must be back. I lower myself to my chin in the water.
The one thing I’m certain of is when he gets home, I’m going to die. I had hope for cats and a condo, but it looks like the bullet won. Tears fall again and I can’t stop them. My throat hurts so badly and crying doesn’t help, but my world is so fucked up right now.
I wash my face, dunk under the water, come back up and wash my hair. I’m on autopilot again. Wash, dry, dress, brush my hair, braid it, and sit in the window. The soup is on the coffee table, but I can only handle drinking the tea. I take a sip as I watch the storm move on. The ground is wet and heavy with rain and the pool cover reflects the pot lights as they turn on for the night.
I need to text Anna. I can’t wait for Helen. I set my cup down on my seat and go to my closet, close the door behind me, go to the farthest corner, sit on the floor, and open the phone. There is only one number.
Izzy:911. Need out. Imminent death. No joke.
Anna:What the fuck? Truck will be there tomorrow. Get to thegarden at 1:00 pm.
Izzy:Will be there. Thx Anna, Love you.
The tears won’t stop, damn it, and my throat hurts. God, I’m such a fool for not leaving when I first decided.
Anna:F.Y. I. I will kill that motherfucker. Tomorrow at one. <3
