Doctor Dragon And Her Mate

Surprise

Nina's pov

It was a two storey house on a large grassy field. It looked lovely and perhaps was a home to a family. It sure looked like it.

I looked around. Various kinds of plants grew in the garden. I wondered where the farm animals were but that wasn't the most important thing I wanted to focus on.

The only light shedding onto the street was the warm, yellowish light coming from the house. The horizon looked like a dark oblivion of nothingness, but I bet the scenery would be gorgeous.

If I wasn't with this narcissistic abuser under such unsettling circumstances, I would have enjoyed the moment more.

“This is my home now,” he said as he guided me towards the entrance.

My eyebrows furrowed together. He didn't have any neighbours and from what he said before, he lived alone.

Did he leave Bree alone in this lonely place?

I didn't like that.

“Just wait until the sun rises. The greenery, the mountains… “ he sighed. “The natural beauty is just breathtaking." He continued to speak without a care about what I thought.

I scoffed to myself. Of course it wasn't a surprise. Why would he care about anything except himself? Despite all that sweet talking he did beside the oak tree, I knew better than to trust him. We reached the doorway. I tried to peer inside, but his large frame blocked the way.

“Where is Bree?” I asked as soon as I stepped inside the living room, eagerly looking around for a glimpse of my daughter.

But there were none. The living room was immaculate with limited furniture here and there. My heart raced. Not a sign of a child being there was in sight.

Did he lie about having Bree here? Did I walk into a trap?

“She's sleeping. She was really tired after all that, you know.”

I wasn't satisfied. “Let me see her.”

I doubted she would go to sleep given the circumstances. Bree was young, but was smart enough not to trust him.

At least I hoped she was. I hoped she knew this was the bad guy, despite being her biological father.

“Rooms are on the first floor. We have three bedrooms and a guest room. We can comfortably live here without bothering anyone,” he said.

I pursed my lips. It wasn't that we didn't have everything we wanted. We did. Drake’s inability to handle his anger was an issue back then.

Forcing a smile I gestured towards the stairs. “I’ll just check on her,” I said.

I ascended the stairs with my heart pounding in my chest. I really hoped he didn't follow me. But even if he did, I didn't know how to stop him. Simply asking him to let me be alone wouldn't work.

It never did.

So I didn't look back to see if he followed me. I kept my eyes locked on the stairs as I slowly climbed the stairs. My heart was heavily thumping in my chest. I was anxious and the only way I could relax was returning home with Bree. As I reached the top, I heard his steps. The lump in my throat tightened.

Despite knowing he would follow, the confirmation was unnerving. After forcing the lump down my throat, I looked across the corridor.

There were four doors painted in white.

“She is in the last room,” he said.

“Ok,” I whispered, hoping I didn't sound too distraught.

With each step I took towards the room, I heard him taking two.

“Bree?” I called as soon as I reached the door.

She didn't respond. I opened the door.

My eyes looked for my child and as soon as I saw sleeping peacefully on a bed, relief washed over me.

She was fine… she was sleeping.

“I told you. She is sleeping. She'd be so happy to see you in the morning.”

Goosebumps crawled on my skin. It wasn't until he whispered into my ear I realised how close he stood behind me. Once again, I felt disturbed.

I strolled into the room, mumbling, “yeah,” partly because I wanted to distance myself from him and partly because I wanted to get a closer look at her.

“Did she eat her dinner?” I asked, in hushed tones. I didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber.

“Yes.” He paused for a while. “Come on. Let me show you around the house. I have a little surprise for you in our room.”

I cringed. Our room? Nope.

I didn't show my distaste. I didn't even glance his way. Instead, I kneeled beside the bed my daughter lay on, gently brushing her hair off her face. I tried to find signs of struggling. Or even a trail of tears on her rosy cheeks.

Surprisingly, there were none. She looked like she was in deep sleep. I smiled, admiring her sweet face. Each soft breath that escaped her lips was a relief. It was a sign that she was still okay.

But she was still in the clothes she wore to school. I pursed my lips. Why didn't he have the decency to get pajamas for them if he had been planning this all along?

My eyes narrowed. Or perhaps he didn't plan it. He simply wanted to lure me here and k********g her was the only way.

A sudden touch on my shoulders startled me. I snapped my head to see that he had walked up to me.

“Sorry,” he snickered under his breath. “I didn't mean to startle you.”

I forced a chuckle.

“Come on. I told you. I have a surprise for you.”

I sighed. “Okay. Let’s go.”

I followed him against my heart's desire. What I really wanted to do was grab Bree and run.

I wasn't a fool though. I had to be smart. As we reached the exit, I glanced one more time at her.

Just a little while Bree. I promise.

Drake stood at the entrance of the next room, a sly grin curling on his face. I had a hunch of what he wanted from me. I wasn't going to give him what he wanted, despite playing along.

“Why don't we go downstairs and have a drink first? It has been quite some time. I'd like to… you know… talk.”

His grin faltered, but he plastered a disturbing smirk on his lips just as quickly.

“Just check this out. I'm sure everything you want is in here.”

I hesitated and perhaps he noticed my reluctance.

“I won't do anything you don't want me to. I promise to make you feel comfortable first. I just want to prove I really mean what I told you.”

Play along. Just play along.

I slipped my hand into the pocket of my pants. As soon as my fingers brushed against the vial of medicine I borrowed from the hospital, I felt at ease.

When I made a quick stop at the hospital and grabbed the anesthetic, I didn't know what I was about to do with it. All I knew was I wouldn't go to find my abuser without any help.

I sucked in a breath. “Fine. Let's see what you got.”

He held the door open for me. In the past I would have loved that gesture, but now, I couldn't care less.

I entered the room. A king size bed was in the centre surrounded by red varnished furniture. The place was clean and well kept - just how he always liked.

It was almost like walking into my previous bedroom. Memories started to flood back. I wanted to barf. Was this the surprise he had for me?

How horrible.

“Look,” he said, walking towards the closet and picking out a red, lacy night gown.

“Remember how you used to wear one like this? I saw this in a shop last month and I just couldn't help myself. I had to buy it.”

My mouth dried up. Yeah I used to try to look sexy for him. Even after having kids, I tried to look good for him. Well he did like what he saw, but the violence was just too much.

“Remember? Remember how we made love each time?”

Yeah, I remembered it all. I remembered it too well. I remembered the pain that followed the pleasure, the cold lonely nights, the times he lost his temper, the bruises and the hurtful words he threw my way.

I remembered it too well.

I wanted to puke. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't ready for it, but I didn't. I forced a smile on my lips and nodded my head. A weak, hesitant nod.

What he had for me wasn't love. I didn't see it as love from where I stood. Love doesn't hurt.

“Can you… try it on?” He said, his flirtatious gaze moving towards my chest.

I held back my urge to cringe as I took it.

“On one condition,” I said.

His raised his eyebrows eagerly.

“You have to close your eyes and turn around first. I also want to surprise you.”

His smirk widened. “I wasn't sure you'd agree at first,” he mumbled as he turned.

“Okay. My eyes are closed.”

I studied his posture for a while before making my next move. After laying the red nightgown on the bed, I pretended to undress as I carefully took the vial from my pocket. I studied his demeanour from my peripheral vision.

One thing was on my mind. I had to be fast.