Boss's Runaway Queen

Chapter 12- Claire's P.O.V.

TRIGGER WARNING! DESCRIPTION&DEPICTION OF PHYSICAL AND s****l ABUSE.

Claire’s P.O.V.

I didn’t completely tell daddy the truth. I saw him come out of mommy’s room earlier. He looked so mad and sad at the same time.

What worried me the most, was when Dr.Sam came out with her bag not long before. She looked worried, and that worries me too.

I hate that I’m too little to help.

I know dad says my company is enough to help. I just wish I could do more.

I love mommy so much. I missed her after daddy got me back. I still remember that day in my closet when he told me she died in the accident. I felt so lost and broken.

I had just been taken away from her. Found myself in an unfamiliar place with people telling me they were my family. All to witness my father rath, or so he called it.

I was afraid for months after that. Daddy tried his best to make me feel safe and be there as much as he could, but I could tell he found it hard too. I saw him cry a few times. Not that I would tell him that.

Now here we are, with mommy safe and sound with us, but she is not a hundred percent safe yet. I sneak in on conversations sometimes. And I’m glad I do because no one tells me anything.

That’s one of the reasons Ben gets so exasperated when he has to watch me. He knows I’ll give him a hard time.

Even though I do and that I find him annoying, he’s not so bad for a bodyguard.

“What do you remember from that day, Princessa?”

What do I remember?... I remember too much about my time in the Berlusconi house. Things I shouldn’t remember, but I do.

I don’t really remember his face. Mommy shielded me for a long time from him. And when she couldn’t, I was too afraid to look at him, so I never did much.

Tears began to pool into my eyes, and I can’t help the tiny sobs that escape my mouth.

“It’s alright, little princessa. You don’t have to say anything right now,” my father says, looking at uncle Lo furiously.

“I remember a lot of things from back then,” I whisper.

Neither of them says anything, so I keep talking.

“I remember when mommy got angry with him once. He got so mad that he hit mommy in the face. I screamed for him to stop, but he wouldn’t. He hit her again and again until she was on her knees. He tried hitting me but mommy got in the way and he kicked her on her back.”

I feel daddy’s hold on me tighten.

“He told someone to take me out of the room. I fought to stay with mommy, but he was too strong for me. But before they closed the door, I saw him crouch in front of mommy. He was holding her chin tightly while mommy sobbed. Then he started taking mommy’s shirt off after he whispered something into her ear. Mommy shook her head first and nodded after that.”

“It took so long for mommy to come back and get me. She was crying so much when she entered our room. I remember taking mommy’s hand and taking her into the bathroom. I remember taking a face cloth and cleaning mommy’s face.”

“What was on your mother’s face, Claire?” Uncle Lo asks, his voice low and shaky.

“She…She had a lot of blood on her face. And a couple of bite marks on her shoulder and neck. She didn’t let me look anywhere else on her body.”

“Do you remember when that happened? How old were you?” Daddy asks through clenched teeth.

“I’m not sure. Maybe tree? I remember it was not that long after I got a few new shirts. My other ones were getting too small, and mommy said it was for my birthday,” I smile bitterly.

“I tried to help mommy as best I could,” I whisper.

“You are so brave, little princessa. So brave. I’m proud that you are my daughter. Your mother raised you so well before I found you. I promise, we will make him pay for what he did to you and your mother.” Daddy said, engulfing me in a tight hug.

I hug him back just as tightly.

“I remember other incidents where mommy came back hurt,” I wisper into his neck.

“It’s ok. You don’t have to talk about them now.” Daddy says, backing me away from his chest and placing his hands on both sides of my face, wiping away the tears.

“If I talk about them, could it help mommy get better?”

“I’m not sure, but I don't want you to be in pain from those memories either.”

“Daddy…”I say, looking down.

“What is it, princessa?”

“Those memories…They give me nightmares,” I whisper.

“What? How often?”

I sneak in a look at uncle Lo, who's looking at me with a shocked expression.

“Every time I sleep with you or uncle Lo,” I answer, looking back down.

“But, you still do that at least four times a week!” Uncle Lo screams, making me jump.

“Sorry, Claire bear. I didn’t mean to scare you, but you should have told us about your nightmare. We could have helped you, or at least comforted you better when they happened.” uncle Lo says, rubbing his temples.

“I didn’t want to burden anyone. I was scared that I’d have to get injections like mommy used to get if I told you about my nightmares. That’s how he started giving mommy ones.”

“What do you mean?” Daddy asks, looking at me with furrowed brows.

“One night, he told mommy she had to sleep in his room, alone. I had to stay in our room. But the next day, he took mommy to the doctor. When she came back, she looked a lot sicker than she did before going. I think that was the first night he hit mommy too. She never had been bruised before that night. At least, none that I could see.”

After a few minutes of silence, I bravely look up.

“Daddy?” I ask, my eyes widening. “Why are you crying?!” I ask nervously.

“I’m so sorry, little princessa. I’m so sorry I failed to protect you and mommy for so many years. I’m so sorry you had to go through all of those harsh days. I’m sorry I couldn’t get you back sooner. I should have tried better! Fought harder!”

“It’s OK, daddy. It’s not your fault. You tried and you did find me, eventually. And now we have mommy back. Everything is going to be OK now, won’t it?” I say, throwing my arms around his neck and holding him tightly.

I didn’t want to make daddy cry! I don’t like this! I don’t like seeing him cry! I shouldn’t have said anything!

“It will be OK now. I will do everything and anything to keep our family safe and together. I promise. But Claire…I think we should talk to Dr. Sam about your nightmare,”

“What?! NO!” I scream, jumping off his lap.

“Claire bear, I think your father is right about this. She can help you in ways we might not be able to. She could have some way to help you sleep better, or at least minimize the nightmares,” Uncle Lo says, looking at me with sympathy.

“I don’t want to! I knew I shouldn't have said anything!” I scream before running out of daddy’s office.

I hear them both yelling at me to come back, but I won’t listen.

All I want now is mommy!

I want my mommy!!!