Running away

Chapter 14

I don't even think this could be considered a house. The building was as big as Derek's home and just as grand. 

"Mr. Tilly, wrong house." I whipped my head towards him to see him walking towards a small but still rather large home. I hurried to catch up through the quiet street. "What are the documents you need me to prepare for you-" 

My back hit the wall and my breath was taken away. I stare into the eyes of Nick as he towered over me. "I do believe you owe me an explanation Milliana." My entire body went up in flames as I tried to control my breathing. "Alright. I will over dinner." He backed up and nodded before briskly sitting at a table. 

Adorning it was several platters full of different types of food, including several unknown types of meat. "When did you have the time?" He motioned to his left and Jesus made me jump. He was standing silently in the corner, just staring at me. "Oh right." 

I sat down in front of him and grabbed several pieces of the unknown meat. "If you wish to converse, I must ask we do it alone." He glanced at Jesus and the giant reluctantly left the room through a giant door. 

"Why did you leave." The demanding in his voice shot me back to the past. 

"Have you ever felt so hopeless that the only way you think you can leave the situation is through death?" His features didn't change and I took a shaky breath. "My parents were shot and killed in front of me when I five. I watched as they dragged my brother, only a few years older than me, into the middle of the room and slit his throat." I could feel the tears stirring up as I clasped my hands together. 

I had only ever told Derek this and yet he doesn't know everything. "They had my older sister tied in ropes. She was about to be married to someone good for her, a doctor that mother and father liked." Images of her dressed torn and stained red flashed before my eyes and I bit my lip. It's been 15 years yet I am still crying over it. I don't even remember her that well. "She was the last one to go and they tied me up. I was being dragged from my home by my hair when shots rang out. I don't remember much after that except Derek holding onto me crying. He had been my next-door neighbor and friend from a young age. He knew my brother and sister well." 

Derek was the one I refused to let go of when my aunt cut everything out of my life that was from my past. She only let him stay because his mother and father were richer than us. "I grew up with my aunt, the half-sister of my father, and her husband. Her husband was alright until he died of a heart attack some years ago and that's when she decided it was time to find me a husband."

I couldn't look at him anymore. I couldn't let him see how hurt I was. I focused my gaze on the decorated carpet, tracing the lines with my eyes as I tried to remove emotion from my memories. "She dressed me up in dresses and frocks but none wanted a smart-mouthed wife who didn't follow society's rules to the T." I smiled a little, remembering all the blocked attempts for a man to woo me. "Until he showed up on our doorstep."

The full memory of that day played before me.

"How many times must I punish you until you learn to be a good wife!" I felt blood coming down from my shoulder at the last lash. She had done four over the regular amount today and I know she would apologize for it by buying me another book. "Madam, someone at the door for you." She glared at our footman, an uncaring old man who didn't bat an eye at me bruised and bloody on the kitchen floor. 

"Alright. Let them in for some tea and tell them I'll be out in just a moment." She straightened her dress and pressed back her hair. "Clean yourself up, we have guests." She left the kitchen, leaving me to patch myself up. "Oh, deary." 

Margret, the cook and maid, helped me to my feet and became placing bandages onto my back. "We must hurry before she gives you even more." I smiled despite the pain. "It's quite alright, just make me look presentable Margret." She fixed up my corset, tightening is and buttoning up my dress. Auntie never liked to whip me through my clothes because of how expensive the dresses were so she always made me undo everything so my back was exposed.

"Oh, dear niece! Come out here and say hello!" Curiosity got the best of me because she never directly calls me out when there are guests over. She rather I come in unexpectedly. "Yes, dear aunt?"  I walked out in the foyer to see an odd-looking gentleman seated with a pretty older woman and a much older gentleman. "This is Mr. Daunstin, his wife Mrs. Daunstin and their son Mr. Mikel Daunstin. He has come to ask for your hand in marriage." 

I couldn't believe it. Many had been put off by my mannerisms and ideals thoughts that weren't supposed to be a woman's thinking. "She happily accepts. We shall start the preparations right away. I do believe a grand wedding is in order." I stood behind her, trying to breathe. 

I was glad, sad, mad, and even frustrated. I was glad that I was leaving behind my aunt and her daily punishments. I was sad that more than likely I would never be allowed around Derek again without my husband. I was mad that she didn't even try to seem to care about me and my decision. I was frustrated that they don't even know me and I don't even know them yet this man wants to marry me. 

"He was perfect towards my aunt and perfect towards me while we were in front of others." Nick had a very interesting painting on the wall, one with the face burnt. "But he wasn't completely perfect, was he?" I tore my gaze off the burnt face of some woman and looked him in the eye. Understanding, regret, pain, and rage burned in those emerald orbs. I shook my head as one memory burned into my mind.

"May I have a moment alone with my wife?" Giggles erupted from my aunt and his mother. "You two aren't wed yet, son. Don't act too recklessly until you have her completely reeled in." I smiled, the joke something his family seemed to do a lot. "Come on darling." He led me out of the room by my elbow, something I was becoming accustomed to. "Ah, here we are." A room, that I did not see, opened up and I was pulled in. Men of different various stood around me. Several were shirtless. "This is my feeding room." I looked around as they stood surrounding me. I felt their gaze on every part of me. "This is where you'll be taken if you disobey me."

He grabbed me and pulled me out of the room and I felt myself shaking. "And that won't be your only punishment." His arm pushed against my throat as my back hit the wall. I felt the wind get knocked out of me as he stuck my middle. "You are my property and you will learn your place. No back talking. No wondering thoughts. I bought you and will be mine for the rest of your pitiful life. I couldn't breathe as he pressed harder against my throat. My eyes started to well up from the pressure and the pain. "Do you understand me?"

"Well, I say that's a good enough reason to run away."