Forced To Marry My Husband, I Ended Up In Bed With His Cousin

Chapter5:ALMOST CAUGHT

STACY

I dressed in a simple black dress, carried a small black duffel to prevent being cross-checked like a criminal downstairs.

I was still in mourning, so the black dress suited my mood. Studying my pale, thin frame in the mirror, I noticed how hollow my eyes were — sad and despaired too.

I looked away, picked up a small black purse to slung over my shoulder, and made my way downstairs. If I was going to leave this house, this was going to be my only way.

I knew what I was doing was running away, but I didn’t care. This was for me. For this child growing inside me.

Maybe this was my consolation after losing my only child. Maybe this was fate telling me I could start all over again. And if it were true, I wasn’t going to miss it. Not for anything or anyone.

I picked up the small duffel bag, took one last look around the room I’d spent six years of my life in and realized I felt nothing.

No attachment. No sentiment. Nothing. The only thing I’ve ever loved was gone from this life. Looking ahead was all that mattered now, and the conception of this child — though unplanned and unexpected — was the wake-up call I needed.

I walked out of the room, and hoped, as I climbed down the stairs, that no one would see me leave.

The living room was empty, I noted with relief once I reached the base of the stairs. Hastening my steps, I made for the entrance.

“Where are you scurrying off to?” Eleanor’s annoying voice stopped me in my tracks.

I willed my racing heart to be calm as I swerved to face her, putting on my defiant face, “Why’s that your business?”

Her eyes appraised my dress, lingering for a brief moment on the duffel bag, then back to my face. “What’s that you’re carrying?”

Gripping the bag tight, I shook my head, “Nothing you should concern yourself with, Eleanor. Have a great day.”

I turned around to continue my way to the door when her voice, harsher this time, halted me in my tracks again.

“Take one more step, Stacy, and you’ll regret it.”

I scoffed, turning to face her yet again, “What’s your problem, Eleanor? You’re just being a nuisance at this point. Mind your business, stay out of mine.”

“As long as you’re in this house, you are my business. And if you dare insult me again, Stacy, I will hit you so hard a tooth will knock off.” She warned, eyes blazing.

Not scared of her threats, but wary of her throwing tantrums that could alert anyone else to the scene, I exhaled, “You’re just a troublemaker, Eleanor. Go look for someone else’s trouble. Stop bothering me.”

I turned around, determined to leave this time.

“Come back here, you b***h!” She hollered maliciously.

I paid no time to her, continuing my way to the entrance, and down the short steps. I heard running feet behind me, I quickened mine.

“Mom!” Eleanor screeched at the top of her voice, “Mom, Stacy is leaving the house, and she won’t say where she’s going.”

I broke into a run, knowing that if Victoria came downstairs, that was the end for me. I’d never be able to leave this goddamn house.

“Come back here, crazy b***h!” Eleanor snagged the neckline of my dress, shoving me backwards.

“Where’s she going to?” I heard Victoria’s voice from inside.

In a moment of panic, I lifted the bag and slapped Eleanor across the face with it. She staggered back, her hold on my dress loosened.

I pushed her off of me so hard she fell on her butt and yelped in pain. Without looking back, I took off, heading for the gate which started to open as soon as I neared it.

“Where do you think you’re going, Stacy?" Come back here.” Victoria ran after me.

The gate wasn’t opening fast enough. From the corner of my eye, I saw her coming after me, I immediately pressed my slim frame through the small opening the gate had allowed.

Victoria made a grab for my arm. Half part of my body already outside, I snatched my arm and made a run to the road, hailing an empty cab.

Just as she started to follow me, a cab stopped. I entered, closed the car door and urged the driver to drive away fast.

I didn’t release my bated breath until Victoria’s figure had become a tiny, faraway frame. I clutched the bag to my chest, closing my eyes as a tear fell.

I couldn’t believe I was free from that dungeon I’d been locked away for years.

“Where are you going, miss?” The driver asked, glancing over at me through the rearview mirror.

“Uhm…take me to 346 Rowen Avenue,” I replied, swiping at tears.

I knew Victoria would be calling her son by now. But that didn’t matter to me anymore. I immediately took out my phone from the black purse to block all three of them from my contact list.

Then I turned off my location, just in case they somehow wanted to track me. I dialed Tessy’s line.

It rang once…twice, then she picked, “Hey, what’s up?”

“Hi…ah, I’m good.” I was still a bit breathless.

“Why are you breathing like that? Are you okay? Were you able to leave the house? Do you need me to come?”

Despite the situation, I was able to smile, “relax with the questions, Tess. I…I was able to leave. Although I was almost caught by his mother and sister.”

The driver listened in on my conversation with Tessy, but I really didn’t mind. He wouldn’t understand all that I had gone through.

“Those bitches,” Tessy scoffed, “Hope they didn’t try to harass you or something?”

“As usual. But the important thing is that I escaped, and I am on my way to your house. Are you home or at work?”

“Of course, I’m at home. Remember I told you I wouldn’t leave the house until I’m sure you’ve made it out to my place.”

“Yes, I know.” Gratitude spread through my heart, “Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. Just call me when you get here, alright?”

I

Nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah.”