Lost and Found

Damaged Goods

TW. s****l Assualt

Katrina POV

Where would I even begin? “When I.. was a little girl, there was a fire. My parents.. my friends.. my home… all gone in the blink of an eye.” I took a deep breath. “Father found me. Took me in. He told me.. I was lucky. That anyone else… would have let me die. He told me… from now on.. I would earn my keep.” I started coughing loudly, and once again Adrian brought water to my lips.

I continued on, “Father…. Punished me. A lot. I deserved it. I made a lot… of mistakes. I was.. clumsy. I dropped.. and broke.. so many dishes. I ruined laundry. Everything I did… I failed at. Father reminded me.. everyday.. how useless I was.” I began to choke up. I knew the next part wouldn’t be easy.

“When I.. became of age.. he told me the only.. thing I was.. good for… was to entertain.. his guests.” I watched the look of horror dawn on his face as he realized what I meant. “Don’t worry.. that was my purpose.. I ruined everything else… it was the least I could do.. to pay back my father… I deserved it.” Once again I put a finger to his lips as he began to protest. “I.. I did my best.. to be a good girl. But It hurt.. So much. They liked to hurt me.. as they.. took turns with me.. Even my father…” I trailed off. “Anyway, I was to weak. I was… scared. I betrayed my father.. I was a coward. He saved me… fed me.. clothed me.. and all.. he asked in return… was to earn my place.. and I couldn’t do it. I ran away.” I looked down trying my best to hold in my tears. “And now.. on top of all of that.. I keep hearing a voice… in my head.. that is not my own. I’m defective. No one wants… or deserves.. to put up with me… I’m damaged goods.” I braced myself, knowing rejection was just around the corner. I prepared for the inevitable slap. Anything. But nothing came. I slowly looked up, to see Adrian crying, and I broke. “I’m so sorry. I’m so… so sorry. You deserved.. so much better. I’m so sorry.. that I couldn’t be what you deserved. I’m so-“ I was immediately cut off by a soft kiss. Why was he kissing me? Why wasn’t he recoiling in disgust.

“Katrina, there is not a single thing in this world that would keep me from wanting you. You are worthy. Your bastard father let all those men abuse you. He abused you. But I won’t. I will never treat you like that. From the moment I saw you, you became my world. I would die for you. Please let me show you how much you mean to me. I’ll take it slow, earn your trust, just please give me a chance to show you how much I care about you.”

I had just told him how despicable I was, and here he sat, begging me to accept him. I was astonished. “I… I should be the one.. begging you. Not.. the other way round.” I sobbed. “No, no sweetheart. You are an angel, my angel. Sent from the goddess herself. Please, just let me take care of you. We can take it one day at a time. Please just say yes, let me keep you safe.” His eyes shone as he begged me to trust him. I took a deep breath and tried to prepare myself for whatever was going to come going forward. Then looked him in his perfect eyes, “I’ll try” I whispered.