Chapter 26: Chapter 26

ODETTE

We received word through his lawyer that Tyler had to return to Maine for work. I found it strange because he hadn’t reached out to me or raised any objections about anything.

A few months had passed, and he hadn’t even responded to a text. However, we kept him and his lawyer updated on the pregnancy so he couldn’t argue that we violated court orders.

We had about three months to go, and I was counting down the days. While pregnancy was beautiful, I was ready for it to be over. My back, feet, and head ached constantly, and I longed for some relief.

Reece was kind enough to massage my feet every night. He did so much for me, and tonight I planned to surprise him with a thank-you gift.

I had saved up and bought three VIP tickets to his favorite hockey team’s game. He would get to sit in the press box with unlimited food and beer. He deserved some time to himself and with his friends.

“Something smells good,” Reece commented.

“I hope it tastes as good too,” I replied. Reece sat down to remove his shoes.

“What are you cooking?” he asked.

“Your favorite.”

“Don’t spoil me, Etta.”

Reece walked over and kissed me before heading to the kitchen table.

“What are these?” Reece asked.

My back was turned to him, but I knew what he was asking about.

“I don’t know. Why don’t you open it and find out?”

I turned around to watch him open the envelope. His eyes widened, and his lips curled into a smile.

“Seriously? This is so fucking awesome, Odette!” Reece exclaimed.

“I wanted to show you how thankful I am for all your help and for taking care of me. I want you to take two friends, make it a guy’s weekend.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” he asked.

“Yes. I have Sterling and Olivia if I need anything.”

“I hate leaving you.”

“And I want you to have fun and to enjoy time with friends. Take Wren; he probably thinks we’ve forgotten him,” I joked.

“He’s busy trying to woo a girl that won’t give him the time of day.”

“That’s new. Who is this girl?”

“A coworker of his. She thinks he’s a jerk.”

“Good, he needs a girl who will put him in his place.”

***

“Are you sure you’ll be fine?” Reece asked for the hundredth time.

“Yes, have fun; enjoy your weekend with Wren and Patrick.”

“I’ll call you from the hotel room tonight.”

Reece lowered his body to his knees so he could be facing level with me.

“Call me if anything happens.” He pecked my lips. “I mean it.”

“I will. I promise. I love you—be careful. It’s supposed to storm tonight.”

“I will, and I love you too. I’m going to set the alarm, so if you leave, don’t forget you only have fifteen seconds to leave and lock the door.”

“I’ll be staying in, so don’t worry.”

I appreciated that he was trying to make sure that I was safe and taken care of before he left.

I watched as he set the alarm, grabbed his bag, and headed out the front door. He would be back Sunday, so I had tonight and tomorrow to get through.

***

I intended to close my eyes for a few minutes after I had gotten off the phone with Reece. He had called to say good night and let me know they made it safely, but closing my eyes turned into a nap. I woke up on the couch with a sore neck.

I checked my phone and saw that it was two in the morning.

The house was dark, and I got up to turn on the kitchen light and get some water. Pregnancy kept me thirsty, so it wasn’t uncommon for me to wake up with a dry mouth, but something felt off.

Maybe I was being paranoid. It was my first time being alone in the house after dark.

After drinking some water, I went to the bathroom, and it was then that I knew something was off, and it wasn’t my imagination. When the bathroom door was cracked and the kitchen light was on, you could see shadow movement from the kitchen, which caught my attention.

I acted like I didn’t see anything and washed my hands and slowly came out of the bathroom. My goal was to try and make it to my phone on the table.

There wasn’t anyone in the kitchen when I came out of the bathroom. I walked to the table and realized my phone wasn’t there.

“Are you looking for this?” a voice said behind me.

I turned around to see Tyler hidden in the dark corner of the kitchen, holding up my phone.

“How did you get in here?”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. I’d worry about what I’m going to do with you. I’m disappointed in you, Etta. You stopped obeying me; you left me; you’re trying to keep my child away from me. I thought you would never leave me alone. Then I saw him load a travel bag into the car earlier, and I knew tonight had to be the night.”

“The night for what?” I was scared. My body was shaking. I didn’t know what he would do.

“The night I take back what’s mine.”

I needed to get away from him. I tried to slowly back up.

“Don’t fucking move. I’m already angry with you, and your punishment will already be severe, so don’t make this worse for yourself,” Tyler threatened.

He stalked toward me. I shuffled back toward the living room.

“I told you not to fucking move!” he yelled.

He reached out and grabbed me by my neck.

“I bet this pretty face of yours will look good with my mark.”

“Please, Tyler, don’t do this.” I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “You’ve been drinking. You’ll regret this in the morning,” I begged.

“The only thing I regret is letting you leave. Did you fuck your boss to get the transfer, just like you’re fucking the guy that is providing legal services for you?”

“You know that’s not true. Look at what you’re doing now,” I tried to reason with him.

He brought the knife up to my face, and I felt the pointed edge press into my cheek.

“Please don’t do this.” He slowly moved the knife down my cheek, but I refused to let out a scream.

“You always knew how to take your punishments,” he complimented. When he removed the knife from my face, he stepped closer, attempting to lean in for a kiss. I refused to let him do anything else to me.

I raised my leg and kneed him in the groin. He dropped the knife and bent over.

I took that distraction as an opportunity to make my way around him. I tried to head for the front door. As I turned the knob to open it, he pulled me back, causing the door to slightly open.

The open door reminded me of the alarm system. It needed to be open for the silent alarm to go off and alert the police.

Tyler punched me on the side of my face, causing me to fall to the floor. I stayed down, hoping that would prevent him from hitting me further. But he grabbed my hair, trying to force me up.

I kicked at his knee, which caused him to let go of my hair.

“You’re such a selfish bitch,” Tyler yelled. “I gave you everything, and all I asked for was your loyalty.”

The struggle brought us back to where the knife he had dropped was lying on the floor. I needed to figure out how to get it before he did. Tyler pulled me over to the couch and forced me to sit.

“I really missed you, Etta, but you need to lose the attitude. Your only job is to satisfy me and take care of that baby of ours.”

The sound of sirens started to get closer.

“How did you call the police?” The sirens made him angrier. “Answer me!” he yelled louder.

“I… I didn’t. I didn’t have my phone.”

There was banging on the door.

“Police! If anyone is in there, come out with your hands up.”

While Tyler was distracted by the police, I quickly went for the knife. As soon as I grabbed it, Tyler pulled me up by the hair. I took a deep breath and turned my body. As I went to stab him, he grabbed my arm with his other hand.

“You can’t overpower me,” Tyler stated.

“It’s over, Tyler. The police are here.”

He twisted my arm until I felt a painful snap and dropped the knife. He grabbed me by the throat and started squeezing.

“If I can’t have you, then at least I’ll have the image of your terrified face as I squeeze the last bit of life out of you.”

My vision was becoming dark; the voices were muffled, and the last thing I heard was a loud bang before slipping away.