Catherine just left the room, and I’m left with my thoughts. Can I do what she said? Can I find the will to live again and move on? For so long now, I’ve drowned in my self-pity, even before I was kidnapped. I let people abuse me; she’s right, I allowed it. I guess it’s time for me to decide if I want to fight for myself. Can I try to find a way to love myself? I don’t know if I ever truly did.

My parents never allowed me to think I deserved more, but now Catherine says I do, and I believe her. How sad is it that it took one person to tell me I am strong for me to want to be strong? I know I have to tell her more, and in time I will. I’m just not ready to tell someone all the vile things they did to me. Then I think of Adam. If I do this, I’ll have to deal with him, it’s just I don’t know how. My mind starts to flash back to the night I gave up fighting the senator.

I’m lying on the bed when he comes back in the room. He’s pissed off because I won’t fight him. He comes back to try again, but I do nothing but lay there. He starts hitting me over and over until he picks me up by my hair and says, “What’s wrong with you, stupid cunt?”

I still didn’t respond; I couldn’t, I am dead inside. So, he continues to beat me for what seems like forever, until he can’t go anymore, then he leaves and I lay there, battered black and blue.

I shake myself out of the nightmare. I need to be free of this. I didn’t fight back because I lost all hope of ever being rescued, but I did get rescued. I did physically survive, and I can’t waste this chance. I want it.

I stand up and dry myself off. When I look in the mirror, I see none of the bruises left on the outside of my body. I’m whole on the outside; now I need to make the inside whole, too. I wrap the towel around my body and open the door to find Catherine wiping her tears away. I can’t believe this woman I’ve admired from afar was ever a victim like me. I used to think I want to be just like her; little did I know, I am. I just need to come through it like she did. If she could live through everything she told me about, then I can, too.

“I want to fight, Catherine. I want to live. Please, will you help me?”

She stands and hugs me. We stay like that for a long time. I don’t ever remember my mom ever holding me like this. It takes Catherine Stern to show me tenderness in a way most people would say is impossible for a woman like her.

Fallon walks in with a tray full of my breakfast, interrupting our hold. Catherine asks her,“Fallon, good morning, have the boys left for the day?”

Fallon stands there, stunned for a second, holding the tray, then answers, “Good morning. Gabriel left early and Liam just left. Zander and Vin didn’t sleep here last night. So, I’m not sure where they are.”

“Good, I’m glad they’re gone. Fallon, can you please bring that tray back downstairs? Avery will be eating breakfast with us, downstairs, from now on. Oh, and Fallon, can you bring me one of your dresses? Avery needs something proper to wear downstairs. Thank you.”

Fallon leaves, and I go to take one of my pills. Catherine yanks the bottle out of my hand.

“You will no longer take these. It’s a crutch you won’t need from now on.”

How dare she? I need those pills.

“I need them, Catherine. Please, they help me.”

“No, they don’t, Avery, they numb you. You don’t need them; you just need yourself. Besides, you don’t think I was already aware of the fact that you were taking them like candy? I had the doctor lessen their strength over time, and now they aren’t much of anything. It’s all in your head, Avery.”

I want to hit her so bad right now, and she stands there laughing at me.

“Oh, Avery, that’s it, girl. Get pissed. Get mad all you want at me. It just makes me want to push you harder. Show me that fire.”

I can’t believe her, but then she pushes me down into a chair. She starts brushing my hair, and I revel in the fact of someone taking care of me. I wonder back; did my mother ever brush my hair? I don’t ever remember her doing that. It feels nice.

Fallon comes back in with a simple dress and a cardigan. I dress and slide into some slippers. I pause at the door; I haven’t left this room since I was rescued, and I’m scared. This room is safe; outside of it is a gamble.

Catherine takes notice. “You can do it, Avery. I believe in you.”

I smile at her and walk out of the security of my cage. My nerves are getting the better of me as we head downstairs. I want to turn around and go back to my room, but Fallon holds my hand and doesn’t let me. We make it to the dining room just as I see a man setting it with food. I take a step back.

Fallon takes notice and says, “Avery, this is Jeffery. He’s our butler. Remember we introduced him to you when we arrived? He won’t hurt you. I promise he’s a very gentle soul.”

I push forward and sit. As we begin to eat, I look around at my surroundings. They’re formal but comfortable and beautiful. I always tried to imagine where Liam lived. I’ve seen the outside before, but when I imagined his life inside, it didn’t compare to this. It is grander at its finest, but it feels like a home, not a museum like my home. My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Catherine making plans.

“I will have clothes brought in tomorrow, and then we can discuss your training. I want you to write your sizes down, and your shoes size, too. Today will be easy. I just want you to relax and walk around. I want you to feel at home. This house is extremely protected inside and out, so I don’t want you being scared to venture. The only men allowed into this house or on the grounds are my sons and my employees who have all been vetted. They will never dare to cross me, so I promise you nothing will happen to you under my protection. When it’s time for lunch, we will meet you here, in the dining room, at twelve sharp. If you get hungry between now and then, feel free to dig. I’m not sure if my sons will be joining us for supper. I will let you know. If they do, you can eat in your room if you choose. I won’t force you to be around them right now.”

I ask, “What kind of training are you talking about, Catherine?”

Suddenly, Fallon lets out a chuckle and quickly hides it when she sees Catherine’s stare.

“Training you to live. I will have everything taken care of. Fallon can tell you about some of it, but it won’t be the same.”

Now I’m curious when I see Fallon squirm in her chair. What the hell is it like to be in this family?