CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

 

Jules

 

I SIT IN THE DOCTOR’S office parking lot in Luca’s truck, having just finished my appointment. He left it for me to use while he drove his motorcycle. I had seen the tarp covering a large mound in the far corner of the garage, but never put two and two together that it was a motorcycle. Now that I’ve seen the big black machine, I can totally imagine him riding it. I plan to ask him to take me for a ride this weekend.

Dr. Leverton said everything was fine, although he did say he’d like me to reconsider therapy. Just as the doctor at the hospital did, he made sure to let me know of the chances of it not working, but he seemed very optimistic. I gave him a noncommittal answer and just said I’d think about it. As I told Luca last night, I’m not so sure I want those memories back. I do, but I don’t just as much. I’m scared what they’ll do to me.

My decision on whether or not to try therapy gets overrun by another choice I need to make. I chew my thumbnail and tap my foot on the floorboard as I contemplate what I should do.

Luca took Aria to school this morning then left for work after lunch. Having Aria around made the ache to see my sister more pronounced. It gets worse every day that I don’t see my family, but more so with Teresa.

With a fierce need, I went in search of my locket that has her picture on one side. The other side is blank, but it feels like there should be something there. After searching through all my bags with no success, I remembered taking it off a couple of nights before Luca came and got me, but I can’t recall where I placed it.

And therein lies my dilemma. Should I go get the locket?

Luca said he was stopping by after work to grab Mr. Waffles, but I would hate to ask him to search for the locket when I can’t remember where it is. If I go get it myself, I could grab Mr. Waffles and have it with me when I pick Aria up from school. I know the stuffed giraffe is one of her favorites and will lift up her spirits.

I have no doubt Luca would flat-out refuse for me to go to Theo’s house alone, and I don’t want to myself, but I’m already out, and I know he’ll be tired after working so late. If we waited for Luca to get Mr. Waffles, it would mean Aria wouldn’t have him until tomorrow because she’ll be in bed by the time he gets home. Luca has done so much for me already. If I can lighten his load even just a little, I want to. Besides, one of Theo’s neighbors that Luca is friends with said he hasn’t been home since the falling out. The chances of him being there today are pretty slim, and I’ll only be there for maybe five minutes max.

Coming to my decision, I shoot Luca a message to let him know. He’ll probably be angry with me, but, well, he’ll just have to get over it. Seeing the look on Aria’s face when she sees Mr. Waffles will be worth his displeasure.

I don’t know the area that well, but thankfully, Luca showed me how to use the maps app on my phone. Once I have Theo’s address plugged into the app and the directions pop up, I start the truck and pull out of the parking lot.

It’s not long before I’m pulling into his driveway. I shut the truck off and just sit there a couple of minutes, gathering my nerve. Even though he’s not here, anxiety still grips me at going inside.

Only the strong need to see my sister’s face and the knowledge of how happy Aria will be gives me the courage to open the truck door. I look at the neighboring houses as I make my way up the walkway to the porch. My hands shake as I wipe away the leaves from the fake rock that holds the spare key.

The steps creaking as I walk up them does nothing to help my nerves. I feel like I shouldn’t be here, like I’m doing something wrong by going into his house. I guess according to the law it’s technically partially mine, but it still doesn’t feel right after everything that’s happened.

The house is quiet when I walk in the door. Not the normal silence, but the creepy kind that sends shivers down your spine and dread rushing through your veins.

Ignoring the eerie feeling, I close the door behind me. I take a moment to look around, and my eyes widen at the destruction of the living room. It looks like a madman has been in here. Couch cushions are ripped apart and thrown across the room, the end table is knocked over with the lamp smashed beside it, the screen on the TV’s been busted, and there’s trash all over the floor. A glance at the kitchen shows it in no better condition.

Suddenly feeling like this was a mistake, I quickly leave the room and walk down the hallway. I spot Mr. Waffles on Aria’s bed and snatch it up before going into the bathroom. The locket isn’t on the counter or in the cabinet.

Theo’s room is next. I’ve never felt truly comfortable in this house. Being around Aria was the only time I felt serene. But this room… Theo’s room, I hated. It was the one I dreaded walking into the most. That feeling hasn’t faded with being away. If anything, it’s much worse. Cold slithers in my veins, and I shudder.

I immediately walk to the dresser and check the surface. I move stuff around and still don’t find it. Next, I move to my side of the bed and check the nightstand. No locket. I pull open the drawer, and my shoulders slump when it’s not inside either. I move around to Theo’s side, not really expecting to find it, but still disappointed when I don’t.

I look down, and as a last-ditch effort and sending up a silent prayer, I decide to check underneath the bed. Dropping to my knees, I put Mr. Waffles down beside me then bring up the flashlight app on my phone, another nifty piece of technology Luca showed me. I shine it under the bed. I find a pair of Aria’s shoes, a couple of hair ties, a few wayward papers, and a box. It’s the box that catches my attention. Or rather, the gold chain that’s partially sticking out of it.

It’s pushed far under the bed, up against the wall where the headboard is, so I fall to my stomach and shimmy until my fingers reach it. Sliding out from underneath the bed, I bring the box with me, then get to my knees, dropping my phone beside me. I finger the chain, already knowing it’s the one my locket is attached to.

How did it end up in the box? Theo must have put it there. But why? He knew how much it meant to me, so why would he hide it?

I pull the lid off the box then frown down at the contents. Pictures. A bunch of them. And a cell phone, a manila envelope, the locket, and some other papers.

I pull the stack of pictures out first and suck in a sharp breath when I get a closer look and see that it’s me. It’s a far-off image of me standing in front of a familiar house. It takes me a moment to realize it’s Luca’s. It looks different, like the house has since been repainted and the porch behind me updated.

I look at the next image and it’s another one of me. This one is taken from outside a window looking in. The sheer curtains are only partially open, but it’s still easy to see me standing in front of a mirror. Through the reflection of the mirror, I can see the smile on my face, my eyes trained on something behind me that’s out of view of the camera. I’m only wearing a black V-neck T-shirt that goes halfway down my thighs. Given the size of the shirt, it’s obviously not mine.

Bile rises in my throat when I look at the next image. It’s another window shot, but at a different angle. The quality isn’t as good, but it’s easy to see I’m lying on a bed, naked, with a man on his knees between my legs. At first, I think it’s Theo, but then a surprised gasp leaves my lips when I realize it’s Luca. It’s hard to see, but there’s no mistaking the gauge in his ear. The tattoos, not as many as he has now, are another giveaway.

The surprise of me being naked in a picture gets pushed to the back of my mind, although that is a shock. What takes forefront is the fact that I’m in bed with Luca. What in the hell is going on? Why am I in bed with Luca? Through the fuzziness of the picture, I can tell from the look on my face and the way my body is relaxed that I wanted to be there. I wasn’t being forced.

I push that thought aside for the moment, because it totally confuses me, and look at the next image. This is one I’ve seen before. Or rather, I think I have. It looks exactly like one of the ones Theo has shown me, but with minor differences. It’s a close-up of Theo and me, except in this one, there’s a gauge in his ear and an eyebrow ring. Theo doesn’t have either of those. I have my face toward him, and I’m kissing his cheek, while his lips tip up into a smirk. His arm is thrown over my shoulders as if he’s pulling me toward him. He’s obviously the one taking the picture. His shirt is sleeveless, and I spot an eagle tattoo on the top of his arm. The same one I touched up for Luca.

A strangled sound rips from my throat.

I flip through to the next picture and it’s another one of us. And so is the next one, and the one after that. They all are either pictures of me and Luca or just me.

A sinking feeling forms in the pit of my stomach as I look over each image. Realization dawns, but I’m too scared to believe it. I want to believe it, I want it to be true so damn much, but if it is, that means Theo is more of a sick bastard than we all thought.

I set the pictures down, my body beginning to shake, and grab the phone next. I bring the screen to life and see five missed calls, along with the voicemail icon. I jerk when I notice the missed calls are from my phone number. I press the icon for the voicemail, and with a trembling hand, bring the phone to my ear. The electronic sounding voice says there are five messages, and I press the number one to listen to the first.

I throw my hand over my mouth and a sob escapes me when my voice comes over the line.

“Mom, Dad?” my voice sounds weak. “It’s me. Jules.” There’s a sniff then, “I miss you both.” I hear myself release cry. “P-please please call me. My number is…” There’s a pause, and I know that’s when I look at Theo for the phone number to the cell phone I was using, then repeat it. I finish with “I love you.” Before the line goes dead.

Tears streak down my face and my heart feels like it’s being beaten by a battering ram. I go to the next voicemail, already knowing what it’ll say.

“It’s me again.” I clear my throat over the line, but it still cracks when I speak again. “I’m so sorry for everything.” A pause, then a whispered, “Please call me.” I give them my cell phone number before hanging up.

I move onto the next one and it’s another voicemail from me to my parents. All five of them are. They never got them. I wasn’t even calling them. I was calling a random phone number to a phone that was hidden in a box underneath a bed.

I don’t know what hurts worse. Being lied to by someone who supposedly loved me at one point in his life, my husband, or knowing my parents never got those messages. Actually, I do know what hurts more. From the moment I woke up from my coma, I’ve felt a deep ache with my parents’ absence. I’ve grieved for them, missed them, needed them, and wished they were there for me to talk to and have comfort me. And if I’m truthful, I’ve resented them for disregarding me. But it wasn’t them ignoring me. It was the twisted mind of a man doing evil things.

My hatred for Theo grows until it’s nearly suffocating. My blood runs both hot and cold, chilling me, but also leaving me feverish. The phone bites into my hand as I grip it hard. I force my fingers to relax and set it back down in the box before pulling out the manila envelope. After pulling the metal tabs up and opening the flap, I reach inside and pull out a document.

It’s a marriage certificate. When I see the names printed on it and the signatures at the bottom, my whole world rocks on its axis. Blood rushes to my ears and my vision blurs. I close my eyes and pull in several deep breaths. It has to be a mistake. It has to be. There’s no way someone can be so cruel.

I tell myself this, but I know it’s not true. The truth is so blindingly in my face now after seeing all those pictures. My throat feels tight, like someone is choking me, and it hurts to pull in air. I try to take in a calming breath, but it just doesn’t work. Each breath I take is more painful than the one before.

I open my eyes and they catch on the names.

Luca Daylen Hendrix and Jules Nora Rozero. Married on August 10, 2011.

The paper drops to my lap as I clutch my heaving stomach. I’m married to Luca. Not Theo.

I’m married to Luca. Not Theo.

How is this possible? Theo showed me his and my marriage certificate while I was in the hospital. He showed me pictures of him and me together. The few small clips I’ve had in dreams never suggested he was lying.

I look down at the paper lying on my legs and run a finger over the embossed stamp. It could be a fake, one of them has to be, but something tells me it’s this one that’s real. But why forge a marriage certificate? What did Theo gain by doing so?

I bend over and clutch my stomach, the sudden urge to puke rising in my throat.

Oh, my God, I moan in my head, unable to believe someone is so capable of something so sinister.

“I see you’ve found my little secret.”

I look up at the dark voice and freeze when I see Theo standing at the corner of the bed. He looks terrible. His hair is unkempt and dirty, his eyes are red, his face is pale, and it’s apparent he hasn’t shaved in days. I glance quickly at his balled hands before moving my eyes back to his face. There’s a slight twitch at the corner of his left eye.

“Wh-what are you doing here?” My voice is dry and cracked from crying.

A slow smile appears on his face and it scares the crap out of me, because it’s not a nice one. It’s full of menace.

“I’ve been hoping you would show up here. I’ve been across the street at a friend’s house, quietly watching.”

I grip the paper on my lap and hold it up. “How is this possible?” I ask shakily.

He throws back his head and laughs manically. When he looks back at me, his face is red from his mirth.

“It was easy actually.” He takes a step forward, and I shrink back against the nightstand behind me. “You can find almost any document online if you look hard enough.”

“But you showed me pictures of us together. Pictures that are the same in this box, but different.”

His smile grows, revealing his teeth. “Luca’s good at drawing and tattooing. I’m good at computer shit.” He shrugs. “It was simple to alter those pictures to what I needed them to show. You with me, instead of him.” He spits the last word out loathingly.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. “But why?”

The grin fades from his face and his eyes turn hard, mean, evil. “Because I fucking saw you first. You were mine. But then you had to walk in that fucking tattoo shop and ruin everything.”

I remember Luca telling me about his dream of Nicole and me coming into the tattoo shop. A sudden image of a pair of light blue eyes come to mind and the feeling of being mesmerized by them. It’s only the eyes I see, but somehow, I know they’re Luca’s and not Theo’s.

I look back at Theo and see he’s moved even closer. Fear has my muscles bunching together.

“I don’t understand. Why would me going into his tattoo shop ruin everything?”

“Because the bastard took one look at you and wanted you for himself,” he spits out. “You want the truth so bad? Let me tell you a little story.”

I can practically see the rage radiating off him and it makes me very nervous. I’ve felt what Theo can do when he’s angry, but something tells me I haven’t felt the worst of what he’s capable of.

“It’s true that you came into my shop when the ones across town couldn’t fit you in. It wasn’t me though that spoke with you. It was Ernie, my boss. I was taking care of a customer when you walked in and left before I got a chance to meet you. I had planned to ask you out when you came back to get your car, but the next day, you met Luca. A couple of days later, he came with you to get your car from the shop, and that’s how I met you. Hanging on Luca’s fucking arm. You two only knew each other two fucking days and you were already gushing all over him. It made me fucking sick to see. You were mine, goddammit.”

I flinch at his harsh tone. He notices, and the creepy smile comes back when he continues.

“I tried seducing you away from him, but you were so hung up on Luca, you couldn’t see me past him. You went to him and he stormed my house and beat the shit out of me. His own damn twin, over a fucking girl. It still didn’t stop me though. You were still mine, you just hadn’t accepted it yet, but I knew you would eventually. I followed you. I took pictures of you. Every single fucking time I saw you two together, I wanted to kill him.”

His eyes turn to angry slits and my fear morphs into terror, because I know this encounter is not going to end well for me. The man is clearly deranged.

“Then I found out you and he got married and planned to leave Silver Hill. I couldn’t let that happen. I went to your house to try one more time, but again, you rejected me. I found you packing, waiting for him to come get you. Since you wouldn’t give me what I wanted”—He bends at the waist and shouts his next words—“I fucking took it.”

Nausea rolls violently in my stomach, and I gag. Luckily nothing comes up. A pair of evil eyes from my dream the other night flash in my mind, and I recoil. The pain and fear my dream self felt roll in me. I’m not sure how much more I can take of what Theo’s telling me before I lose it. Unfortunately, he’s not done.

“Mmm…,” he moans. “Even though he had you before me, it felt so fucking good to finally have your tight pussy wrapped around my cock. It was the best I ever had. I had every intention of taking you with me, but finally knowing what you felt like solidified my decision.” His head tips to the side as he regards me. “Do you remember me shoving my cock inside you, Jules? How much it hurt? Do you remember fighting me, only to be held down and forced to take every inch? I laughed in your face when you begged me to stop then started crying for my brother to save you. It was my punishment to you for choosing him over me. I would have been gentle with you, would have worshipped you, given you so much more than he ever could, but you fucked that up the first time you let Luca touch you. I wanted it to hurt and I made sure of it.”

This time I can’t stop the vomit from leaving my lips. I bend to the side and expel the food in my stomach. I heave and heave and heave until there’s nothing left. My throat is raw, and tears run a constant stream down my face. I feel like my head is going to explode at any minute.

“That’s fucking disgusting,” he snarls.

I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and drag my gaze back to him, my breathing coming out in heavy puffs. His expression shows distaste, as if me throwing up on his floor is so much worse than what he’s done to me and Luca.

“What in the hell is wrong with you?” I cry. “What kind of sick person does that to people?”

He shrugs. “The kind that goes after what he wants and doesn’t let anything get in his way.”

“Why didn’t my doctors tell me about my attack when I woke up? It has to be in my medical records.”

A creepy smile slides across his lips. “I told them not to tell you. I wanted to be the one because I just knew it would upset you. The doctor agreed that it may be too much for you to handle, and we should let the memories come back on their own, or I tell you in private later on. Just another piece of the puzzle that worked in my favor.”

“And my parents?” I ask hoarsely. “They never knew I was in a coma, did they?”

Another crazed laugh falls from his lips. “Fucking awesome, right? Them kicking you to the curb when you told them you and Luca got married played in perfectly with my plans. They thought you and Luca left as you told them you were going to, so they never looked for you. Poor fucking rich bastards never knew you were only fifteen miles from them the whole time.”

My stomach heaves with pain. “Why give me a fake number?”

“It was just another way to punish you. Seeing the pain on your face when you thought they were rejecting you was priceless.”

“How—” I start then stop when the word comes out a croak. I clear my scratchy throat. I don’t know why I’m still asking questions. I know all I need to know. I know my life for over seven years has been a sick lie. I know Luca unknowingly has suffered just as much as me. And I know the man before me won’t stop for anything to get what he wants, even without his words from a moment ago telling me. Tears track down my cheeks as I look up at him. “How could you hate me so much? How could you hate your brother so much? He’s your family.”

He gnashes his teeth and an eerie sound comes from his throat. “Because you both fucked up my plans. It was going to be me and you who got married. Me and you who moved from this fucked-up town. Me and you who were going to have children. He took everything from me and you fucking let him.”

“I hate you.” Now it’s my turn to bare my teeth at him. My voice is as cold as ice. “I hate you, and I hope you rot in hell. And that Luca is the one who puts you there.”

Just as I say the last word, my phone starts ringing. I look down at it on the floor beside me then frantically reach for it. Right as my hand touches it, Theo’s boot lands on top of my fingers. I cry out at the shooting pain and snatch my hand back.

I hold it to my chest as he stomps on the small device until it’s in several pieces. My hopes crumble. It was my only means to call for help. I have the other phone, but haven’t memorized anyone’s number. I could call the police, but from experience, I know they won’t make it here in time. My only hope is that Luca sees my message and comes for me. I have no doubt he will, I just don’t know if he’ll make it before it’s too late.

Luca, please help! I scream silently.

When he’s done smashing the phone, he reaches down and grabs me by the hair. I cry out when he yanks me to my feet.

“Shut up, bitch,” he growls menacingly.

“What are you going to do?” I yell.

He puts his face so close to mine that spit flies out and lands on my cheek when he barks, “We’re going to have a little reunion.”

I start to struggle against him, clawing at the hand in my hair and kicking out with my feet. I manage to hit his shin and he hisses out a curse. The backhand hit he delivers has me seeing stars. For a moment, I’m disoriented, but it’s not long before I’m struggling once again. I’m thrown to the bed and before I get the chance to bolt away, he’s sitting on my lower stomach. He grips both of my wrists then maneuvers them into one of his hands. He bends down until our noses touch.

“This is what you did the first time I took you, Jules,” he taunts, then licks my cheek. I fight back the bile rising in my throat. “If it makes you feel any better, you put up a good fight, you just weren’t strong enough.”

He buries his face in my neck and sucks a piece of my flesh into his mouth.

“You taste so fucking good. Better than I remember,” he mumbles. He pulls back and looks at the spot on my neck his lips were just at. “My mark looks so good on you. Just how it’s supposed to be, and how it will always be.”

Anger, white-hot and fierce, gives me courage, and I lift my head and spit in his face. “I’ll never be yours,” I seethe.

His retaliation to my claim is ripping my shirt open. “We’ll see about that.” He grabs my breast through my bra and twists hard.

Ignoring the pain, I buck my hips and try with all my might to pull my hands free. The bones in my wrist scream in protest as he tightens his hold. When he dips his head and bites my nipple, I whimper in pain. Not willing to give up, I lift my head and grab a hold of his ear with my teeth. I bite down as hard as I can, and blood fills my mouth. I yank hard and part of his ear comes away with my teeth. I spit the chunk of ear out then gag at the taste of blood.

“Motherfucker,” he screams and falls to his side, grabbing his mangled ear.

I roll several times, trying to make it to the other side of the bed. His fingers graze my foot right as I reach the edge. I roll to my back and kick out with everything in me. My foot hits his chest and he flies backward. Unfortunately, my momentum is too great, and I launch off the other side. My head explodes in pain when my temple clips the corner of the bedside table.

Darkness descends, but it doesn’t last long. Visions, one after the other, assail me.

Walking into the tattoo shop and seeing Luca for the first time. The instant attraction I felt for him.

Him cornering me at the tattoo shop before Nicole and I left, demanding my phone number, me giving it, and him giving me the most passionate kiss of my life.

Our first conversation on the phone that same night. It was two hours long. I know, because I was so giddy that I timed it.

Our first date.

Our second, third, and fourth kisses, and every one that came afterward.

The strong connection I felt toward him.

The moment I knew I loved him.

The first time I said it and the beautiful way he repeated it.

The night we made love for the first time.

Standing in front of the judge at the courthouse. The pure happiness and the feeling of rightness when he announced us husband and wife.

Every day that we spent together. Every single moment of the short five weeks we had together.

I also remember Theo trying to coerce me into leaving Luca. His adamancy that he and I belonged together. Him forcing his lips against mine. The sick feeling it left in my stomach. The anger Luca portrayed when I told him what his brother did. The worry I felt when he stormed out of the house to confront Theo, and the relief when he came back home.

Then come the memories of the evening after we were married and our plans to leave town. Luca refused for me to give up my dream of earning a degree in interior design, so we were moving to Westerly until I got my degree, then were going to move back closer home so he could take over his dad’s shop.

I was waiting on Luca, who was due to pick me up later that evening. When I pulled open the door, I thought Luca was early. It only took me seconds to realize it wasn’t him, but his brother. Paralyzing terror. That’s the only way to describe what I felt as I saw him standing there. The pain, oh God, the pain of what Theo did to me was excruciating.

He brutally raped me in my own home. He was so mean and hateful with his actions that I must have blacked out. When I came to, I had never been in so much pain in my life. I thought he had left because he was nowhere around. I got up, but right as I found my phone, he came out of the hallway. The blow he delivered to my head knocked me backward, and I hit my head on something hard. After that, everything is black. Until the day I woke up in the hospital a few weeks ago.

Coming back to the present, I blink up at the ceiling. My head pounds and my vision is distorted around the edges. I feel like I’m floating on air. I can’t move, but I know I should. I need to get away as fast as I can, but my limbs won’t work.

A face appears over me and blood drips from his ear and onto my chest. The drops are scalding hot and they burn like acid on my sensitive skin.

“You’ll regret doing that, Jules,” Theo sneers, and reaches for me.

I scream. I scream so loud it pierces my ears and my throat feels like it’s on fire. Another sharp pain meets my head as his fist lands against it.

White stars and black space fill my vision. As I lie limply on the bed and my mind blanks of everything that’s going on, one last memory surfaces.

What I found out the day Luca and I got married. The news I couldn’t wait to share with him.