Chapter 1
“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, and it is a thing to be achieved.”
― William Jennings Bryan
Marie POV
Have you ever wonder how the fuck this one mother fucker can ruin your entire life. Like I had goals and dreams of being something. I wanted to do more shit than sit here and take no bullshit from anyone, but no, the fucking universe has a weird and cruel way of fucking everything up. I guess you are wondering what I am talking about. Well, I would have to start six months ago and how this shit came to be. You wonder how the fuck I ended up in Denver, and all this shit happened. Here I am, running from a guy I thought was fucking dead and this guy I never thought I would fall in love with. Who is getting ready to start a fucking bloody war for myself and my child? Shit, Well, if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. I don’t think so this shit myself either.
Six months ago
Sitting on the steps, waiting for him to come home, I mulled over whether he was ready for kids and if I was prepared for motherhood. The desire to be a mom had always been within me, but not with him. Tonight, my original plan was to leave his ass, leaving my engagement ring in the bathroom and escaping the hell I found myself in with Kyle. Don’t get me wrong; Lance and I had our good moments, but I couldn’t endure this any longer.
We had nearly two years together, and Kyle seemed like every woman’s dream—charming, loving, making me feel safe and laughing together. He was a mixed boy whom I deeply fell in love with, but I was dead wrong. After moving in together, he began with subtle insults about my appearance—little remarks about gaining weight or other trivialities. Initially, I brushed them off, making excuses and convincing myself that no one else could love me like he did. I should have walked away, listened to my gut instincts, but I kept making excuses.
Digressing, six months ago, I sat there, a pregnancy test in hand, discovering I was pregnant. Nervous as hell, I awaited his return, knowing I had to tell him.
As the door unlocked, I looked up at him, sensing his anger. I had texted Lexus earlier to call the cops if she didn’t hear from me within the next 5 minutes. True to her loyalty, she agreed and was on her way. That’s one thing I loved about Lexus—she was that ride-or-die friend you want to hold onto forever.
Kyle entered our apartment, visibly upset. “Where the fuck is my dinner?” he demanded, and I cringed. “You useless fat piece of shit. I bet you hate all that, don’t you?” How was I supposed to answer that? I felt utterly useless, a weak person who couldn’t stand up for herself. So, I got him his dinner, being the pathetic person I convinced myself I was. This was supposed to be my moment to leave him and take our unborn child with me.
Once I brought him dinner, he calmed down a bit. Summoning the courage, I told him I was pregnant. “Kyle,” I said in a whisper, and he looked at me in disgust. “I have something important to tell you.”
“What is it?” he asked, starting to get annoyed again. Maybe I won’t tell him I’m leaving him.
“I-I am pregnant,” I blurted out, like my mouth had a mind of its own. “And I am keeping the baby.”
“You said you’re what? I don’t think I heard you correctly. It sounded like you said you were pregnant, and you are keeping that piece of shit.”
Nodding my head quickly, I yelled something I never imagined I’d say, “I-I am leaving you.” The next thing I knew, I was on the floor, hoping someone could come and save me.
Miraculously, Lexus called out for me to move, her voice getting louder. “I need you to fucking run,” she said, blocking the view of Kyle. To this day, I owe my life to Lexus. She saved me, and I will forever be grateful.
Present Day
The memories of that night six months ago still haunted me. The fear, the desperation, and the moment Lexus became my lifeline were etched into the fabric of my being. Now, as I sit here in Denver, running from a past that refuses to let go, I can't help but wonder how the hell I ended up in this mess.
After that fateful night, Lexus and I decided to put as much distance between Kyle and me as possible. We left our hometown, hoping that a change of scenery would bring a sense of safety. Yet, safety seemed elusive, and peace was a distant dream.
Lexus and I found a small apartment in Denver, far away from the haunting memories of my past. The city offered anonymity, a chance to rebuild my life, but the shadows of what happened lingered. I constantly glanced over my shoulder, expecting Kyle to appear out of nowhere, ready to drag me back into the nightmare.
Now, in the present, my focus shifted to the life growing within me. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, there was a tiny heartbeat, a beacon of hope. The decision to keep my child, to face the challenges of single motherhood, became my driving force. The love I felt for the little one growing inside me gave me strength I never knew I possessed.
Lexus, true to her nature, stood by me unwaveringly. She became more than a friend; she became family, my protector, and the one who helped me rediscover my strength. Together, we faced the daunting reality that Kyle was not truly gone. Rumors reached us of his survival, and a sense of impending danger loomed over our lives.
As I navigated the complexities of pregnancy, Lexus and I devised a plan—a plan to stay hidden, to protect ourselves from the storm Kyle might unleash. We understood that this was not just about me anymore; it was about my child's safety, about creating a future where we could thrive without the fear of looking over our shoulders.
The echoes of Hemingway's words resonated within me, "The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too." In the midst of this turmoil, I realized that I couldn't let Kyle's darkness consume me. I had to find the strength to be not just a mother but a person with dreams, aspirations, and a right to a future free from fear.
As I prepare for the challenges ahead, the love and support of Lexus fuel my determination. I may have started this journey in fear, but I refuse to let fear be the end of my story. The upcoming arrival of my child represents a chance for redemption, a chance to break free from the chains of the past and create a new narrative—one where I am not just a survivor but a woman who discovers her own worth, her own uniqueness, and the profound love she is capable of giving, even in the face of adversity.
