His Broken Princess

Chapter Four

Once you choose hope, anything is possible.

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Violet

I woke up to the sunlight streaming through the gap in between the curtains. I laid there for quite some time thinking about last night’s dinner. It had been.... nice. It had felt good to be part of these people’s happiness. Mad and Bree had looked so happy, and after what they went through they definitely deserved that.

Kiara, Dominic’s girlfriend was all smiles and ready with her quips, most of her jokes were at Dom's expense. But the way he adored her it was obvious he didn’t mind it. After what happened to her when she had been kidnapped, I didn’t think it was capable of going back to normal but I think Dom’s love and everyone’s support was responsible for that.

So last night looking at those two girls, was what had me deciding that I should also try at least, and maybe, just maybe I’d be semi normal between all these good people.

I threw the covers back and slid off the bed. My eyes went to the chair near my dresser as if pulled by an unknown force and I saw it in the way it was placed that he was here. He had been here. Again.

I had gone to sleep with my mind on my new plans and with him lurking in the periphery of my thoughts but he hadn’t come. Not that I was waiting. But obviously now looking at that askew piece of furniture he had come. Once again he had come and sat on that chair and watched me. I didn’t know why that didn’t disturb me. Maybe it did. But what disturb me the most was that I didn’t mind.

 A knock on my bedroom door startled me. I swallowed. My stomach tensed and an unknown feeling crowded and tightened my chest. No one has ever knocked on my door, the monsters always had barged inside, uncaring if they were invited or not.

“Violet?”

I felt Goosebumps rising on my arms as I heard Mrs Carter’s voice. It took me a moment as I opened my mouth to call out for her but unfortunately no voice came out. I slipped out of the bed and made my way to the door to open it.

She stood there with a smile on her face. The beautiful woman, who had looked at me like I wasn’t a stranger but the daughter she had lost and had hugged me tight with tears in her eyes when her sons had brought me into her house, entered. Her bright blue eyes like her sons brightened up when she saw me. “Did you sleep well?” She questioned as she walked in and pulled the curtains apart, flooding the room with bright sunlight.

For the first time I could answer it honestly, so when she turned around I nodded.

She came back to my side of the bed where I had sat back down and smiled down at me. Feeling conscious I looked away but then I more than saw the difference in her. It was ingrained in me to read my surroundings and even before I looked up at her I knew there won’t be a smile waiting for me. And sure enough, her smile was gone and her eyes were fixed on my arms.

Oh.

I quickly folded my arms across my chest as I tried to hide the red scratches from the night before. A moment of silence passed before she said, “I want you to come and join me downstairs for breakfast.” And with that she left the room without saying anything.

I stared at the closed door, feeling like somehow I had hurt her and I didn’t like that feeling.

Mrs Natalie Carter had spent years in the Brood, the hellhole I had been. She knew everything about being broken. She knew more than that. She knew how to be broken and still was there for her sons. She managed to love them even when they must remind her of the monster himself. She not only managed to love them but made them into the men they were today. And now she was with the man that she loved and she wasn’t afraid of his touch.

And here I was still lost in my mind and pitying myself and telling myself how broken I was. One more thing to hate about myself. At least I could try to be happy in front of them and not pull them down with my negativity. No, like Bree and Kiara, I’d try for myself too. I was given a second chance at this life. I was able to see the sun in the sky. I was able to touch and smell the beautiful nature around us. I was able to wear clothes and I was a part of the family that might or might not pity me.

By the time I went downstairs I had decided on a few things. I won’t take advantage of their kindness. I had to go somewhere. A shelter, maybe. I had to thank them and this time I’d have to use words. But when I reached the living room I forgot all of it as I watched him. He was engrossed in something he was doing on his phone, his fingers tapping furiously on the screen, his jaw tight and brows furrowed.

I wondered if he ever relaxed, if he ever smiled and if—

My thoughts scattered away as he looked up at me. His eyes golden and brown shone like bright flames in the morning light as he stared at me. Those burning eyes raked down my form. And I stopped myself from fidgeting and running away to a corner where I could hide. I was wearing one of Brenna's shirts. It was the only clothing that covered my whole arms, it was loose so I had to pull the jeans up and use the belt to keep them in place.

“Mrs Carter is waiting for you in the kitchen area.” His rough voice pulled me out of my thoughts and when I focused back on him I was startled to see him looking so angry.

Swallowing, I gave him a jerky nod and turned around. I didn't know what his problem was but there was definitely one.

When I reached the kitchen Mrs Carter was staring out of the window, her hands braced on the granite near the sink. I waited for a few seconds but when I realized that she was lost in her thoughts, I walked to her and tapped her shoulder.

She let out a soft gasp and I got a hint of alarm on her face before she saw me and pasted a smile on her lips. “Oh, Violet...”

I smiled back at her.

She lightly touched her throat and said, “Come. Sit here on the stool. I made breakfast for the two of us.”

Natalie

I looked into her blue eyes. They reminded me of the time when Jared had brought me back and I had seen that same look in my own reflection. Watching her hurts me and reminds me of all the time I spent in that prison with those monsters.

Last night while everyone was smiling and talking, she had been sitting there doesn't and lost. I knew what she felt. I had felt like that too. Like I wasn’t mean for this life, for normalcy. Like I didn't deserve someone caring for me. Like I was somehow tarnished beyond repair.It had taken me years, it had taken my Jared years to nature me neither that I was worthy of his love. But I won't let this girl suffer for that long. I won't let her think that she was alone or unworthy.

I arranged a plate for her. Sausages and omelet with brownies that I was sure she'd like. Her eyes showed her gratitude as I put a cup of coffee near her page. I made a plate for myself too before I sat down and started eating.

I felt her gaze on me but I didn't say anything, after a moment she started to eat too. We sat in silence, eating our breakfast. When I was almost done, I said, “I am going to ask you a few questions you could nod and stage your head, for yes or no. You don't have to speak.”

She put her fork down and her fingers curled around the coffee cup as she looked at me. “Do you feel safe here?” She gave me a slow nod. I didn't show her how relieved I felt at that. I asked, “Can you speak?” Another nod. “How long has it been since you last spoke to someone? A year? Two? Three?” She shook her head every time and my heart clenched in pain. “Four? Five? Six?” She finally nodded and unbeknownst to me a tear slid down my cheek.

She wiped it away.

I took her hand. She was stiff before she made herself relax. Even though her hands were wrapped around the coffee cup they were still cold. I said, “If Jared saw me crying he would be so angry.” Her brows furrowed and her shoulders tensed. “No. He would be angry because he loves me and doesn't want to see me cry.” Swallowing thickly, I said, “I can understand why you won't talk to any of us. Believe me I do. There were a lot of things I didn't like to do too. But I learned to do them all and now I'm better for it. Jared helped to do so.” I wiped another tear as I said, “I just want you to know like me, you have all of us. You are not alone. You will never be alone. We are here to be there for you even in your silence. If you ever decide to talk we are here to listen. If you need anything we are here to give you.” I smiled at her and cupped her face as I said, “I know you’re still uncomfortable around my boys and Jared, but believe me they’d never hurt you and they would kill anyone who dares to hurt you. I want.. I know I shouldn't ask this but I want you to stay with us. If you want to go somewhere, we would help you to set up your own space, an apartment or a house, anything you want. But personally I would like it very much if you stay here with us. If you want your own space we can have a room constructed on the second floor where you can live with no one bothering you but I don't want you to be alone. My motherly heart would end up worrying about you day and night.”

“Yes.”

I jerked up in my seat. Startled, I looked at her. She was blinking furiously and looked like she didn't know why she said it.

Three months. Three whole months this girl has been living with us but she never said a single word. I squeezed my eyes as more tears gathered ready to pour out. I didn't make a big deal out of it and asked, “Can I hug you, Violet?”

I was sure she would shake her head but then at last she nodded. When I slid off my stool to hug her my eyes went to the boy who had been sitting all this time on the sofa in the living room pretending to work on his phone while his attention was on us. But now he wasn't pretending now he was looking at us, when his eyes met mine he quickly looked away. And I smiled to myself.

Maybe there was a way to mend these two children that I loved like my own.

I was fortunate enough that I had Jared who loved me unconditionally and was always there to pull me out of the darkness. And my sons who gave me a reason to not give up. Maybe Violet and Cole would find their own reasons in each other.

When I pulled back she gave me a mini smile and then she slipped her hand in her jeans pocket and took out a folded piece of paper. “What is this?” I asked but of course she didn’t answer.

I unfolded the paper and read its content. When I met her gaze she tilted her head to the side. I nodded. “Of course, I’ll ask one of the boys to check it out and then you could go if it’s something you want.” And I just have the right candidate she could go with.

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Author's Note-

Thankyou everyone for coming here to read my book. And to all the new readers, hope you like this book. Give it a chance and time.

And for all my oldies and Goldies, thankyou for supporting me, loving me and believing in me. Last year had started with a bad news for me but I wanted to end it on a good note with this book, unfortunately it got on hold. But here we are... So I'm dedicating this book to all those ladies, and everyone who ever felt broken and unworthy... You are worthy, you are not broken and you definitely are loveable. Look at the mirror, see your eyes and your smile and say it with me that you are the most beautiful person on this earth, not because anyone has said it but because you believe it.

And to those, who don't know how to love please read this book... 

Thankyou very much!

A.Gupta