Love Resisted (Entwined Hearts #2) (19 page)

I lay my head on Saul’s shoulder again thinking about what Dane had said. It’s nice that he feels that way, but honestly, everything I did before falling apart was almost on autopilot. When it sunk in, the reality of the situation, I crumbled and had we have not been where we were it could’ve made the situation so much worse.

“Guys,” I hear and look up to Con. His eyes are filled with water and my heart starts banging in my chest at what he’s going to tell us.

“Con?” Saul asks.

“They’re both okay,” Con states and I feel my body let go of something I didn’t realise it was holding. “We don’t know what the future holds, but the baby is okay for now. They’ve checked and it seems happy. They can’t see anything wrong with the placenta, so they’ve decided to keep her in for a few days to monitor her before deciding what’s best to do.”

“Best to do?” I ask confused.

“Yeah,” he answers dropping his head with a sigh. “They still might have to deliver the baby early, if she has any more problems.” And with that comment the tension is back.

“Listen, they only allow two people in at one time, and because it’s not visiting times they have said nobody can visit, except me. I swayed it so that you could have a quick two minutes, Soph. Sorry brothers, it’s just Soph.” The guys nod and Saul squeezes my hand before I pull it from his to follow Con.

“Soph,” Pea says and smiles as I walk up to the side of her bed and hold her hand.

“You gave me a fright,” I tell her smiling back.

“I imagine so looking at your top,” she replies and I look down internally cursing myself for not grabbing something else to cover it. Not that I’m sure what I could have used seeing as I brought nothing with me.

“Sorry,” I say and she pulls me toward her for a hug, whispering in my ear, “Thank you for saving us.” And at that we both start crying like a couple of little girls, only calming down when Con comes over and rubs my back with one hand while stroking Pea’s face with the other.

“You’ll have to leave now, I’m afraid,” a nurse tells us popping her head round the corner. I look at her and nod, my eyes still filled with tears.

“I’ll be back in a minute precious,” Con tells Pea and she gives me one last hug while Con moves to walk me back.

“See you soon, sweets,” I tell her and she giggles giving me a little wave.

“Text me the visiting hours, please Con,” I ask as we walk and he nods.

Con stops before we go through the doors and drags me into a hug saying, “Love you, Soph. They’re my world and you made sure I didn’t lose that today.” And my tears erupt again. He pulls back and takes me through the doors. The minute Saul sees me he jumps up striding over to where we are grabbing me from Con’s arms and holding me tightly in his. Where I belong.

“What’s wrong, Soph?” he asks panic threaded through his voice.

“Don’t worry bro, just overemotional,” Con answers before leaving.

“Later,” I hear all three of them say, and then we leave and make our way outside where we all pile into Dane’s car before heading home.

“And then I found out that the bitch didn’t tell her, I swear she’s on crack,” I finish telling Pea. I have been filling her in on my last couple of days. I’ve been working all hours, Saul has finally allowed me to work, but it means I haven’t been able to visit as I’ve been finishing after visiting time. We’ve had to make do with texting, which hasn’t been the same. Yesterday’s shoot was crap. Carlie was there again, trying to undermine me and treat me like an airhead in front of everyone the entire time. Eric was even shocked at her blatant hatred of me. It seemed to roll off her in waves. I’d wanted to inform Sue that I was having the police look into a stalker situation I had. Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be the first or last situation like this that Sue would have to deal with. It’s more common than people think, especially with models, or pretty much anyone in the public eye. When I’d called the week before to tell Sue, I had instead gotten Carlie. Knowing I couldn’t keep this a secret and that I was in danger and therefore others might be too, I told her and asked that she passed it on to Sue. Yesterday I found out that she didn’t pass it on.
Bitch!

“So I asked her why she hadn’t told Sue, and she replied that I was a drama queen who was obviously thinking too highly of myself, and that I needed to realise that I’m disposable and not, all that,” I continue telling Pea the story, who watching me with wide eyes.

“What a whore bag,” Pea says defending my honour like all best friends should. I nod and shrug in agreement and frustration. “So what did you say when she said that to you?” Pea asks.

“Well, she said it in front of everyone, and by this point there was a hush over the room because our argument was the centre of attention. So I did the only thing I could do,” I say smiling.

“What? You insulted her?” she questions almost bouncing in the bed with anticipation.

“Oh no,” I say shaking my head as Pea’s eyes dull. “I was ever the professional. I told her if she had a problem with me then that wasn't
my
problem. And just because the guy she had wanted to fuck didn’t like her and would rather use his hand than her mouth, but did however like me, well whatever. Get over it. She had a job to do and so did I,” I answer still smiling.

“What then?” Pea asks her mouth hanging open.

“Well, then she insulted me.”

“How Soph, how?”

I almost laugh at Pea’s eagerness. “Blimey, you’ve been in here too long if my story has you this engrossed,” I tell her, but she flaps her hand at me.

“Shhh, just tell me what happened next woman,” she snaps and I laugh getting tuts from some of the other women on the small four-bed ward.

“Okay, so she said the only reason I got men to like me is because I was a slut.”

Pea covers her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening again.

“So then I just shook my head and said, it’s scary to think people like you are allowed to vote or procreate. Of course, I was still trying to be professional. Then she told me that she disliked me because I was stupid and had an overinflated ego and that my legs were like Tesco’s because they’re open twenty-four-seven. So then I said,
‘What? So it has nothing to do with Dane?’
Of course, the minute I said his name a few people gasped not realising the guy we were talking about. So she leaned into me and said, really loudly I’ll add,
‘I’d slap you bitch, but I don’t want slut on my hand and as for Dane, I’m not interested…I have a boyfriend!’
So then I replied,
‘A boyfriend, really? Because
I'm pretty sure nothing's happening between those legs except maybe your hyman regrowing
.
’ That’s when she went to meltdown and lashed out her hand to slap me, but I caught her arm. I’ve taken enough shit over the years, I’m not taking it from a little twat like her. I just leaned into her and whispered,
‘Don’t ever try to hit me. I may seem soft, but bitch I will cut you if you come at me again.’
”

I sit back and watch Pea. “So it’s safe to say you don’t like her then?” she asks with a smirk.

“Well, I wouldn’t say I hate her, but I wouldn’t be upset if she were to be attacked by a parade of rabid anteaters, and her only escape was through a room covered in Lego bricks, whilst a combined Justin Bieber and Kayne West music video played at full volume. “Okay, well maybe, it’s just a mild dislike, huh?” I reply and Pea bursts into laughter.

A second later and a nurse comes in. “If you’re going to keep making her get all unnecessary like, that then you’ll need to leave,” she tells me pursing her lips and folding her arms.

“Who shit in your Coco Pops this morning?” I reply and Pea bursts out laughing again.

“Right. Out!” she tells me and I roll my eyes and collect my things.

“Sorry,” I tell Pea and lean in to cuddle her.

“Don’t be, it’s the best I’ve felt. Come back tomorrow?” she asks.

“Of course,” I reply. “I’ll come in the daytime though. Hopefully, another nurse will be on duty,” I say with a wink.

I get to the foyer of the hospital and it suddenly dawns on me that I have no ride. Saul is picking me up in thirty minutes which is when visiting hours are over. I can’t go back to the ward as grumpy nurse will have a fit, but I know I’m not safe in here.

I call Saul. “Babe?” he answers on the second ring.

“Sorry honey, but I kinda…sorta…got kicked out by a grumpy nurse, who said I was making Pea laugh too much,” I explain.

“What the fuck? So what? Do they want the patients to be miserable?” he spits anger wafting through the phone like it’s a physical thing.

“Yeah, I know, right? Anywho, I’m in the foyer. Any chance you can come and get me early?” I ask.

“Of course, babe. I’m just at the gym, I’ll grab my stuff and be there in twenty, okay? Stay inside,” he demands.

“Okay, I will. Oh, and Saul?” I say before he hangs up.

“Here,” he replies.

“Love you,” I tell him softly.

“Every second of every day, babe,” he says before the phone cuts off and I stare at it grinning like an idiot.

“So, I have to resort to following you just to talk these days?” I hear and a shiver runs down my spine.

I turn around. “Mother,” I say trying not to show any kind of fear or weakness. My days of being controlled and fearful of this piece of shit in front of me are long gone.

“Where have you been? The last time I heard anything about you was from
that woman
,” she says wrinkling her nose in disgust. I stand and say nothing, just taking her in. It’s been at least five years since I’ve actually seen her, although it’s been less since I’ve spoken to her. Her hair has a few more grey strands than I remember and she has a few extra wrinkles. I’d like to say she looks like shit, but she doesn’t. As usual, she’s put together elegantly, wearing a pair of grey slacks with a button through grey blouse, red jacket and silver scarf.
You’d never know she was a whore.
Her blonde hair used to hang down her back, but I have no idea how long it is anymore as she wears it in a bun, which elongates her neck. She’s a few inches shorter than me, but that doesn’t deter from the intimidating aura that she gives off.

After everything she did to me I wanted to cut her out of my life completely, but I never could. She’s always held Patrick and my whereabouts, or more to the point Pea’s address, over me. Now she has nothing to hold, there’s nothing she can do anymore. And for once I feel like I hold the power.

“What is it you want?” I ask her shaking my head.

“I just wanted to see how my daughter was, isn’t that what all mothers want?” she asks the corner of her lip curling.

“Maybe, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had someone that I class as a mother,” I respond and she cocks one eyebrow and takes a step forward.

“I had to put up with you. Do you know why I always made you keep in contact with me?” she asks, but I say nothing. “Because your stupid pathetic excuse for a father tied up all his money in his Will to you,” she tells me and as she does I do everything I can to keep my face blank. “He had a clause written into it, that
you
had to remain alive and healthy until you were twenty-five or I wouldn’t get a penny. Ever since you turned twenty-five, I haven’t given you a second thought. Did it not cross your mind why I haven’t contacted you for nearly eighteen months?” she asks.

Although my heart is thumping in my chest, I whisper, “I hadn’t given
you
a second thought. Period.”

She smirks at me. “Touché. I can really see myself in you sometimes.” At her words, a chill runs right through me.

“I’m nothing like you,” I spit and she chuckles.

“Oh dear girl, you’re more like me than you realise. One thing I will tell you though, you were written into your father’s will too. Want to know how much you got?” she asks and I still say nothing. “Okay, I’ll take that as a yes. You got more than I did. He gave you two point five million pounds.” My body involuntarily jolts at her revelation. “Yes, I see you’re getting it now, my daughter. All that money? It comes to me upon your death.”

My eyes move from over her shoulder where I was staring determined not to encourage her in any way to looking straight at her.

“Yes, you see, if I get rid of you I can up my bank balance and I know just the person who can help me with that.”

My shoulders sag. “Patrick,” I whisper.

“Bingo! Now be a good girl and come outside with Mummy,” she tells me.

I start shaking. “No!” I tell her.

She tuts and says, “Oh, but I think you will. You see Patrick is right now dressed as a doctor and waiting outside the maternity ward doors ready to go and pay your little friend Pearson a visit. You don’t want that, do you?”

I shake my head no. I have no idea what to do, but I can’t risk anything happening to Pea.

“Fine,” I say.

“Well done. Right answer,” she tells me and grabs my elbow marching me outside. As soon as we’re out the doors she hustles me left and practically drags me down the street until we get to the corner. That’s when all hell breaks loose. She shoves me forward into someone and I look up to see the dark, cold eyes of a face I know very well from when I was younger. A face that made me feel physically sick, and that I would do everything I could to avoid.

“Patrick,” I mumble all my breath whooshing out of me.

“Cherry Pie,” he says a smirk on his face.

“No…no…this isn’t happening,” I tell myself.

“Oh, but it is. So there’s no point fighting it,” my mother informs me gripping my arm tightly, painfully.

“I’ve done my part. Now you get rid of her or get her to sign over her money otherwise I’ll call the police. You have one week,” my mother tells him and he doesn’t get to reply before she walks away leaving me with my childhood monster.

“Please, let me go. I’ll sign the money over. I don’t care…just let me go,” I plead.

His eyes glitter. “I’ve been waiting a long time for you. I’m never going to let you go.” And right at that moment, I know he’s being truthful. He’s never going to let me go. I’m never going to be allowed a normal life.

What have I ever done to deserve having a taste of happiness, for it then to be ripped away?

With that thought lingering on the edges of my mind, I feel Patrick slip his hand down my leg. It’s dark, so although we’re out in the open, it’s unlikely anyone will pay attention. He pushes me against the wall. I think, maybe if I scream someone just might hear me. So I open my mouth but the minute I do, he rams his fist into my face, catching my cheek at just the right angle so it feels like my eye is going to burst out of its socket. Then slams his hand over my mouth. I bite it, unwilling to give up my fight. I’ll never give up. I’ll die fighting. He curses and slaps me across the face moving his hand and this time placing it around my throat. He squeezes, then squeezes harder, cutting off my air.