Aubrey

My mind was foggy and I couldn't think straight. I just woke up and rolled off the bed. I was clothed in a black t-shirt and some shorts. My skin was sweaty and my legs hurt. My entire body was in pain and I instantly began crying again. Memories of yesterday flooded my mind and I wanted this suffering to end.

"Where are you going baby?" Anthony cooed as he grabbed my hand.

"Let me go." I cried.

"What's wrong ? Didn't have fun last night?" He smirked and I sobbed.

"I hate you Anthony. I hate you. You ruined my body. You forced yourself on me. You took away something I would never get back. I will always hate you."I screamed. As those words left my mouth I was slapped.

"You will love me bitch. You will have to love me. I will make you love me." He barked as he slapped me again and again. I was beginning to feel dizzy.

"S-stop." I murmured.

He then pushed me causing my head to collide with the floor. Black dots formed in my vision as I faded into the darkness.

"Shit. Damn it!" I heard him say as he rushed to my side. The only thing I saw were his lips moving as I lost consciousness.

~

My eyes snapped open and I started to panic. My hands and feet were tied down to the bed so I couldn't move. My head was pounding and I felt awful. I realised that the shirt was rolled up and revealing my stomach.My bare skin was exposed to him and I felt horrible. This man is sick.

"You're awake." Anthony smirked.

"What are you doing? Why did you tie me up?" I croaked.

"To teach you a lesson. You made me hurt you baby. I hate to hurt you but sometimes I have to." He chuckled as he held a whip.

"Please don't." I cried.

"You disobeyed me Aubrey so I have to. You're a sweet girl and I wish I didn't have to punish you but sadly I do."

Before I could speak. I heard the sound of the whip on my stomach. It burnt my skin and I cried out in pain.

"I want you to count baby." He cooed in a sadistic tormenting tone.

He hit me again and I cried out. The pain was too much. I couldn't even think straight.

"I said count or we won't stop until you do." He growled.

"Two." I breathed and he smiled.

"Lets see how good my aim is." He smirked as he hit me again but this time in the middle of my chest. The fabric was able to brace me from some of the pain.

"Three." I sobbed.

Another whip came across my stomach. Then another and another. It felt like this was going on forever.

"Twenty-four." I choked. Blood was oozing from the wounds and my skin was bruised badly.

"Okay that's enough." He smiled. I was full on sobbing as my back arched with the pain. This was too much to bear.

"Angelo, Leonardo, come in now." He called.

Leonardo walked in and stared directly at my body while licking his lips. The scar on his face made him look rugged and rough. He had low black hair that was curled.

"Don't stare at her like that. I only called you to untie her and turn her around." Anthony barked.

"Her body is hot. How do you expect us not to stare? Especially since you have all the fun." Angelo smirked.

"She is You need to follow orders. I don't share." Anthony growled.

After they untied me they flipped me around and I was laying on my stomach.

"Pull the shirt up a bit." He commanded and they did as they were told. They pulled my shirt half way up my back and left the rest exposed.

I closed my eyes and breathed slowly.

The whip collided with my bare skin causing me to scream. It was the most blood curling scream I've ever heard and it came straight from my mouth.

I didn't feel anything else but the ropes being loosened and then taken off completely.

They pulled me off the bed and I stumbled and fell. My head was spinning and I was a sobbing mess.

"I'm sorry baby." Anthony cooed.

"Don't. Touch. Me." I grumbled.

"Baby I didn't mean it and you know that." He tried to touch me and I slapped his hand away.

"Please. I just want to be alone." I sobbed.

"As soon as we get those bruises cleaned I'll give you some time alone." He reasoned.

He grabbed my hand and led me to the washroom. I was falling and feeling dizzy. My whole body ached and the pain radiated from every inch of my stomach.

"Baby, can you stand?" He inquired in a sorrowful tone.

I didn't answer him as I fell to the floor and breathed heavily.

"Leonardo, call Doctor Matthew. Now." Anthony barked.

"You're gonna be okay. You'll be okay baby." He cooed as he rubbed my head. I couldn't move as I wasn't thinking straight.

I don't know how long I was lying on the floor but I felt the presence of another person as they entered the room.

"Damn Anthony. You almost killed her!" The voice exclaimed.

A guy with black hair and green tips came in. He was covered in tattoos and had a lip piercing. He carried a bag in his hand and put it down as he approached me. He looked around 25 and was very tall.

"Hey cutie. I'm Matthew Stallmeyer , the doctor that's here for you." He winked as he examined my wound.

Anthony rolled his eyes but he had a look of guilt on his face.

"You have any questions before I fix you up?" He questioned.

"You don't look like a doctor." I admitted as I winced in pain.

"Well, looks can be deceiving. I mostly do private practice so it doesn't really matter. The public hospitals aren't exactly my cup of tea." He chuckled.

"Let's get her on the bed. Gently." He cautioned as Anthony lift me off the ground.

In a few seconds I was lying on the bed while Matthew did his work. When he was done, he bandaged me up and gave me pain killers.

"I've noticed she is pale aswell. Is she anemic? You told me that she was right?" He inquired and Anthony nodded.

"She has to eat lots of food with iron in it. Make sure she takes her tablet twice daily. Please try and refrain from hitting her." He concluded as he packed his bags.

After he left, Anthony and I were in the room alone.

"I'm so sorry baby. I want to make it up to you." He stated.

"Name it and I'll do it." He smiled.

"Anything?" I whispered and he nodded eagerly.

"Please take me back home. I miss my mom and dad. I miss my siblings. I miss my friends and family. Just please let me see them. I want my life back." I sobbed.

"This is your life Aubrey and I'm your family. You don't need them. You're gonna spend eternity with me." He smirked and rubbed my head causing me to cry even more.

"Don't worry sunshine. You'll come around. I know you love me. I'll leave you to get some rest." He grinned as he left the room.

Silent tears fell down my face and I felt pathetic. Here I was crying like a wimp and Anthony keeps taking advantage of me. I have to be strong but how long can I do that? Vincent I need you more than ever. You said your heart beats for me well please let your heart find me.

I need you.

"You want to annul the marriage?" My father asked confused.

"Aubrey is missing Haden." My mom added.

We were currently sitting in the lawyer's office with Aubrey's parents and my parents aswell. Ivory was anxious but I convinced her to come with me. I held her hand the entire time and that made me also feel better.

"I know and I wish things were different but I'm having a son. Didn't you want me to have a family of my own Dad? I'm just trying to do that and I'd wish you guys would understand." I countered.

"Son, I do understand but your wife is missing. You shouldn't be with any other women." My dad stated.

"This isn't just another woman. She is my girlfriend. In fact, she has always been my girlfriend, you never listen to me." I yelled.

"Haden. That's no way to speak to your father." Aubrey's mom scolded.

"I don't mean any disrespect but can't I simply move on with my life." I argued.

"The contract does state that if it is breached, the marriage can be annulled." The lawyer, Miss Campbell, interjected.

"Which item was breached?" I questioned.

"If either of the partners are unable to carry out their duties or can no longer care for, love and cherish the other partner, the marriage can be annulled." She read.

"Aubrey isn't here. She hasn't been here for a month and a few weeks. I can't keep doing this. I need to provide for my baby." I rubbed Ivory's stomach and she squeezed my hand gently as a smile formed on her face.

"I get that but-

"Let him sign it." My father was cut off by Aubrey's dad.

"What?" My dad questioned in shock.

"I said, let him sign it. Let's get over with it. I mean clearly he does not care about Aubrey. My daughter is missing and that has occupied my mind lately but it probably hasn't even crossed or registered in his. If he does not want her in his life, then so be it. My daughter has been hurting and I haven't seen it. This whole marriage has been a mistake. I humbly apologise for putting you through this. This, ends now." Aubrey's dad stated, leaving us with surprised expressions on our faces.

"But we can't back out of the contract." My dad cried out.

"Yes we can. I'm not letting you out of our deal. Our companies will be merged and you should let your son inherit the company."

"Alright fine." My dad frowned.

"Well, both parties need to sign. But since Aubrey isn't here we'll just work around that. Is everyone okay with that?" Miss Campbell asked and we all nodded.

A few minutes later everything was all done. A small voice in the back of my mind was telling me that I shouldn't sign those papers but I ignored it and did what I had to do.

"Alright. It is done. Haden, you are no longer bound to Aubrey. However, we will need her signature whenever she comes back. But as of now, you're a free man since there was a breach in the contract. We all have to understand that this marriage was more on the basis of a contract so there might be slight adjustments. Nevertheless, you're free to get married to whoever you please." Miss Campbell concluded.

"Thank you soo much." I shook her hand as I stood.

"You're welcome."

When we left the room, my dad was glaring at me.

"Darling, can I speak to Ivory for a sec?" My mom smiled as she approached us.

"Sure." Ivory and my mom walked out on the balcony while my dad and I stayed there. Aubrey's parents had already left.

"Are you happy now?" My dad asked.

"Yes I am. I'm finally with the woman I wanted from the start." I admitted.

"You don't know that for a fact. Haden, I think you made a grave mistake. I think this is singlehandedly the worst thing you could have ever done."

"Stop trying to control my life dad. I know what I'm doing." I argued.

"I'm not controlling you. In fact I want you to continue and do as you wish. But mark my words Haden, when the time comes I'm afraid it will be too late. It will be too late to fix your mistakes. So enjoy it while it lasts son because when you get the result of your actions you certainly can't say I didn't warn you. " He said and I was stunned. Turning around he made his way downstairs.

Pausing once but not looking at me he spoke.

"Oh and tell your mom I'm waiting in the car." He stated and left.

I was left dumbstruck. I was sure I was doing the right thing. He doesn't know what he is saying. But still his words hit a nerve.

I walked to the balcony to meet my mom but stopped dead in my tracks when I heard her talking.

"Just quit the shit. Haden might not see it but I do. You're just a little sneak. You're after his money." My mom spat.

"I'm not Mrs Vanderbilt. I love Haden. I really do." Ivory countered.

"I bet that child isn't even his. Just leave my son alone. You're no good for him."

"I love your son and he loves me. We are having a baby, your grandchild." Ivory sobbed.

"I don't care because my mind tells me that you are no good. I can see right through you. You're nothing but a lying, no good-

"Mom that's enough." I strode up to Ivory and pulled her in my arms.

"Well it's the truth Haden. What do you expect?" My mom sneered. She was furious and she stared at Ivory with disgust.

"Stop it. I love her mom. Why can't you and dad be happy for us? I'm finally settling down with the woman of my dreams. Just spend time with Ivory and you'll love her too." I reasoned.

My mom looked at me and laughed which left me confused.

"This must be some kind of joke. I will spend no time with that woman. I want nothing to do with her. As a matter of fact I will not be at your wedding. After all Aubrey has been through, putting up with you and taking your shit, you still go and divorce her when she is missing. I did not raise you like this Haden. Your father and I did not raise you like this." She stated calmly and my heart broke.

"Mom, I didn't expect this from you. Why are you acting like this?"

"I didn't expect this from you either." She gestured to Ivory.

"But I guess we all have different expectations. I wish you the best with Ivory. I really do. I hope things work out for you. If this is what you want then so be it." Mom said as she looked at me directly in my eyes.

"So you're gonna come to my wedding?" I questioned.

"I said I hope things work out for you. I didn't say I want to be a part of it." Mom sauntered off without sparing me a glance.

"Haden I'm so sorry. Your parents don't approve." Ivory cried.

"Hey baby, don't cry. It's gonna be okay. It doesn't matter if they approve or not. What matters is that you and I are happy. We are gonna be happy baby. You, me and our son. Nothing can come between us." I hugged her as I planted a kiss on her forehead.

Ivory and I can be together now but why does the image of Aubrey keep plaguing my mind.