NF - Let You Down

Back and forth then in circular motions, soothing and gentle, Rory rubbed her belly as she laid on the mattress, staring up at the light fixtures. Her movements replicated what Gideon used to do before bed and in the early mornings before he started his day.

He used to touch her while her hormones raged, pumping in and out; giving her the release of her life again and again until she was overcome with ecstasy.

She missed him and it seemed every day her will to live on dimmed.

Every second and every breathe without him felt like a knife twisting into her chest, deeper and deeper but she just won't die.

How could she look at their son when he'll only remind her of him and of the biggest mistake she ever made?

She took the life of his father and he was now forced to grow up without one.

"I'm so sorry." She murmured. Her voice cracked and a sob escaped her trembling lips. "I'm so sorry that I'm weak and that I'll never be strong enough to take care of you. Not the way he could've taken care of you. Please forgive me baby."

The door of her prison rattled and the usual maid - Carla - entered, carrying a tray of hot food. In the corner of her eye, she watched Carla, unruly red hair and hazel eyes, stride carefully towards the end of her makeshift mattress.

From her careful movements, Rory could tell that middle aged woman was new to her role. She messed up; spilling the soups and condiments - so unlike the others who walked and carried with themselves with poised.

It made her an easy obstacle to overcome.

Carla, before leaving the room, did a double take to ensure everything was in place. She did that often - afraid she had forgotten something and would have to come back later.

Luci had make it clear to all the staff that Rory was to have little human contact as possible.

Like it made a difference. She was locked away in her father's mansion, hidden as a mistake that tainted his social status. Then, she was married off to an overbearing and possessive man that kept her on surveillance 24/7. Being locked away was she all ever known.

And she was tired of it.

She was getting out of here and back to her family. Even if Gideon was dead he still left behind an army of loyal soldiers. She would be protected - their son would be protected - if she could just get back to them.

When nightfall, Rory waited for Carla to return; curled up and hidden under the blankets. She noticed that her prison was spotless that morning after. Bathroom cleaned and restock, dust and debris gone. How Carla managed not to wake her was a mystery.

Moments later, the door rattled and Carla tiptoed inside with her basket of cleaning supplies. First, she picked up the tray of half eaten food and wobbled to back to the door, sliding the tray aside.

Rory moved quick, taking the opportunity to woven her fingers into Carla's unruly locks and her free hand to clamp over the woman's mouth - keeping her hushed.

She dragged Carla cross the room while she put on a feeble attempt to break free.

"I'm so sorry." Rory gasped, "I have to get back

home." She swallowed. "Please understand."

Kicking open the door to the en-suite bathroom where a tub filled to the brim sat in the corner of the room, waiting. Rory forced Carla onto her knees and with all her strength, guided her head into the water with rugged breathes. Her heart raced and sweat glistened her forehead as she watched the bubbles surfaced.

The poor woman being used as means to an end.

In that moment, Rory truly hated herself.

What had she become?

The same as those who have forced her to her own knees and distorted her ways of thinking.

Finally, Carla's body turned limbed and the bubbles slowly halved in size. She carefully lifted Carla's head from the water and rested her unconscious body against the tub. Placing her fingers under her nose, Rory sighed - she was still alive.

She rummaged through Carla's pockets finding a single silver key which she fisted in her palm like it was her lifeline. Rory stumbled through her confinement and she stepped into the dimly hall, she took her deep breathing; inhaling the musky air.

Barefooted, she jogged through the hall that led her to the bottom of a small staircase. Rory climbed without a second thought. To her surprise, she didn't need Carla's keys to unlock it, the door was left slightly ajar, letting in a ray of light.

Looking left then right, she took a shaky step out the doorway, emerging into the foyer.

"Roro."

A startled gasped broke from her lips while her pulse galloped wildly from the unexpected voice. She turned to meet the little girl crouched beside the stairs in her pink frilly dress. A toy bear was clutched in her arms and her brown her was disheveled.

"Cielo." Rory breathed in a low voice.

"Did you come and take me home?" She asked timidly and hopefully. "Tío hasn't come and Sebastian too."

As she stared in those big brown eyes, her heart tore into a pieces that will never put back together. The men in her life, the uncle and the father figure - gone and she didn't even know. How long had she been waiting for them to come and get her?

"They're coming." She lied, swallowing the thick rock down her throat. "We should go and meet them half way."

Cielo slowly nodded and her little legs moved towards Rory, clinging to her middle. She gathered the little girl in her arm, holding on tightly as she surveyed the area. No one was in sight but it didn't mean that they could simply leave through the front door.

She turned, tiptoeing towards the back.

As she got closer to the back door, the sound of rain splashing against the glass grew louder and aggressive.

"Lolo, it's going to get wet." She murmured to the little girl who tucked her head against Rory's neck. Hugging tight like she had been starved of a warm comfortable for a long time. "Are you going to be okay?"

She nodded and Rory quietly pushed open the French doors. Instantly, a wave of cold surged into the mansion - almost blowing her off her feet. She inhaled sharply and stepped into the opening, shivering as the wet air enveloped around them. Cielo shivered in her embrace and Rory hugged her tighter, hoping to keep her warm.

Without hesitation they dashed onto the lawn. Her foot against the mud, no doubt leaving footprints for them to find later. That's why they had to run and run now.

She followed the gravel road through a clearing with only the moonlight lighting the way.

Home, she needed to get home.

Rory toss a look over the disappearing mansion behind them and frozen in fear as the massive building illuminated with lights.

They knew she was gone.

Despite walking for nearly 20 minutes, they haven't gotten as far as she hoped.

Gritting her teeth, Rory adjusted Cielo on her hips and trudged through the road faster. But with the rain blinding her vision and added weight was nearly impossible. Her lungs were caving and her knees threaten to topple over.

Rain splashed in her eye and she blinked once, twice then again when headlights shone into her eyes. Rory stilled and firmly held Cielo to her.

The car pulled up alongside her but Rory refused to stop even if the person was friend. From now on, she'd trust no one.

A big figure emerged from the SUV - wide shoulders bulging through a tailored three piece suit, perfectly styled hair and a face that broke hearts.

Cristian.

Adrenaline bursted in her veins and Rory ran for her life.

"What the hell?" He roared as he chased after her.

With his long and slender legs he caught her within seconds.

"What the hell are you doing out her with my daughter?"

She meet his dark eyes for a moment before gathering saliva in her mouth and spitting at his face. Taken back, Cristian stumbled and Rory slammed her foot into his knee causing him to drop to the mud.

"I don't want to go back." She heard Cielo cry. "Please I want to go home."

Tears welled in Rory's eyes - god she desperately wanted to go home too.

A pair of hands tangled into Rory's wet mane, tugging her neck back at an unimaginable angle. She winced, falling onto her bottom as she lost her footing.

"Get up." He ordered, lifting her by the hair.

While Rory struggled to her feet, Cristian snatched a frighten Cielo from her grasp. The little girl, wet hair clinging to her face and neck, screamed in protest as she waved her arms and legs around frantically.

"I hate you, I hate you." She cried in Spanish. "I want to go home!"

He opened the backseat door and fastened the seatbelt around his daughter who face had turned swollen and red from her tears.

Closing her eyes, Rory spun on her heels and sprinted down the road. Going as fast as the ground underneath her feet could allow.

But, she never got far.

With his long and slender legs, Cristian circled her, lifting her in the air from the waist up. A strangled cry, filled with rain and snot, resonated in the air. However, nobody would hear her because the person that truly cared for her well being was gone.

He was as sturdy as Gideon - unmoving as she landed blow and after blow on his upper body.

A series of cursed fell from Cristian's lips as he fastened her into the passenger seat. He climbed inside and raised the temperature.

Behind her, Cielo continued to relentlessly wailed and as they began moving - heading back towards the mansion.

Rory couldn't stop the bubbling cry that rose from her. She trembled in her seat - the cold and wet making themselves fully known.

The ride back to the mansion was quick, making her escape attempt appear so worthless.

Cristian pulled into the driveway, steering the car into a halt before turning to face her. Throughout the drive back, she felt his eyes scorching her skin. They ran from her face down to her neck and to the hands resting atop of her bump as if to remind himself who she belonged to. Or, used to belong to.

But that won't stop him.

His fingers traced her jawline and knuckles caressing her rosy cheeks. He soothed her like she was a pet. Like a dog who would be obedient just for some attention. But, she didn't want his attention.

Rory pushed his hands from her chin but how actions seemed to only excite him more.

"I can give you all that you want." He said in hush tone. He leaned forward as if to let his lips brush against her cheeks.

Rory snorted startling him and forcing him back into his seat. She faced him with her dark green eyes, "I'm the richest woman in South America, there's nothing that you can give me."

He tilted in his head, almost curiously, and spoke; "This is not how Luciana describe you to me."

"I'm not as weak as she makes me out to be." She spat bitterly. "I have things I need to protect from her and from you."

Cristian slouched in his seat, hands holding his steering wheel loosely. He groaned and turned to her with a smirk.

"We can bring Luciana down together." He offered slyly, glint of mischief and a deadly playfulness in his eyes. "All you have to do is choose me and this can all end."

She held his gaze and search those piercing black eyes for any sign of lies - there were none. The corner of her lips turned upwards causing him to light up with a smile, believing she was on his side.

Rory bursted with laughter at his offer. It had to be a joke - there was no way this wasn't a joke. Luci loved him and he was ready to throw it back in her face. Her heart broke for Luci despite all she done.

"Go and fuck yourself." She snarled, "I know what you want and it certainly isn't to bring Luci down." She twirled her hand around his tie and yanked him closer. "If you want money, power and respect, why don't you try working for it."

A growl - feral and angry - surged from his chest. As he leaped for her, big palms tightening around her throat, Cielo screamed. Fuck, Rory completely forgot that she was there. She didn't need to see this, didn't need to see her father about to commit murder.

"You know nothing about me." He said. "I've worked hard, harder than Gideon and Sebastian."

"Keep telling yourself that." She replied, never taking her eyes from her like she call see through his facade - like Gideon had always done with her and everyone else around him.

He may have done it to find people's deepest secrets and their weaknesses but Rory needed to do it to be strong - for her baby and for Cielo who was still bawling uncontrollably.

"You sit pretty in a mansion and let Luci do all the work for you." She choked out. "And when she's nearly done, you want to backstab her and take all the credit. You're nothing but a pathetic loser and waste-"

Rory's head rolled to the side before she could even register she had been slapped. The car turned silent and only the rain, and Cielo's frighten whimpers, could be heard.

Taking a deep breathe, Rory craned her head and smiled, "Did that make you feel more like a man? Like you could be as man as my husband was?"

"He used to hit you too."

Before she could retaliate, the door to the passenger seat was thrown open and a red faced, anger boiling over, Luci tangled her hands into Rory's wet curls - dragging her out like she was a ragged doll.

Her body collided with the steps and she cradled her belly protectively - this baby was everything, the one thing that will keep her strong through all of this.

Fortunately, Luci was occupied with her family to continue her assault - ordering a maid to take Cielo upstairs all the while screaming murder at Cristian.

Rory sat on the steps, shivering from the cold. She allowed herself a moment of peace by drowning out the world around her but it was all ripped away when Luci's had connected with her head.

One slap, two and three and it continued while everyone watched on. No one was there to help her yet as she stared forward, she pictured him running to her - armed and ready. Her face broke and her tears fell as she was reminded again and again that he wasn't coming.

"You're such a fucking baby!" Luci mocked, fingers digging into her scalp as she pulled Rory to her. "I'll give you something to cry about and hope it'll teach you not to disobey me again."

In her free hand was a blade and at the sight of the sharp metal, Rory heart pounded. Her hand instinctively reached for her neck - that was Luci's favourite spot to attack. However, she flipped in her hand, facing it downwards and held it against her stomach.

Her baby, her son, her little Gideon.

Rory screamed as the sharp blade kissed her flesh.