Chapter 5

Leo reacted instantly, pulling me into the guest bedroom and slamming the door shut, locking it from the inside.

Outside, the muffled voices of my in-laws carried through the thin door.

"Is she really going to divorce him?" Martha whispered anxiously. "If they divorce, who's going to cook for us and drive us to our appointments? The nurse we hired last time complained about the pay and left after two days. We can't let them divorce."

Austin's arrogant voice drifted in. "She won't dare. She hasn't worked a single day since she got pregnant. If she divorces me, she'll end up starving on the streets. Besides, I saved her life once..."

The rest of his words faded as they walked further into the living room.

That night, I held Leo tight as he slept. He was sweating and twitching in his sleep, his little hands clawing at my shirt. "Mom... please don't leave me... don't let them lock me up..."

During one of our previous fights, when Austin had kicked me out, he had locked Leo in a dark closet for ten hours, telling him, "Your mother abandoned you because you're a bad boy."

It wasn't until I came back crying and begging on my knees that Austin finally let me see my terrified, hyperventilating child.

I kissed Leo's forehead, tears slipping down my cheeks. "Go to sleep, my brave boy. Mommy will never leave you. I promise."

The next morning, I heard the front door click. Austin had left for work.

I quickly packed our passports, birth certificates, and a few essentials into a small backpack. Holding Leo's hand, I crept out of the bedroom.

But the moment I opened the door, my heart froze.

Austin was sitting on the living room sofa, staring at me with a chilling, mock smile. "Going somewhere so early, honey?"

I forced myself to take a deep breath, squeezing Leo's hand to reassure him. "Just going for a walk."

I walked toward the front door. I reached for the handle and turned it. Nothing.

He had deadbolted it and taken the keys.

I spun around, my heart hammering against my ribs. Austin stood up, his towering shadow swallowing me whole.

He lunged forward, ripped the backpack from my hands, and dumped the contents onto the floor. My documents and cards scattered everywhere. "A backup plan? You really thought you could run?"

I backed away, shielding Leo behind me.

Austin's eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed Leo by the collar, dragging him away. He threw my screaming son into the guest bedroom and locked the door from the outside.

Leo's desperate cries echoed through the apartment. "Mommy! Mommy! Open the door!"

My heart shattered. I threw myself at the door, pounding on it, but Austin grabbed my wrists, dragging me into the master bedroom. He threw me onto the bed, pinning me down with his heavy body.

"You want a divorce? Sure. But give me another baby first, and maybe I'll let you go."

I couldn't breathe. In a fit of disgust and rage, I swung my arm and slapped him across the face. "You disgusting monster!"

He smirked, ignoring my punches and kicks as he forced himself on me.

When it was over, I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling with cold, dead eyes. Austin smiled, running a hand through my messy hair. "Once you're pregnant, I'll think about letting you outside."

He took my phone, my wallet, and my keys. He even checked the window locks, making sure there was no way for me to escape our twelfth-floor apartment.

Then, humming a tune, he walked into the kitchen to make lunch.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Thinking it was Chloe returning from her morning walk, Austin opened the door.

Two stern-faced police officers stood on the threshold, presenting their badges.

"Mr. Austin Miller? We received a report of domestic abuse and unlawful confinement. Step aside, please."