~If you tell the truth,
you don't have to remember anything.
-Mark Twain

"Let me go!" I struggled to try to break free from Vincent's grip. I was held by the shoulder and had to look him in the face. "Your going anywhere? I'm not risking you harming yourself ever again!" he angrily shouts, shaking me by the shoulders. "Please, just don't try anything stupid. I'm stepping out for a few minutes, so behave or you'll be punished. " He turned to the door and left; I was left with my thoughts and the steadying of the machine that showcased my heartbeat statistics.

My face has become rigid, my jaw clamped tight and teeth grinding. It's time to get out of here before I do something I'll regret. I look at the glass on the small table. I took my time getting up, but my body ached a lot. He was, walking through the door like he owned the place.

"I hope you weren't about to do something stupid now Laura" I'm not sure if I like the idea of being around him anymore. He seems to know my every move and annoys me with every blinking time he gets.

"No, I was just trying to go to the bathroom. How about a hand for a friend? It was evident that I was lying and he didn't seem to convince anyone out there. I had written my death wish.

"What did I say about lies, little Laura?" He took strides towards the bed. His face was inches away from mine. I could smell his minty-fresh breath and I think he had just brushed his teeth just now. "That you don't like them," I gulped, drawing back further into bed.

"You'll be discharged soon, now that you are perfectly fine." What if he takes me to where he kills and abducts people? I wonder if the stories are true about him. Does he really have a dungeon? Or does he really burn their bodies alive? I'm really curious about how he tortures his victims.

"When we leave here, we are going home, right? You aren't going to kill me and throw my body in the ocean, "he chuckled, leaning in closer while I leaned back, laying flat on my back. "I should've killed you when you made that dumb mistake and if I wanted you dead, I'd have let you die that night," he chuckled, drawing back.

"So you really kill people?" I never wanted to ask him that, but what if he really did kill people? I can't have a husband who kills me. What if he kills me? Nobody will ever know. Only Tina and nobody else. The thought of being killed brought a shiver down my spine all the way down.

"Yes, I kill people who want me to take them to my dungeon sometimes." Now he was being sarcastic when his lips twitched. That smile of his must be beautiful. His brows lifted, his chuckle deep and warm.

"I don't kill people, Laura. If it's what you think, it's if I'm in a life and death situation, then I'll kill to save my life." His tone and expression were nothing but understandable. He was being more serious about this situation.

I looked down at my wrist, running my hands over the bandage, actually regretting what I did in the state of mind of not thinking I almost ended my life. What if I didn't scream that night? What if I didn't fight back? Maybe he would've raped me or worse, kill me. My parents are to blame for all of this. It wouldn't be a problem if they loved me like how parents are supposed to love a child. It's been causing chaos in my life and others.

"Stop thinking about it Laura," rotating my head to look at Vincent. He knew that something was wrong. He always knew just in that short time we had been together. He had been watching me so keenly.

"I ran away when I was thirteen and came here with nothing." I took a deep breath and continued. The look on his face was different. The same look I saw when I passed out every time. Regret. "I was abused, beaten with anything my parents could get their hands on, stepped on, thrown into walls and mirrors." I chuckled, shaking my head. The scars were vanishing but were still embedded in my mind.

"Their favorite weapon on me was the crane. The crane did most of the work on me. I almost got my back broken by it. They broke my arm with it for just eating, "I covered my mouth with my hands, shaking my tears. "The first day we sat together and ate. You thought that I was afraid of you poisoning me? I wasn't. I was afraid that you'd hit me because I had angered you. Turning eight was the most horrible day of my life. I would be in bed for days with open wounds. No one would see or care if I was alive or dead. But if they wanted me dead, they'd kill me, right? Right? " Tears streamed down my face as I spoke. Vincent threw a glass at the wall, clenching and unclenching his hands. "Why, I don't get why anyone would hurt you," My bottom lip trembled when I drew in a sharp breath.

"My father tried to rape me. My mother did nothing but add more to the pain. It's not my fault. I can't let a man hold my hand all the time. You see me flinch and drawback. It's because I can't let a man touch me." I held my face in my hands and cried, cried for everything I had to bear for the last twelve years. How can parents be so damn horrible?

Strong arms wrapped around my body immediately. I wanted to pull away, but I knew this touch was getting familiar to me. I knew it was welcoming and safe. "I'm sorry," A sob constricted my throat, causing me to choke out the words, stuttering Vincent took my face in his hands, causing me to look up at him. "Don't ever apologize for someone else's mistake," He wiped my tears, putting his arms back around me as I took deep breaths controlling my breath. Something about me felt lighter. It was my past that I didn't want to share with anyone. I had finally let everything out, and I was glad that I didn't feel free.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you," He whispered, hugging me tightly while I took in every scent of him, loving the way he made my body go on lockdown by this small gesture. This is how it feels to be hugged by a man. I never knew this was how it feels to be warm on the inside hugging a man.

"I'm sorry for not being there,"

"It's not like you knew me, there's nothing you could've done. But I'm glad to know that you'll be here for me." I hated him, but this is my haven. I know when I get married, my parents will know. I know that I wasn't there, but I should've reached out to you sooner. I'm sorry Bella. "He presses his forehead against mine, looking into my eyes. I've always imagined the day when I'd be this close to him, sharing his warmth, drowning in his scent.

"I only wish Laura that I was there to be everything you wanted me to be. I would probably not be the man I am now because I know you'll make a difference in my life. You are what I've always imagined you to be. " I shiver when his lips kiss the side of my neck. He whispers in my ears. "Beautiful, so fucking beautiful," I took a sharp intake of breath when he kissed my cheek, resting his forehead against mine.

"Are you going to kiss me?" I asked breathing heavily. "Not yet, when the time is right," he chuckles, moving away from me. I hummed, looking down in embarrassment. What was I thinking of saying to him that if he was going to kiss him, I knew I badly wanted him, but this was going too far? "Don't worry, I'll kiss you in places you wouldn't even imagine," He slid his finger under my chin, lifting my head up, so I could meet his gaze. I smirked, pushing past him and going straight into the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

If I had stayed in there any longer, then I would probably have died in his arms. Does he like me? I don't know what he did. I bit down on my fingernails pacing back and forth. My mind was all over the place. Why did I say that? "Hope you are not doing anything stupid in there love!" Love? No, it's just a word, right?

"I'll be out in a few!" I splashed water on my face, holding onto the side of the basin, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I looked pale.

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"How long have I been here?" Vincent looked up from his glasses, folding the newspaper he was reading, dropping it on the table. He slightly leaned back, resting his hands on his cheeks. If I'm not lying, he does look sexy doing that. "A week and a half," I shrugged, biting into my burger.

"How did you manage to get these inside the hospital?" He smirks, studying me. "I'm not your husband for no reason. I won't have you eat this food that tastes like shit. It's best for my wife." I'm not yet his wife, but here he is bragging about it. I could run away for all he knows and embarrass him at the altar, but it'd be useless if I tried to run away. Security was everywhere.

"I so missed my wedding!" Vincent let out a deep chuckle as he looked at me in awe. "You're getting married, not someone else, so if you miss it, it's nothing." I laughed as we left the hospital. I think we're going to be good friends, Mr. Johnson.