I held my face in my hands as I bawled uncontrollably. I didn't do anything wrong but it felt like, no matter what I did, I would never be good enough for my boyfriend, Trevor.

His hands are on me now, they seem soft to the touch but I know better than this. His mouth grips at my neck; sinking his teeth into me, while furiously sucking on my skin -- marking me as his.

"You are good enough," he tells me. His blue eyes are hazed with a marijuana glaze. When he says that, I instantly know it's a lie. "but I don't want you wearing that dress. It makes you look like a slut. You're my slut and ONLY my slut."

I'm afraid to look at him, but I know if my eyes don't meet his, it's going to get worse. Before I could apologize, I feel his hand smack me hard against the side of my head; causing me to snap in the other direction after the blow.

I look at him in fear. My breath is shaking and I can't seem to find a moment to relax. "I'm. . ." I swallow hard. "I'm. . . I'm sorry, Babe." I say. "I-I won't do it again."

"Good." Trevor replies, standing up from the bed. "because if you do, I'll fuck you up. I'll make sure you learn your lesson."

"Charlotte!"

I jerk myself awake at the sound of my mama calling me from the front seat of our Jeep Compass. She's on the driver's side portion while my dad is on the passenger side; dozing off.

"Huh, what?" I ask, sleep slowly leaving my body.

"You were mumbling in your sleep," she said, "did you have another bad dream?" I knew what she was talking about. Mama was the first person I told about Trevor abusing me during our five-year courtship. When she found out, she immediately told my father, who just so happened to be a police officer. She was the one to help me get out of the toxic fuse of the matter. My father, on the other hand, ended up arresting Trevor for domestic violence and criminal mischief. Sometimes having a father in law enforcement can be useful.

I bite my lower lip. "Yeah." I replied. "I did." I groggily look out the window. "How long do we have until we get to Colorado?"

"About five more hours," she says, her eyes on the road. "I don't want you to worry about a thing, sweetheart." She continued. "Trevor is gone now, and now you can be the woman you were made to be, not what that Jack ass made you out to be."

I nodded. "Yeah, I know." I replied. "Thanks Mama," I pipe up. "for everything."

"No problem." She turns into another street, not saying another word after.

As we continue our drive, I try to let my mind wander to something else. However, it was hard because the memories of Trevor still haunted me. Even while I was awake.

I just wanted them to be gone.

..

About five hours later, we arrive in the state of Colorado. I roll down the window and take in the fresh scent of pine trees. As my nose inhales the potent scent, my body tenses and I freeze.

"I'm not going to hurt you, baby girl." Trevor says as he slowly pulls my bra strap down. We were out in the middle of the woods because Trevor wanted to be romantic.

"I'm not sure if I want to do this, Trevor." I gulp, my heart rate accelerating.

He pulls at my ponytail harshly, my roots stinging from the sudden pressure of the pull. His teeth connect to my neck, and he makes his mark. Like he always did to prove that he 'loved' me.

"You will give me what I want or --"

"Everyone take your seatbelts off, we're here!" Mama shouts as soon as we park in front of a house I haven't seen before.

I get out and look at the house. It had shingled roofing and brick walls with a front porch and a red door with glass to accompany the boarder.

My mama places her arms around my shoulders. "This is it baby girl," she says, her Southern drawl coming out.

"Our new home."

I smile to myself and for the first time since Trevor and I broke up, I feel like I can breathe.

...

author's note: hey everyone! So, this is a new thing I decided to write. I have a lot planned for this story, even if it's my first Ross book.

If you liked the first chapter, please don't be shy! I'd love to get your input on what you all think.

Vote, comment, add to your reading lists and follow me for more updates!

- Valerie.