Chapter Twenty-Six

Hadley

I sat in a worn oversized chair, my feet barely brushing against the floor. The floral wallpaper had yellowed. I had memorized the delicate flowers, which once were displayed in vibrant reds and blues. Now they were a mere memory of their once glorious former selves. Now they were dull and nearly dead, just like me.

"Come this way," I could hear Pops' voice coming from the other room. "I've got a huge surprise for you!"

I glanced down at the angry scar running from my forearm to my wrist. That had been my first attempt at escaping Catherine's house. She had caught me. Threatened me with a gun and then cut me with a jagged piece of glass.

Pops had scolded her for leaving a visible scare. "I do not want my property marked up!" he had screamed at her. "You leave marks where they cannot be seen," he said before punching her in the kidney. "Just like that. Understood?"

Catherine had fallen to the ground. Neither Jade nor myself had gone to her rescue. We both knew what would happen if we dared to help her.

When she didn't respond, Pops had kicked her again. "Understood?"

"Y- y- yes," Catherine managed to stammer quietly.

Another kick.

"YES SIR!" bellowed Pops. "YOU ALWAYS SAY, 'YES SIR!' HOW MANY TIMES MUST I GO OVER THIS WITH YOU?"

"Yes, Sir," said Catherine as tears began to stream down her face.

My second and third attempt to escape had earned me the same punishment.

As each day had passed, a little piece of me had given up. I barely spoke, smiled, or ate. The only time I did any of those things is when Pops threatened me. Slowly withering away... Then everything changed, I thought to myself.

"In the living room, kids," Pops said excitedly.

Nausea overcame my senses as Pops turned the corner. He grinned widely and gave me a wink.

Caden rounded the corner first, walking with a slight limp, followed by a girl who looked to be in her late teens or early twenties.

"Hadley, I think you remember Caden, right?" asked Pops. "Kendall, you two haven't had the pleasure of meeting before, but I think you'll soon be fast friends."

Caden's eyes turned black with hate as his eyes met mine.

"Sit," Pops said, motioning to a small loveseat.

Caden rubbed his thumb over his bottom lip and continued to stare at me as he sat down next to Kendall.

"So, we have some exciting news," proclaimed Pops. "Very exciting news!"

I watched as Caden clenched his firsts. His knuckles turned white.

A small feeling of happiness stirred at my core. That's right, I'm no longer yours.

"Hadley has been living with Catherine for several weeks," Pops explained to Caden and Kendall. "But, I've made a decision and I wanted to share it with all of you tonight."

I kept my lips pressed tight. Never speak unless spoken to. One of Pops favorite rules...

Pops propped himself on the arm of the chair I was sitting in. "I have decided to move Hadley into the house with us," he announced.

Caden jumped out of his seat. "POPS! THAT'S NOT F-" he started to protest but quickly stopped as Pops drew the gun out of his waistline and pointed it at his son.

"Sit down, boy," he snarled.

Caden followed orders and sat down, cursing himself under his breath.

Pops tucked the gun back into his pants. "That's better."

"But Pops, you've never had any female live here. Not since Mom," said Caden.

Pops stood up, running his hand across my arm. "Things have changed, Son."

I closed my eyes and tried to ignore his touch.

"But that isn't the most important part," Pops said as he reached for my stomach.

Bile crept up my throat.

Pops gently rubbed my belly. "Hadley and I are expecting our first child together."

A guttural screech filled the air as Caden flew out of his seat for the second time.

Pops quickly met him with a balled up fist to the side of the face.

Kendall screamed at the sickening thump of Caden's body made as it fell to the floor in a heap.

"He'll get over it," declared Pops as he took a step backward.

Kendall had slapped a hand over her mouth and started to rock back and forth.

"I've already had Catherine and Jade bring your belongings over, Hadley," said Pops. "Kendall, you can help her prepare her new bedroom. Take the staircase and it's the first room on the right."

"Yes, Sir," said Kendall as she rose to her feet.

I followed Kendall up the stairs. My stomach clenching with every step we took. Pop's bedroom loomed ahead, the door closed and secured by several locks. That is where my nightmares had come true. That is where he forced himself on me. That is where I became pregnant with his child.

"Where are you going?" asked Kendall as I walked past the first door on the right.

"Oh, sorry," I apologized. I couldn't tell her I was used to being dragged into the other room by Pops.

I followed Kendall into the room, the door closing slightly behind us.

Three simple dresses were laid out on the bed as well as a small pile of undergarments. A set of sheets, a thick wool blanket, and a faded quilt were stacked next to the clothing.

"I bet you think you are something special," hissed Kendal as she snatched the dresses off of the twin sized bed."

"Excuse me?" I asked, sure that I had misheard her.

"Do you think you're special? Because he chose you and is moving you in here?" she asked in a low voice.

My jaw dropped.

"Don't play dumb," she continued as she slid the dresses into the second draw of the dresser. "You couldn't be happier you're here."

"Have you lost your mind?" I asked in a whisper, afraid I would draw Pop's attention and a painful consequence.

"The only reason he chose you is because you got pregnant first," she spat. "It should have been me! He told me he loves me more then he loves you!"

My head began to spin. Is she really jealous of me? Is she jealous that I'm carrying an old and vile man's baby?

I shook my head. Clearly I was hearing things because there was no way in hell that this girl would be jealous of me in this situation.

"Don't you worry though," she said as she shoved my undergarments into the top drawer, closing it loudly. "I'll be pregnant next. I'll give him a son. A son more blessed then any piece of trash you'll ever produce. In fact-"

The door swung open and Pops stepped into the room. "How are my favorite girls getting along?"

Kendall plastered on an incredibly fake smile. "We're doing great, Pops! Hadley and I were just getting ready to make the bed."

"Hadley can handle that on her own," said Pops. "Now, if you don't mind, can you start on the room next door? I'd like to have some private time with my sweet Hadley."

Kendall gave him a sugary sweet smile. "Of course, Pops," she cooed.

I flinched as she took several steps toward me.

"I just want a hug," she said with extended arms.

As she embraced me tightly, she leaned in and whispered into my ear, "I'm going to kill you."

Without another word she spun on her heel, kissed Pops on the cheek, and breezed through the open door.

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Undie Nationers,

That chapter literally made me want to hurl as I wrote it. How disgusting is Pops? Did you ever think Kendall would take his side? Do you think she'll try to kill Hadley in chapter twenty-seven?

I'm excited to hear your thoughts!

Hearts,

Kelly Anne Blount xoxo

P.S. I'd be ever so grateful if you'd please consider leaving a comment and clicking on that little star button! :)