Twisted Therapy

Chapter 1

Grace Morgan's POV

I covered my mouth in pain as the lash from the belt left a burning sensation on my skin. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to stifle a cry, knowing that any sound would only provoke him further.

"How many times did I tell you to cut off your contact with your mother?" he yelled, his voice filled with rage. "You will learn to obey me, no matter what it takes."

"Please listen to me," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. "Mom was just asking if I was okay." His eyes darkened with anger as he raised the belt again, ready to strike.

I flinched, bracing myself for the pain that I knew was coming. The belt cracked against my skin, leaving a searing mark in its wake. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. But as the blows continued to rain down on me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me. How could I ever escape this cycle of abuse?

Derek Baker, the man I once loved, had become a monster before my eyes. The realization that I was trapped in this nightmare left me feeling utterly powerless. When we met, he was charming and kind, but now he was unrecognizable. Was this the true Derek, or had I been fooled all along? I guess all he ever wanted was to have control over me, to break me down until I had nothing left. It was a harsh reality to face.

The fear of what he might do next consumed me. His eyes were filled with malice. He raised his hand and grabbed me by the throat, squeezing tightly as he sneered in my face. I could feel the panic rising in my chest as I struggled to break free from his grip.

"You'll do exactly what I'll tell you to do," he whispered menacingly.

"Derek, I can't breathe." I managed to gasp out, my voice strained and weak. His grip only tightened, and the pressure on my throat became unbearable.

"Cut off your contact with your mom immediately," he demanded, his voice cold and unforgiving. I knew then that I was truly at his mercy, with no escape in sight. I tried to comply, but the lack of air made it difficult to focus.

My vision started to blur as I struggled to stay conscious. The fear of what he might do next only fueled my desperation. With one last effort, I pushed against his hold with all my strength, hoping for a miracle. But as darkness began to close in around me, I realized that I was running out of time.

"Yes, I'll do it," I managed to choke out, my voice barely audible. The sound of his menacing laughter echoed in my ears as I succumbed to the darkness.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in my room, which was dimly lit. The soft glow of the lamp beside my bed illuminated the familiar surroundings, but there was an eerie stillness that lingered in the air. I've been unconscious for who knows how long.

The feeling of dread crept up my spine as I tried to piece together the events that led me here. My heart raced as I recalled the events, and a shiver ran down my spine. The weight of what I had agreed to hung heavy on my shoulders, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. The room felt suffocating, trapping me in a web of fear and uncertainty.

I lost my dad a long time ago due to a tragic accident, and the memories of that loss flooded back to me in that moment. My mom is the only one who has always been there for me, and I knew I had to stay strong for her. She is not so well, as she is suffering from health issues, and I couldn't bear the thought of causing her any more pain.

I could never tell her about the monster that I am living with, as it was also my decision to marry him. I made a vow to stand by him for better or for worse, but I never imagined that worse would include constant fear and anxiety. I feel trapped in a cycle of abuse, too ashamed to seek help or confide in anyone about my situation.