Nancy
“Is this serious, mom? Are you seriously going to leave Dad and me and go away?” asked my son as soon as he entered the room. I was packing my suitcase to leave.
“Oh, son,” I said, going over to him and hugging him tightly. “I'm sorry you're facing this difficult time. I'm really sorry, my dear…”
“You don’t have to leave, Mom,” he pleaded. “Stay with us.”
“Unfortunately, I have to go,” I said to him, caressing his face.
“Are you going to leave me here alone?” He asked.
I shook my head, feeling my saddened heart. “You can come with me, Peter,” I suggested, and he moved away from me.
"No! You have to stay here and not leave. Do not be selfish. Who will take care of me? It’s not fair for a mother to abandon her child,” he said, and I felt accusation in his words.
“It was your father who told you to say those things, right?” I asked, stepping back.
“Yes, and he is right, but you still want to leave me alone here. I hope you suffer, you bitch!” he shouted and ran out of the room.
Bruce was so short. Was he really using a child's emotions to make me stay? I wiped my tears and went back to packing my suitcase. It was his fault that my son no longer respected me or obeyed me; he kept teaching his son crap, and now Peter was an uneducated child no matter how much I tried to change that, but when you are in a family like this where men have already they got used to stepping on women, nothing more could be done. As sad as it was to have to leave my son behind, even that wouldn't stop me from leaving.
“What’s your problem, woman? Seriously,” said Bruce, entering the room. “Are you such a bad mother that you don’t mind leaving your children crying?”
“Stop bringing our kids into this, Bruce. By doing this, you only make me angrier,” I said, zipping my suitcase, but he grabbed my arm.
“Do you really think I’m going to let you walk away from here, you whore?” He asked with harsh words.
"Let me go!" I ordered, breaking away from him. “Stay away from me; I hate you!”
He chuckled in disbelief at seeing so much hatred in my eyes. “Don’t be stupid, Nancy. What did I do so wrong for you to create all this unbearable drama? Yes, I went to bed with another woman, so what? It's not like you are in a position to please me,” he said, looking down at my body and wanting to put me down.
I slapped him hard across the face. “You disgusting, dirty pig! I was the one who was stupid for putting up with you for so long. Let me go so you can be free to fuck as many as you want,” I said, seeing him holding his face, still shocked that I had hit him.
I picked up my suitcase and quickly left the room, with him coming after me and calling me every name. “Just go away, you fucking whore. You say you had to put up with me? Quite the contrary, I was the one who had to put up with a dry and tasteless woman like you for so long,” he said loudly for everyone to hear the scandal he was making.
It was already morning, and all the servants were awake doing their tasks, all those who had been with me for so long, who knew my character and had consideration and respect for me since, unlike the rest of those who lived in that house, I always knew how to treat people equal to equal; and today they watched me leave that mansion holding a suitcase in my hand while the Mortons looked at me as if I were an ungrateful crazy woman and my husband cursed me and humiliated me like that in front of everyone.
“Can you believe she wore bunny lingerie the night before? Haha! This bitch dried wither, thinking she could still deduce a man. She still thinks she's at her peak. How pity! I feel sorry for you, Nancy. Go and suffer hunger and hardship away from the Mortons, which is what you deserve, ungrateful woman! Do you think I depend on you? Today I'll find someone else to replace you, you annoying piece of shit,” he yelled behind me.
My tears blurred my vision, my shoulders were hunched, and my emotions were out of control. I almost tripped halfway, as the suitcase was heavy, but I still recovered and got back on the walk; I wasn't going to break my arm! Every step I took brought the exit gate closer to me as I carried my suitcase and descended the winding stone stairs that led up to the Morton mansion.
As soon as I reached the gate, I walked out of it without blinking as my heart screamed for freedom. I looked one last time at that mansion, which had been my home for two decades, and felt nothing but remorse. If I could, I would throw a bomb and blow this whole place up. I wiped away my tears again, turned around, straightened my sweater, and began pulling my suitcase as I walked further and further away from the Mortons.
NancyThere was a bus stop five hundred meters from the Morton property. I always looked at that empty and little-used place whenever I was in my husband's family's private car heading into the city to do everyday things like shopping or going to my schoolchildren, and today I dragged my suitcase to that bus stop and sat there waiting for public transport to show up. But where was I going? It didn't take long for me to realize the difficulty I was going to face, in having a place to go. Where was I going? What would I do from now on? I realized that I was so comfortable in my marriage that I never thought about myself individually. How would I survive a divorce? I was a thirty-eigth-year-old woman who had practically never worked in my life, as I had spent half my life taking care of my husband and children. But now that I was separating, how was I going to survive in this world alone? By the time I left the Morton house, I hadn't even stopped to think about it. I just desperately wa
Nancy The following afternoon, I decided to make a delicious dinner for my friend as an apology for what had happened between us in the fitting room of that clothing store because Lanie tried to help me recover so much, but I messed up big time. I understood that Lanie only wanted the best for me; it was hurting her to see me as low as I was. She was trying so hard to help me that it was time for me to thank her in some way. So I decided to make steak with mashed potatoes, some typical food, to remind her of home. I was seasoning the steak to cook when my cell phone rang, receiving a call. I picked up the device to see who was calling me, and my blood froze when Bruce's name was there on the screen. Likewise, I dropped the device on the kitchen counter and recoiled my hand as if I had been stung by a bee. Why the hell was this man calling me? What did he want for me? Couldn't he see that I hated him now and that I was repulsed? Disturbed, I picked up the cell phone again and answ
NancyLanie understood perfectly how to groom a woman until she was beautiful, because, in the end, when I looked in the mirror, I definitely didn't recognize myself. My darkly highlighted hair was wavy and voluminous around my head, so soft and silky; the velvet red lipstick attractively outlined my mouth; the dark eyeliner around my eyes highlighted the blue of them; the red dress fit so elegantly and sexy on my body; on my feet, a high but comfortable heel; in my hand, a matching purse. I spun around on my own two feet to take a better look at myself, completely dazzled by my transformation. “What a beautiful woman! I would give you twenty-five years at most, Nancy,” said Lanie with a proud smile at the result of her work. “You really outdid yourself,” I praised her. She also looked pretty wearing a tight skirt and a strapless blouse that looked perfect on her. “We both look beautiful,” I added with a smile. “So let our girl's night begin!” She declared being excited, and I also
NancyI looked towards the man who had just arrived in the alley. There was little lighting there, so I couldn't see him clearly, but it was enough to draw the attacker's attention. The guy leaning over me looked at the silhouette. "Mind your fucking business; don’t get involved!” He hissed in the new man's direction. But the man didn't give up and approached; although there was little lighting there, I could now see his face. “I just decided that this is my business now,” he declared, grabbing the rapist by the shoulder and pulling him away from me. I finally found myself free. “Do you want to die, you son of a bitch? The aggressor shouted, returning the attack, wanting to punch the man, who dodged and only punched the attacker in the stomach. The two were grappling now, both rolling on the ground while throwing punches. I didn't stay there to see how far it could go; I ran out of there as if my life depended on it. For a moment, I didn't even realize where I was going; I just wan
Nancy “So you want to report an attempted rape, ma’am?” the officer asked me. I was at the city police station, sitting in front of the police, with the man who helped me, sitting in the chair on my right side and my aggressor lying on my left side. I nodded in response, being a little shy. “Yes, officer. I want to report an attempted rape,” I said. I had hit that man until I lost strength in my arm, and the man had even passed out. Likewise, I had taken a deep breath and felt relieved, so I accepted a ride from the man who helped me, and he took me to the police station. “Take this, to clean your hands,” he had said to me as he offered me a paper towel. There was blood on my hands, blood from my aggressor. “Thank you." I thanked him, taking the paper towel and cleaning my hand. But I remained silent almost the entire time because I had a lot to take in, and I mentally thanked my helper for not interrupting my thoughts. He didn't judge me or make any comments about my aggressi
NancyHis name was Jake Gardner, he had told me. He was an intriguing guy who always seemed to have a solution to every event; he had an enchanting charm that drew me in, and I couldn't deny it. “You’re not exactly from this city, are you?” He asked after a while, still driving his car. I was sitting next to him with his coat still on my back, suddenly feeling very aware of his presence next to me. “Um… Yes. I'm actually from Denver,” I replied a little shyly. “Oh, Denver. A good city; I remember spending my childhood there,” he said wistfully, his hands still on the steering wheel. "For real?" I asked in surprise, looking at him. He was laughing lightly. “I remember my friends and I would always go to the mall to play video games after school, and then I would come home really late, and my parents would fight me about it,” he said. “So I feel sorry for your parents for having a kid as troublesome as you then,” I replied, chuckling. "So it is. Those were good times,” he comment
CandaceDenverI had barely left my room since the night Bruce and I were caught in the act by his wife. But leaving my room for what? To get the Mortons' condemning looks on me? I was already so frowned upon in that family, so imagine now that I was Harald's adulterous wife. Clearly, they wanted to burn me alive at the stake. That's why I avoided contacting them; I preferred to stay there in my room, chatting on social media with my friends, and waiting patiently until my husband returned from his trip and gave his ruling on my future. I knew I was in a bad spot because not much was in my favor now. My marriage contract wouldn't protect me from anything if I was to blame, and I was sure that Harald, my husband, would want to divorce me as quickly as possible; after all, he was eager to get rid of me. That bastard! He hadn't been happy with our wedding; while I was just bursting with happiness, he was there looking at it all with a displeased frown on his face, as if he were being fo
Nancy When I woke up the next morning, I was slightly startled when I noticed the man lying in bed next to me, so I tried to remember what had happened the night before. Lanie and I were at a nightclub, and an abuser tried to force me, but an attractive guy saved me from him. I stopped at the police station, and then I remembered my rescuer being kind and taking me to Lanie's house, but I didn't get out of the car because the man suggested going somewhere else. After all, according to him, our night was just beginning... His name was Jake Gardner, and he was now lying in the same bed as me. My eyes were wide, and my face flushed as very compromising images from last night flashed through my mind, giving me away. Apparently, I had really enjoyed myself… I got out of bed immediately, realizing that I was naked. I pulled the sheet to cover my body, completely embarrassed, but I ended up pulling the entire sheet and discovering Jake's body, who was also without clothes. Furthermore,
Nancy“Argh, don’t tighten it too much… You’re hurting my neck!” Peter was grumbling with a grimace as I straightened his tie.“Remain calm; just lift your chin; I’m almost done,” I told him, adjusting my collar. Today was my wedding day with Jake. I was already dressed as a bride and everything, and the ceremony would start in a few minutes. I was so nervous. Not only that, but I really hoped everything would go well.He grumbled in disgust. “Did you know that children shouldn’t be present at their parents’ weddings, Mom?” he said, making me frown.“What? Why do you think that?” I asked.“Because naturally, children are not born before their parents marry. It's not the natural order of things, let alone divorce and second marriages,” he said, being clear in his opinion, as he didn't want to accept my relationship with Jake.I sighed, smoothing his jacket after straightening his tie. “You're getting so big. You're even taller than me.” I smiled softly, and I stroked his black hair. “I
NancyMoments later, Jason and Jake were in the wine cellar, somewhere in the mansion, talking about wine and things like that. Laura and I were walking in the manicured gardens of their mansion, which were so beautiful and comforting.“Why aren’t they coming?” I asked after a while, looking behind me to see if her husband and my fiancé were coming to catch up with us, since they were just getting us some wine to drink and talk on the sofas that were there in the garden under a cozy porch."Oh my God! Jason must have stuck him with a long wine conversation,” Laura said with a long chuckle. “We received bottles of the first line from a friend of ours in Chicago, Carter,” she added.“Are you talking about Joshua Carter?” I asked because I knew that name and knew that he had a wine production company.“Yes, I am,” Laura nodded. “What a fortuity that you know him, too.”“Um, I actually met him because of Bruce,” I said. “The Mortons were an influential family, and from time to time Bruce
NancyJake and I traveled to New York to visit our friends who lived there, the couple Jason and Laura Davies, who, since the last time we had seen them, had evolved a lot in their relationship, that is, when I met them, they were still fighting and trying to see what they were going to do in their relationship because they also had issues to resolve. But I remembered Laura's words, when she told me at the time that her husband had hurt her heart, but that nothing he had done compared to what Bruce had done to me. So today it was very satisfying for me to be able to see the two of them together and happy after having solved all their problems. They had even had another set of twins, and they seemed so happy now that their eldest daughter was playing with the babies, running around exuding happiness and joy while Jake, I, and the couple were sitting on the mansion's porch, drinking wine and talking about everything that had happened. This couple had been very important in helping us
Nancy "What? Give it back in kind and make him taste his own medicine? What are you suggesting, Lanie?” I asked, being a little dumbfounded. She and I were still at the dinner table, and she had just suggested that. She shrugged now. "Yes. Didn't your husband go to bed with someone else? Then you also go to bed with another man, and then you become equals,” she explained, making me gasp. “How can you suggest such a thing? Do you think I'm such a vulgar woman up to this point? Do you think me going to bed with another man will solve things for me?” I asked, shocked that she was suggesting such a deviant thing. “It probably won't solve anything, but it will make you feel a little better. What is it? Do you think Bruce deserves happiness after all these years he played with you?” She retorted. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to smudge my body by getting involved with someone I don’t know just to get revenge on him,” I countered. Lanie laughed, waving her hand. “I don't see it
Days were passing, and I thanked the heavens that everything was going so well, but today in particular, it was a year since Lanie, my dear friend, had died, and I was terribly sad remembering her.I remembered how she had done everything she could to cheer me up when I was at rock bottom after finding out who Bruce Morton really was.I remembered in detail what the season at her house had been like and how much she helped me, God in heaven...Nancy On that day, the ringing of my cell phone woke me up, and I felt my lamp, picked up the device, and saw that my daughter was calling me. “Hi, my love,” I said as soon as I answered, rubbing my face with my hand, still drowsy. “Hello, Mom? Haven’t you come home yet?” Amber asked on the other end of the line. "Um… Not yet, darling,” I replied a little fearfully. It had been two weeks since I was at my friend Lanie's house. "Um... Okay? When do you plan to return?” She asked in a somewhat petulant manner. I sighed. “To be honest, I
NancyThe last few weeks had been a whirlwind of emotions. After everything that happened with Candace, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders. The scars of pain and struggle were still there, but the feeling of relief was in the air. It was a new beginning for all of us. Like a good mother, I tried my best to care for Candace, and now, seeing her at home, taking a deep breath and starting to rebuild her life, my heart is filled with hope.It was on a mild morning that we realized that life was returning to normal. Amber's laughter echoed through the house as she tried to decide what to wear for a date. I watched her from the kitchen, where she was preparing a simple but nutritious breakfast. The smell of toasting bread mixed with the aroma of fresh coffee, creating a welcoming atmosphere.“Amber, do you need help?” I asked, trying to hide my smile at seeing her so excited and nervous at the same time.“No, mom, I can do it!” she replied, a little louder than usua
CandaceThe joy I felt holding my daughter in my arms was indescribable. After hours of pain and struggle, the little one was finally here, and I couldn't stop smiling. It was a girl. The doctor had shown me quickly, and I couldn't believe that this little creature, so perfect, was my daughter. I felt a wave of love that I had never experienced before, and that feeling enveloped me like a warm blanket on a cold day. I looked at her face, so small and vulnerable, and wondered what the future held for us.Jake and Harald were in the room, both overjoyed with the news. The energy was contagious, and the happiness in the atmosphere was palpable, like happy music that filled every space. The smell of disinfectant mixed with the light scent of flowers someone had brought, creating an atmosphere of celebration and hope."Look, Candace, you did an amazing job!" Jake said it with a wide smile that lit up his face. He seemed genuinely touched, and I could feel that he was genuinely happy for me
NancyThe morning seemed perfect, the kind of day I always imagined as a normal family, without constant tension or fears. Recent times had been full of challenges, losses and changes, but being there, in Jake's house, surrounded by the people he loved most, brought a feeling of completeness. Everything felt a little lighter. Of course, there were still traces of the past that occasionally appeared in our conversations and gestures, but something had changed within me, and perhaps even within my children.That day, we decided to have a family lunch. Me, Amber, Peter, Jake, Harald, Ivor and Candace, all gathered at a table for the first time, without formalities and without protocols. I wasn't sure what to expect from this meeting, especially with Harald there, a presence that, some time ago, would perhaps have been unthinkable in such an intimate environment. But, little by little, everyone had found a way to live together, with the wounds still healing, but now ready for a new phase.
NancyThe next morning, very early, before the sun even fully illuminated the house, I was already awake, organizing my thoughts. I knew I needed to talk to Amber and Peter, just the three of us, without Jake around. This moment was very important, and I wanted them to feel comfortable saying what they really thought, without fear. I knew this conversation was necessary, as there was a lot at stake. Jake was part of this new life I wanted to build, but most of all, my children needed to feel part of it.I took a deep breath before entering their room. Amber was already stretching, her eyes still sleepy, but she noticed my presence and smiled. Peter, still sleeping soundly, had a serene face, something rare to see. I approached him gently, touching his shoulder lightly. “Peter, honey, are we going to wake up? I need to talk to you and Amber. Just the three of us, without Jake.”He opened his eyes slowly, still confused from sleep, but nodded. Amber looked at me with a mix of curiosity