Chapter 5

Harper's POV

"Hey! Bar girl, get me another bottle of beer." Cain slurred from his table, his voice thick with alcohol and entitlement.

He was a regular at the bar and also a chronic drunk. The thought of serving him filled me with dread, as he was notorious for harassing the bar tenders. Most had quit to avoid dealing with his obnoxious behavior. But I had to push through it. I had been trying to avoid him, but it seemed my luck had run out today.

My stomach churned with reluctance as I slowly made my way over to him. My nerves were on edge, but I kept my face neutral to avoid confrontation. As I handed him the beer and popped the cap, I forced a smile. "Here you go," I said through clenched teeth, trying to keep it professional.

"Good girl." His words were like daggers, and I could barely suppress the disgust that surged within me. His unwashed body, the alcohol, and the stench of sweat mixed together in a nauseating cocktail. I had to look away to keep from gagging, and I quickly turned to face the rest of the room.

But just as I thought I could escape, his hand shot out and grabbed mine. Panic gripped me, my heart hammering in my chest as he yanked me onto his lap. The shock of the sudden movement left me frozen for a moment, and before I knew it, I had slapped him hard across the face. 

The sting in my palm was nothing compared to the disgust I felt in the pit of my stomach. He didn't even flinch, as though he didn't register the violence of my reaction. He just grinned, too drunk to understand the gravity of the situation.

I recoiled, every part of my body screaming for me to escape, but he wouldn't let go. "Where are you going, baby?" he slurred, his breath hot and rancid against my skin. His words made me want to vomit, but I fought to hold it together. 

"Let me go at once," I demanded, voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. I turned my face away, hoping that somehow my body language would make him realize how unwanted he was.

"Give Daddy some good love." His voice was low, laced with twisted desire. I tried to pull away, but his grip was ironclad, and the desperation in my chest only grew stronger.

I could feel my skin crawling beneath his touch, his sweaty palms burning through my clothes. My limbs shook uncontrollably, and every part of me screamed to escape. My heart raced, and panic began to rise in my throat. "Let me go!" I screamed, trying to pry his hand off, but it felt like I was fighting a brick wall.

"Where do you think you're going?" Cain stumbled to his feet, dragging me with him. My heart leaped into my throat, and I could taste the metallic bitterness of fear. It was a sinking feeling that made it hard to breathe.

My mind raced, searching for any way out. I glanced around, hoping for someone to intervene, but the silence in the bar was deafening. All eyes were on us, but no one moved to help. It was like I was invisible to them.

Cain, oblivious to my distress, dragged me closer. I had no choice. My survival instincts kicked in, and I kicked him with all my might between his legs. The satisfying crunch of my kick hitting its mark was enough to make him howl in pain, but it didn't stop him. If anything, it made him angrier.

"You stupid bitch, I will kill you for this," he hissed, trying to grab my leg. The venom in his words made my blood run cold. But it also fueled my determination. I had to get away. 

He succeeded in pulling me down, and I tumbled to the floor, my arms breaking the fall before my stomach could hit the ground. The force of the impact took my breath away, but I quickly recovered, pushing against the floor with all the strength I had left. 

My head spun as Cain loomed over me, his hands grasping my throat with terrifying force. My vision blurred, and I could feel my chest tightening, the air suffocating from my lungs. Fear clawed at my insides, and I struggled desperately against his grip.

With all the strength I could muster, I punched him in the eye. The sudden pressure relief allowed me to gasp for air, but it wasn’t enough. He kept coming, and I was growing weaker by the second.

I scrambled for anything to defend myself and grabbed an empty bottle from the table. Cain lunged again, but this time, I was ready. I slammed the bottle against his head, the sharp crack of it breaking the air. For a moment, he staggered, dazed by the impact, and I seized my chance.

I could feel my body trembling with exhaustion, my breath ragged and panicked. But the adrenaline coursed through me as I picked up a jar of water and smashed it over his head. He dropped like a stone, and I stumbled backward, barely able to stay upright.

I could hear cheering, but it didn’t feel like a victory. My body was shaking, and my hands were slick with sweat and adrenaline. As I leaned against the table, I looked down, suddenly terrified of the thought of being pregnant—of what that meant in this chaos.

I quickly checked myself, breath catching in my throat as I looked down at my thighs. There was no blood. Relief washed over me for a fleeting second before I remembered everything that had just happened. 

"Nice work, chap." Vincent’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, his words making my skin crawl. He ordered Cain’s unconscious body to be thrown out, but all I could feel was the burn of shame and anger. How could he be so indifferent after what had just happened? He gave me more work, as if I were just another employee.

My hands curled into fists, my nails biting into my skin. I wanted to scream at him, but I held it in. 

The crowd of spectators began exchanging money, betting on who would win the fight, and I could feel my stomach twist. How could they be so heartless? It was sickening.

And then, just as I thought the day couldn’t get worse, the door to the bar opened, and in walked my siblings, Steve and Esther.

I felt my blood freeze. Could this day get any worse?

"Hello, little sister," Steve said, flashing a grin I had grown to despise. A shiver of fear ran down my spine. 

Esther sat down, nonchalantly examining her nails. Her cold, indifferent smile twisted into something that made my stomach turn.

What the hell are they doing here? What did they want from me now?