Chapter Two

Katrina

The morning light shining bright through the open window was a harsh wake up call. ‘Shit, I forgot to close the curtains.’ I never forget to close the curtains.

The only relief was that I was 4 stories up in this apartment building. I made sure not to not have a fire escape where anyone could get into our apartment either. I know it probably wasn’t the smartest idea, but I just couldn’t have easy access to us. 

I lay in the bed for a few more minutes looking out my bedroom window at the bright blue sky. Then my two beautiful twins came flying into my room and jumped on my bed.

“Mommy!” they screamed in unison. I laugh and huge them tight as I sat up.

“Sorry Kat. I tried to keep them out, but they just couldn’t wait a minute longer.” Jade said.

I smile at her. “Don’t worry about it. I was up anyway.”

Jade is my best friend and has stayed by me through everything I went through after leaving Vegas. 

When we got home, to Texas, I was way more relaxed and focused on what I needed to do. I completely cut all ties with Conner and Selene. I stopped going to places that we would all frequently hang out at. I changed my number and moved apartments. The only thing that I could not do was change jobs, I worked for my father’s marketing company. With security to get into the building there was no way for them to get in the building.

After multiple attempts to get in, to no avail, and calls unanswered they finally gave up and moved on. 

The whole situation still hurt for awhile, but I slowly got over it. 

Three weeks after I got home I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t remember anything from that night, but I took responsibility and had my twins, Liliane and Gabe. Life was hard for a little while. Then things started to look up a little bit. 

I dated a little bit, but that was hard with 2 kids. Then my good friend Travis came back home from the Army. I always knew he had a crush on me growing up, but he never acted on it. So after graduation he enlisted and I didn’t see him for 10 years. When he got back he finally decided to pursue me. 

Things were great in the beginning, but then took a turn for the worst. Travis was not the man I remember from school. In school I thought he was sweet and kind. Then when he got back after the Army he was a different person. I knew going on deployments was hard on everyone. But I think Travis’ mean streak was something deeper. Something he always had, but kept it in the dark.

He started hitting me a year after we started dating. It would be a smack on the face, not hard enough to bruise, but hurt none the less. Then it progressed from there. Luckily he never did it in front of my kids. 

Finally my family was able to get me out. My father was able to change my name and get me and the kids, even Jade, new identities and get us out of Texas. He assured me everything was sealed and Travis won’t be able to find us. I am going to miss them but I have to watch out for my kids. 

We are in a new state, a city no less. And I am about to start a new job. Today is Saturday and I start my new job Monday morning. It’s a secruitary job at a marketing firm, nothing like what I use to do, called B & G Marketing. The kid’s will start at a new school in a month or two. Jade is here to help with the kid’s during the summer while I work. Also I needed someone from home that I trust.

The kids pull me out of bed. I am still wearing long sleeves and pants until the bruises go away. The last time he hit me was the worst. I have bruises all over my body. He fractured ribs. 

I take a deep breath and push everything out of my mind. We sit down to eat breakfast and go over with the kids how our last name has changed. When I feel like they have got it I let them go and play in their room.

“So are you ready for Monday?” Jade asks as we clean the dishes. 

I take a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be. It’s gonna be a change. I just need to keep to myself and keep my head down.”

She nods her head. She gives me a hug and heads to her room. I go and set out my outfit for work on Monday. I huff out a breath. ‘I can do this. I have to do this. He doesn’t know where I am or how to find me.’ I repeat to myself. 

The rest of the weekend goes by smoothly. The kid’s are settled in and ready for their first day of school in the morning. 

I settle in bed to get a good night’s rest to start my new job. I relax my mind and fall fast asleep.