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Chapter 53: Can't Keep A Girl Down
Last Updated:
2024-11-03 18:15:49
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Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 54: I Can Do This Blindfolded
Taking a deep breath I try to calm the worms crawling around in my stomach. I place my hand on the door, take in one more breath for good measure, and walk into the diner. I’m only two steps inside when someone scares the daylights out of me by screaming my name.“LANI!”I’m immediately wrapped in a bear hug by Bernadette, who I haven’t seen in ages. She squeezes me tight, rocking me back and forth as her thick wavey brown hair gets all up in my mouth.“I can’t believe you’re back. I was worried we’d never see you again,” she whines in her thick German accent.I smile, hugging her in return and giving her a tight squeeze. “You know me, I’m a workaholic, I was bound to come back eventually,” I say playfully.“Are you just visiting or are you back back?”“I’m back back, I just need to go talk to Gary.”“He’s in his office,” she informs me, beaming.“You’re the best,” I smile, giving her a kiss on the cheek and making my way to Gary’s office.As I’m about to knock on the door, I get an u
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 55: Done Pt 1
“And that girl was so mean. I can’t believe she smacked the fork out of his hand,” Áine remarks shaking her head, recalling our shift at the diner.“I don’t know the poor guy, but I hope he sees sense and dumps her. No one should be with someone that toxic,” I add as we step off the elevator and into the penthouse.“Even you know when to leave a toxic relationship. No offence,” she adds sheepishly.“No offence taken,” I assure her, making my way to the kitchen to grab some snacks and drinks from the refrigerator.“Are you sure Julian won’t mind me being here?” she nervously asks.“He’s not my warden, Áine. I can have friends over. I had asked Amber if she wanted to join, but she’s swamped at work.”“Maybe next time,” she chirps optimistically.That’s something I love about Áine…well, I honestly love just about everything about her. She is so bubbly and optimistic, just wanting to see others happy. There aren’t many people like her; I just wish she could direct some of that optimism to
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 56: Done Pt 2
The sound of glass shattering wakes me from my deep sleep with a jolt. I sit up in bed, my eyes alert and frantic as I look around the room. I reach across the bed, pulling my phone out from under my pillow and see that it’s two in the morning. I unlock my phone and type 911 into the keypad as I carefully get out of bed and make my way to the door.With my heart clogging my throat and cold dread rolling through me, I carefully open the door, make my way to the hallway railing and peer down to the floor below. I glance around and finally, my eyes fall on the source of the crashing. I let out a deep sigh of relief and slip my phone into my pocket as I make my way downstairs. With each step, my concern grows as I watch a dishevelled-looking Julian haphazardly pour himself a glass of vodka while shards of broken glass lay at his feet.His cheeks are rosy, his eyes are glassy – but not from crying – his jacket is nowhere to be seen, and his shirt is rolled up to the elbows with his bowtie
Last Updated : 2024-11-09Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 57: Empty Pt 1
“Nalani, are you sure about this?” Lamont gently asks, his eyes filled with sadness as he holds my letter of resignation in his hands.“I’m sorry, Monty. I’ve thought long and hard about this and as much as I liked working here and the people I’ve gotten to know, I just don’t think it’s in my best interest to stay. Recent events have caused me to have painful memories here and with what’s going on in my personal life, I think changing jobs would be good for my safety,” I delicately explain.Finding work isn’t easy in this economy but for my wellbeing, I need to put myself on lockdown. I’m looking for new work and I’ll be sure to let my employers know not to hand my information out to anyone who asks no matter what. I’m also looking for a new place to live so I can start fresh. Making sure this guy couldn’t call me is one thing, but he knows where I live and he knows where I work, so the next best thing I can do is change that. Is there a chance he is watching my every move and will st
Last Updated : 2024-11-17Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 58: Empty Pt 2
Immediately I feel dread wash over me and those unpleasant gut bubbles rising in my stomach. The urge to check behind me starts to creep in and quickly my head begins to spin.“You couldn’t have phrased that another way?” Áine chastises Irina.“Nothing terrible has happened,” Irina quickly assures me, only easing my dread by a fraction.“Then why did you sound all foreboding like that?” I prod, breathing through my anxiety as Áine rubs soothing circles on my back.“Okay, so that’s on me. I was just going to say…Julian’s been calling me. He’s shown up to my place and left voicemails and text messages, all of him looking for you. I haven’t told him where you are because it’s none of his fucking business. I just thought you should know he’s clearly desperate to talk to you,” she informs me.Just hearing his name causes a pang in my chest. Since I left the penthouse I blocked and deleted his number. He came to the diner a couple times but each time someone covered for me and told him I was
Last Updated : 2024-11-17Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 59: Lifting The Mask
[TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter depicts mild moments of SA. This may be disturbing or triggering for some readers, for those people, please proceed to the following chapter. To those who choose to read on, please proceed with caution]As I start to wake up I feel a horrible and familiar throbbing ache in my head and the skin on the side of my face feels tight and crusty, like something has begun to set there. I try to open my eyes, but my vision is blurry. I blink a few times and with each action, my vision starts to clear a little more. I immediately realise I’m in my apartment but I don’t remember coming inside. The courtyard lights shine through my window allowing me to see my room. I go to move but feel a sharp tug that makes me wince.Confusion and panic flood my system when I glance down and see that I’m sitting in one of my kitchen chairs with duct tape binding my wrists and ankles to the arms and legs of the chair. My breath starts coming in fast bursts as I try to yank and pul
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 60: Hold On
Suddenly I hear a knock at the door and my tears stop dead in their tracks. Hope floods my system when I realise someone might be able to save me from this hell.Carter is quickly up on his feet, retrieving the knife and pressing it to my throat as he leans in and whispers in my ears, “Not a fucking sound, do you understand me?”I stare at the door, hope and panic rolling through me. Help is just on the other side of the door and yet it’s never felt further away. Another couple knocks rap on the door, followed by a voice I never wanted to hear again but now couldn’t be more grateful for.“Nalani? It’s me, Julian,” sounds his sorrowful voice. “I really hope you’re in there. I’ve been trying for days to reach you. I know you don’t ever want to see me again, I just…I just need you to know how sorry I am,” he sighs.Carter fists the back of my hair painfully and as I look up I see the rage filling his eyes. If I don’t do something, he’s likely to kill me out of anger and I am not ready to
Last Updated : 2024-12-08Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 61: Wake Up Call Pt 1
“I’m sorry if this hurts,” the nurse gently apologises as she cleans and dresses my head wound.I mumble a reply, my eyes fixed on my hands in my lap. The nurse did her best to clean me up, but I can still see the dried blood embedded around my nails and cuticles. I pick at it, trying desperately to get rid of it but it won’t go away.When I was admitted, the nurses took photos of my injuries. They did that the last time I was attacked too but this time it felt so much worse; so much more invasive. They took photos of my head, face, hands, wrists, ankles and chest. I guess there were marks there too but I don’t want to think about it. They did so many other things, but I just tried to tune it all out, even though they were being so kind and gentle the entire time and always asking if I was okay to continue. I wasn’t, but I just wanted to get it over with.“Excuse me, we were hoping to have a word with Miss Contreras,” announces a masculine voice.I look up to see a male and female off
Last Updated : 2024-12-10
Latest chapter
Treasured Yet Discarded EPILOGUE
Three years LaterI continue to stir the pot on the stove while studying the textbook I have propped up on the counter like a recipe book. Next week is the week I go for my teaching license, and I am a bundle of nerves. I thought when I moved to the US I had to give up my dreams of being a teacher and that all my hard work and education were wasted, but since moving back to the Dominican Republic I’ve spent the last few years diving back into my studies and working hard to get my teaching license and get enough teaching experience to get a job as an educator.Ideally, I would love to teach children under the age of 9, but just being able to get a job anywhere as a teacher would be a dream come true. I thought Julian was insane when he suggested me moving back home, but when he said he wanted to move with me I was sure he’d lost his mind.I feared Julian would struggle to adjust to life here, but he’s taken to Dominican life like a fish to water and he is exceptionally good at the langu
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 64: Starting Over
I burst into applause, cheering like an over-enthusiastic groupie as Irina finishes debuting the first song from her very first album. My cheeks hurt from smiling as she takes her bow and throws an excited wave our way that I eagerly return.“I knew she’d make it here,” Áine declares, cheering beside me.I smile and nod in agreement, clapping with all the other guests. I quickly glance around, realising Áine is now standing alone.“Where did your guy vanish off to?” I query.“Bathroom,” she answers, getting that same adorable flush in her freckled cheeks whenever I call her boyfriend ‘her guy’.I can’t believe how much has changed in a year.My life has improved in ways I never expected. I absolutely love my job and as it turns out, I am really good at baking. I always liked to dabble, but it was never something I did outside of a sweet craving or wanting to do something for someone’s birthday. In the past year, I’ve gone from working front of house at the bakery to being one of the b
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 63: Progress Pt 2
I’ve been debating on this next question but avoiding it won’t do any good so it’s best to just rip the band-aid off.“Have you heard from Carter?” I ask apprehensively.His body tenses and I see him take in a deep breath through his nose.“I’ve not heard from him, but someone else reached out recently…” he responds evasively.The evidence against Carter was overwhelming, especially when police searched his home and found the evidence that he had been stalking me for months, including all the items he’d stolen from my apartment that I was completely unaware of. I’ve switched perfumes for that very reason. He was looking at up to thirty years in prison for a long list of charges from stalking to aggravated assault, attempting murder, sexual assault, holding someone against their will, animal cruelty, burglary and breaking and entering. He ended up pleading guilty - much to my relief - because it meant we didn’t have to go to trial. The only downside was that he agreed to a guilty plea
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 62: Progress Pt 1
I sit patiently waiting, nursing my cup of coffee as I watch the pedestrians passing along the sidewalk going about their day. I glance down at my watch seeing it’s now 12:10 pm, making him ten minutes late. I take a slow sip of my coffee deciding to give it another five minutes, which was the right decision because a minute later, Julian rushes over.“I’m so sorry I’m late, the traffic is insane today,” he pants.I stand up, giving him a kind smile. “It happens, but you’re here now.”He relaxes and goes in to hug me. As I move in to return the gesture we freeze awkwardly with our arms raised in the same position. We each go to switch our positioning, resulting in the same problem. We let out an awkward chuckle at our miscommunication as Julian runs his fingers through his hair.“This used to be easier,” he muses.I take the opportunity and move in, wrapping my arms around him in a hug. I feel his body relax as he wraps his arms around me, giving me a comforting squeeze.“It’s good to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 62: Wake Up Call Pt 2
“Miss? Miss?” a voice gently whispers. I open my eyes and see the nurse from earlier hovering over me. “Mr Easton is out of surgery and recovering nicely. I thought you’d like to know,” she says kindly.I spring up, immediately feeling my head spin and throb. “Where is he? Can I see him?” I ask in a rush.“He’s in recovery, but yes, you can go and see him.”I throw back the covers and jump out of bed, instantly regretting it when my knees give way. Thankfully the nurse has quick reflexes and catches me, helping me back onto the bed.“You’re not going to see anyone like that.”“Please, I have to see him. I have to know he’s okay,” I stress, starting to panic.“Breathe or you’ll end up passing out,” she warns. “Now stay put while I grab a wheelchair and then I’ll take you up to see him.”I let out a deep breath. “Thank you so much,” I say appreciatively.“Your boyfriend is very lucky to have such a concerned girlfriend,” she teases.I frown, suddenly feeling awkward. “Actually, he’s my
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 61: Wake Up Call Pt 1
“I’m sorry if this hurts,” the nurse gently apologises as she cleans and dresses my head wound.I mumble a reply, my eyes fixed on my hands in my lap. The nurse did her best to clean me up, but I can still see the dried blood embedded around my nails and cuticles. I pick at it, trying desperately to get rid of it but it won’t go away.When I was admitted, the nurses took photos of my injuries. They did that the last time I was attacked too but this time it felt so much worse; so much more invasive. They took photos of my head, face, hands, wrists, ankles and chest. I guess there were marks there too but I don’t want to think about it. They did so many other things, but I just tried to tune it all out, even though they were being so kind and gentle the entire time and always asking if I was okay to continue. I wasn’t, but I just wanted to get it over with.“Excuse me, we were hoping to have a word with Miss Contreras,” announces a masculine voice.I look up to see a male and female off
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 60: Hold On
Suddenly I hear a knock at the door and my tears stop dead in their tracks. Hope floods my system when I realise someone might be able to save me from this hell.Carter is quickly up on his feet, retrieving the knife and pressing it to my throat as he leans in and whispers in my ears, “Not a fucking sound, do you understand me?”I stare at the door, hope and panic rolling through me. Help is just on the other side of the door and yet it’s never felt further away. Another couple knocks rap on the door, followed by a voice I never wanted to hear again but now couldn’t be more grateful for.“Nalani? It’s me, Julian,” sounds his sorrowful voice. “I really hope you’re in there. I’ve been trying for days to reach you. I know you don’t ever want to see me again, I just…I just need you to know how sorry I am,” he sighs.Carter fists the back of my hair painfully and as I look up I see the rage filling his eyes. If I don’t do something, he’s likely to kill me out of anger and I am not ready to
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 59: Lifting The Mask
[TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter depicts mild moments of SA. This may be disturbing or triggering for some readers, for those people, please proceed to the following chapter. To those who choose to read on, please proceed with caution]As I start to wake up I feel a horrible and familiar throbbing ache in my head and the skin on the side of my face feels tight and crusty, like something has begun to set there. I try to open my eyes, but my vision is blurry. I blink a few times and with each action, my vision starts to clear a little more. I immediately realise I’m in my apartment but I don’t remember coming inside. The courtyard lights shine through my window allowing me to see my room. I go to move but feel a sharp tug that makes me wince.Confusion and panic flood my system when I glance down and see that I’m sitting in one of my kitchen chairs with duct tape binding my wrists and ankles to the arms and legs of the chair. My breath starts coming in fast bursts as I try to yank and pul
Treasured Yet Discarded Chapter 58: Empty Pt 2
Immediately I feel dread wash over me and those unpleasant gut bubbles rising in my stomach. The urge to check behind me starts to creep in and quickly my head begins to spin.“You couldn’t have phrased that another way?” Áine chastises Irina.“Nothing terrible has happened,” Irina quickly assures me, only easing my dread by a fraction.“Then why did you sound all foreboding like that?” I prod, breathing through my anxiety as Áine rubs soothing circles on my back.“Okay, so that’s on me. I was just going to say…Julian’s been calling me. He’s shown up to my place and left voicemails and text messages, all of him looking for you. I haven’t told him where you are because it’s none of his fucking business. I just thought you should know he’s clearly desperate to talk to you,” she informs me.Just hearing his name causes a pang in my chest. Since I left the penthouse I blocked and deleted his number. He came to the diner a couple times but each time someone covered for me and told him I was
