All Chapters of Beyond Broken: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Dmitry POVWe wasted twenty minutes listening to her reject my offer to take her shopping. It was easy for her to come up with the reasons why we shouldn’t all pile into the car.Her top reason being that she still owes me money and didn’t want to add this to her debt. Her last reason being that she didn’t deserve my kindness. She recklessly stole my bike. Though she still hadn’t told me the real reason why she did it, she was really close to giving me an actual apology.I all but picked her up and threw her in the car. We were doing this.I had watched Danica since the day I met her. Though she always looked pretty, her clothes were far from anyone’s standards. I knew she would dress down when she came to clean my house, so I’m not referring to her spandex tights and baggy t-shirts.No. I’m referring to her old jeans, with the real holes in them. Not the fashion holes that come with jeans now.It is the shoes that look like she walks a hundred miles in them every day. And the shirts

Danica POV It took ten minutes to convince Dmitry not to pull too far into the driveway. I noticed the auto garage doors closed when we approached and told him my father was probably sleeping. That wasn’t a total lie. Even when I claimed I didn’t want to wake up, it was all true. I knew by now he had passed out. I just wasn’t sure where. If it was in our living room, Dmitry’s tires rolling over the rocking driveway would surely wake him. Dmitry pushed through his self-disappointment and let me walk the rest of the way. As stern as he was, he hated not being a gentleman when the opportunity arose. I assured him that having me carry five bags would not make him any less of a gentleman. I carried the bags toward the house, taking my time. I didn’t want Dmitry to see me pass the porch and walk toward the backyard. It took three long trips up my old trellis to get all the bags up to my room without making too much noise. It didn’t help that I barely had any arm strength. After makin

Danica POVLucas’s words followed me through the morning.I had done absolutely nothing to earn this dress. I didn’t work for it. I didn’t buy it. And I surely didn’t open my legs for it.In truth, I had no idea what I had done to deserve the beautiful clothes I received last night. I had done nothing to or for Dmitry and yet he flew in and saved the day.I was zoned out, thinking about the tasteless offer Lucas said. I was nothing more than a conquest to him and everyday he made sure to remind me of such.“Danica Phillips.” I heard my name being called from the front of the room.“Here.” I answered. That earned me a few snickers around the room though I wasn’t sure why.Our teacher stared for a few seconds before correcting me. “I’ve already taken attendance, Ms Phillips. You are needed in the principals office.”I finally noticed a girl who wasn’t apart of our class grabbing the principals note from the teacher and walking back out the door.I stood to walk toward the door, when he

Danica POVI’d like to say I was in shock, but I wasn’t. I was used to being bullied. To being belittled and embarrassed.I slowly walked down Lake Road with the wet, sticky fabric quickly drying around my body. I picked up my pace, wanting nothing more than to be rid of this dress. But no matter how quickly I walked, I didn’t want to go home.The black car I’ve come to know rolled down the street toward me. When it came to a stop, the driver’s side door opened and the first thing I noticed was Dmitry’s eyes on my dress.The second thing I noticed was the red hair peering through the passenger side window.I didn’t have to look twice. Nancy was in the car.His eyes furrowed as he skimmed me up and down. He rushed toward me with open arms. “Danica! What happened to you?” His big hands landed on each of my shoulders.I folded my arms across my chest, searching for any comfort I can grab before I released the words, “There was an accident at school,” I lowered my head shamefully toward t

Danica POV“I find that hard to believe. What happened to him?”“Him who?”“You’re boyfriend. What happened to your last boyfriend? You dumped him because you realize he wasn’t enough for you?”My lips curled but I couldn’t force them to form a smile for something I never experienced.“I’ve never had a boyfriend. Boyfriends complicate things and my life is complicated enough…” I paused trying to remember the exact way he answered me. “Having a boyfriend at this time in my life wouldn’t be fair to either one of us.”“Using my words against me. Not fair.” He said laughing again.“I can’t help it if it’s true.”“Touché.”The waiter brought our entrees and the conversation slowed as we began enjoying the pasta. It tasted like heaven in my mouth. “This is a nice change of pace from the lunch normally served at my school.”“Let me guess. Dry spaghetti. Grill cheese sandwiches. Pizza Fridays.”“And don’t forget the healthy glass of milk to go with it.”“If you like this, you would have loved