Deadly Inheritance (completed)

Chapter 28

Thank you for reading! Enjoy 😉

Charlie

I woke up starving and alone. Stretching my arms out I can feel the cold sheets next to me and I know Ryan has been up for a while. I lay there for a moment and think our night together. Each night we've had has been special and wonderful but our wedding night last night was so perfect. Despite the fact that Baxter has made a horrible mistake and I know Ryan was determined to get to him before he left this morning.

I roll over and stare at the ceiling. I hate the idea that Ryan and Baxter could be fighting because of me or Natalie. They're best friends this shouldn't be happening to them. It's not how friends should be. Taking a deep breath I stretch once more then get up for day. Standing in front of my closet I just stare at the clothes. I grab my old jeans and pull them up and I can't get them buttoned. I try another one same thing. This just keeps getting harder.

Dressing is becoming such a challenge. I've been resorting to yoga pants and long shirts for the last few days. Now my jeans no longer button or are comfortable. I want loose and easy now. Pulling on a light dress and sweater, I go out to the kitchen and start cooking. I know Ryan won't leave me for long, especially with my father back here. Someone will be by to babysit me soon. I just hope it's Ryan. I don't want anyone else right now.

I begin working in the kitchen kneading some dough and putting a meal together. Stretching and kneading again then pulling and braiding the dough, I set the tray of my loaves to rest and rise. I love the smell of fresh baked bread in the morning. Hungry and concerned for my family I work on some bacon and eggs. It's therapeutic for me to cook and feed those I love. I feel like I'm doing something productive. I know the smell of food will get everyone moving faster and get them inside.

When the door opens and Natalie comes in I know things went worse last night. She looks a complete mess. I've never seen her so disheveled. Her hair is pulled up messily and the dark sunglasses hide her eyes. She doesn't say a word but goes straight for the coffee then hugs me. What in the world happened now. She sits down taking a long sip of the hot coffee before she removes her glasses. The dark puffy circles under her eyes tell me she didn't sleep at all. Then I see the red welt on her cheek, it looks to be turning purple. I can't move, I only know two people who would do this.

"I got a visitor late last night after Pops took me home." I stop what I'm doing and slide into the chair next to her. My heart is pounding so hard it hurts. I don't want to know this.

"I thought you were going home with Pops?" I ask softly. Reaching out I take her hand in mine. I know how she feels, I've been in this place.

"I wanted to be alone. I was upset and hurt. I'm sorry if I ruined the wedding. I didn't mean to. I just thought it was me Baxter wanted, not you. When I saw it, when I saw the way he really looks at you it broke me and then him with that other girl... I lost my temper. It hurts so bad Charlie." Natalie only looked at our joined hands.

"Who visited you last night, Nat?" I ask slowly fearing I know this answer. I don't want to know the answer but I have to ask. I've been in her shoes, if it's who I think I'm responsible for bringing this here.

"Your father. He wants to send Ryan a message. Is he here?" Nat asks afraid to face her brother and I see her hand shaking as she lifts her cup. Oh God this is on me. He never would have done this if it wasn't for me. My father hurt her.

"What did he do to you?" I know it's bad. I can see it. I touch her shoulder and Natalie cringes, with a sob of pain. No, he didn't. I stand up and very gently move her shirt and look at her back. She looks like she was beaten, whipped more accurately. I rush to bathroom and throw up. I know exactly what pain she's in.