4. 1 day to go

Chapter 4 - Chloe's POV

A Day Before My Birthday

"Are you really going to give yourself to that bastard? He hasn't even called once to apologize!" Jayden said as he gently pushed the swing I was holding onto.

It reminded me of how things used to be, making me feel calm. We were on better terms after he brought me back from the mall, and he had kept the secret from our parents. But I could tell he was fighting really hard to hold back a lot of things.

"It's not his first time anyway, and I made a promise. I don't have a choice either." I had thought about how things would turn out a thousand times over, but I didn't see anything changing.

"What if things change? What if he's no longer in the picture?" Jayden asked, a little too seriously as he stopped pushing the swing.

"Then I'd be grateful to whoever saved me and do anything they wanted. But I doubt that would happen. less than twenty-four hours to go." I tapped my wristwatch as the loud revving of Shawn's Bugatti engine echoed through our front gate.

"I'll be going in then. I need to wear something more conservative before he comes inside." I hopped off the swing and left him in silence. I heard Shawn slam his car door as I ran into my room to pick out a baggy sweatshirt.

"Oh my dear, I'm sorry I had to leave you alone at the mall that day. I had something serious to attend to, but I got you some flowers and gifts to apologize." Shawn turned away from my parents to face me as I stepped down the stairs.

"Thank you." I received them as my mom cooed appreciatively.

"Aww, you're so kind, young master Shawn. Our Chloe is so lucky to have you as her fiancé. Also, tomorrow is her birthday, and I was wondering if" My mom stopped intentionally after planting the idea.

"Oh, don't worry about that. I already prepared a very grand night party at my family's hotel tonight because I plan to go sightseeing tomorrow."

"A party before the actual day?"

"Yes, that's right. I also bought my fiancée's parents tickets to Hawaii. I heard it's your dream vacation spot, and I've prepared everything for a week-long stay." He handed them the tickets, and their attitudes immediately changed.

"You sure are full of surprises! You can party all you want then."

"I hope there are no curfews? Because it's going to be an all-night party, and I'll come pick her up at six p.m." My mood dampened further at his words.

I'd thought I could spend this last day for myself, but that was already ruined.

"Not at all! It's her birthday, and you can do whatever you like with her. My husband and I will enjoy this gift. Let's go pack!" My mom dragged her husband inside, leaving just me and Shawn alone. I watched as his demeanor immediately changed.

"You little bitch," he said through gritted teeth as he closed the distance between us.

"I'm sorry about the other day," I apologized, taking a step back because I knew how bad things could get now that he'd dismissed my parents.

"Oh, you better be sorry, because I won't be when I finally get to take what's mine tomorrow. Just watch and see. Make sure you wear the dress I bought you. Another one of those sweatshirts, and I'll make sure they're the only things you have left to wear." He was terrifyingly intimidating as he tipped my jaw up and forced a kiss on me.

"Thank you. I'm sorry too." I apologized, not seeing any reason to fight him anymore. There was no longer any chance for me to be saved.

"Good girl." He patted my cheek twice before turning away and heading out.

I held back my tears as I took out the dress and walked up to my room to try it on. I was about to close the door when someone held it back and walked in behind me.

"Jayden, I'm so scared." I lost it as I turned and hugged him. His arms wrapped around me as he hugged me back.

"Then let me have you first," he said, and I put some space between us.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Don't you want to give him some sort of reality check when he realizes you're not who he thought you were?" While that made sense, I still couldn't accept it because it was too risky.

"There's no guarantee he'd leave me alone then, and it would affect the family. I know they're selfish, but I can't let them end up in trouble because I don't like him." I sat on the edge of my bed.

"Why should you care?" He closed the door and followed me.

"Because they raised me. It's the least I can do to be grateful, even though I hate the situation."

"Then did you like it when he kissed you like this?" Jayden tilted my jaw up and kissed me the way Shawn had earlier. He must have been watching.

But there was a difference in the way I responded this time.

I had never wanted Shawn the way I wanted Jayden.

"Or when he removed your sweatshirt at the mall and restrained you like this—did you like any of it?" he asked as he removed my sweatshirt and gently held my wrists behind my back the same way.

"I didn't like it then, but—"

"But you want me now," he said as he helped me lie back on the bed, "don't you?"

I felt embarrassed and tried to move away, but he was so gentle, so different from Shawn's roughness.

"I promise it would be gentle, and it would be everything you deserve," he said, and I believed him.

"I know, but I'm not eighteen yet, and unless I really don't have a choice, I don't want to give in to this temptation. Can't you just look away and give up on me?" I watched him step back, frustration clear in his eyes, but it was for the best for both of us.

"This again? If this is truly what you want, then I'll respect it. But I promise I won't let you marry that bastard. I'll find a way before you turn twenty-one and make you mine instead."

"I'll be waiting," I said under my breath as I watched him move toward my door.

"Aren't you going to help me?" I asked, gesturing to my restrained hands, and he turned back.

"You make it really hard for me to walk away," he said, freeing my wrists before stealing a gentle kiss and walking out.

I had no choice but to freshen up and start getting dressed.

Despite his awful personality, Shawn was serious about punctuality.