“I should be going home as well. Thank you, though.” Freya walks over and hugs me. I have not really spoken to my mum.“That is fine. I understand.” Smiling, I hug her back.“We can stay for a cuppa. Come on, Freya. Get a little warmed up before we go.” Sarah smiles at her. I am guessing this is her way of trying to talk to me and be a mum before she leaves.“I guess so. I just don’t want to be driving too late in the snow.” Freya walks in and sits down. Sarah walks over to me.“How are you?”Looking at her, I smile, as fake as it is. I am trying to be nice. The times she has been around me, she has made a point of making me aware she dislikes me and Jackson being together. I can only imagine what she would have to say knowing about everything else that has happened.“I am really good, thanks, Sarah. Just trying to concentrate on the business, girls and Jackson. How have you been?” I really am not bothered, but I feel I need to ask her back to be polite.“Good. I was hoping you woul

**TW** In this chapter Alena talks about her past abuse by Max. Now is the time to tell him. How has today made me want to share my worst and darkest secrets with him? “When I met Max, he was like you. I don’t mean you’re the same, but he was dominating. I began reading up on it then, just about Dom’s. The first few months were fine then I realised he was shouting at me more, rather than giving demands like you do. He shouted them at me and if I refused, he would punish me: cold showers, no internet, even when I said the safe word he continued. I realised then he was not real, he was not the Dom he had said he was to draw me in. Eventually, when I refused and he realised the punishments no longer made me cry, he started hitting me. Then, as I got stronger and was able to take a hit and stop myself from crying, it turned to punches and kicks.” Can I really keep going? Keep sharing my story with him?  From here, it gets worse and I don’t know how I will co

Turning, he grabs the knife and a slight panic rises within me. The tip of the blade slowly scratches down my arms, not enough to cause bleeding, yet the feel of the metal and scratching feels amazing.  Lifting the knife, he does the same on the other arm: the scratch from the shoulder all the way down. “Okay?” Jackson looks at me. Nodding, I agree. “Yes, totally fine” He smiles at my confirmation, the knife pushing slightly harder as he pulls it down my arm, a few faint spots of blood showing. It isn’t hurting. It feels like a scratch. The needles and whip caused more pain. His other hand grabs the ice, rubbing it down the scratch. A moan escapes my lips as the toys continue to vibrate. Reaching the end of the scratch, the crop hits hard against the scratch. As I moan, he places the knife between my breasts. He gently pushes down, pulling the knife across my skin down to my naval. My body tenses with pleasure as he does. His other hand follows w

The time passes and it gets to half-seven. Jackson walks down the stairs looking for me. Seeing me and Marcus sat together, he walks towards us. Coming into the room, he looks around, like he is missing something or I have forgotten something. “What’s going on?” Is he upset that I am sat with Marcus or the fact I got up and came downstairs when he warned me not to?  I get he is worried I could be down here and that someone could break in and he would have no idea at all. “We are watching Titanic. I am going to make breakfast soon for us all.” Actually, I should probably start cooking now. “Actually, I need a drink. Does anyone else want one? I will start breakfast as well.” Getting up I start to walk out, catching the start of their conversation. “Are you sure she will be okay? Can the hospital not do anything?” Jackson sounds worried, and as scared as I am, I actually like this. I don’t feel tired like I have for the last few days, I act

Waking up, the light is bright. Rolling over, Jackson is still in bed with me. He looks ill like he’s not slept in weeks. “I’m sorry.” I can only apologise for this. I feel better now though. “How do you feel?” His eyes are assessing me, trying to work out if I am awake or asleep. “I feel fine. Hungry and thirsty, but fine.” Sitting up, I try to remember what has happened, but everything is fuzzy, my mind not wanting to remember it. “You have been out for nearly 24 hours. Don’t ever do that again. I swear every scream was like you were breaking me. I couldn’t help you either.” So I was screaming. I couldn’t tell. I thought I was, yet everything was silent. “I am fine, honestly. How are the girls?” Looking towards the door, no doubt they are in bed already. “They are fine, enjoyed a lot of time with Marcus. Just try and get more sleep.” His hand goes to push me down, but I don’t want to sleep or need it. “I am fi