Kiss after kiss his mouth felt like it was conjoined to mine but I simply couldn't get enough, his hands tussled my wisps of hair as the waffle maker timer went off. It was a bright early morning, a calming morning which was what everyone needed. Pancakes filled the air along with the smell of the powdered sugar that went on the fluffy waffles like a blanket.

Everyone was sure to be groaning from their headaches and hangovers that came from the aftermath of last night. I was still suffering from mine as it hit me like a punch in the head.

"Drink this", Nolan handed me a vomit-looking drink as I felt the urge to hurl my stomach contents. I resisted as he assured me there was no vomit in the disturbing drink.

"Where'd you learn to make this?", I asked him as I took a sip of the sweet nectar that eroded my nostrils. He rubbed my temple softly as I took another sip.

"I had crazy days", he spoke sounding like a dad who was reminding his kid of the 'good ole days'.

"Trust me, I know. I remember seeing you with models on your arm on tv", I told him remembering the days where I scraped by every month and I was stuck in this cafe where I waited tables and tried to get tips like no one else.

"That's the old me, now I just have one model on my arm", he kissed my lips softly as I tasted the sweetness of the syrup along his lips.

"Did you hear any noises in the night?", I asked as he laughed remembering last night. Avery had forgotten our room was next to hers because we heard everything, every single thing. It was disturbing to me, but especially to Nolan, I could clearly tell Avery was the one who was screaming.

"Let's go upstairs and make our own noises", he suggested as we heard footsteps along the wooden floors.

Tally and Wes came begging for Nolan's hangover drink saying it was a miracle and I truly hoped it was.

"Was it you two who were making all the noises last night?", Tally asked as she gulped down the nectar and filled another glass for herself and Wes.

"It definitely wasn't us, I'm not allowed too", he pouted as Tally and Wes laughed and Nolan flashed a grin on.

"I'm guessing we'll find out everything when everyone comes down", Tally said as we heard small steps come from the hall as they tiptoed into the kitchen and as they saw us they quickly stopped.

"We thought everyone was sleeping", Alec said as he handed Caroline a glass of Nolan's special hangover juice. I'm guessing the hangover got to Caroline stronger than it did to anyone else as she rubbed her temple furiously.

"If anyone wants any clothes to wear, I have a full closet upstairs", Tally declined as she wore her clothes that were stuffed in the back of her car for extreme adventures. Caroline followed me upstairs as I hoped and pried for the deeds that happened.

"Tell me everything", I said as I shut the door silently, hoping no one could hear what was about to be told. Caroline blushed as she heard my demand. She brushed through the clothes and picked a pair of my pajama shorts and a tank top.

"We talked, and he asked me out that's it", she explained as a huge smile crept onto her face, by the way, she hung onto him downstairs she definitely said yes.

Caroline changed and came back down as we all sat down to eat, just as Avery and Tyler took the walk of shame down the stairs as everyone knew they did it, by their blushed skin and the noises that echoed throughout the halls, I feel sorry for our neighbors.

"Hey", Avery awkwardly said as she grabbed a glass of juice and chugged it like it was water. She and Tyler sat down next to each other hand-holding under the table.

"So how was last night, um I think Tyler and Avery, should start", Tally said as they looked confused at first and Avery realized and suddenly became embarrassed.

"Everyone heard us, oh no. I'm sorry Nolan", she got out of her chair and hugged her brother as enormous fits of laughter filled the room. Tyler didn't seem embarrassed at all he was finally happy, she got a nice guy.

"3 weeks more and that's all we'll be doing", I told Nolan as the whole room erupted in laughter. He held my hand under the table as he kissed it softly.

The rest of the day was peaceful as jokes were shared and we became comfortable with each other just as the door rang. I went to the front to answer it and saw Leah with that awful mother.

"Hi, how was the sleepover", she hugged me as I grabbed her bags for her. She smiled and kissed my cheek as she hung onto me tightly.

"I'd like to speak to Nolan, just to make sure he's here", she said as if I wasn't married to him. Luckily, Nolan turned the corner and came behind me.

"Hi, is there a problem here?", Nolan showed up behind me as the women's tone, attitude, behavior and she even started smiling brightly.

"Just wanted to make sure you were home, wouldn't want to leave her with the maid", the arrogant mother spoke in front of her own child as she pulled the mother back.

"I can assure you she is my wife and you may go now", Nolan said as Leah slipped away from the adults. The woman took off with an embarrassed face.

"I swear mothers hate me, and that is why I avoid the mommy and me club's", he shut the door quickly and I could tell he his face he was quite annoyed. I leaned against him as we walked back.

"Do you want some breakfast?", Nolan asked her as she shook her head and gave everyone hugs. She took her bag and went to her room, luckily we didn't have to put anyone in Leah's room she would not be happy.

Everyone started leaving around lunchtime for work. Everyone ate breakfast and then lunch before leaving. Avery left for a modeling gig, and the boys went to work along with Caroline, and Tally. It was just me left with Leah who went to sleep as soon as she came home.

I spent the afternoon attending my class online and working on my building portfolio and resume. I finished up Nolan's manual reports and statistics he asked to have as I prepared notes for his lecture he had to give for a guest speaking at a business class.

Nolan had promised he'd come home earlier today, simply because he didn't have a lot of work to finish and it was the end of the month, no one was looking for investing now.

"Leah, do you want a snack?", I asked as she put her school book away and came into the kitchen, I peeled my laptop off my overheated lap and put it on the kitchen counter.

"What snack would you like, I was thinking sweet but healthy", I suggested as she looked confused at first but went with it.

"Cut some apple slices and then I'll get the rest", she said as she handed me an apple and I washed and cut it, hoping to not cut my own fingers off.

"Caramel and peanut butter, let's just dip it in the container", she suggested as I knew Nolan would be mad, but he wasn't home. I put the apples on the platter and we sat on the couch, watching tv and dipping our apples into caramel and peanut butter.

"Your phone is ringing", Leah shook me as she heard the vibrations. I reached into the couch and pulled my phone out hoping it was Nolan. Daniel was calling me, this was a first. I had no clue what to do, so I did the smartest thing and safest thinking about my sister, who probably didn't even know I existed.

"Hello", I said nervously, as the breathing on the other side hitched at the sound of my voice.

"Natalie, I just wanted to apologize for the way I've been treating you and I know you could never forgive me, I'll give your sister, she's here", an apology was all I wanted, but as I heard it I couldn't still believe it. He was apologizing for the hell he put through, I could finally cut ties with my father with nothing hanging over my head.

"What's the address", I asked simply as my life finally seemed worth it, I knew this day would come, but I didn't imagine it so soon. I couldn't breathe as I sat there imagining her smile just like my moms, wide with crooked teeth, and her eyes a light hazel.

"God, you're so pathetic. Did you really believe I was apologizing? Proves I have you wrapped around my finger. I can't believe you fell for that, you're worthless. Now that was what I call funny", tears slipped down my cheek as I knew it was too good to be real, but I just thought if I believed it would be real.

"I told you the consequences of looking for that worthless piece of shit, and you still went and did it. As a punishment for her I was thinking of maybe giving her a nice vacation, do you remember where she went the first time you went to the police?", he asked as I remembered the terror. I was 15 at the time, and I was done with his bullshit, so I ran in and told the cops everything. They never looked into it and brushed it away as soon as they heard his name, he donated every year a large portion of the money to the local state department and stations.

She went around the world to a strict boarding school, where they beat children endlessly and emotionally damaged innocent minds. When she returned back to the system, they would just believe she was on the streets and run away, no one would believe a foster kid, over a rich man.

"I'll take the punishment just tell me what it is?", I said after stepping away from Leah and going near the stairs as I listened to his horrid words.

"I'll book you an appointment next week, 2 pm.", he said and I swallowed the lump stuck in my throat, he ended the call as I put the phone away and sat on the stairs, knowing this would come.

The whole day I sat there silently with thoughts floating over my head, but all that came out was silence. It was always sudden when he would call me and place a life on the line unless I did what he said. I never had a warning it was just sudden, and now I had hours to overthink and to try not to experience that numb feeling as he slaps me and punches my stomach.

"I'm home", a cheerful voice ringed as Leah ran to him with joy, she was so bright and innocent and I wished deeply I could return to a simpler life. Where my darkest secret was that I wore my mother's makeup, not that my father is abusive and is keeping my sister.

Mrs. Johnson has prepared us food and stuck it in the fridge, I took it out and plated it. A hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me towards him, he kissed my cheek as I wished I could be happy, so I put my loving smile on and handed the mashed potatoes across the table.

"You alright?", Nolan asked as his hands wrapped around my waist and I turned to a side staring into the pit of darkness and fear. He held me still as I nodded my head and held his hand, wishing I could share my mind with him.

"Just tired", I said as I starred off in the darkness and he removed his hand as he knew I needed to deal with this on my own. He went to sleep as I laid there constantly turning and squirming along his side. I wanted to tell him everything, I wanted him to be the one who knew the inside and out of me, but I knew when you love someone you do everything you can to protect them. He would do everything in order to keep me safe, but this was beyond his power.

Also, I'd love to know what your favorite chapter is?

Don't forget to vote and comment thank you!!

April 15,2021- Update
Hi, everyone hope you're enjoying the book so far. First of all I'd like to say I don't condone any behavior in this book.

I wanted to get across the feeling of Natalie being scared and she is confused and she feels almost lost in the sense of where her power is, because all her life she's felt absolutely powerless.

Comments I've seen have said
"Why is she being so secretive?"

"Why doesn't she just tell him?"

I know this is just a book and it's not based on any real life experiences but it may be someone's out there. As someone who has never experienced domestic violence or abuse I can't speak from experience. But I know that it takes brilliance and guts to speak up, when you're scared or in fear.

Natalie had that fear and she was very very scared of Daniel. Fear drove this story, Daniel's hold over Natalie drove this story to the ending. And at the end it shows how powerful she is and how she stood up.

So please refrain from commenting any thing about it as it may be triggering to someone who was a survivor of domestic violence and abuse.