Broken (Endurance) (23 page)

"Momma, what happen? What changed? It's like you came out of a coma."

"I did," Harmony said, staring off into the distance. She was quiet for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the smell of fresh cut grass and blossoming flowers. Her thoughts drifted back to her daughter and the impending danger she was in. "Your father," Harmony began, fixing her gaze on a bird’s nest in a nearby tree. "Did I ever tell you about how we met?"

"At the fair."

"That was the romantic story I told you children. Now, you are much older. Time for the truth."

"Truth?"

"I didn't meet your father until our wedding day."

"What?" Cressida gasped.

"My father made some sort of business deal. I was to marry Charleston Dash and bear him three children. There was no romance, no love and no honor. Your father is a monster in a suit. I let my eyes lead me to believe that one day he would love me... a handsome guy and a beautiful girl. I fantasized what it would be like for him to one day mean it when he told me he loved me. My heart always told me the truth. Demons can't love. His heart was cold and his veins were corroded with black blood."

"Mom, what are you saying?" Cressida asked, perplexed by what her mother was revealing.

"My child, listen with your heart and not with your mind. Time is so precious and we cannot lose another moment."

"Yes, Momma," Cressida whispered.

"I loved your father, despite the way he treated me. I was proud when I gave him a son our first born, but when I looked at my son, his father’s heart glared back at me. When I was pregnant with you, I became enlighten... awakened if you will; my firstborn angel, my only daughter, and Charleston's regret. Your father wanted all boys. Girls were a waste to him and only good to be sold.

“I knew what your father planned for you. It took me years to build up the courage, but I did. I began to hatch a plan to escape him, taking my two children with me. I knew I couldn't run to my father because he was not on my side and my mother was under my father's foot. She couldn't even go to the bathroom without my father knowing.

“I met a friend and he wanted to help me. It took months to plan, but I refused to lay with your father and I couldn't go to the doctor to take birth control. Your father had me under constant supervision. Needless to say, he raped me and I became pregnant with Christian. It killed me to learn I was pregnant for that man, but I continued my plotting to leave Charleston. The day came for me to make my move. Everything was perfect. I was five months pregnant by that time and your brother was about thirteen. You were six, do you remember?"

"Vaguely."

"Well, we didn't make it very far. I found out later that your brother left his father a note. I never saw my friend again. To this day I don't know what became of him."

"Momma, I'm sorry."

"Cressida you need to find a safe place away from your father and your older brother. Don't tell him anything. He is not to be trusted."

"But I have my own condo, Momma. I’m safe."

"Do you know who build that condo?"

Cressida was quiet, feeling slightly stupid for not thinking that statement through. "Daddy owns the entire property."  Charleston Dash could easily spy on her if he wanted. It would be difficult to deal with her father, now that she wanted to keep him out of her life.

"Cressida, you need to think on your toes and get yourself as close to God as possible. Your father has offered you to Satan, but you still have a chance."

"A chance?"

"Although it will be a battle, the final choice is yours."

"What do you mean? I have to decide? That’s easy. I choose God."

"What have you done to prove that, to show God that your intentions are clear?"

Cressida couldn't answer. The last time she’d gone to church was for Max and Mei's

wedding.

"Baby, I can’t tell you what to do, but if you open your heart to wisdom and understanding, they will lead you."

"What about you?"

"I will deal with your father in due time, even if it’s the last thing I do."

"Mom, please let me take you out of here."

"Cressida, focus on yourself. I have my own battle to deal with. I will only slow you down. Leave me here. I have work to do."

"Work?"

A nurse approached them. "Mrs. Dash, your husband has called. He is waiting on the line for you."

Cressida looked at her mother. Her father had not called or visited her mother since he’d put her here.

The nurse turned to Cressida as she unlocked Harmony Dash's chair. "Visiting time is over."

Cressida opened her mouth to protest.

Her mother touched her arm. "Angel, it has begun," she said before being rolled away.

Cressida was baffled. She sat on the bench feeling lost and confused. She needed someone to talk to and could only think of one person. She grabbed her purse and put on her shades as she headed towards the parking lot. Cressida took one last look back at the psychiatric hospital before speeding off.

Two hours later she arrived at Maxwell's mansion, exhausted from the long commute. She smiled at Winston as she walked through the door. "How are you?" Cressida asked.

"Very well, and you?" Winston replied as he led her through the huge home.

"Oh, I'm okay."

Winston walked her over to Maxwell who was just finishing up his work out. Cressida

felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she watched him working out.  His nude torso immediately caught her eye and quickened her pulse. She waited patiently as Maxwell finished his last set. He stretched as he paced for a minute before walking up to Cressida. He leaned down and kissed her, dripping sweat on her chest.

"You need a bath." Cressida smiled.

"How was the visit with your mom?" Maxwell headed towards the door. He held it open for her, and Cressida took her time walking past him, a seductive smile curving her lips. "I see that smile."

"What smile?"

"What smile...? Get your mind out of the gutter," Maxwell joked.

"Need help in the shower?" Cressida teased as they walked to his room.

"I feel like you’re trying to distract me," Maxwell said, realizing he hadn't received an answer to his question.

"My mom spoke.  It was amazing and scary all at the same time."

"What did she say?"

"Basically, she confirmed my dream. What do you know about my older brother? You guys went to school together."

"He was always very protective of you."

"Yeah, but how was he as a person?"

"Well, my father didn't care for him much."

"Really?"

"Yeah, something about him rubbed him the wrong way. In hindsight my mother never liked him very much either. Every time I got into trouble it was when I was hanging out with your brother. Even Tamarius didn't care for him. He accused him of stealing some of my gifts."

"Gifts?" Cressida asked.

Maxwell remembered she knew nothing of his gifts and tried to dismiss her question with an airy wave. "Ah, yeah, long story and I don't even know if it's true or not."

"Tamarius wouldn't lie."

"No, he wouldn't."

"You do know your brother loves you, don’t you?"

"Yeah, I guess I just have a slight case of sibling rivalry."

"I wish I had a decent sibling. My brothers... well, one has his head stuck so far up his own butt he can't think straight, and the other lives in a bubble."

"How is Christian these days?" Maxwell asked, chuckling to himself as they stepped into his room. He thought back to when Christian was young and had insisted on wearing a Superman costume everywhere he went. Eventually Charleston had gotten it away from him and burned it.

"Fine, I guess.  My mom told me that my father never loved her and that their marriage was arranged by her father. She also said that it was set for her to bear him three children."

"That's sad.  It's a terrible thing to be in a loveless marriage," Maxwell said, thinking back to his last marriage.

"I'll wait out here while you take a shower," Cressida said, walking over to the sofa in front the flat screen television.

"I thought you wanted to join me," Maxwell said, surprised by her change.

"I do. I just got a lot on my mind right now."

Maxwell hesitated. She wasn't telling him everything and something was bothering her. "Sure everything is good?" he asked, trying to convey his concern through his eyes.

"Yeah, go take your shower. I’ll be right here." Cressida slipped off her heels and stretched out on the couch.

Maxwell was unenthusiastic about taking a shower alone, but realized Cressida needed some time to clear her thoughts. He showered and walked out to the bathroom. He could hear tossing and turning. It was the choking sounds that caused him to rush to her side. He lifted her upper body up and gently tried to coax her awake.

Cressida calmed down, but did not wake. Her body relaxed as she mumbled. "Don't ever let me go."

Maxwell gripped her tightly while he whispered back, "I won't."

He picked her up and carried her to his bed. He undressed her, leaving only her undergarments. He kissed her forehead and tucked her in. After dressing, he dimmed the lights and left the room. He was met by a frantic Winston.

"Sir, Mr. Dash is here and is furious. He wants to speak with Cressida immediately."

"Really?" Maxwell said.

"He is in your office."

"Thank you, Winston."

"Is Ms. Dash all right?"

"I don't think so." Maxwell raced to his office.

Winston stopped in his tracks. He always knew when something bad was about to happen. Working with the Martinez for so many years caused him to develop his sixth sense.

Maxwell was infuriated. How dare that man come to his home and think he can make demands. Maxwell walked into his office and slammed the door behind him. He glared at Charleston Dash who stood, looking smug.

"Where is Cressida?" he growled.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Let me speak with my daughter."

"Daughter? Do you even know what that means?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You wouldn't know the first thing about being a father, even if it smacked you in the face."

"You’re one to talk with your teenage son getting some poor tramp knocked up."

"Don’t you ever speak of my son and daughter that way again!"

"Did I hit a nerve?" he said with unnerving calm.

"Leave, Charleston. You are no longer welcome at my home."

"As long as my daughter is here, I am not leaving until I speak with her."

"I don't want you anywhere near her."