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Chapter 1

I HAVE TO LEAVE!

JASAMINA.

I lay there on the cold, hard floor, staring up at the ceiling as tears streamed down my face. My body felt like it was shutting down, as if every inch of me had been battered and bruised. Ludale's blows had been relentless, each one more brutal than the last. The pain was excruciating, and I couldn't help but let out painful moans as I struggled to breathe. The weight of his abuse was crushing me, and I felt like I was suffocating.

In the midst of my agony, I knew I couldn't stay there any longer. I had to escape. Again.

I gave up on running away, months ago, when Dale had Ray—his twisted bodyguard raped me while he whipped me with his belt for hours. I’ve been through so much on Dale’s hand but that one broke me because two of his friends watched my humiliation, laughing and drinking to it. And, I was six months pregnant. I’ve ran away countless times, but Dale is a very powerful man, with every connection a person could have. He always found me, always.

So, I gave up.

But today, for the first time in months, I entertained those thoughts again, because the cries from a tiny voice I heard coming out of the living room. I have to protect my son from this life, from that monster.

I heard the sound of the door opening and closing, signaling that Ludale had left the mansion. This was my chance. I forced myself to move, each movement sending sharp bolts of pain through my body. I had to get to Jaimie, who was crying in the living room. I dragged myself across the floor, my limbs heavy and uncooperative. It felt like I was crawling through quicksand, every inch of progress a monumental effort.

When I finally reached Jaimie, I scooped him up into my arms, holding him close as he cried against my chest. The reality of my situation hit me like a ton of bricks. I was a mother, and I had to protect my child from the monster I had married.

With Jaimie in one arm, I limped towards my bedroom, tears streaming down my face, sobs racking my throat. I knew I had to act fast, and I quickly began to pack a bag with the essentials we would need. Diapers, bottles, formula, Jaimie's blanket, a few clothes, and whatever cash I had on hand. My heart was pounding as I threw the bag over my shoulder and hobbled out of the house, carrying Jaimie and the bag. I had to bypass his security guards and the ones at the gate simply paid me no attention because the cards they were playing was simply more important that whatever nuisance I’d come out to create again. They knew it was only a matter of time before I was brought back again, and they could enjoy some entertainment as always.

However, unlike those other times, I have a driving force now. It was no longer about but also about the small bundle in my arms. This time around, I’m never getting caught, I vowed.

The outside world was a blur as I stumbled down the street, my vision clouded by tears and pain. I didn't know where we were going.. I didn't have a destination or a plan, but all that mattered was that we were away from Ludale. I was filled with a sense of desperation and fear.

I lay there on the floor, feeling as though my body was slowly shutting down. Every inch of me ached with pain, and I couldn't help but let out painful moans as I struggled to breathe.

Two days later, I sat in the abandoned tent that had become our temporary home, tears streaming down my face as Jaimie's cries filled the air. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I didn't know how much longer I could go on. We were at a neighborhood in Crown Heights,, a place I had never heard of before, but it didn't matter as long as we were far away from Ludale.

As usual, the news of our escape had spread, and everyone was looking for us. I’d picked up an article that read; The wife of the COO of PetroLion Inc., Jasamina McCully, has gone missing along with her infant son, Jaimie. The couple had been living in a mansion in the city, but Jasamina reportedly fled the residence again, and this time around, with her son in tow.

According to sources close to the family, Jasamina had been experiencing mental health issues and was unable to properly care for her child. The Chief Operating Officer of one of the largest oil companies in the United States, popularly known as Billionaire Baron, is devastated by his wife's departure, and has expressed his concern for the safety of his son and has offered a reward of $3 million for any information leading to their whereabouts, and $4 million for anyone who can bring them back safely.

The police are currently investigating the matter and are urging anyone with information to come forward. They are also reminding the public that Jasamina may be in a vulnerable state and may require assistance.

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