Chapter 1 - The Soldiers
The heavy footsteps in the hallway stopped right outside the bedroom door.
Ryan swallowed hard, his eyes darting frantically toward the apartment exit.
My father did not take his eyes off the dark handprint staining my swollen belly.
The silence was shattered when three men in United States Army military police uniforms stepped into the room.
They were fully armed, their faces stern and entirely focused on my father.
Colonel Bennett had not come to visit me alone.
He had sensed something was wrong for months and brought his own trusted security detail.
Linda stumbled backward, dropping her fake smile as she crashed into the dresser.
Ryan raised his hands defensively, trying to block the soldiers from entering further.
He foolishly ordered them to leave his private property immediately.
My father finally turned away from my bruised body and looked directly at my husband.
His eyes were completely devoid of mercy.
He commanded the soldiers to detain Ryan and Linda for domestic assault and kidnapping.
Ryan panicked, violently shoving the closest soldier in a desperate attempt to reach the door.
The soldier effortlessly deflected the blow and slammed Ryan hard against the bedroom wall.
Linda screamed hysterically, claiming they had absolutely no jurisdiction in a civilian apartment.
My father ignored her completely, gently pulling the blue blanket back over my shaking shoulders.
He leaned down and promised me that I was finally safe.
I wanted to believe him, but I knew exactly how dangerous my mother-in-law truly was.
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Linda suddenly reached into her oversized designer purse with lightning speed.
She pulled out a silver revolver and pointed the trembling barrel directly at my pregnant stomach.
