Enduring Act By H. D’Agostino Enduring Act H. D’Agostino Copyright © October 2020 by Heather D’Agostino All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. The following story contains mature themes, profanity, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers. Cover Design by Pink Ink Designs Editing by Kellie Montgomery Table of Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Epilogue Enduring Act Playlist Other Works by H.D’Agostiino Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1 Brooke I struggled to open my eyes. I could hear beeping, but it was muffled. It’s almost as if I had cotton in my ears. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, days, weeks? Nothing makes sense. Where’s my house, and Ava? Why is Blake a doctor and how did I get back here? Did Warren bring me back? The room appeared blurry when I blinked against the muted light. My head was throbbing, but when I lifted my arm to touch the bandage, I was restricted. There are so many wires and tubes coming out of me, I can hardly move. I rolled my head slowly to the side. I’m alone. He left, but when? I needed to get out of here. Just as I struggled to sit up, I felt her. The baby’s kicking me, hard. “It’s ok. Mommy’s going to keep you safe,” I whispered as I caressed my swollen belly. How did she survive this? Why did he let her? My head continues to pulse as I close my eyes and fall back into the darkness.ooooooooo I don’t know how long it’s been, but when I open my eyes it’s easier to see. Daylight streams through the window, and the city seems alive. I glanced to the right; the chair in the corner is still empty. I glanced to the left; there’s a vase of flowers sitting on the small table. I don’t remember anyone bringing me flowers. They’re yellow. Warren used to use yellow flowers for his fake apologies. It makes my stomach roll to think about it. Just as I’m attempting to call the nurse, there’s a knock on my door. It slowly opens, and the nurse from the other day steps in. At least I think it was another day. “Good morning, Brooke.” She smiled as she came over to the machines. She pressed a few buttons before smiling at me again. “How are you feeling today?” “Confused.” I was honest. “About what?” She clasped her hands in front of her. “How did I get here?” I figured that was the easiest question to start with. “Your husband brought you in. You fell down the stairs at home. He’s been very worried. Hasn’t left your side until last night.” She straightened the sheets on the bed and fluffed my pillow. “Where’s Ava?” I grimaced as I shifted in the bed. It didn’t make sense. Ava was five. She should be here. “Whose Ava?” The nurse checked my chart. “My daughter.” I swallowed. “I wasn’t aware that you had any other children. Mr. Ellis said this was your first.” She pointed to my stomach. I was still confused by how I got pregnant again. I haven’t been with anyone. “How long have I been here?” “A little over two weeks.” She put the chart back. “Are you ok?” “No,” I whispered. “I’m not ok. I’m not ok at all.” I started to panic and the beeping on the machine sped up. “You need to calm down, Mrs. Ellis. This isn’t good for your head injury or the baby.” She moved closer. “Do you want me to call your husband? Will that help you relax?” “No.” I attempted to shake my head, but the pain was too much and I started to get sick to my stomach. “Please don’t,” I begged. “Are you in some kinda trouble?” The nurse leaned closer. “He did this. He did this to me. He tried to kill me.” I choked the words out as my head pulsed and my eyes closed in pain. “You need rest, Mrs. Ellis. Let me give you something to help with that. My name’s Donna. You push this button and call me if you need anything else.” She squeezed a syringe of clear liquid into the IV and the blackness came back, swallowing me whole. oooooooo ‘I don’t understand what’s going on.’ That thought has been on the edge of my mind since I first heard Warren’s voice in the darkness. Have I really been here two weeks? When I woke up once again, the room was empty. The yellow flowers still sat on the table in the corner. Just seeing them there made me want to throw them across the room. I knew they were from him. He did this, and he wanted me to know it. The flowers were a way to make me remember that he was in charge. He wasn’t physically here, but he was still in charge. “Mrs. Ellis.” Dr. Douglas slowly appeared from behind my door. “Good afternoon.” “Hi.” I smiled weakly. My head still hurt, but some of the tubes had been removed so I could move a little better. “How are you feeling today?” He slid the chair from the corner closer as he sat down. “Ok, I guess.”
