Two months later, Bobby and Helga arrived at Serge's apartment. "I'm going to leave you here for a little bit. Don't try anything funny or you'll be punished. You understand me?"
"Yes." Helga said confused, not knowing where she was. She walked into the apartment. "Hello?" She asked. She heard chains rattling coming from the room. She walked cautiously to the room and saw Deborah hiding behind the door, with a chain wrapped around her waist. "Debbie?"
Deborah looked around scared. Her face and body were full of bruises. She only wore a shirt and underwear. "Helga?" She whispered.
"Yes." Helga said, trying to carefully hug her. "What happened to you?"
"I should've run away when you told me to." She started crying. "They found me and dragged me back. Roger made me marry Serge! I'm married to Serge, Helga! He has me chained up, uses me as a punching bag everyday. He rapes me every night. Helga I don't know how long I've been here." She said, grabbing her friend's hands.
"Were you here when your father died?"
"Yes, he died when we got back."
"It's been almost two months."
Deborah closed her eyes and started crying again. Loud sobs. Helga sat on the floor next to her and put her arm around her. "This is my life now."
"What about that guy you told me about? Shawn was it? Maybe I can get in contact with him and maybe he can help."
"I screwed things badly with him. And Roger and Serge beat him up to a pulp. He wants nothing to do with me. I just need to stop fighting. Give up. Maybe that way he won't hit me as much."
"Never give up, Deborah. I gave up and nothing changed. After I gave you the money, Bobby beat me up so bad, he almost killed me. I lost the baby though." She said, rubbing her stomach.
"Oh, Helga. I'm so sorry. I should've never taken that money or put you in the middle of it. It's my fault."
"No, I decided to help you. They needed to pay."
"You know I got pregnant from Serge. I lost it. I felt so relieved though. At least now he's been using protection. I wouldn't want to bring a baby into this life. No offense."
"None taken, sweetie. I wish I could give my kids a better life and a better father."
"Hey, why are you here? Do they know you're here? Are you going to get in trouble?"
"No, I didn't even know you were here or that this was Serge's place. Bobby said he was dropping me off for a couple of hours here and not to try anything funny. But I need to help you. And I will help you get out of this."
"I can't have you getting in trouble with them, Helga."
"I'll find a way. This is no way of life. You have it worse than me, Debbie. Do you have Shawn's number?"
"Yes, I still remember it." Deborah gave it to her as Helga wrote it down in a piece of paper.
"Where are you two?" Bobby yelled from the living room.
"We are in the room. I'll be right out." Helga said as Bobby burst into the room.
"Serge sure did a number on you." Bobby said, staring at Deborah. "And I thought I was rough." He laughed. He walked towards her and pulled her up. He took a set of keys and unlocked the chains around her waist. "Take her to the bathroom and clean her up. Try to cover her bruises as much as you can and get her dressed. You have twenty minutes, and I repeat, nothing funny."
Helga and Deborah walked to the bathroom. They looked at the window, but it was too small and high. Deborah got in the shower and washed herself with the help of Helga. After she was done, Helga grabbed her purse and took out her makeup bag. "This makeup is magic. It's what I use to cover up my bruises." She started trying to cover the bruises. Bobby knocked on the door and they came out. He grabbed Deborah's face and inspected it. "That's the best I could do." Helga told him as she walked into the closet. She grabbed a long sleeve shirt and jeans.
"Hurry up and get dressed. And wait for instructions." Bobby said leaving the room for her to get dressed as the women looked at each other confused.
After twenty minutes, the door flew open and Roger walked in. He took a look at Deborah and smirked. "That's the best you could do? You know if you obeyed him things wouldn't be so bad." He said.
"What are you doing here, Roger?"
"Charles is on his way. He insists on speaking with both of us. You are going to sit next to your husband and act like a loving wife. Okay? If you don't, you know how bad it can get for you. Let's go." He said, pulling her out of the room.
Charles walked into the living room as Deborah sat next to Serge and he grabbed her hand tight. "Good evening." Charles said. "Oh, Deborah. What happened to you?" He said looking at Serge and Roger.
Serge squeezed her hand. "I fell down the stairs the other day. I was bringing up the groceries and got distracted."
"So clumsy my little sister." Roger said.
"You have to be more careful, dear. Well, I wanted to see both of you because I have some things to discuss. First of all, Deborah, you never finished your senior year. There's a stipulation that you have to continue your education to receive your allowance."
She looked at Roger who shrugged and nodded at Serge. "I... I haven't thought about that yet. Serge, what do you think about that?" She asked.
"We'll discuss that later."
"Okay, and then, about your father's final wishes. He wanted you to take Deborah to her mother's hometown so she could meet her family and where she came from. I have a signature of your father and yours. When are you taking this trip?" He asked Roger.
Deborah's heart started beating fast. "It's going to happen, of course. I've just been busy with work."
"Oh, you're working?" Charles asked. "Last I heard you weren't working."
"Yes, I just got a job as an executive at Williamson." Roger said proudly.
"You still have to fulfill your father's wishes."
"Or what?" He asked defensively.
"You didn't read the fine print? You renounce your part of the inheritance."
Deborah couldn't help but smile. "Are you serious?" Roger asked, getting up. "How long do I have to do this?"
"You have a year, but I would suggest you do it sooner. Well, that's everything. Deborah, call me when you decide what you're going to do about your studies. See you." And he left.
Roger grabbed Deborah and shook her before slapping her. "What did I do? I behave." She said, grabbing her cheek.
"I saw that smile. What the hell am I going to do?"
"What am I going to do? She needs to continue studying for me to get that monthly allowance. That means letting her out of the house." Serge said.
"She can take all the classes online from here. No need to leave." Roger said, slapping her again. "Just get out of my sight." She ran to the room.