Chapter 16
It had only been two weeks since Laura and Leslie Lu had been living at Wyndemere with Stefan as a family. It warmed Laura’s heart every time she thought of her new family. Stefan was so good with Lulu. He made the little girl feel as if she were the most important being on the earth. Leslie Lu ate up all the attention Stefan afforded her and Laura always smiled with secret understanding whenever Stefan walked into a room and Lulu’s face lit up. Her husband made her whole being light up. This was what being loved felt like. Stefan had not spoken the words to her since that fateful day on the Haunted Star but she knew he loved her by his every action towards her. He certainly could not hide it when they made love, it’s almost as if he gave himself to her every night. Their lovemaking transcended the physical realm. Their souls united each and every time. She would continue to tell him she loved him even if he never uttered the words to her ever again. It was enough that she knew he loved her.
Stefan had to go to Europe on a business trip and would not be home until late so when Leslie called and asked her to come by the house on Charles Street Laura did not hesitate. When she and Lulu walked into the foyer of their old home Laura was shocked to see Luke instead of her mother.
Luke kneeled on one leg and opened his arms wide to welcome Lulu, “Hi princess! Come and give daddy a hug.”
Lulu shyly smiled at her father but remained by her mother’s side. Luke stood up and fixed Laura with a deadly glare.
Luke: “So it has already begun. You have allowed that reptile to poison my daughter’s mind against me.”
Laura: “Shut up Luke. How can you say such things in front of Lulu?”
Luke: “Compared to what Count Vlad says in front of her? I don’t want my daughter living under the same room with him Laura. Pack her things and get out or I’ll sue for custody of my daughter.”
Laura gaped at him in disbelief.
Laura: “Are you drunk Luke or are you out of your mind?”
Luke walked up to Lulu and lifting the little girl in his arms strode off with her through the front door. Laura, horrified, raced after him. “Luke, what are you doing? Put her down, we’ll talk.”
Ignoring Laura, Luke put Lulu in the back seat of an SUV and moved towards the driver’s door. Laura ran up to the SUV and opened the back door. Before she could take Lulu out, Luke shoved Laura in and slammed the door. Before Laura could regain her balance Luke started the vehicle and depressed the driver’s auto-lock control. He then sped off with his two captives.
Leslie who had been biding her time upstairs watched the SUV speed off down the road and whispered to herself. “ This is for your own good baby. The Cassadines are evil. Luke will set you straight again.”
Stefan walked out of the meeting and straight into Monique.
Monique: “Stefan, darling. How I’ve missed you.” She hugged him and planted a kiss on his lips.
Stefan extricated himself from her arms and smiled. “Monique. You are looking well.”
Monique: “Only well darling? Have dinner with me tonight. I have not forgotten your promise and I do intend on collecting.”
Stefan: "Unfortunately I cannot make it tonight. I already have dinner arrangements in the States but I do remember and next when I’m in Europe I will consider it an honor if you would dine with me.”
Monique pouting: “Oh well. I guess I’ll just have to wait. But don’t keep me waiting long Stefan. I get very moody when kept waiting.”
Stefan: “We can’t have that now can we? Goodbye Monique.”
Monique: “Chow darling.” I have lost him she thought.
Stefan boarded his private jet and pulled out some files. He frowned from his contemplations. He had called Wyndomere and was told Laura and Leslie Lu had not returned since morning. He had not been able to reach Laura on her cell phone either. He knew he had nothing to worry about but he missed his family. He could hardly wait to have Leslie Lu throw herself into his arms on his arrival and ply him with a million questions and he could hardly wait to have his precious wife in his arms again. How he loved making love to her, he could never get enough of Laura. To know she was his for life was more than he could take in. Could he live without her now? He doubted it. She had become his life. It was fruitless to convince himself he was whole without her and to keep her at a distance for his sake. All she had to do was welcome him into her arms and he was lost. Wherever she had gone she had better be back by the time he got home. Home. Stefan smiled at the thought.
Damaged
Chapter 17
They were not home. Stefan searched the closet in his and Laura’s bedroom and leaning weakly against the wall he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Laura’s clothes still hanging there. Stefan laughed nervously. For a second he had thought Laura had left him yet again. He willed his tachycardic heart to slow it’s beat and went to his office to make some calls.
Laura was fuming. Luke had ignored her attempts to reason with him and there was very little she could do to deter him with Lulu present. It was getting dark and they had passed Port Charles’ City limits a long time ago. Why was he doing this? Oh God, what will Stefan think? She could only imagine his reaction to their disappearance. Would the past cloud his judgment? She had not had enough time to prove her love to him. Please believe in me my love. Laura cradled the sleeping little girl more comfortably in her arms.
Laura had no idea where they were. Though she had strained to see every signpost they had passed, the route Luke had taken was so off the beaten path and there were no street lights to afford her to see anything clearly. He finally pulled up in front of an old cabin with a small porch in front. He opened the door and took Leslie Lu from her and walked towards the front door. Laura followed him. She had left her purse behind when she had raced after Luke to get Lulu, and with it her cellular phone. She stepped inside and looked around the sparsely furnished but tidy living room. When Luke returned from putting Lulu to bed he stood defensively in the middle of the room.
Laura rounded on him. “How dare you do this Luke? What on earth do you think this will accomplish? Stefan will find us.
Luke: “Will he? Are you so sure he won’t sum this all up to you leaving him for me again? He will not want you back by the time we return to Port Charles Laura, which will suit me perfectly. At least my daughter will not be living in the same house with my sworn enemy.”
Laura sat down defeatedly on the sofa. “Please don’t do this Luke. It will not work. I will make Stefan see what this was all about. He will forgive me and this would have been all for nothing except make me despise you for doing this. Let us go.” Laura’s voice trembled with fear and frustration. Despite what she said to Luke she was not sure Stefan would forgive her this time. She could not bear the thought of loosing him.
Luke: “That’s a chance I’m willing to take Laura. I don’t want my princess contaminated by those vipers. You can bunk with Lulu, I’m going to get some sleep.” At the door to the second bedroom Luke turned and regarded her. “I disabled the car so don’t waste your energy trying to escape.” With that he went into the room and shut the door.
Laura felt the tears falling against her cheeks but she was numb inside.
Stefan was becoming worried. He had called Laura’s sons, the hospital, Bobbie, anyone who might know where Laura and Leslie Lu were. No one had seen them all day. Stefan decided to go to Charles Street. He had left countless messages for Leslie but she had not called him. He saw her car and lights were on in the house. She was home. Stefan impatiently rang the doorbell and as soon as Leslie appeared at the door he questioned her.
Stefan: “Leslie, where is Laura?”
Leslie: “She took Leslie Lu and left with Luke today. He said he would give her another chance but she had to leave Port Charles with him immediately. No looking back. I’m sorry.”
Stefan reeled with shock, disbelief and despair. He was too shaken up to even attempt to hide his distress from Leslie. Holding on to the railing of the porch with both hands Stefan braced himself to keep himself upright.
Leslie: “Stefan? Stefan, are you alright?” Leslie walked up to him and touched his arm truly concerned. He was so pale.
Stefan flinched from her touch and gathering himself together walked carefully to his car. He got in and drove away. He had no idea where he was going. He was like ice throughout. He could feel the blackness in his heart overtaking him. Laura had finally succeeded. She had killed all that was good in him.
Damaged
Chapter 18
Laura watched Luke pack away the grocery he had bought from wherever he had gone. They had been there for two weeks now and no matter what she said, threatened, or cried, Luke refused to budge. She saw him put away a new bottle of the cheap booze he so loved to drink. She had turned a blind eye to Luke and his faults for so long that she really had to question her sanity. All she felt for him now was disgust and she wondered how she had never seen him for who he really was. She had even excused his criminal behavior. How she had ignored his wrongdoings, only to ream Stefan out for the slightest thing. She had really been a fool. Laura mourned the foolish misguided woman she had been. No more would she suffer that woman and her pitiful ideals.
Luke flung himself carelessly onto the sofa and regarded Laura.
Luke: “You look strange. Different somehow. What happened to my angel? We were invincible, you and I. What did he do to you to make you doubt me and look at me with such disdain?”
Laura: “I have no desire to converse with you. You are holding my child and I against our will and don’t even delude yourself to think this will have the same conclusion as when you took Lucky. You are a bully Luke, a sad pitiful man who when he can’t get his own way always resort to force. I use to turn a blind eye to it but no more. Do you hear me? No more.” Laura ended on a whisper.
Luke could feel the rage burn through him like a hot poker. Leaping out of the chair he grabbed Laura and sneered into her face. “How dear you speak to me like that you bitch. You damn whore, you who spreads her legs for any shit that requests it.”
Laura staring straight into his eyes scornfully replied, “You should know. I slept with you didn’t I?”
Luke backhanded her across her face and shoved her away from him. She fell to the floor and placed her hand on her throbbing jaw.
“Mommy!” Leslie Lu screamed and ran towards her mother. Luke watched his daughter throw her arms around her mother and in between sobs asked, “Are you hurt mommy?”
Luke felt bile rise up into his throat and not being able to stand the accusing look in Laura’s eyes, he grabbed the bottle of cheap rum and left the cabin.
Laura: “Hush baby. Mommy is all right.” Laura got up off the floor and lead Leslie Lu towards the sofa. “Sit beside mommy baby.”
Leslie Lu: “Why did daddy hit you mommy? Were you bad?”
Laura: “No Lulu. Daddy was very wrong. He should not have hit me. He was angry but that did not make it right for him to hit me. Understand that Lulu.”
Leslie Lu: “Where is Stefan mommy? I miss him. I don’t like that daddy hit you and I want to go home. I want Stefan.”
Laura: “Soon baby. We will go home soon.”
Laura put Lulu to bed that night and prepared herself for bed. Just as she turned out the light the door to their bedroom opened. It was Luke.
Luke: “Come out into the living room Laura. I want to talk to you.”
She could smell the booze from his breath and her stomach gave a crazy lurch. “I’m tired Luke. I just want to sleep.”
Luke: “I said to come with me. Do you want to wake Lulu?”
Laura looked at her sleeping daughter and resignedly followed Luke out of the room. As soon as she pushed the door close Luke grabbed her and started to kiss her. Laura used all the strength she could muster to push him away from her but he was too strong. He was bruising her mouth and the taste of stale booze was making her nauseous.
Laura: “No Luke! Stop. Please stop.” He was not listening and she was becoming scared. “I’ll scream. Lulu will hear Luke. Do you really want her to see you like this?”
That seemed to get through to him and he stopped his relentless assault on her mouth. He was not through. Grabbing her by the arm he propelled her out of the cabin and into the back of the SUV. When Laura saw what his intentions were she started to fight. Kicking and biting and clawing whatever she came in contact with. Letting out a string of curses Luke got a tighter grip on her and forced her into the vehicle. Laura was terrified now. Luke ripped off her underwear and without ceremony entered her brutally. Laura gasped with the pain and violation. No, no, no, no, she moaned over and over in her mind. She was screaming, at least she thought she was. She knew her mouth remained closed though. When he was finished he got off of her and walked back to the cabin. Laura lay as she was, exposed and bruised. She felt like she was shattering into tiny bits and pieces. She started to shake violently and curling her body tightly into a fetal position Laura wailed the most gut wrenching cries that came up from the very depths of her soul.
Damaged
Chapter 19
Shauna held a baby in her arms and was crying and reaching out to him. “Stefan, please help us, we’re damaged can’t you see? Help us please. Help us Stefan. Help us…” Stefan woke from his dream with a start. Shaken he sat up and buried his face in his hands. He gave a start when he felt a hand caress his naked back. “Stefan?” It was Monique. He had forgotten she was there. “Stefan, are you ok?”
Stefan shook off her hand and stood. Reaching for his robe he shrugged it on and proceeded to the bathroom. Closing the door behind him he went over to the shower stall and got in. He stood under the assault of the water and just let it beat down on his weary head.
He had invited Monique to Wyndemere a mere day after learning Laura had deserted him. He had sex with Monique nightly in the bed he and Laura had shared and it satisfied him and the darkness in him that seemed to grow with every ensuing day. Monique was not comfortable with him, he could tell, she even seemed a bit frightened by the cold ruthlessness that exuded from him, but she did not leave. She had become addicted to the wild passion that was unleashed in him.
He had been having the same nightmare for the past few nights. It was always the same thing. Shauna and his unborn child crying and pleading for him to help them. What kind of hell was this? By day he was tortured with thoughts of the woman who had plunged him into darkness and at night he was haunted by ghosts of his broken wife and child. Stefan knew he could not go on this way or he would have a nervous breakdown or do some serious damage if not to himself then possibly to those close to him. He had to get Monique away from himself before he harmed her. In taking her night after night in his driven state he was using her, and although she welcomed it, even begged for it he had to stop. He actually hated her every time he took her because she was not who he wanted her to be. He was not going to destroy another’s life as he had Shauna’s.
Stefan slicked back his wet hair and got out of the shower. Grabbing a towel he wrapped it around his hips and went into the bedroom. Monique was sitting up in the bed and she had turned on the bedside lamp.
Stefan: “Good you’re up. You will have to leave in the morning.”
Monique: “What? You can’t be serious Stefan. I’m in love with you.”
Stefan: “I have some work to do. Wenders will escort you later to the launch.” Dismissing Monique from his thoughts Stefan walked over to the huge walk in closet and took out a slack and shirt and went to his office to get dressed.
Monique placed her head on her upraised knees and cried. When she got a hold of herself she got up out of the bed and walked over to the closet. She had noticed Stefan’s hesitation on entering and she now wondered what could have caused it. She was floored by what she saw. There were women clothes neatly arranged on one side of the room- sized closet. She had assumed he no longer lived with his wife, how else had he invited her here. But here were her clothes proudly displayed beside his. Monique smiled bitterly. That smug bitch must have been away on vacation or business and Stefan had needed a real woman to satisfy his needs. Maybe he wanted her gone because she was returning. Well their reunion will not last for long if she had anything to do about it. Monique went to the bathroom to prepare herself to leave.
Damaged
Chapter 20
It was morning. Laura carefully extricated herself from the backseat of the SUV and went into the cabin. She did not see Luke and thankfully ran into the room she shared with Lulu. Laura looked at her innocent baby and cried afresh for all she had lost. She tensed as she heard the door to the bedroom open. Luke stood there. He looked as if he had aged a thousand years and his eyes were red rimmed and swollen as if he too had been crying. Laura sat in petrified silence and flinched when he stretched his hand out to her. He was not going to touch her, he was handing her a cell phone. Laura did not take it from him. He placed it on the dresser bureau.
Luke: “I’m leaving. Call whomever you want to pick you and Lulu up. I left your location on a piece of paper in the kitchen.”
Laura just continued to stare at him. She did not know this stranger speaking to her and all she wanted was for him to leave. A tear fell from Luke’s eye then he turned and left the room. Laura remained where she was until she heard the SUV leave. Galvanizing herself into action she picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hello?” Stefan frowned when he heard no response. Just as he was about to hang up he heard a soft gasp.
“Stefan. Come and get me please. Help us.” Laura started sobbing. Stefan who had stilled when he heard her voice began to tremble. “Laura? Laura! Why are you calling me? Why do you need help? Where’s Luke?” He fired out rapidly.
“You don’t believe me. Oh God, you don’t believe me. He left me Stefan. Luke did it again.” Stefan slammed the phone down in rage. How could she? How could she have the nerve to call him just because Luke had left her yet again? What the hell did she take him for?
Laura stared at the phone as if it were a foreign object. She couldn’t think straight. Why had Stefan hung up on her? She redialed his number. He would not pick up. Laura was shaking, her thoughts were incoherent and she didn’t know what to do. Her mother! She would ask her mother to get Stefan to come and get her. Laura dialed Leslie’s number.
Leslie: “Hello?”
Laura: “Mamma?”
Leslie: “Laura? Baby is that you? What’s wrong? Stop crying Laura. Tell me what’s wrong baby. How can I help you if you won’t stop crying? Please Laura. Tell me what’s happened.” Leslie was almost in tears herself. Laura wouldn’t stop crying.
Laura: “Luke. Luke raped me. I, I … Where’s Stefan? He won’t answer my calls. Tell him to come.”
Leslie was silently crying now. “Where are you baby? I’m coming. Please tell me where you are? Where’s Lulu?”
Laura: “Oh, she’s here with me. You and Stefan will come?”
Leslie: “Yes we will honey. Where are you?”
Laura: “In the kitchen. Wait.”
Leslie: “Laura! Dear God. Laura!”
Laura: “Here it is.” Laura gave Leslie an address in Connecticut with directions on how to get to the cabin. She read everything off of the piece of paper Luke had left behind.
Leslie: “I’m coming now ok?”
Laura: “Yes.” She hung up the phone.
Leslie dropped to the floor and stuffing her fist against her mouth screamed.<
Index