Saving Erica

Chapter One

Erica let herself into her parents’ home, the home she’d lived in from birth and listened for a moment to the laughter and voices coming from the dining room.  It was Christmas Eve, and she was late for the family dinner. Not that her family knew that since she hadn’t been able to guarantee she’d make it home for Christmas anyway.

It was just lucky that filming had finished early, and she’d been able to get a seat on the first flight out of London. Someone had cancelled making a seat available and although she’d been stuck with an economy seat and jammed in between a quite large woman and a man who had spent most of the flight trying to chat her up, it had been worth it to get home that little bit quicker. She knew she could have called Daddy and he would have sent the company jet but she wanted to surprise her family when they really weren’t expecting her.

She stopped for a moment to check her appearance in the mirror over the hall stand and noticed the dark circles under her blue eyes, a blue that vivid they appeared almost purple under some lighting. Her auburn hair hung down one shoulder in a plait that finished just below her full breasts, and she ran her hands down over her dress trying to smooth out the creases after being crammed in a plane for so many hours.

Slowly she moved towards the dining room, smiling as the voices grew louder the closer she got. Nathan was telling them something about his and his girlfriend Taylah’s last holiday together. Apparently, she had managed to lock herself out of their room while only wearing a towel and Erica grinned to herself when everyone burst out laughing.

She made it to the dining room doorway and got her first look at her family in three months. Alice was there as well as Beverly, Tom, and Maggie but her eyes shifted past them to the tall figure of her Father standing by the window. Even in his early 50’s he was still a very attractive man and to her he was her hero. She loved her Father, she always had. He had been her protector, her saviour and the person who could never say no to her.

Nathan was seated at the table, the light shining on his strawberry blonde hair with Taylah by his side; her dark almost exotic looks a complete contrast to him.

Brooklyn and Charlotte occupied another couple of chairs at the table and Erica noticed Brooklyn had somehow talked her parents in to letting her get a nose piercing if the diamond glinting in it was any indication. At 15 they were looking so much more mature than she remembered but the phones in their hands as they texted or were on Facebook proved that they still had some maturing to do yet.

Her Mother was seated up the other end of the table, looking her usual unruffled self, her auburn hair the exact same colour as Erica’s twisted into some elaborate knot at her nape.

Erica smiled at the sight of them all together, all the people she loved most in her life. Suddenly her Mother looked up and saw her standing there and a wide smile transformed her face at the sight of her eldest daughter.

Erica, darling, you made it. She stood up with her usual grace. Her Mother’s mention of her name was enough to draw the attention of everyone else and the chatter stopped briefly before everyone started getting to their feet to come and greet her.

Before anyone reached her, she saw her father coming towards her with that long stride of his and he caught her up, swinging her around and around in his arms despite her protests and squeals at him.

He lowered her feet to the floor and pulled her into his arms for a hug, holding her tight and Erica realised at that moment how much her father had missed her. They’d been inseparable until her career had started to take off and now she was often gone for weeks or even several months at a time. Lately it was months and months in between visits back home. 

Daddy. She said and that was all she could say as the tears started to fall and when she finally pulled back enough to see her father’s face, he had tears rolling down his cheeks too.

I missed you so much Daddy.

Not as much as I’ve missed you sweet pea. He told her huskily before hugging her tightly to him again.

Erica knew her father hated her job. She’d heard often enough about how he used to only date model’s years ago before Mum’s time. He’d found them shallow and self-centred, so he had found it hard to accept that his own daughter had gone on to become a highly successful model.

He’d never once tried to stop her and had always been supportive and going by the collection of her professional photos hanging around the house, he was proud of her despite her career choice. Technically she hadn’t intended to get into modelling, but it had been the fairy tale beginning for her. After being spotted at sixteen and talked into having some studio shots taken the rest as they say was history.

She had become an extremely wealthy woman from modelling, but all that money didn’t mean much when her personal life was one huge mess. She had come home not just to see her family but to lick her wounds and recover from the physical and emotional damage done to her by her ex-boyfriend. She didn’t dare tell her father about what Liam had done to her. She just wanted to spend time with her family and try to push the whole horrible nightmare to the back of her mind.

With a huge grin on her face she pulled out of her father’s arms and turned to greet the rest of her family, her arms spread wide. Well come on then, is Daddy the only one pleased to see me? Where are my hugs?

Her Mother stepped forward, a wide smile on her face, her arms outstretched, and Erica walked into her embrace, dropping her head on her shoulder as she breathed in her mother’s familiar vanilla scent. Before she could get too comfortable though, she was pulled into Nathan’s arms and given a hug that tight, she winced. She fought to keep the pain from her expression because her pain was from more than his big bear hug embrace; it was pain from bones that were still healing. She didn’t want anyone to see that though, so she struggled to mask her reaction from her family. She didn’t want anyone to know what had happened. She just needed time to get over this with the people she loved most around her.  She needed time to forget what Liam had done to her. God, just thinking about him sent a shiver through her and Erica pulled away from her brother and with a false smile on her face she said. I’m starving. Can your poor old daughter and sister get something to eat before I collapse?

With bursts of laughter and Nathan teasing her about her not being entitled to anything more than a lettuce leaf given she was some big shot model, her family cleared a spot for her at the table.

Brooklyn and Charlotte dropped kisses on her cheeks when she sat down. Erica took the plate of food from her mother’s hands that seemed to have miraculously filled itself and began to eat. The constant noise and laughter from her family was both comforting and familiar to her. She realised just how much she’d missed it, how much she’d missed them. Being back with them like this would help for a short time at least. She could forget about the past, forget about the pain and try and push the hell Liam had put her through from her mind.

IT WAS THE SOUND OF screaming that dragged Erica from her sleep in the middle of the night and she woke in a tangle of bed sheets, her body drenched in perspiration. Her heart was pounding and when she became fully conscious and realised, she was safe, that it had only been a dream, she began to weep, noisy gut wrenching sobs.

Vaguely the sound of her door opening registered but not enough for her to stop sobbing and it was only when she felt arms come around her and her brother’s voice in her ear asking what was wrong that Erica tried to get her emotions back in check.

For fuck sakes Erica, what’s wrong? Nathan’s voice was filled with concern.

I’m ok Nathan, it’s ok, I...it’s...it’s just a bad dream. She tried to pull out of his arms but he wouldn’t release her, in fact he held on to her more tightly making her wince from her still healing ribs.

Nathan must have seen. What’s wrong with you? What have you done to yourself?  He pushed at the t-shirt she was wearing and she tried to beat him off but he was stronger.

He got her shirt up high enough to see the angry welts across her and the heavy dark bruising that covered most of her ribs and wrapped around her sides. She knew exactly when he’d seen them by his horrified gasp.

Holy fuck! What the hell happened to you? What did this, who did this? Fuck did someone do this to you? You look like you’ve been beaten.

Don’t worry about it. I’m fine, it’s nothing. She tried to make light of it, pushing back until Nathan released her.

That’s not nothing Erica. Don’t tell me you’re fine. You woke me screaming your lungs out. It’s amazing mum or dad didn’t hear you.

Oh god, please Nathan, promise me, you have to promise me you won’t say anything to mum or dad. Not the twins either, ok? Can you please do that for me? Dad will have a fit and I don’t want to upset him like that. Please.

Nathan sighed heavily. Fine, I’ll say nothing but only if you tell me what the hell happened to you and don’t lie to me. You owe me that much at least.

Ok, alright, I’ll tell you but just remember you promised not to say anything to anyone and you had better not betray me. She shot him a warning look.

Do we have to do this like children again? Do you want to pinky swear? He held his little finger up and Erica chuckled before holding her little finger up too so they could pinky swear.

Liam did this. She said quickly and quietly before she could chicken out from admitting the truth. No, don’t say anything, just let me speak. She held her hand up to stop her brother when it was obvious he’d been about to say something.

As you know, I met Liam not long after I went over to the UK. He’s Australian but was working over there. Erica’s mind began to drift as she remembered those first weeks with him. He was so nice, so charming and good looking. God but he’s so handsome. Her eyes shifted to Nathan who was still sitting quietly listening.

Erica could see the look in his eyes though. Typical of her brother, it was taking all his self-control to stay silent and let her speak.

Her mind drifted again to those first days then weeks of knowing Liam. He was tall, over 6 foot and handsome, incredibly handsome. He’d made her heart flutter just to look into his beautiful green eyes. They were such an unusual shade of green. A real bright emerald green and with his nearly black hair and lashes that were indecently long on a man, Erica had been sucked right in. She’d been totally spellbound by his charm and his stunning good looks.

So what went wrong sis? Nathan’s voice cut into her memories, dragging her back to the present.

It had all been going so well. He’s a set designer for the photo shoots but not just them. He’s doing well with work in the film and television industry. We met on set, one of his sets of course and he asked me out for dinner. I liked him, really liked him and he was so nice to me. Her face suddenly changed, her expression darkening. But then he started to question everything. Where was I if I was late getting to his place? What had I been doing? If I was on set and he was there, he accused me of flirting with every other man. It was crazy because I was only interested in him. Her voice cracked slightly. I thought I loved him but he was so jealous, so horribly jealous and I don’t know why. I never gave him any reason to think I was cheating on him. God, I didn’t have time for anyone else but him. My schedule was gruelling. She paused for a moment and looked up at Nathan.

He was still watching her intently. So what happened? What made him go from Mr Charming to jealous to that. He pointed at her body where the bruises covering her were hidden for now by her clothing.

A shiver made its way through her body when thoughts of that first night he completely lost it filled her head. She’d been held up at the studio with a shoot that wasn’t going right and when she’d made it to Liam’s apartment, he’d been ominously quiet. He’d barely said anything to her but she could see something in his eyes. They were dark and he looked angry although she couldn’t imagine why. She hadn’t done anything that she could think of.

I’d been late getting to his apartment and I could see something was wrong as soon as I looked at him. I’d been there about an hour with him barely saying anything to me when he finally asked why I’d been late. I tried to tell him it was simply a hold up with the shoot. It hadn’t gone so well and I’d had to do the same shoot over and over again. Liam just didn’t seem to believe me. He started accusing me of secretly seeing someone else and no matter how hard I tried to convince him there was no one else but him, he wouldn’t listen. He got angrier and angrier and then he hit me.

Nathan sucked in a loud breath and his hands fisted on the bed but he remained silent so Erica continued.

He was clever. He knew not to hit me so it would show. The shoot I was working on was all for a winter line of clothing by the fashion designer so I was always fully dressed. That way no one saw the bruises. He would grab my hair and throw me around by it but there would be no sign that anything had happened except for the pain I felt. Having the hair stylist working on my hair was torture from my sensitive scalp after Liam’s attack. Erica’s cheeks coloured and she couldn’t meet her brother’s eyes. It...it wasn’t just that he hit me either. Her voice was little more than a whisper.

What is it Erica? You can tell me. I’m not going to judge you or give you shit about this. We’ve teased one another a lot over the years but you’re my twin, I love you. I want you to tell me what that bastard did to you.

He...he raped me. The sex used to be consensual, something I wanted too but he changed. He got harder and became cruel. I think he got off on hurting me you know? Her eyes briefly met Nathan’s. He was so rough and he would force himself on me anally too and not prepare me so it hurt. It hurt so much and I’d be in pain for a few days afterwards but he didn’t care.

Why didn’t you kick him to the kerb?

Erica gave a hollow sounding laugh. You know I asked myself that a hundred times a day but the bottom line is I was scared of him. He always told me he’d never let me leave him that I was his for life. No man would ever be allowed to touch me. I was scared Nathan, scared that he’d come after me.

So how did you get away from him? He’s not here and if he knows what’s good for him he won’t turn up here. I’ll knock the shithead off his feet if he does.

Part of the reason I’m so battered and bruised is I was in a car accident. Liam was driving. He started arguing with me. I honestly don’t even remember what it was about any more but he suddenly went crazy and said he was going to kill me. He tried to run the car off the road and I fought with him. I tried to wrench the steering wheel out of his hands and get the car under control. Her voice broke on a sob. It didn’t work. He punched me and then yanked the wheel hard. The car ran off the road and down an embankment. It rolled a couple of times before landing on its roof. I ended up with bruising from the seatbelt but Liam.... She stopped and took a deep breath. Liam didn’t have his seatbelt on. He was thrown around in the car. God the blood, I thought he was dead but he didn’t die. He’s in hospital, in a coma. It’s bad Nathan. The doctors say he’s got a brain injury but they don’t yet know how severe. They’ve got him in an induced coma. He’s got broken ribs, he’s covered in bumps and bruises and he has a dislocated shoulder. Well he did but they fixed that.

So he’s still in hospital? Nathan asked and Erica nodded.

I managed to get myself discharged since I wasn’t hurt badly enough to keep me in hospital for any length of time. Liam’s family were on their way to see him so I took advantage of being free and ran. I would have been home earlier if things hadn’t become so complicated. I didn’t want to ring dad to send the company plane because I knew I’d never be able to speak to him without bursting into tears. You know what he’s like. He sees straight through me all the time.

Erica grabbed Nathan’s hand. Please, promise me that you won’t tell daddy any of this. I should be safe now that I’m away from Liam. Even if he does get better by some miracle I doubt he’d come after me. Just, dad must never know. I’m ok and I can heal with some time. Daddy will kill Liam if he finds out and Liam’s not worth the shit he could end up in.

Does he know what part of Australia you’re from? Did you tell him where we live?

He knows I’m from Sydney but he doesn’t live here anymore. He lives and mostly works in the UK. His family’s in Australia though and I think he told me he’s got a brother who lives in Sydney but I never met any of them. Liam pretty well kept to himself and he didn’t ever really want us to go anywhere. I know now it was his insane jealousy. If he kept me isolated from everyone then he had no concerns about me leaving him for another man.

I hope you’re right and he won’t be a problem. If his family have gone to see him then how do you know they won’t want to speak to you about the accident? They may have questions and if that bastard’s still in a coma, he won’t be able to tell them anything.

If his family have any questions they can speak to the police. I had to deal with them after the accident when they had their questions for me.

Did you tell them what Liam’s like? Nathan asked.

Erica snickered. No, I was too scared to do anything like that. I just wanted them to go away and once they couldn’t find anything suspicious about the accident l got the hell out of there.

How could they not find anything suspicious about the accident Erica? You were battling with that bastard for the wheel.

Yeah but I didn’t tell them that. I just told them he lost control of the car. He had no drugs or alcohol in his system so there was nothing suspicious about it. It was a section of road notorious for accidents so it was just put down to a simple case of Liam misjudging the road. Given I was after an escape, I kept my story to the basics so I could get the hell out of there. I just had to get away from him Nathan. I’d have said and done whatever I had to, to do that.

So what now? Are you finished in the UK? How long do we have you with us before you’re off again?

I’m not going back to the UK. I...I don’t want to do modelling any more. I’m tired of all the travelling. I want to stay home. I don’t know what I want to do yet but I have time to think about it. I have plenty of money so there’s no rush. She gave Nathan a weary smile. Daddy’s always wanted me to be involved in the business. Maybe it’s time I was.

Are you doing this because you want to get out of modelling or you’re hiding from Liam? Of course everyone would be happy to have you home again but only if you’re here for the right reasons. Dad will be delighted but don’t give him false hope that you want to work with him. You’ve never shown any interest in his company before so it’s kind of hard to believe you’re interested now.

I don’t know Nathan ok? Erica’s voice held a note of impatience. I’m not going to hurt daddy by making him think I want to work with him if I don’t really. I just know I’m done with the modelling. Even before it all went to shit with Liam, I was becoming more and more disheartened with it. It’s too hard to stay on top. It’s a cutthroat industry and I’m tired of having to starve myself all the time. Do you have any idea how much I would love to just sit down and eat until I was full? To have cake and desserts? I’ve never had a problem with my weight and I work out to keep fit anyway but even the size I was when I first started is considered almost too big for the modelling world. It’s unrealistic and I’m tired of it now. I’m a wealthy woman Nathan. I can afford to quit and give some serious thought to what I want to do next in my life. Firstly I just want to have a holiday for a while. I need to heal. I’d be no good modelling at the moment anyway. I’ve got so many bruises on me from the seatbelt.

Well it’s good to have you home sis although I don’t like what’s behind your decision to be here right now. He grinned suddenly. You’ll be able to catch up on what we’ve all been doing.

Erica gave her brother a suspicious look. You’re hiding something Nathan. What is it? Don’t lie to me. You’re my twin, I know something’s up.

Nathan laughed. Don’t give me that ‘we’re connected because we’re twins’ crap Erica. Ok, I guess because you’ve come clean to me, I’ll do the same for you. You can’t say anything to anyone though and especially not Taylah. Hang on. I have to show you something. He jumped off the bed and disappeared out of the room.

When he walked back in moments later, he paused for a little while, looking down at his sister before bending over and curling his arms around her. It’s good to have you home sis. He whispered and Erica wrapped her arms around him, her face against his neck as his words triggered another round of tears due to her emotionally fragile state.

Nathan held her, not speaking until finally she got herself under control again and when he pulled back, she swiped at the moisture on her skin and gave him a shaky smile. So what’s this big secret of yours? She asked.

This. Nathan held out a small square, black velvet jewellery box and carefully opened it up. Inside nestled in more velvet was a platinum gold engagement ring with a single large, tear drop shaped diamond that sparkled under the glow of the bedside light. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to ask Taylah to marry me. He smiled, but Erica could see the nervous tension in his eyes.

She reached out and squeezed his hand. That’s wonderful Nathan. Don’t be scared. She’ll say yes, she’d be an idiot not to and she loves you. Blind Freddy can see that.

Thanks sis but I’m more worried about mum and dad. Ok, I’m worried about what Taylah will say too but I’m bound to get the lecture about being too young. I just want to get engaged though. We don’t have to get married straight away. Taylah’s not pregnant, it’s not a shotgun wedding but I love her and I know I’m never going to want anyone else in my life but her.

You need to tell mum and dad that Nathan. Let them know you’re not going to rush off and marry tomorrow. If this is what you want to do, then the decision is yours. Age is irrelevant I think. You and Taylah have been together since high school. This is hardly a whirlwind romance and sudden wedding.

She gave her brother a wide smile. Now give me another hug and congratulations. You have this in the bag. Of course Taylah’s going to say yes.

Chapter Two

After Nathan returned to his room Erica slipped into an exhausted sleep and when she finally opened her eyes, bright light was squeezing its way in around the blind.

She sat up, yawning and feeling like her head was filled with cotton wool after her disturbed sleep and the talk with her brother in the middle of the night. As she struggled to focus her door burst open and the twins rushed in, startling her and yet so endearingly familiar with their behaviour. She’d actually missed this; the lack of privacy. Brooklyn and Charlotte had always acted like a closed door was more a challenge to them rather than a sign to keep out.

Still she found herself spouting those same words she’d said more times than she cared to remember. Don’t you two ever knock?

Merry Christmas. They chanted in unison. How long are you going to lie around in bed? Mum wants to know if you’re coming down for breakfast? How long are you staying this time or are you going back to England soon and where’s Liam? Did he travel to Australia with you or not? Will we finally get to meet him? She was barraged by the usual endless array of questions so typical of her sisters.

Giving a dramatic sigh she swept a hand over her brow which drew giggles from Brooklyn and Charlotte. She closed her eyes as if part of the act but really it was so they wouldn’t see her expression. At the mention of Liam she felt the first icy tentacles of fear creep up her spine. She just prayed he never regained consciousness. Despite telling her brother he wouldn’t come after her, in reality she wasn’t so sure. Liam loved to have total control over her and she would have committed the cardinal sin in his eyes if he ever woke up. She’d left him and she shivered just thinking about how angry he’d be over what he’d perceive as her ultimate betrayal.

Well? You haven’t answered the question.  Brooklyn whined.

That got Erica’s eyes open and she laughed at her little sister’s expression. Give me a chance and that was not a question, it was more like twenty questions. You can tell mum I’m getting up now and once I shower I will be down for breakfast. I’m not going back to England and I will tell you all why very soon. As for Liam, he and I split up so I’m sorry no boyfriend for me right now.

Both Brooklyn and Charlotte’s faces dropped. You’ve always said how good looking he is. We hoped you might bring him home to meet us all one day.

She forced out a laugh which sounded fake to her own ears. Well I’m sorry to disappoint you but that’s not going to happen.

Is there any chance you might get back together? Charlotte’s face was hopeful.

Hell... She stopped what had nearly been a violent outburst. Hell, I’m sorry but no. We just didn’t work out. It happens. Now if you girls can go and tell mum I’ll be down soon I’m going to have a shower.

Once they’d left the room she climbed out of bed and stretched gingerly, mindful of her still healing ribs. She’d come out of the accident fairly lightly under the circumstances. A couple of cracked ribs and a few cuts and bruises which she’d been able to hide under clothes made her extremely lucky. Liam had intended killing them both in the ultimate display of his control over her but in the end it was her that got away. He was the one lying in a hospital bed on life support and no guarantee he would ever wake up. She hoped desperately that he wouldn’t wake. She wouldn’t normally wish for something bad to happen to someone but Liam was no ordinary person. He was dangerous, controlling, violent and abusive. He had driven that car off the road with the intention of killing them both. She shouldn’t feel one moment of guilt for wishing he’d never wake from his coma. No one knew just what kind of man he was. Not even Nathan. She’d told him some of it last night but not all of it and she’d lied to him too. No one could ever know just what it had been like to be with Liam.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts of the man who terrified her, she moved through into her bathroom and undressed. Turning the taps on in the shower, she grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste before stepping under the warm spray.

It felt so good against her battered body. The warmth seeming to seep into her bones and as she soaped up her skin and then washed her hair, she was able at least for a little while to forget all that troubled her.

Once she was finished, she dried off before dressing in close fitting jeans and a deep purple blouse that concealed her injuries. She brushed her hair and tied it back in a ponytail, applied some very light make up and slipped on a pair of flat heeled beaded sandals. 

Opening her suitcases, she grinned when she found the colourful plastic bag filled with the last minute gifts she’d picked up in England for everyone. If the photo shoot hadn’t finished early, if she hadn’t survived Liam’s crazy attempt to kill them both, she wouldn’t be here now. She wouldn’t be in her family’s home, with her family and about to deliver in person the Christmas presents she’d bought. She was so relieved to be here and feeling safe for the first time in a long time. There would be questions to answer eventually but if she kept her wits about her, she’d be able to hide the truth from them. Erica couldn’t stand for them to know what Liam had put her through. It was bad enough that Nathan knew some of it but there was no way she’d ever tell anyone all of what she’d been subjected to. She couldn’t stand the thought of their pitying looks and the obvious question of why?  Why had she stayed with a man who had abused her for so long and found numerous ways to not only hurt her but to humiliate her too? They’d never understand what it had been like. What it was like to fear someone so much. It was easier to simply keep the truth from them all. 

With a final glance at her appearance Erica armed herself with her gifts and headed downstairs. She walked into the kitchen, skidding to a halt when she saw her parents in each other’s arms. Their lips seemed fused together; her mother’s hands in her father’s hair and Erica gaped at them. She loved her parents but seeing them in such an intimate embrace in the kitchen just seemed wrong. Even at her age she still would prefer not to see her parents like that or think about them having sex.

They hadn’t heard her come in and if she didn’t say something soon it would just get awkward. Of course it wasn’t an uncommon occurrence. Her parents had been deeply in love since they’d worked together. Mum had been dad’s PA. She wasn’t sure of all the details but somewhere along the way they’d started dating or something although Erica suspected there was more to the story than they were admitting. The fact that Nathan and herself were born just weeks after her parents had married proved that there was more of a story to their relationship.

Folding her arms over her chest, she propped herself against the breakfast bar and cleared her throat. Nothing happened. Her parents were still firmly joined at the lips. With a louder and more exaggerated clearing of her throat finally they leapt apart and turned to her. Both looked a little ruffled and it was slightly disconcerting to see her father flushed; hair all mussed up and breathing heavily. 

Merry Christmas mum. Merry Christmas daddy. She stepped forward and kissed them both.

Merry Christmas sweet pea. Her father walked over and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

Merry Christmas darling. Natasha gave her a hug. Your father and I are thrilled you made it home for Christmas. The twins are so excited and I’m sure your brother is too. Now can I get you coffee, breakfast?

Just coffee thanks mum. I’m still not much of a breakfast person. So where’s Nathan and Taylah?

"Taylah’s sitting out on the back patio and Nathan’s still sleeping. He didn’t sleep too well last night apparently. He’s been so busy helping his friend Zane to set up his business. He’s a partner in the business and put in half the money. Zane’s older than him, an architect and builder. Nathan’s always been fascinated with anything to do with design, construction and decorating. It’s exactly what he wants to