She Never Knew Read online

  She Never Knew

  By CJ Simpson

  Text Copyright © CJ Simpson

  All Rights Reserved

  Special thanks to

  the following:

  My fans: You are my inspiration

  My husband: I love you

  Lori Robertson, M.S.,

  Licensed Professional Counselor

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Prologue

  The piercing sound of shattering glass rudely awoke Kat from a deep sleep. Disoriented, she heard what sounded like a body colliding into furniture. In abrupt terror, she shot up to a sitting position when she realized someone had just broken into her apartment. Her brain feverishly urged her to get out of her room, but her body would not respond. Instead, she sat there, paralyzed to the core.

  “Jennnny!” A man screamed with blood-thirsty rage. “Get out here!”

  Shaking like a leaf, Kat jumped at the outburst. She knew she had to act fast, but before she could make a move, the intruder entered her bedroom. He stood at the doorway, panting like a rabid dog. It was almost pitch black in the apartment, yet Kat was able to discern the silhouette of a man. Apparently, he was able to sense her presence in the bedroom as well.

  “How could you do this to me, Jenny?” The man growled as he waved his fist at her. “You didn’t think you could get away with it, did you?”

  Kat began to hyperventilate. Who was this man? What was he talking about? What did he want with her? And who was Jenny? The extra oxygen was making her dizzy.

  As the intruder advanced toward her, Kat detected a strong odor of stale alcohol springing from his clothes. She wheezed in fear as she made a beeline for the French doors leading out to the porch, but she wasn’t quick enough. The man caught the back of her nightgown, and in the process of doing so, ripped it as he dragged her back to the bed.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he screeched, throwing her on the bed. “It’s payback time!” She tried to scream but he put a hand over her mouth and pinned her body beneath his. As she fought valiantly, her attacker shifted to keep her still and from trying to escape. “Scream and you die.”

  She laid there in stupefied horror, unable to tell him somehow that she wasn’t who he thought she was, but she didn’t dare for fear that he would kill her. The man was very strong and had a powerful grip on her limbs. As he ripped off the rest of her nightgown and proceeded to rape her, Kat cried silently, praying fervently for her nightmare to end quickly.

  When her attacker was finished with her minutes later, he backhanded her hard. Then he rolled off the bed and zipped his pants. He stood there scrutinizing her, listening to her whimper like a wounded puppy. “Now you know what it feels like!” He spat with disgust at the small figure on the bed. Before he left the room, he threatened to kill her if she reported the incident to the police.

  Kat remained still, frozen with fear and curled in a fetal position. By then, her eyes had become accustomed to the darkness and when she saw that she was finally alone, she began to shake uncontrollably at the realization of what had just happened to her. Hastily, she grabbed the bed covers and sheltered her trembling body. She was unaware how white her knuckles had become from the force in which she clutched the bed sheets up against her chin. Fearful, she stared wildly at the exit her attacker used to make his departure, wondering if he was going to return at any moment. Finally, out of shock and desperation, she began to sob hysterically.

  After what seemed like hours, Kat finally pushed the sheets away from her body. She glanced at her alarm clock and saw that it was a few minutes after four o’clock in the morning. She didn’t hear any sounds and prayed her attacker was long gone by now. She was afraid but she knew she had to make sure. As she slowly raised herself to a sitting position, she winced at the soreness she gained from her trauma. She cautiously leaned over to where her lamp sat on her night table and turned it on. Her face felt flushed, her cheek burning from the cruel way in which her rapist had slapped her.

  In the dim light, Kat’s eyes darted to her private area which was exposed through the torn nightgown. There she saw blood on her thighs and on the sheets. In shock, she rocked herself back and forth, her mouth gaping in disbelief. Her attacker had ruptured her hymen, which meant that she was no longer a virgin.

  Kat howled with a mixture of anger and fright as she examined her body. The more she looked, the more her blood seemed to be everywhere. She knew she had to get out of bed and assess the damage inflicted on her body. Ignoring the pain she felt for now, she slid from the bed and carefully held together her gown as she slowly limped her way to the bathroom.

  She flicked on the light switch and gasped in horror at her reflection through the mirror. Blood was smeared on her reddened cheek from when she touched it a few moments ago.

  Kat yanked a nearby hand towel and wiped her face. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her right eye lid slightly swollen from the strike. Sniffling, she used her free hand to wipe away the tears that had fallen on her cheeks. There was blood on her hands, her face, her body, and in her hair.

  Feeling faint, Kat gripped the edge of the bathroom sink to reclaim control. She inhaled sharply as she turned the knob of the cold water faucet. The coolness of the water seemed to alleviate the burning sensation in her cheek. As she continued to stare at herself in the mirror, she wondered why this had happened to her.

  Clutching the towel, Kat stepped out of her bathroom and slowly crossed her bedroom floor to where her bathrobe hung on a hat rack. She set the blood-stained towel on her nightstand as she removed her robe from its hook. Wincing in pain, she managed to don her robe and tie it snugly against her body. Next, she opened the drawer of the nightstand and removed the flashlight she kept there for when the power went out. For now, it would serve as the only weapon she had. Retreating across the room, she listened for any signs of activity in her apartment. She sensed her attacker was long gone but she had to know for sure one way or another.

  The nightlight in the hallway provided sufficient lighting for Kat so she didn’t have to turn on the overhead light. She slowly inched her way down the hall to where her living room and kitchen joined together in one large open floor plan. When she reached the end of the hallway, she cautiously peered into the spacious area and strained her ears for any possible movement. When she was satisfied all was quiet, she groped the wall for the light switch. Her body continued to tremble as she took a deep breath. Gripping her flashlight tightly, she turned on the light.

  There was no sign of her intruder. Exhaling sharply, Kat’s eyes were drawn to the kitchen where the back door had been left ajar. Dropping the flashlight, she ran to the door, pulled it shut, and locked it. She immediately turned on the outside light an
d peeked through the venetian blinds for any sign of activity.

  She was careful not to disturb the numerous shards of broken glass that littered her living room floor as she inspected the damage to her window. She guessed her attacker must have exited through the back door and climbed over the railing to make his getaway. Leaving the light on, Kat knew it was time to call the police, despite her attacker’s threats if she told anyone.

  She made her way into the kitchen where her phone lay on the counter, connected to its charger. In a few seconds, she was connected to a live person.

  “911 Operator. What is your emergency?”

  “I—I need to re—report a rape.” Kat stuttered, her voice quaking.

  “Ma’am, are you in a safe place?”

  “Uh—I’m in my apartment.”

  “Is your attacker there with you?”

  “No, I—I don’t think so.”

  “Ma’am, I have an officer on the way. I need you to stay on the line with me, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “What is your name?” the operator began.

  “Katarina Richards-Brennan.”

  Chapter 1

  Kat Richards met Michael Brennan six years ago at the community pool at their apartment complex. The Commons was the largest, privately-owned, gated apartment district on the south side of Charltonville and was home to over two-thousand residents. It was an upscale community that allowed all of its renters to enjoy a living style rarely found in typical rental living. The Commons was situated to provide convenient access to work, shopping, entertainment, and transportation routes. Its townhomes and apartments offered high-end living in one- to four-bedroom suites. Inside, the homes offered lavish accommodations from sunken living rooms with plush carpet to marbled bathrooms with whirlpool tubs.

  In the community, there were two outdoor pools with sundecks, four hydrotherapy spas, one fully equipped state-of-the-art athletic club, a central park plaza with garden seating, an entertainment room, and a business center with a conference room that seated up to fifty people. Recently, the complex opened a mini mall of retail stores that offered clothing, salon services, and fresh market groceries. The Commons was considered a miniature city within the city of Charltonville.

  Kat had only been living in her spacious one-bedroom apartment for one year before she met Michael. She had been living in New York with her parents when she received a lucrative job offer that required her to move south. While she missed her parents greatly, Kat knew her new job was an opportunity that didn’t come around often. She was a Junior Program Administrator for a manufacturing company that built circuit boards for medical equipment.

  Her most recent contract was to design a circuit board using the latest technology that would eventually be used in cat scans in major hospitals across the country. She enjoyed the project immensely that she decided to pursue higher education in Health Care Management through the online platform at the local university. Not only would her advanced degree enable her to better understand the needs of the medical industry, but it would open new doors of opportunity for professional growth.

  It was a gloriously sunny day in September when Michael approached her. Kat had gone to the other community pool instead of the one she regularly frequented to avoid seeing anyone she knew. She was beginning her final year of her Master’s degree program and had much work to do.

  Kat was situated comfortably in a padded chair, deep in thought, reading an article on the ramifications of nationwide nursing shortages. Her head was bent, oblivious to the handsome man standing before her.

  “Kat?” Michael had said softly.

  She looked up and wrinkled her nose, clearly distracted. After a few seconds, recognition immediately took place in her eyes when she studied the attractive man smiling at her. Her jaw nearly fell to the ground.

  “Michael?” she said incredulously, her face lighting up.

  He laughed, “Yep, it’s me. Your one and only!” As he stuck his hand out, he gave her a lopsided grin.

  Kat jumped up from her chair and threw her arms around him, nearly knocking him down. “Are you serious? Are you kidding me? Oh my goodness! Did I just step on your foot?”

  “That’s okay, I’ve got another one.” Michael teased.

  Both of them had laughed and slowly pulled away from their embrace, admiring each other. At thirty-five, Michael was muscular and towered over her at six feet tall. He wore his thick dark brown hair in a crew cut and was blessed with soulful eyes to match. Kat, twenty-six, was five inches shorter and he liked that about her. She was slender and barefoot, making her seem even shorter. Their online dating profiles had posted pictures of each other, but to Kat and Michael, they looked much better in person. It was an amazing feeling to meet for the first time face to face.

  Kat suddenly examined her surroundings, puzzled. Only residents and guests were permitted access to the pool area. “How did you get in here?” she inquired. “How did you find me? Are you here visiting a friend?”

  Michael chuckled at the barrage of questions and pretended to duck for cover. “Through the gate, from the window, yes.”

  When Kat looked at him in amusement, Michael laughed again. “I live here, actually.” He grinned at her, eyes sparkling. Kat thought she had died and gone to Heaven. The sun reflected a deep tan against Michael’s face and toned body, making him look like a model on the cover of a magazine. He was truly tall, dark, and handsome in Kat’s eyes.

  “You live here? Seriously?” Her blue eyes widened as she wondered how this was possible.

  Michael pointed to the building behind Kat. “Do you see that open window up there, on the second floor?”

  Kat turned to look. She held a hand up to her face to shield her eyes from the glaring sun. She saw the window Michael was referring to as well as the potted plant resting on the ledge. He must have seen her at the pool through his window. “The one with the leaves dangling over the sides?”

  “That’s the one.” Michael said. “Remember after a few times of emailing back and forth when you said that you lived in an apartment on the south side of the bridge?”

  Kat nodded.

  “Well, the only apartment complex on the south side is this place, The Commons. We were just starting to get to know each other and I didn’t want to scare you away by telling you that I lived here too, as big as it is. He spread his arms wide and beamed at her.

  Kat pretended to be miffed. “So, you’re stalking me now?” Kat placed her hands on her hips and gave him a wicked stare. He could see a hint of a smile forming at the corner of her mouth.

  Forgive me?” Joining his hands behind his back, he pretended to be sad and hung his head low in mock shame. Then he quivered his lower lip and peered at her sheepishly.

  Kat laughed and clapped her hands. “Now it all makes sense! Never in a million years would I have guessed we’d meet today, of all days.” Suddenly with a gasp, her hand flew to her head and she started to smooth her blond hair with her fingers.

  “You have a big knot back there.” Michael teased, pointing to an imaginary area behind her head.

  Kat playfully swatted his shoulder and laughed. “I can’t get over this! Is it fate or what?”

  “It must be, considering the name of our online dating service.” He winked at her, making her heart flutter and stomach fill with butterflies.

  Two months earlier, Kat had been on her computer, typing an email to her sister when a pop-up invaded her screen, advertising online dating services for single men and women seeking friendship or long-term commitment. The One & Only website had annoyingly appeared on her screen several times in the past and she had always dismissed it. Normally, she wasn’t the type of person to get involved in immature chat room discussions as she had heard horror stories about people being abducted after meeting someone online. But there was something about that particular advertisement that had nagged at her. She looked at the banner more closely and had a good feeling about it.

  Kat conside
red herself to be an open-minded individual and decided to explore the new site. She investigated it thoroughly, taking the time to read the frequently asked questions. She was pleased to see that she could communicate with others without even having to provide an email address. What would be the harm in trying it out? Besides, all she did was work and take online classes. She had virtually no social life so what did she have to lose?

  In the end, Kat paid fifty dollars for a three-month subscription. She told no one at work, nor did she mention it to her family. Online dating was a relatively new concept and she was tired of hearing people demean what appeared to be a popular method of meeting new people.

  At first Kat was inundated with instant message requests to chat, but very quickly she realized those were a complete waste of time. More often than not, those chats amounted to nothing more than immature gibberish. Kat was very particular about with whom she would chat.

  One such invitation she received had numerous spelling and grammatical errors. This irritated her to no end. How is it that people function in society without being able to read and write properly?

  Another instant message Kat had received was a summons to meet at a hotel for a quick afternoon romp. Kat was rather disgusted and immediately blocked the sender from soliciting her again with any unwanted future invitations. Her online profile clearly stated that she was looking for a long-term relationship but desired friendship first.

  After several disappointing attempts of ever having a new relationship, Kat was about to cancel her subscription when she “found” Michael, the one and only man of her dreams.

  Once she “found” Michael, Kat no longer contacted anyone else, nor did she acknowledge requests for conversation. Since then, she and Michael had emailed each other, talking about their families, their jobs, and their dreams. What attracted them to each other right away were the pictures of themselves they had posted. To Kat, Michael looked so much better in person.