Broken Soul - The Broken Soul Series Book One Part One

By Nina Gray

Life isn't always what it seems, Rafaella learned that at a very young age. Rafaella has kept to herself living a quiet life, but that is all coming to an end.

Salvador was supposed to be her happily ever after, until one stormy night

• Language: English
• Publisher: Warrioress Publishing
• Release date: Dec 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798868970733

Book preview

Chapter One

Rafaella

Ashiver runs down my back causing my skin to break out with goosebumps as the examination rooms seems to have drop a few degrees. The only thing that makes it worse is the fact that Ediberto had to come into the room with me. His face says just how uncomfortable he is with this and he keeps bouncing his right leg as he sits on the black metal chair but thanks to Salva who made it crystal clear that he is to go wherever I go, we are now stuck in a cold room avoiding as best to not see each other eye to eye. Clearing his throat, Ediberto breaks the silence as he leans forward placing both his elbows on his knees before having the courage to look up at me "¿Piensas que estás embarazada ? Do you think you’re pregnant?

My stomach seems to drop, and my arms feel like they are being continuously punctured by needles and start to feel heavy, I don’t really know. I mean my period has been off these past few months because of school.

Hoping that is the true reason behind the issue at hand. The past few months have been insane. Having decided to graduate high school a year earlier and ended up doubling my class load this past year. I have so many essays, projects, and finals coming up that I have no idea how I’m even sane and still functioning. If I so much as fail one class, I won’t graduate.

Having to stay behind due to one damn class or even two is not an option, You need to relax, stress is not good for the baby. Despite his voice sounding so cool and calm, his nervousness is plain as day.

We don’t know if there even is one so stop insinuating there’s one for the love of god, I swear this man can seriously press my buttons. You know there is. Think about how insane you have been with your food; nothing tastes right and emotionally you’ve been all over the place.

Making sure to roll my eyes just to piss off Ediberto before focusing on the wall in front of me. Salvador and I haven’t spoken since our fight. I sure as hell wasn’t going to be happy these past few weeks. Ediberto, I cannot be pregnant. Salvador… he… I mean we did not plan this…I..I didn’t.

Unable to look back at him as everything single bad scenario flashing in my mind at a million’s miles an hour. The relationship between Salva and myself has always been very calm. Sure, we have our disagreements here and there, but never argued to the point where we screamed in each other’s faces. Unfortunately, that describes our last argument. Salva wanted me to move in after graduating but there was no way that was going to happen.

Salvador will be happy regardless. The baby just came sooner than expected, Ediberto says with anger laced in his tone. Ediberto grew up alongside Salva and knows him like no one else. Their close friendship is the reason why Salva trusts my well being with Ediberto. I know Salvador wants children eventually, but what if he just doesn’t want them right now? What if he gets upset at me for not noticing my pregnancy earlier?

What if he thinks the baby isn’t his? my voice comes out so low that if it weren’t for the complete silence in this exam room no would’ve heard it.

After our argument, we haven’t spoken in nearly a month. This is the longest we’ve gone in the two years we’ve been together.

Chuckling, Ediberto comes to stand next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. If you’d been with anyone else, I would know, and I would’ve reported it to him. You know my job. He wouldn’t think that the baby is anyone’s but his. You belong to him, and everyone knows it. No one would be stupid enough to look at you, much less touch you.

Ediberto is with me every time I leave the house and doesn’t leave until he knows I’m sleeping. Even after he leaves, someone else comes to take over for him. I’m never alone. Salva got me a watch that can inform Ediberto about when I’m sleeping or awake and where I am exactly on this god forsaken planet. A little much, don’t you think? Yeah, Salva and Ediberto don’t think so. Crazy asses.

If I am pregnant, can you please not tell him? I want to do it, I say.

Ediberto nods in understanding but doesn’t look too pleased. He’s to report anything that is concerning about me to Salva. Right away and without delay. Holding this information might get him in trouble. However, I have to be the one to tell him, not Ediberto.

Dr. Rodriguez comes into the room with a paper in hand and smiles at me. I’ve been in this office a few times but for some reason this visit seems different from the rest. But this time it just feels different. Everything Ediberto said before about being picky with my food and having cravings just adds to my anxiety because it is all true. He takes a small black leathered round chair with four wheels and scoots in front of me.

Once he looks content with his positioning he looks down at the paper in his hand going over the information of my results. So your results came back positive. Congratulations! You’re pregnant, my eyes feel like they are about to pop out of my head as I stare at the doctor and replay his words in my head. My arms falls to my side as a discomfort tingles scatter all over my body and the color drains from my face as the realization hits me. Looking over at Ediberto, there’s a wide smirk plastered across his face.

Now that we know you are indeed pregnant, let’s take a look at the baby. Lay back. I’m going to need you to pick up your shirt so we can do an ultrasound.

Laying back on the table and with shaking hands my fingers gently grab the material of my shirt and slowly pull it over my stomach as I wait for the doctor to say it was a mistake but it never comes. Not knowing what to do with my shaky hands, I gently place them both hands under my breast holding my shirt in place. Dr. Rodriguez tries to put a long piece of paper covering into the band of my jeans but Ediberto quickly steps in, smacking his hand away from my body and pushing him up against the wall. "Te tengo que recordar quién chingados es pendejo?" Do I have to remind you who the fuck she is asshole?

This causes the doctor to become startled. Raising his hands up in the air, No. Of course not!

Turning to look at me he continued, Would you be kind enough to put the paper covering inside the band of your jeans so that the gel does not get on them? Looking at his forehead, there’s is perspiration starting to accumulate. I turn my attention to the paper covering and do as he ask.

Ediberto turns to look at me and once the paper covering is in place, he releases the doctor allowing him to walk back to me to put a gel-like substance on my stomach before starting.

Dr. Rodriguez motions with a shaking hand for me to look up at the screen. He begins to rub the machine over my lower stomach until he finds it, The baby is almost two months. Let’s get the heartbeat.

After pressing a few buttons on his machine, the sound fills the room. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. It is the strangest sound. It is like a fast-paced woosh woosh sound. Words cannot possibly explain what the baby’s heartbeat makes me feel.

Is it normal that it’s beating so fast? Press the palm of my hand to my chest as the tingling in my fingers start to go numb.

Dr. Rodriquez smiles warmly at me, Yes, the baby’s heart is twice as much as yours. The baby has a nice and strong heartbeat.

Looking at the screen, my stomach twists with fluttering butterflies. My eyes squint as my eyes focus on the small picture but there isn’t much that I can really make out other than a black dot on the screen. However, that small dot which measures less than a rice grain is my baby. I’ve seen so many ultrasound pictures, but I now understand why so many women had such a big smile while showing off their pictures.

Once he finishes taking some extra measurements of my baby, the doctor goes over the care that we will need to do in the months to follow and to come back in a month, get my prenatal vitamins, and try to relax as much as possible. We cover everything and anything I could possibly need to know with Ediberto standing right next to me taking mental notes no doubt to go over with Salva. Ediberto places his hand on my back and gently pulls me up until I am sitting once again. He hands me a napkin and waits for me to finish cleaning my belly before putting my shirt back in place and put on my coat. Heading to the front desk to make my next appointment and finally, we’re walking out to the car.

The temperature has certainly dropped. There are dark clouds lingering in the sky, a sign that raindrops will soon start to fall. Ediberto opens the door for me and closes it once inside. He walks around the car to the driver’s side. Once in the car, he turns to me and reaches for my seat belt.

What are you doing? I ask.

Making sure boss baby doesn’t get hurt in case of an accident, he says it with such seriousness that causes me to laugh.

Boss baby? Still unable to control my laughter. Ediberto just shrugs ignoring my question. Once he’s satisfied with my seat belt, he turns back around and starts to drive. I must admit Ediberto and I had a very hard time getting used to each other at first. In the beginning, dating Salvador wasn’t a big issue. However, after the first year everything started to change.

Salva started to spend more time with me as time progressed and people started to notice. For my safety and his peace of mind, he assigned Ediberto to me, You didn’t tell him, did you?

No. I want to, but no. I’ll respect your wishes this time. I’m taking you to him now, Moving my head up and down nodding in understanding as this is the best, he is able to do in this situation.

Turning my head to look out the window, my head wonders as to what is going to happen and my heart fills with hope that Salva doesn’t get upset at him for not telling him as soon as he heard the news. The drive to Salva’s house is quiet as we pass each street neither one of us having anything more to add to what has already been said. My mind keeps going over the various ways of breaking the news to him, but nothing seems just about right. Ediberto slows the car down until it comes to a complete stop which indicates to me that we’ve arrived.

Looking at Salva’s house my chest feels harder to expand and consume air as my heart palpitates faster with each passing second and taking a few deep breaths in the hope of calming my ass down.

The sooner you go inside the sooner you’ll get this over with, you know? Ediberto breaks my concentration on my deep breathing exercise. "Todo va a estar bien. Que te está preocupando?" Everything is going to be alright. What is worrying you?

With my eyes glued down at my hands my stomach twists. Still unable to look at him.

I know I don’t need a man to survive this thing called life. I’m not that kind of girl.

However, what worries me is having been lied to by someone who loved me when in the end I end up alone with a baby whose father wants nothing to do with him or her. That breaks my heart.

Ediberto’s voice is stern as he addresses me, Rafaella look at me.

Refusing to do as he says, he gently grabs my chin forcing me to turn to look at him. No matter what happens with you and Salvador, I’ll be here for you and the baby any day and any time.

Ediberto has always been there for me for the past year but in the back of my mind, it was because of Salva’s orders. Not because he wanted to. Hearing him say he will be with me, and the baby means everything to me.

Taking one final deep breath, my hands grasp onto the handle and slowly open the door of the car and start to walk up the stairs to Salva’s house. Reaching the door, I stand underneath the small roof to hide from the rain as with shaky hands reach into my purse to grab my keys to let myself in. Setting my purse on the kitchen counter, all the lights are off throughout the house. Once outside his door, my chest expands as air fills my lungs and slowly exhales it slowly trying to calm my nerves for the last time and before raising my fist to knock on the door. After a few moments of not hearing a response, my hand wraps around the cold doorknob and twist it open the door in order to poke my head in.

Salvador? still no response. Flipping the light switch on, the bed is made and there is no sign of Salva anywhere. My chest caves in and my shoulder fall forward as my hand reaches for the light switch to turn off the light and close the bedroom door behind me. I guess I will have to do it another time. Heading towards the kitchen for my purse when a cold breeze hits my body causing me to freeze. My eyes focus on the door to the backyard trying to see if it was left open like so many times before. Taking a step towards it the breeze becomes stronger and my heart flutters as I notice that the door is not completely closed.

The wind carries Salva’s voice as if he is talking to someone. Pushing back the thin curtain, it is then that I finally see him. Salvador is sitting on a patio chair with his button up shirt completely open and his pants at his feet. A girl with dark hair and tattoos running down the length of her body on top of him, riding him. He brings his hand to her hair and pulls her head back so he can have complete access to her neck. Her moans fill the air, and her eyes are closed as she enjoys the feeling which Salva is causing her.

My heart drops to my stomach and my mouth hangs wide open as my voice refuses to produce anything with nothing coming out while my eyes sting with my tears and my love for him shatters with every movement of their bodies. The pleasure that Salva expresses and the way he holds her like he can’t possibly get enough of her just like he has done to me numerous times. Before my mind is able can even realize that my body is moving. My shoulder bumps into the lamp on the table near the couch causing it crash onto the floor before I am able to stop it. My body freezes at the impact and my eyes focus on the million pieces of lamp that are now scattered all over the living room floor completely dazed not comprehending that the sound will attract attention. Suddenly the back door slam open, causing the adrenaline to shoot all over my body. My heart palpitates what seems to be in my ear as my body goes moves on it accord towards the front door as fast as my legs will allow.

The sounds of his footsteps against the wooden floor seem to be getting closer with every passing second until he is on me. Grabbing me by the shoulder, Salvador slams me into a wall in the foyer before turning my body to face him. Placing his left hand at my throat with this fingers digging into my skin with such force that it begins to break my skin as he forces me to turn my head upwards to him while with his right hand, he places the cold barrel of his gun to the temple of my head.

His chest moving rapidly up and down as he tries to figure out who it is that is in his home. The fingers around my throat immediately release their tight grip as realization hits him that it’s me. Slowly he removes the gun from my head and places it in the back of his jeans. My arms wrap tightly around my waist as the waves of nausea travel through my body because of the heat radiating off his. Radiating because of what he was doing with her. Openly staring at his half naked body in aghast. Flaca que haces aqui? What are you doing here? he asks as he slightly shakes his head.

Sealing my mouth shut not bothering to answer his question, my head turns away from him as there is nothing more to see than the betrail. Just then, soft and slow footsteps make their way across the floor and towards us, her steps. Her eyes focus on me, radiating superiority wrapping her arms around his torso, caressing him.

Curling his lip, Salvador pushes her away before grabbing her by the throat. Her hands quickly go to his wrist trying to free herself from his grasp. Salvador brings her closer to his face so he can look straight into her eyes, "No me toques y salte de mi casa." Do not touch me and get out of my house.

He tightens his hold on her neck before throwing her to the ground. My body goes completely still as she quickly gets up and rushes out the door. At least I had the pleasure of witnessing her get treated like a whore and get tossed out like the garbage she is. "Rafaella mirame." Look at me.

He demands as he caresses my check with his knuckles. Such a small gesture which has always filled my heart with joy, until now. Get off of me. You piece of shit! Shoving my hands to his chest so he gives me space catching him off guard forcing him to let me go.

Blood rushes to my ears as my hand reaches for the ultrasound picture the doctor gave me earlier from my coat pocket and shove it in his chest.

I came to tell you that I’m pregnant, but I can see you have interest elsewhere, my voice cracks and tears well up in my eyes.

Y-y-you’re pregnant? he stutters, looking at the ultrasound picture he has in his hand. Using his index finger to trace the baby’s figure.

Yes, I’m two months pregnant so far, move away from him and making my way towards the door. You. Are. Not. Leaving. he steps in front of me, blocking my path. Yes I am. I know both sides of him and I have always loved them both regardless. He is called Muerto for a reason. Muerto molded me to be strong to handle him and anyone else.

You’re not leaving this house when you’re pregnant, his eyes becoming a dark shade of blue.

You expect me to stay here when I just caught you with a whore? How long have you been going behind my back because I doubt this is the first time! It can’t possibly be the first time. Salva was too comfortable outside with her. With having another woman here in his house.

Rafae, HOW FUCKING LONG? My throat burns as my voice gets louder and louder with each word that is screamed at his face. With his shoulders slumped he admits, I never stopped seeing other women. Women. My body stumbles as I reach behind me and place my hand on the wall to keep myself standing. Salva remains unmoving as I sway slightly. Heat flushes through my body as anger takes over my body. Inhaling air before it starts to as my heart beats against my chest and suddenly the powerful sting on my hand is what shoots the adrenaline through my entire body. My fingernails dig into his chest as I push him away from me and rush out the door not wanting to be close to him any second longer.

Running towards the car ignoring the fact that my clothes are becoming drenched by the rain, Salvador screams at me to stop but there is nothing that can keep me here. Ignoring him, my legs continue to move rapidly down the final set of stairs.

Just as my right foot reaches the step before last does his hand take a hold of my sleeve. He pulls my arm with such force that my foot slips as soon as it makes contact with the step causing me to lose my balance. Turning my body to the right as my hands hastily reach for the stairwell but it’s too late. The edge of one of the steps slam into my ribs while another hits my forehead.

There is so much pain from all over my body. The right side of my torso feels like it’s on fire. My mouth falls open as my chest moves up and down as my throat burns as there is no air. My head is pulsating with pain and every time I try to take a breath, I fail.

The rain is coming down harder and each drop that lands on my body causes me more pain upon impact. There are hands on my body that turn it until I’m laying on my back causing a new wave of pain and nausea all over my body. My eyes squint as Salvador and Ediberto kneeling on top of me. The ringing in my eyes so loud from the impact that even though their lips are moving there isn’t a single word that can be heard. My fingernails dig into my throat as bring my hands as I shake my head side to side. Salvador grabs my head with both hands making sure to pin me down.

Leaning down to me, he brings his mouth to mine as he tries to force some air into my lungs but it’s no use. Darkness is in the corner of my vision and it slowly starts to fill it. Salvador’s eyes widen with fear as he sees me slowly starting to drift away. His actions become more urgent and desperate with every passing moment. The pain is starting to fade away and before the darkness takes over me. Salva’s voice begs me to stay with him, but I give up the fight and close my eyes ignoring his pleas.

Chapter Two

Rafaella

My eyes flutter open, and Salvador’s familiar bedroom fills my line of sight.. The curtains are covering the glass wall he has to the left of the bed. The sounds of rain hitting the window and thunder rolling in the distance fills the silence in the room. The only light in the room is coming from the lamp to my right on the nightstand.

My neck protests as I turn to look at the figure that is sitting in the corner of the room. He’s leaning forward resting his elbows on his knees and is staring at the floor. Salva? my throat burns as I try to say his name. Salvador picks up his head slightly to make sure I’m awake. His body instantly relaxes at the sight. Uttering a soft curse, he stands from his chair and comes to sit next to me. No words are said from either of us. Salva simply resumes his previous position on the bed.

What happened? Is the baby okay? My body feels completely sore. I can’t tell what is exactly wrong with me but I know for certain that the impact to my torso and my head were not anything minor. After the fall I was trying to get you to breathe again. Ediberto started to check your body trying to see if anything was broken and that is when… he looks down at his hands. Rubbing palms together as if he did not know how to continue. He clears his throat and then raises his head to look at me. His eyes glossy with tears. For the first time it amazes me the emotion I see him expressing. There’s so much agony and sadness in his eyes. Something that Salva was incapable of demonstrating.

He saw that you were… you were bleeding and your jeans were becoming soaked. Once you passed out, I carried you up here while we waited for the doctor to get here. Ediberto checked you and that is when he realized your cervix was dilated. There was nothing else we could do at that point but let it run its course, a tear falls down his face but he quickly wipes it with his hand.

I wanted the baby. I’ve wanted a baby for a while now. I just didn’t think you were ready for it. The doctor said it shouldn’t affect your ability to get pregnant again. A small smile appeared on the right corner of his mouth.

I do not want babies, I reply in a monotone voice.

No of course, we need time before we should try again, My eyebrows shoot up at his words.

"I do not want your babies. I want nothing to do with you. Do you really think I can forgive after everything you have done?"

We just need time for our wounds to heal, Salva continues to rub his hands together. "Our wounds?"

His gaze turns murderous, I also lost a baby Rafaella, it wasn’t just you. From the moment you mentioned you were pregnant I wanted to be there for you, for both of you.

"You should feel everything I feel and more! If