I pressed myself tighter against the door as the rain started falling. Coming here was a mistake. I knew he wouldn't be home but I wanted to see him. I needed to see him. What would he do if he knew about those photos? Would he blame me?

The sound of a car pulling up made my body tense. For a moment my hope flared but it instantly fell as I remembered that he didn't live alone. It could be Nathan coming home. What excuse could I possibly give him?

I heard the car door slamming shut over the rain. Seconds later curses and footsteps approached.

"Alia?"

My head snapped up. Fresh tears welled up in my eyes as I stared up at him. Stephen stood a few feet away with a bag in one hand and something else clutched in his other. He said my name again before dropping the bag and reaching out to me. He gripped my arms and pulled me to my feet.

"Alia, what happened baby?"

I shook my head. My hands clutched his shirt tightly as fresh tears started to fall down my cheeks. Stephen wiped them away gently. He muttered something under his breath. Seconds later he led me inside the house and towards the couch. I winced as I sat down.

My eyes followed him as he walked back outside only to return with his bag. He dropped it next to the front then slammed the door shut. The moment he sat down next to me, I pressed myself against his side. His familiar smell filled my nose and that just made me cry harder.

Stephen hesitated then pulled me onto his lap. His lips brushed my forehead.

"Shh," he whispered. "Let it out baby. I've got you."

When my tears dried, he pulled back slightly. Stephen placed a finger beneath my chin to force my eyes to his.

"What happened Alia?" I shook my head.

More tears threatened to fall. I managed to stop them but not the shivers that racked my body.

"Tell me what happened," he said again. One of his hands started rubbing my back.

"Y-you didn't c-call m-me," I stuttered.

"I just got back. I was planning on calling you after taking a shower," he pulled away slightly to look at my ace. "What happened baby?"

"S-someone took p-photos of us," I whispered. "I didn't-" I turned to stare up at him. "It wasn't me S-Stephen. I didn't-"

"Shh," he whispered, moving the hair from my face, "I know it wasn't you baby. I saw them, it couldn't have been you."

A tear dropped down my cheek. He used his thumb to wipe it away. Without saying a word he gently placed me back on the couch. I watched as he made his way into the kitchen. Stephen grabbed a glass, and poured something into it. He walked back over to me. Crouching in front of me, he held the glass out.

"Drink this baby," he said softly.

I took the glass from him but hesitated as I smelled the strong smell of alcohol. He gave me an encouraging smile. What did I have to lose? I pressed the glass to my lips them drowned the golden liquid. It burned all the way down my throat into my empty stomach.

"I need you to tell me what happened."

"He hit me," I whispered.

"Who? Who hit you Alia?"

"M-my father," my eyes caught his. "He thinks I uploaded them. I didn't but he didn't listen to me. He was so m-mad and he hit me w-with his b-belt."

"Jesus," he whispered. "Let me see."

I shook my head as fresh tears brimmed in my eyes. After realizing that he wouldn't let it go, I slowly rose from the couch. Stephen straightened and stepped back so I turned my back to him. My hands shook as I clutched my skirt and slowly raised it. Silence hung heavily in the air. I could feel him staring and the longer he did, the more self-conscious I became. Finally he stepped forward and pulled my skirt back into place.

He gently turned me around to face him I couldn't look him in the eyes again.

"Come on," he said, taking hold of my hand.

Stephen led me up the stairs and into his room. "I'll be right back."

I stood there awkwardly as he made his way into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the silent room. Licking my lips, I walked towards the bathroom.

Stephen was pouring something into the water. He closed the tabs after making sure the water was the right temperature. Stephen straightened and then turned. He froze when his eyes fell on me. Without a word he took hold of my hand and pulled me further into the bathroom.

"I'm going to make you something to eat while you take a bath."

"I'm not really hungry," I told him.

"You need to eat something. You're shaking like this because you're hungry," he said, and to prove his point he raised my hand.

"I'm really not hungry Stephen."

He pursed his lips but said nothing. Dropping my hand he stepped around me and walked into his bedroom. I thought that he was angry at me for refusing to eat. Stephen entered the bathroom again with a t-shirt in his hand.

Dropping the shirt by the basin he turned to me. Our eyes locked when he pulled the pullover over my head. He dropped it aside then took my phone out of my shirt pocket. I stayed silent as he unbuttoned the shirt and pushed it off my shoulders. Once I was naked he led me over to the bath. I winced when I lowered myself into the warm water. The water burned my bruised skin.

"I'll be right back baby," he muttered. "Take a bath and when you're done we'll talk."

With a small smile he walked out of the bathroom leaving the door slightly ajar. I listened but heard no sound coming from the room. Grabbing the soap, I started washing myself. When I was done I decided to stay in the hot water for a few more minutes.

The pain had faded, but the moment I stood it was back again. My movements were slow and slightly awkward as I dried myself. Stephen didn't get me any shorts to wear so I just pulled the shirt over my head. It fell down to mid-thigh. The bedroom was still empty when I stepped out of the bathroom. I wrapped my arms around my middle as I made my way downstairs again.

"No. I think it'll be best if she stays here tonight. You can talk to her tomorrow." He sounded angry.

I frowned as I walked closer to him. He had his back towards me and didn't notice me standing there. His voice lowered. Stephen turned and froze when his eyes fell on me. They trailed over me and lingered a few seconds longer on my legs. Stephen ended the call then walked towards me. He hesitated slightly before hugging me.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For coming here. I know you said-"

"You shouldn't be sorry baby. I'm glad you're here." He smiled down at me. "Come on." Stephen took my hand again and led me upstairs and back into his bedroom.

"Lie down on your stomach," he ordered softly.

He left me standing beside the bed as he walked into the bathroom. I could hear him searching through the cabinets for something. Stephen appeared holding a bottle of something.

"Lie down baby," he ordered.

I cautiously climbed onto the bed. He took a seat on the edge of my bed by my legs. I clutched the pillow tightly when he moved the shirt up to expose my ass.

"Is it bad?" I questioned softly. I glanced over my shoulder at him.

"It's going to hurt for a few weeks. Once the welts fade it'll turn blue."

"He's never done this before," I whispered. My hands tightened when I felt the cool cream against my skin. "He even slapped me but this was worse."

Stephen kept silent making me wish I hadn't said that to him. I could tell from his body that he was tense and angry. I flinched away when the cold cream touched a very painful part of my skin.

"Stay still Alia," Stephen ordered me. "This will help for the burn."

My body relaxed against the mattress the longer he massaged my skin. A moan slipped past my lips before I could stop it. His hand froze and then he was pulling the shirt back into place.

"Stephen?" I called when he stood.

"Yeah?" He kept his back to me.

"What are we going to do about the pictures?"

"I'll figure something out."