**Chapter 12: The Unrecognizable Victim**

Six weeks had passed since the traumatic event, and Ashley's life had taken a drastic turn. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the person staring back at her. Her eyes, once bright and full of life, now seemed dull and lifeless. Her skin was pale, and her hair was brittle and unkempt. The spark that once defined her was gone, replaced by a vacant, almost robotic expression. Ashley's body had also undergone a significant transformation. Her once athletic physique had given way to a softer, more rounded appearance. Her eyes widened as she noticed the subtle changes in her body, and a wave of fear washed over her. She had been so consumed by her own pain and suffering that she hadn't even noticed the physical changes that had been taking place. As she turned away from the mirror, Kody appeared beside her, a sly smile spreading across his face. "You're looking particularly lovely today, Ashley," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I've been taking good care of you, haven't I?" Ashley's response was a hollow stare, her eyes devoid of any emotion. She had become a shell of her former self, a mere puppet under Kody's control. She felt a surge of shame and disgust at her own helplessness, but it was quickly replaced by a numbing sense of apathy. Kody's smile grew wider as he handed her a small piece of paper. "I have some news to share with you, Ashley," he said, his voice barely containing his excitement. "You're pregnant." Ashley's eyes widened in horror as she stared at the paper, her mind reeling with the implications. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and her stomach churned with anxiety. She had been so focused on surviving each day that she hadn't even considered the possibility of pregnancy. Kody's laughter echoed through the room, sending chills down Ashley's spine. "Oh, this is going to be perfect," he said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long. You're going to make a wonderful mother, Ashley. And I'm going to be the one to take that baby from you, to rip it from your very womb." Ashley felt a cold dread creeping up her spine as Kody's words hung in the air. She knew that she was trapped, that she was at his mercy, and that her unborn child was already doomed. The darkness closed in around her, and Ashley felt like she was losing all sense of self, all sense of hope. She was a prisoner, a slave, and a vessel for Kody's twisted desires. And she knew that she would never be free again.