Chapter 002
Nicole
What did this old man say? He drugged me? The orange gin spritz had drugs in it. Shit!
‘‘Don’t you dare come near me! Stay in your place, you pervert!" As I fought to regain my composure, my voice grew fainter. My heart pounded so furiously within my chest it felt surreal, as if I had just finished running a marathon.
My heart continued to race uncontrollably, and I realized it was the drug causing my rapid heartbeat. I held my breath as the understanding struck me overwhelmingly.
"Be a good girl, sweetheart, so that nothing bad will happen to you, understand?’’ The old man's tone suggested he was attempting to soothe a child. "I will be gentle to you, don't worry..."
I moved back away from him. Before I could even realize it, I was already cornered between him and the walls. His grin widened as he kneeled down, grabbing my ankles.
My lips quivered as I began to push him away from me. ‘‘No!’’ I scratched and clawed at his skin and even his ugly wrinkled face, kicking him on his big belly, causing him to fall down. "Don't touch me! Fucking bastard!"
Seizing the opportunity, I rose from the ground. My surroundings were a blur—my sight, my hearing, my voice. Yet, I managed to escape from him, rounding the corner and trying the knobs of each ro in search of one that was unlocked.
‘‘Oh, God! Please…’’
I prayed silently, hoping to find a room where I could hide.
Fortunately, I found one, and as I hurried inside, I quickly closed the door behind me, pressing my hand over my mouth to silence any sound.
‘‘You’re here...'' My eyes widened and my breath caught as I heard a deep, velvety voice in the dark room.
Suddenly, the person to whom the voice belonged was standing before me. I could discern this from the looming shadow and the overpowering scent of musk cologne mingled with citrus soap. It was intense, yet I found myself enamored with it. For reasons unknown, I was drawn to his scent.
I was immobilized as his warm breath, tinged with a hint of mint, brushed against my face. The intoxicating scent of his nearness, coupled with the heat emanating from his body, sent shivers throughout my being.
The drug that was flowing through my veins was making it hard for me to control what I was doing and feeling. I felt that my brain was not functioning normally, accompanied by a euphoric sensation akin to being on a high.
The words he uttered caused me to freeze momentarily.
I'm here?
What did he mean by that? Had he been anticipating my arrival in this room?
I recoiled slightly as his calloused finger traced my face. The contrast between his rough skin and my smooth one unexpectedly brought a pleasant sensation.
‘‘No…’’ I attempted to stop him, but he captured my mouth, swallowing my protest as he started kissing me. I fought at first because I did not recognize the man, and I could not understand why he was kissing me. And I could not understand myself more as to why on earth I was allowing it. Why I was allowing him to kiss me.
I realized that the drug had fully taken effect in my body when my arms involuntarily wrapped around the man’s neck and I kissed him back with equal fervor, which caused him to groan lowly. Sweat began to break out all over my body, which started feeling heavy, and my muscles ached.
I bit my lower lip when his lips started to travel down, and they lowered until he reached my neck. I moaned when he began licking every spot and then sucked on it.
It felt as though hot magma was being poured over my entire body, causing a thin layer of sweat to form on my skin, and the lust I was feeling just won’t go away.
Then the man's lips captured mine again.
I need his touch. I want his kiss. Kissing and touching every inch of my skin was exactly what I needed right now.
The man gradually dragged me towards the bed without pulling away from the kiss. The room was dark, and it was impossible for me to see his face, but I was aware that this man was attractive.
I almost yelped when we fell on the bed with me hovering over him. He continued to attack my lips, and I moaned against his mouth. He pulled my top over my head, and I felt my breasts rub against his firm chest.
He switched our positions, rolling me over so that he was on top of me. My breath hitched when he lowered his head and captured one of my painfully erect nipples. He played the other one with his thumb and index, while he continued to suck mme,which caused me to clench my thighs.
I moaned with pleasure, and my body froze when his lips reached the waistband of my underwear.
I wanted to stop him, but my body loved what his lips and hands were doing to me.
I had avoided the old man’s attempt to abuse me, but here I was, giving in to a complete stranger. Tonight, I was unsure of my own identity.
The way I breathed against his skin, the breathy, innocent sounds that left my mouth as he planted wet kisses onto my skin led me to believe that it wasn't actually me, but rather someone else who had assumed control of my entire body.The man’s fingers explored every inch of my bare skin, as well as his mouth, and I just allowed him. His lips worked like magic over my skin, leaving me wanting of them even more.
He began to remove the last material from my body before I felt his burning kisses around my wet folds, and I responded with pleasured groans and moans
. ‘‘Oh, please…’’ I pleaded, my voice husky, and seconds later, he sucked my clit, and I screamed out loud. His hands holding my legs tightened as he kept them in place, all while he licked, sucked, flickered, and explored his tongue in every inch of me.My hands reached out for his hair, and I pulled it when I felt my entire body started to shake, indicating that I was close. My heart thumped faster as I felt something explode inside me.
Before I could even recover from the high that I was feeling for the first time, he moved to hover on top of me and pushed something hard inside me before I felt burning pain inside me, making me gasp.‘‘What the fucking hell!’’ he growled but continued moving on top of me. ‘‘Damn it!’’ he cursed loudly as he slowly pushed in and out of me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to lessen the pain, but the fact that I could no longer turn back time made a tear roll out of my eye.Tonight, I let this man take me. I had just given my first time to a complete stranger, and I felt an overwhelming urge to cry out of regret.
Chapter 003NicoleUpon opening my eyes, I was greeted by darkness outside, and the first thing I noticed was the long, heavy object resting on my stomach.I blinked several times, straining to recall the events of the previous night and my current whereabouts.Shaking my head gently, the memories remained elusive. Careful not to disturb the man sleeping beside me, I cautiously lifted his arm and rose to my feet, holding my breath all the while.But then, I froze. My tender skin and fragile bones shrieked, begging me to halt my movements to prevent any breakage. I winced, carefully setting my feet on the ground.The unexpected realization struck me upon seeing the various garments scattered across the floor.Suddenly, as if a great weight had descended upon my shoulders, the reality of the situation became clear as the events started to resurface in my memory.I slept with a complete stranger last night!Overwhelmed by panic and regret, I hurried to gather my clothes and got dressed
Chapter 004NicoleAs far as I know, the Monroe family was wealthy and well-known, owning a lot of land and having a rich history. New York had tons of businesses with the Monroe name, like shops, restaurants, hotels, and more. But honestly, I never thought about marrying into their family since I didn't know them, especially Nathan Monroe.What exactly did Sylvia say? The man was unloved and ugly. Confusion was evident on my face as I attempted to comprehend her words.Am I really going to be the substitute bride, marrying a guy who's considered unappealing and disliked in place of Kendra?No way! No fucking way I'm going to marry someone I haven't met and don’t even know!"You know what? I think marrying that guy, Nathan Monroe, is actually doing you a favor..." The irritating grin on Kendra's face made me want to claw at her with my long nails. Just because Sylvia isn't my mother doesn't mean I'm going to let myself be manipulated like that. How dare Kendra suggest it was a favor t
Chapter 005NicoleAs our argument unfolded, Sylvia massaged her temples in exasperation before fixing us with a scornful glare. "Enough with the drama, both of you!" she shouted, jabbing her index finger in our direction. "And you, Nicole! You need to get yourself together! I don't want to seeing you marry Nathan Monroe while you're covered in bruises and kiss marks!""But I don't want to marry him!" I remained resolute. No one could coerce me into marrying a man I found so repulsive."Oh, certainly, my dear! Don't try to challenge me!" I hadn't noticed that it was my stepmother gripping me, not Kendra. "I'll arrange a meeting for the two of you to meet and become acquainted." she proposed with a smug tone, giving my arm a forceful shove as she let go of me.''No! I am not doing it!'' I shook my head, narrowing my eyes into splits. The decision that I had made remained unaltered.''Really?" Sylvia scoffed, pulling out her phone. "You're causing too much trouble! I'm calling the hospi
Chapter 006NicoleI wasn't quite sure when the car I was in would finally stop, but after about forty-five minutes, I saw that the fancy car we had been tailing had come to a halt in front of a massive church. "We’re here!" the driver said with a grin, which made me smile a little as I slowly got out of the car, taking in the beautiful surroundings. I was blown away by the clear blue sky that painted the horizon with shades of tangerine. "Mom, this place is absolutely gorgeous!" Kendra called out from a little way off. I turned to see the path ahead decorated with hundreds of tiny candles and hydrangea petals in shades of aqua, lavender, and pink. Tears filled my eyes as I stood there, hand on my chest, completely mesmerized. This place was something out of a dream! I had always imagined a wedding like this, but with the love of my life, of course! Still, the lavish decorations were a bit much. "I think the Monroe family wanted to save face, so they lent Nathan a ton of money to
Chapter 007NicoleMy mouth was still agape as I stared at Nathan Monroe in shock. But then my eyes widened when he leaned in closer to me, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "Close your mouth. A fly may find its way in."Instinctively, I snapped my lips together, swallowing nervously.I noticed that Kendra was on the brink of tears as she came to the realization that the man they thought unattractive was quite handsome and appealing. On the other hand, Sylvia appeared utterly astonished and likely struggled to grasp the situation unfolding before her. The revelation that the man I was about to marry resembled one of the models gracing the cover of a magazine was entirely unexpected for me.He possessed dark brown hair, free of any gray or white strands, and his eyes mirrored the hue of a clear morning sky. It was evident that Kendra was captivated by him from the moment she first saw him, and she likely regretted her choice to forgo the chance to become his wife.As the
Chapter 008NicoleI noticed that another car was following us, and we had been driving in silence for an hour already. "How far is your house?" I asked, but Nathan ignored me as he took out his phone and typed something. "Why is another car following us?"Again, he didn't pay attention to me, and I huffed as I leaned back against my seat, crossing my arms over my chest.A few minutes later, I felt the car stop. I sighed when we finally reached a rather desolate house. I peered out the window, scanning the property, and realized not only was it remote, but the lawn looked like it hadn’t been mowed in a decade.The thought of snakes and different kinds of insects possibly lurking in the overgrown grass sent chills down my spine. But what truly frightened me was the idea of Nathan and me starting our life together in this eerie house as husband and wife.“We're here. Get out of the car,” He said in a chilly tone. Those two words nearly made me choke, and my eyes grew wide.Me, stepping
Chapter 009NicoleThe next morning, I woke up to sunlight pouring in through the curtains, almost blinding me. I sat up quickly and felt a bit lost, not quite sure where I was. Then it hit me—I had just gotten married the day before, and my husband had left me all alone in this creepy, empty house, which only made me more annoyed with him.It's not that I wanted to be in the same house with him. However, did he not consider the possibility that I could be in danger while alone? What if an intruder, such as a murderer or a burglar, were to invade his home? Or, even more terrifying, a rapist?A chill ran down my spine when those things crossed my mind. While the presence of a thief would be concerning, I could endure the loss of possessions that weren't mine as long as I remained unharmed. I can't die yet. My niece still needed me.I was about to stand up from the bed when I winced as I felt sudden pain in my limbs, prompting me to stretch them, during which I heard the sound of my bon
Chapter 010NicoleI accompanied Andrea to the restroom, and as we made our way back to the ward, I noticed her letting out a deep sigh.''What's the problem, Andrea?'' I gently asked, kissing her hair.She shook her head, avoiding my gaze.''Come on, share it with me. No secrets, right?'' I said with a smile, trying to brighten up her mood. ''Aunt Nicole is here to listen. Do you want something to eat? I can get it for you...''Again, she shook her head.I carefully placed her on the bed and took a seat beside her. I reached out to smooth back some loose strands of her dark hair, tucking them behind her ear. She really bore a striking resemblance to Camille."I just want to know if it's going to require a significant amount of money to treat me.'' Andrea said, fiddling her fingers on her lap as she lowered her head. ''I don't want to see you suffer because of me. You're out of money, right? Mommy didn't leave you anything. And grandma Sylvia is forcing you to work to pay them. Maybe
Chapter 014Nicole"I said, you... fucking... shut... up!" Kendra's hand clenched, and I knew she was itching to slap me."Well, I want you to know that I'm enjoying my life at my husband's house..." I said, although that wasn't entirely accurate because I wasn't really enjoying myself at Nathan's house, but I wasn't that lonely either. I was still navigating my existence alongside him while deepening my understanding of who Nathan really was.Kendra stood motionless, her expression one of disbelief. "I don't believe you...'' she then scoffed. "Look at you, he can't even buy you a new dress. What's that? Your old dress from your high school prom?''I took a deep sigh, trying to calm myself. “He's not rich, but he treats me like a princess. Despite his limited financial resources, we're happy being together…” I continued, offering her a sweet smile.Her grip on her purse tightened, her knuckles turning pale. She was expecting that my life with Nathan would devolve into misery. I refuse
Chapter 013NicoleI was sitting in front of my vanity mirror, staring at my reflection. Having just completed the styling of my hair into long, smooth curls and applied a light layer of makeup, I found myself feeling anxious about the upcoming dinner party at Monroe's residence."Are you ready?" I heard Nathan's loud knock on my door, prompting me to rise swiftly and open it. I saw how his gaze swept over me, assessing my appearance from head to toe, his brows furrowed, which made me hold my breath.In the weeks that had passed, I found it increasingly difficult to keep pace with Nathan. Every morning, he had already left for work by the time I woke up, and by nightfall, I was usually asleep, only stirred by the sound of his car arriving in the garage."Yeah, I'm ready. Is my outfit okay for the occasion?'' I asked, wanting to hear his comment as I glanced down, smoothing my sweaty palm over my simple white dress. When my sister was still alive, she often purchased beautiful dresses
Chapter 012Nicole"What the fuck have you done to my house?" I was taken aback by Nathan's furious voice as he roamed his eyes around the garden brimming with an array of beautiful wildflowers. His face was a clear canvas of disapproval as he paced around outside, his eyes narrowed in displeasure."Why? Are you telling me that you favor the wooded and grassy lawn, along with the potentially snake-infested garden, over the improvements I made? I made your garden beautiful, yet you seem unable to recognize or appreciate it!'' I retorted, showing no signs of intimidation. "I transformed your haunted house into a welcoming home. I trimmed the lawn and even cleaned your entire house! Yet here you are, barking and complaining about my efforts. You're unbelievable.""I never told you to touch anything in my house!" he shouted as he approached the entrance, his agitation intensifying when he opened the door to find that the thin white sheets covering his furniture had vanished. "What the hel
Chapter 011NicoleMy stepmother's sharp voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, you filthy pauper! What are you doing here in my house? And how dare you touch my husband! Take your dirty hand away from him! You're damaging his expensive suit!""Yeah, right! And you're tarnishing the elegance of our house," Kendra added, her tone dripping with disdain. "Did you know that we don't accept guests who are poorly dressed?'' She continued to mock my husband as she raked her eyes over him from head to toe. "I can tell that your clothes are not from any high-end brand. You should consider your dressing etiquette when you visit here. This is not a thrift store or a fast-food establishment. We are a respectable and classy family!"Upon hearing Kendra's remarks, Nathan's hand slowly released my father's wrist, and he cast his gaze downward with a deep sigh.Without hesitation, I rushed to his side, pulling him away from my father, and then sent Kendra a deathly glare. "Don't you ever insult my husb
Chapter 010NicoleI accompanied Andrea to the restroom, and as we made our way back to the ward, I noticed her letting out a deep sigh.''What's the problem, Andrea?'' I gently asked, kissing her hair.She shook her head, avoiding my gaze.''Come on, share it with me. No secrets, right?'' I said with a smile, trying to brighten up her mood. ''Aunt Nicole is here to listen. Do you want something to eat? I can get it for you...''Again, she shook her head.I carefully placed her on the bed and took a seat beside her. I reached out to smooth back some loose strands of her dark hair, tucking them behind her ear. She really bore a striking resemblance to Camille."I just want to know if it's going to require a significant amount of money to treat me.'' Andrea said, fiddling her fingers on her lap as she lowered her head. ''I don't want to see you suffer because of me. You're out of money, right? Mommy didn't leave you anything. And grandma Sylvia is forcing you to work to pay them. Maybe
Chapter 009NicoleThe next morning, I woke up to sunlight pouring in through the curtains, almost blinding me. I sat up quickly and felt a bit lost, not quite sure where I was. Then it hit me—I had just gotten married the day before, and my husband had left me all alone in this creepy, empty house, which only made me more annoyed with him.It's not that I wanted to be in the same house with him. However, did he not consider the possibility that I could be in danger while alone? What if an intruder, such as a murderer or a burglar, were to invade his home? Or, even more terrifying, a rapist?A chill ran down my spine when those things crossed my mind. While the presence of a thief would be concerning, I could endure the loss of possessions that weren't mine as long as I remained unharmed. I can't die yet. My niece still needed me.I was about to stand up from the bed when I winced as I felt sudden pain in my limbs, prompting me to stretch them, during which I heard the sound of my bon
Chapter 008NicoleI noticed that another car was following us, and we had been driving in silence for an hour already. "How far is your house?" I asked, but Nathan ignored me as he took out his phone and typed something. "Why is another car following us?"Again, he didn't pay attention to me, and I huffed as I leaned back against my seat, crossing my arms over my chest.A few minutes later, I felt the car stop. I sighed when we finally reached a rather desolate house. I peered out the window, scanning the property, and realized not only was it remote, but the lawn looked like it hadn’t been mowed in a decade.The thought of snakes and different kinds of insects possibly lurking in the overgrown grass sent chills down my spine. But what truly frightened me was the idea of Nathan and me starting our life together in this eerie house as husband and wife.“We're here. Get out of the car,” He said in a chilly tone. Those two words nearly made me choke, and my eyes grew wide.Me, stepping
Chapter 007NicoleMy mouth was still agape as I stared at Nathan Monroe in shock. But then my eyes widened when he leaned in closer to me, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "Close your mouth. A fly may find its way in."Instinctively, I snapped my lips together, swallowing nervously.I noticed that Kendra was on the brink of tears as she came to the realization that the man they thought unattractive was quite handsome and appealing. On the other hand, Sylvia appeared utterly astonished and likely struggled to grasp the situation unfolding before her. The revelation that the man I was about to marry resembled one of the models gracing the cover of a magazine was entirely unexpected for me.He possessed dark brown hair, free of any gray or white strands, and his eyes mirrored the hue of a clear morning sky. It was evident that Kendra was captivated by him from the moment she first saw him, and she likely regretted her choice to forgo the chance to become his wife.As the
Chapter 006NicoleI wasn't quite sure when the car I was in would finally stop, but after about forty-five minutes, I saw that the fancy car we had been tailing had come to a halt in front of a massive church. "We’re here!" the driver said with a grin, which made me smile a little as I slowly got out of the car, taking in the beautiful surroundings. I was blown away by the clear blue sky that painted the horizon with shades of tangerine. "Mom, this place is absolutely gorgeous!" Kendra called out from a little way off. I turned to see the path ahead decorated with hundreds of tiny candles and hydrangea petals in shades of aqua, lavender, and pink. Tears filled my eyes as I stood there, hand on my chest, completely mesmerized. This place was something out of a dream! I had always imagined a wedding like this, but with the love of my life, of course! Still, the lavish decorations were a bit much. "I think the Monroe family wanted to save face, so they lent Nathan a ton of money to