I could visibly see the intense anger rising in his body from his tightly clenched fists, the protruding veins in his thick neck, and his rapidly reddening face.His whole muscular body seemed to tremble and vibrate with unbridled rage at my defiance."You've really done it now. You got yourself into this mess with your smart mouth," he growled out in a low, menacing tone full of quiet threats that sent chills through me..I barely had time to make out his muffled words when he suddenly shot up from his chair with such force it toppled over backward.In an instant, he was on me, grabbing a painfully tight fistful of my long hair and giving a vicious yank that made me cry out.My hands flew up to try on reflexes and pry his painfully clenched fingers off of the handful of my hair he had wrapped around his meaty fist."If you've forgotten who's the goddamn master of this house, I'll have to violently remind you of your proper place beneath me," he snarled in my face, his foul breath hot
Every single time in the past when he had raped me while I was out cold and defenseless, I'd wake up naked, my clothes stripped off, and sprawled across our bed in a tangle of sheets.My whole body was utterly shattered, every muscle aching and bruises already forming.But worst of all was the hollow, empty feeling in my heart - like a piece of my soul had been violently ripped away.Despite the trauma, I just went about my daily routine as if nothing had happened, as if it was just another normal day in my personal hell.I dragged myself to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, scrubbing away at my skin with scorching hot water and a loofah until it was raw and pink.I was trying to wash away the lingering traces of last night from my body, the ghostly sensations of his rough hands groping me and his sweat and bodily fluids.But no amount of scrubbing could erase the memories seared into my mind.Once I was finally clean, I threw on a simple casual outfit, a short brown cotton dr
"Where are you going with that injured foot, lady?" Mr. Blackthorn's gruff tone jolted me back to reality.I swallowed. Hard. Beating myself for harboring such thoughts toward a married man.What if he noticed I was staring at his…Oh lord! My thighs involuntarily robbed together to ease the ache I was feeling at the space between them and then winced slightly due to my injured foot.His eyes scanned over me intently, not missing my pained movements."You're limping badly. You can barely even walk," he observed bluntly, cutting right to the point as usual.I didn't bother with polite pleasantries since the gruff man hadn't offered any himself."I have no serious injuries, just some bruises. I can walk to the main road okay. There, I'll take a taxi to my destination," I replied, unable to wipe the vaguely psychotic-looking smile that had now returned off my face.The thought of Richard's impotence was simply too comical not to grin about."Have a good day, Mr. Blackthorn," I added poli
Mr. Blackthorn remained silent throughout the time I spent pouring out my heart, taking care not to go into too many details.His eyes briefly flicked away from the road to glance at the screen again, taking in the destination.His brow furrowed slightly as he processed the information. "The address is for a women's clinic," he observed.His tone was carefully neutral, but I could sense the curiosity and concern underlying his words.He thought I was going to the hospital to get my foot treated.I expected him to ask directly about the reason for the discrepancy and pry further into my personal affairs. However, his next words exceeded my expectations and showed a level of thoughtfulness I didn't anticipate."You look too young to be left at home alone and take care of your health on your own.”The statement was simple, but it carried a weight of implied meaning that made my throat tighten with unexpected emotion.When he turned to make eye contact with me at the next red light, his e
“You’re bleeding!”I was startled and quickly looked down at my bare thigh.A thin red line marred the pale skin where the delicate flesh had split open. A bead of blood slowly welled up in a vivid color that contrasted against my fair complexion."Oh," I breathed, surprised. "That's an old wound that I thought had healed. I didn't notice it had opened up again!"I leaned forward instinctively, my loose locks of hair tumbling over my shoulders and framing my face like a curtain.The scent of my shampoo intensified, mingling with the car's leather interior and his masculine cologne.It was an intoxicating combination that made my head swim slightly.I was about to reach down and touch the wound when his large hand shot out, firmly but gently grabbing my wrist to stop me.His smooth skin was warm against mine, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through me yet again.My toes curled and moist pulled between my legs.Oh lord..! Take me, already!"Don't touch it," he commanded in hi
Mr. Blackthorn’s observations made me tense up.Panic coursed through me as I scrambled for a plausible explanation.He hummed questioningly at my delayed response.I knew I had to lie to cover the truth. The real reasons behind my injuries were too dark and too painful to share, especially with someone I barely knew."I sprained my foot when I slipped while cleaning the house yesterday," I began, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue. "The wound you're treating now is from me clumsily falling and landing on the sharp edge of a chair. I may have rubbed it too hard while showering, so it started bleeding again."I tried to inject a self-deprecating note into my words to make the fabrication more believable, forcing a small, embarrassed laugh.His hand, resting high on my thigh, began making slow, soothing circles with his thumb, lightly caressing the soft skin there.The gentle motion was at odds with the intensity of his gaze.I found myself caught between wanting to lean into his touch
"The schedule is pretty packed already," the receptionist said apologetically.My heart sank. Just then, her expression brightened. "Since you're one of Dr. Ross's patients here, we won't let you leave without getting seen."She smiled, typing away at her keyboard."I'm going to put your name down to see the doctor after the last woman here at the moment. It might be a bit of a wait, but we'll make sure you're taken care of today."I exhaled in relief, and my shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it," I said earnestly. "You have no idea how much this means to me.""No problem at all, Miss Lawson. We're here to help," Jenna replied cheerfully, gesturing to the waiting area. "Just have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Dr. Ross will call you back as soon as she can."I nodded gratefully and chose an empty chair in the corner, trying to make myself as small and unnoticeable as possible.My leg bounced with nervous energy as I waited, feeling terribly sel
[THIS STORY WILL BE IN THIRD POV GOING FORWARD]*****"You are still a virgin, Miss Emmeline. I'm very sorry."The doctor's words hit Emmeline like a physical blow, and she felt tears welling up in her eyes.Even though she had suspected as much, having it confirmed made it all too real.She covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs."Oh, my dear," Dr. Ross said softly.Emmeline felt her pat her knee gently. "I know this must be very difficult for you. Would you like to talk about it? Sometimes it helps to share our burdens with someone."Emmeline took a shuddering breath, trying to compose herself. The doctor offered her a box of tissues when she eventually lowered her hands.She took one gratefully and dabbed at her eyes."I just... I don't understand. We've been married for six months, but he's never... we've never..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. "He always has some excuse. I thought maybe there was something wrong with me, that I w
Zavian’s eyes closed for a moment and his shoulders sagged under the weight of his guilt.“I’ll be fine,” Emmeline whispered. “For both of us.”His eyes opened, and he stroked her hand with his thumb. “Did you call Minnie, or do you want me to?”“Can you?” Emmeline asked, handing him her phone.Zavian nodded, pulling his phone from his pocket. As he typed out a message, he glanced at her, his expression softening. He didn’t want to remind her of what had happened, not now. She’d been through enough.The phone vibrated in his hand about a minute later, pulling his attention away from Emmeline. He glanced at the screen then turned back to Emmeline.“She’s on her way home,” Zavian announced as his thumb brushed over the back of her hand in a soothing rhythm.The quiet comfort he offered was enough to keep her from spiraling again. But the moment was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps and a familiar voice echoing through the house.“Emmeline!”Minnie’s voice carried urgency. Sh
Emmeline clamped her hands over her mouth. Her wide eyes were fixed on Richard’s motionless body sprawled across the kitchen floor.A wave of nausea churned in her stomach.“Oh my God,” Emmeline whispered, trembling. “What have I done?” Her legs felt like they were about to give out beneath her. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him as her mind spun with the worst possible thoughts.Tears welled in her eyes, but they refused to fall. They were frozen in place as her lungs struggled to draw in air.“I killed him,” Emmeline choked out then shook her head in frantic denial.“No, no, no. This can’t be happening.” Her hands trembled as she crouched down beside him. “Richard? Can you hear me?”There was no response.Emmeline’s heart thudded even more violently in her chest. She hesitated, then reached out with a trembling hand. She slowly pressed her index finger under his nose while holding her breath.Relief flooded through her when she felt the faint warmth of his breath against her
Zavian pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of Emmeline’s house a while later.He stepped out and circled around to the trunk, helping her lift the suitcase out. His movements were calm, and efficient while his eyes lingered on her for just a moment longer than necessary.“Let me help,” Emmeline offered, stepping up beside him.“I’ve got it,” Zavian replied.He set the suitcase down on the ground. His hands lingered on the handle for a moment before he straightened.For a second, neither of them moved.“Thanks for the ride,” Emmeline said quietly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.Zavian nodded. “Anytime.”She hesitated before reaching out again for the handle of her suitcase. “You didn’t have to go out of your way, though. I could’ve managed.”His brow lifted, just enough to make his point without words. “You really think I’d let you haul this thing around on your own?”Emmeline’s lips twitched. “I’m perfectly capable, you know.”“I don’t doubt it,” came Zavian’s rep
Zavian didn’t elaborate. He simply kept his focus on the road.“How does he know?” Emmeline pressed. “Are you talking about New Year’s Eve?”He hummed in response.His silence only fueled her frustration.“You told me several times that Taehyung didn’t remember what he saw outside the women’s bathroom,” she accused. “I believed you even though his hints made me suspicious. Why did you lie to me?”Zavian gently brushed the back of her hand. “It was a white lie,” he said quietly. “I didn’t want to worry you. You don’t trust Taehyung, and I didn’t want you to carry that burden.”Emmeline yanked her hand away. “You should’ve told me,” she muttered angrily. “I had a right to know if someone found out about us.”Zavian took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers again. “You’re about to enter a crucial stage in your life, little girl. Your mind needs to be clear. I didn’t want you filling your head with unnecessary worries.”Their eyes met, and though she pretended to be upset, his w
Taehyung glanced between Zavian and Emmeline, his smirk widening. “Richard left with Yuna in a rental car,” he said. “Which means Emmeline has to share a car with one of us.”Emmeline’s stomach twisted. She could already see where this was headed.“The question is,” Taehyung continued, “Who will take her?”“My best friend is coming with us, of course.” Minnie’s voice was firm.Her gaze darted to Zavian, who responded by squeezing Emmeline’s thigh so hard it made her want to cry out.“I think Emmeline would be embarrassed to ride alone with Mr. Blackthorn,” Minnie added sharply. “Since they’re strangers.”Zavian’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “Strangers?” he echoed. “We had a French kiss two days ago. If we were strangers before, we aren’t now.”His hand slid higher, and Emmeline instinctively closed her legs. However, his grip tightened until she reluctantly parted them again as her body betrayed her mind.“You have your husband, Mrs. Kim,” Zavian said coolly. “It’s not fair for
Once the room was empty, Emmeline sank on the sofa. Her head tilted back, and she stared at the ceiling, trying to convince herself of something she wasn’t sure she even believed."Minnie will keep her promise." The words echoed in the empty room, hollow and uncertain.The soft hum of the air conditioning did nothing to drown out the doubts swirling in her mind.People always took sides in situations like this, their judgment colored by personal bias. And Minnie..."Please don't tell Yuna." The prayer slipped from Emmeline’s lips, barely louder than a breath.The bathroom tiles felt cool beneath her feet as she dragged herself there. Harsh fluorescent light illuminated every flaw… every sign of guilt in her reflection.The woman staring back at her through the mirror wore her face but seemed like a stranger - someone calculating, someone who put her own desires above others' feelings.Zavian's love had been like a healing balm, carefully mending the fractured pieces of her heart. Yet
Emmeline’s head shot up and her eyes went wide with realization. “You ambushed me,” she said with disbelief. “You pretended you didn’t know anything in the message, and then you waited for me outside his suite to catch me.”Minnie’s expression was smug. “Of course I did. I knew you wouldn’t confess easily. You didn’t even deny having a lover when I found out about that. You were cold that day.”Her words hung in the air, and Emmeline knew she was waiting for an explanation. She didn’t hesitate.“That’s because you didn’t know who it was,” Emmeline said quietly. “If you tell anyone about us, I’ll make sure am the only one affected.”Minnie’s eyelids twitched, a flicker of emotion crossing her face before she let out a sarcastic laugh. “I forgot you’re in love with your lover.”Emmeline lowered her head, her cheeks burning with shame. She wanted to close her eyes and wake up in her bed, to discover that this was all just a nightmare.“Sacrificing for love is so touching!” Minnie’s sudde
Emmeline froze in place, her fingers locked around the cold metal of the door handle. It felt as though her body had turned to stone and her mind unable to process what was happening.The handle in her hand seemed heavier now, as if it were anchoring her to the spot. Slowly, her gaze dropped to her trembling right hand, then back toward the figure standing just a few feet away.Minnie.She stood against the wall with arms crossed tight over her chest and her usually friendly expression replaced by something cold and unreadable."So, your lover is Mr. Blackthorn." Her voice cut through the air like ice.The sharpness in her eyes could cut through blade, and her lips were pressed into a thin, humorless line.The silence between them stretched painfully.Emmeline’s throat felt dry, her heart pounding so loudly that it drowned out every coherent thought.She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The words she so desperately needed failed her, leaving her stranded in the suffoca
“Stop taking my breath away.” Emmeline’s voice came out in a soft, trembling whisper when they finally broke apart.Her fingers clung tightly to his shirt, anchoring herself to him as if she might lose her footing otherwise.She barely had time to process the warmth of his breath on her skin before pressing her lips against his again in a sudden, passionate kiss.Zavian didn’t resist. His hand slid up her back, curling lightly on the nape of her neck as he returned the kiss with a fervor that left her dizzy.The world outside their embrace seemed to dissolve, leaving only the two of them locked in this moment. Emmeline gasped for air when Zavian finally released her from his intoxicating yet overwhelming kiss, struggling to regain her breath.Her lips tingled from the intensity of the kiss, and her head felt light as though she were floating. She gazed up at him through half-lidded eyes, her body still pressed against his.Zavian’s intense gaze locked on Emmeline’s, burning with an i