The sun was starting to set, illuminating our peaceful neighborhood street with long, golden shadows when I arrived home.I fumbled with my keys while juggling the grocery bags I'd picked up after my visit to the Blackthorns before finally managing to unlock the front door.I headed straight inside, kicking off my flats by the front door and heading to the kitchen.The house still smelled faintly of fresh paint and new furniture, a reminder that we'd only moved in only a few hours ago.I entered the kitchen and immediately set about preparing dinner. My movements were automatic like I had been programmed to perform this ritual without fail.Our kitchen had a charming balcony overlooking the backyard and the neighborhood behind our new house.The fading sunlight filtered through the half-open blinds, throwing long shadows across the tiled floor.Whenever I turned to look out the window to my right, I couldn't stop myself from staring at the Blackthorn manor towering majestically in the
Richard’s eyelids twitched in annoyance at my thinly veiled jab, and I knew from months of experience that he didn't like it when I subtly called out his shortcomings or mistakes.His face flushed an ugly shade of red, and a vein pulsed at his temple."You're only good at complaining and nagging, my God," he spat, slamming his briefcase down on the kitchen table. "Your shrill, whiny voice alone gives me a pounding headache. I don't know how I've put up with you and your mindless griping all these months. Sometimes, I think I should have listened to my mother and never married you in the first place."He pulled a chair from the kitchen table roughly and sat down heavily. The wood groaned in protest under his weight.He sat there expectantly, like a scolded child waiting to be served, not even offering to help set the table or get his own drink.I angrily punched the air behind him, imagining my fist connecting with his thick skull.The fantasy was so vivid I could almost feel the satis
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