Chapter 25

Iwake feeling sore and hollow. Used.

I didn’t expect my first time to be like that, and yet…I sigh. I always knew that the masked man would be the one to take my innocence. That he wouldn’t stop until he’d crossed the line. There was something different about him last night though. He was out of control, lost to some demons, and acting out of need.

I don’t hate him for what he did. He needed it, needed me. And I’d still rather it was him than Victor.

I slowly sit up in bed, the cool morning light filtering through the curtains. My mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, unsure of how to process what happened last night. The masked man’s touch still lingers on my skin, his presence haunting my thoughts. I feel a mix of shame and desire stirring within me. It shouldn’t have felt so...intense.

As I gather the sheets around me, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. There are bruises blooming on my skin, marks of his desperation etched into my flesh. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember his hands on me, his whispered words that both soothed and inflamed me.

I know I should feel outraged, violated even. But there’s a part of me that can’t deny the forbidden thrill of it all. The way he spoke to me with longing in his voice, as if I held the answers to all his questions. As if I was the key to unlocking his deepest desires.

And as much as I try to push him out of my mind, I can’t help but wonder what will happen next. Will he come back for more, drawn to me like a moth to a flame? Or was last night just a fleeting moment of madness that will soon be forgotten?

I swallow hard, worried that it’s over now he’s got what he wanted from me. Tears prick at my eyes at the thought, but I take a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lies ahead.

“Cora! Cora? Are you awake?” My mother’s voice calls from downstairs. I jump out of bed, wincing at the sharp pain that shoots between the apex of my thighs, and forcing myself to slow down as I pull on some clothes.

“I’m awake!” I yell back, my voice croaky from my screams - or sobs - last night.

“Come down! There’s someone here to see you.”

I quickly get dressed, before I hurry down the stairs, my heart racing with anticipation and fear. Who could it be? My mind races with possibilities. Could it be Slater, coming to apologize or beg for forgiveness for his behavior at the meal yesterday? Or could it be the masked man, returning to continue where we left off? Obviously, it’s not the latter. I’m still a little sleep-crazed.

Ha! Make that sex-crazed, Cora.

As I reach the bottom step, I see a figure standing by the window, back turned to me. He must have arrived while I was sleeping. My breath hitches, and my stomach twists in knots. I can feel the masked man’s touch once again, and the memories flood back, threatening to overwhelm me.

“Who is it?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s Sean.”

My heart sinks. Sean? What is he doing here? Nothing good ever comes from seeing him, and last night was already sooner than I wanted to spend time with him again. Twice in less than a day is torture.

“Cora, be polite,” my mother warns, grinning widely at Sean and inviting him into the house.

I want to scream at her to stop, to not let this monster back into our home - our lives - but the warning glare she shoots me when I open my mouth has me snapping it closed again.

Sean enters the room, his eyes locked on me, assessing, unnerving. His presence swallows the room hole, just like it did before. He greets my mother, and they chat about the day’s happenings, their voices a dull hum in the background. I stand frozen, my mind reeling.

This can’t be happening. Not now. Not after...not after last night. Not with the masked man’s touch still on my skin, his taste lingering in my mouth. I don’t want to be around Sean, don’t want him tainting memories I’ve not even processed yet myself.

“Cora, dear,” my mother says, her voice bringing me back to reality, “Sean has some important news for you.” She beckons me over, an excited smile playing on her lips.

I can’t do this. I can’t face him, not now. Not after. I need time, space, to process. But there’s no escape.

“Do you mind giving us a minute?” Sean asks my mother coldly. Her smile falters, but she nods.

“Of course. I’ll…be right back.”

Sean hands me an envelope, and I glare at him.

“That was rude,” I hiss. I want to tell him it was a dick move, but Sean gets funny about me using cuss words, even in my own house.

He smirks, and nods his head at the envelope in my hand. It’s cold, almost chilling in my trembling hand as I open it, revealing a single piece of paper. It’s a letter, and it’s addressed to me.

My hands shake as I unfold it, the words a blur as my eyes scan the lines. My heart sinks further into my chest as I struggle to understand the news Sean carries.

“W-what is this?” I whisper.

“It’s a letter of acceptance, for college, Cora,” he replies smoothly, though I detect a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I don’t understand,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I didn’t apply here because they don’t offer scholarships.”

He laughs, a low, mocking sound that makes my skin crawl. “Once again, Cora, you are mistaken. We offer full scholarships to exceptional students, and based on your scores and transcript, you have earned one.”

I stare at him, my mind reeling. “W-we?”

“I’m on the board at the college. It’s a fairly new appointment, but I was more than happy to pull a few strings for family.”

I almost gag at the way he says family.

This can’t be happening. I must have heard wrong – it’s impossible. But there, in black and white, are the words I never thought I’d see: “We offer you a full scholarship to attend our prestigious institution.”

I stammer out a thanks, my voice small and shaky. I can’t meet Sean’s eyes. This is no gift, no kindness bestowed upon me by a generous benefactor. My ex-stepfather never gives without strings attached.

“You’ll be pleased to know it’s the same college Slater’s attending,” Sean tells me with a sly smile.

My hands tremble as I crumple the letter in my fist, feeling its weight and warmth draining away.

My mother’s phone rings, and she races through to the kitchen to answer it. It’s probably the hospital calling again, desperate for someone to cover a shift. Except, it’s always my mom that’s the someone. She’s never around. If she were…last night would never have happened, surely?

“That’s perfect,” Sean says, nodding at me smugly and drawing my attention back to him. “You two can study together, or whatever it is you do when he keeps sneaking over here. You’re welcome, by the way. I thought it would make our little arrangement more...convenient.”

“Arrangement? What ‘arrangement’ are you talking about?” I demand, the tears welling up in my eyes again.

Sean just chuckles, his eyes flicking to the kitchen where there’s no sign of my mother other than her exasperated tone with whoever she’s speaking to.

“Oh, come now, Cora. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your extra tuition was paid for by me, right? As were your clothes, your phone, everything. Your mom walked away with virtually nothing in the divorce, so long as I looked after you. Isn’t it worth giving me a little something in return?”

I open my mouth to speak, to deny, to scream, but I can’t find the words. I can only look down at my hands, at the crumpled letter in my fist, and feel my world collapsing around me.

This was never about my education. It was about his control, his power over me.

“You’re a monster,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Sean just laughs, a cold, cruel sound. “I prefer to think of myself as a helpful mentor. To see you succeed where your mother couldn’t.”

I’m suddenly grateful for the tears streaming down my face because they hide the disgust I feel. I wipe them away, try to regain my composure, and say, “I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me, but it won’t be given back to you in kind.”

Sean’s eyes narrow, a dangerous glint in them. “We’ll see.”

My mother returns from the kitchen, phone still in her hand, her face flushed with worry. “Who was that, Mom?”

Sean smiles, patting my shoulder, before answering for her. I try not to recoil from his touch in front of my mom. “Just a work call. But I have some great news for our little scholar here.” His gaze lingers on me, almost taunting, before he shifts his attention back to her. “Cora got accepted into the same college that Slater is attending, and not only that, she was offered a full scholarship.”

My heart sinks. There’s no way I can turn it down now that she knows. Not that I would. I’m in no position to deny a chance at a free education, and I have no intention of paying for it in whatever way Sean has in mind either. But I can deal with it, I’ll work something out.

My mother’s eyes light up, and she beams at me. “That’s amazing, honey! I knew you could do it! You’re so smart and hardworking.”

But I can’t feel her joy, can’t share her excitement. I don’t work that hard. I try, but I’m not naturally smart like Lizzy. I don’t deserve a scholarship. Sean has obviously pulled strings, but why?

I force a smile, trying to dampen my mother’s excitement. “Yeah, it’s...amazing. I can’t believe I got accepted.” When I didn’t even apply.

Sean claps me on the back, though the smile hasn’t left his face. “You really earned it. You should be proud. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”

As soon as Sean leaves, my mother pulls me into a warm hug, her words muffled by my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you, Cora.”

I return her embrace, my heart heavy with the knowledge of the deal I’d somehow made with the devil. But I knew I had to make it through this ordeal somehow, for the sake of my mother and my own future.

We spend the next few minutes discussing the logistics of the scholarship - where to enroll, what to major in, and when to start. The excitement is palpable, and I can’t help but feel an ounce of happiness at the thought of escaping this difficult environment. I love my mom, I do, but I won’t be sad to leave and start living for me.

As my mother begins to leave the room, she turns to me with a concerned look on her face. “Cora, are you okay? You seem...distant.”

I swallow hard, trying to find the words. “I’m just overwhelmed, Mom. This is all so...surreal. I never thought I’d get this opportunity.”

She nods, understanding. “I know, honey. But you deserve it. You’re smart, hardworking, and you’ll do great things.”

I force a smile, wishing I could tell her the truth about what this scholarship means, but I know she would never understand.

Sean’s words echo in my mind: “We’ll see.” I know that this is just the beginning of a long and dangerous game.

And I have no idea how to play it.

But one thing’s certain, I can’t go on like this, can’t continue being this naive good little girl that everyone uses and takes advantage of.

It’s time to grow a backbone and start standing up for myself. No more good girl Cora.