Epilogue

The sun streams through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. It”s a peaceful morning, promising new beginnings. I stretch lazily, feeling contentment washing over me. It”s been a couple of months since Slater was released from the hospital, and life is slowly finding its rhythm again.

As I sit up in bed, I can”t help but reflect on everything that has happened. The events of the past few months feel like a whirlwind, each twist and turn leaving its mark on our lives. But amidst the chaos, there are moments of clarity, moments that bring us closer together.

I glance over at Slater, who is still asleep beside me. His face is relaxed, a peaceful expression replacing the lines of worry that had etched themselves into his features during his recovery. Despite everything, he is here, by my side, and that is all that matters.

I get out of bed quietly, careful not to disturb him, and make my way to the kitchen. As I brew a pot of coffee, my thoughts drift to my mom. She’s honestly been so amazing with everything. We knew we’d have to tell her everything about Heather and Sean, about everything that happened, and that we’d also have to come clean about our relationship — even though that’s something we’re still trying to figure out ourselves. It wasn’t easy, but she deserved to know the truth.

The day we decided to tell her, after breakfast, we sat down with her, my hands trembling slightly as we took it in turns to recount the events - or some of them at least - of the past few months. She listened quietly, her expression a mix of shock and sadness. But when we finished, she reached out and took both of our hands, a silent understanding passing between the three of us. I know she’ll always be there for us no matter what.

Seeing her break down in tears and blame herself both for Sean’s unhealthy obsession with me, and for Heather’s abuse of Slater, was hard. We’re all in therapy for it, all carrying too much guilt. But we’re slowly learning that the only people to blame for their actions are my ex-stepfather and his sick and fucking twisted sister.

Slater’s not heard a word from his uncle in all of this, and he seems to have vanished. Who knows if that’s to spend his late wife’s life insurance or to just salvage what’s left of his life now that he’s free from her toxic hold. Having to hear what Slater went through, the years of emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of his aunt, the conditioning and ‘training’ she put him through under the orders of his own father, sickened me to the point where I didn’t think I’d ever get over it. But seeing Slater’s strength, his determination to not let it ruin his life, made me realize that if he can overcome those horrors, then so can I.

For a while, it made the guilt over what I did in the library that day even worse, but Slater has done nothing but reassure me that the two things were not the same and that he loves me unconditionally.

We’ve spoken about the masked man, at great length. I understood - perhaps before Slater even did - that it was his way of coping with Heather’s abuse. It was never about hiding his identity from me, but hiding his shame from himself.

As every area of his life spiraled out of control, the mask allowed him to claw back some semblance of power within himself. To begin with, he said he took it out on me because he hated how pure I was, despite his father having the same sick fascination with me that his aunt had with him. It was a case of someone who is hurting needing to hurt someone else. He’s not proud of his actions, and it will take him much longer to forgive himself for that than it did for me to, but I know he’ll get there.

I don’t have anything but love for Slater in my heart, and even though he’s not ready to hear it, I’m grateful for the masked man too.

The news about Sean’s death being ruled as self-defense brought a massive sense of relief. Slater immediately took the blame for the shooting, protecting my mom and me, but I knew it was because he blamed himself for it all; carrying the weight of guilt on his shoulders. But now he can finally let go of that burden and begin to heal.

Then there’s the matter of Slater inheriting everything. It was a bittersweet revelation, bringing mixed emotions. But Slater made it clear that he didn’t want any of Sean’s vast fortune. Nor did he ever want to step foot inside the property again. Instead, he decided to sell the house and use the money to buy a new one for my mom. She protested that it wasn’t necessary, that she’s managing perfectly fine, but it was a gesture of kindness from him that left me speechless, reminding me of the depth of his love for both me and my mom. With a house bought and paid for, my mom can relax a little and not feel so pressured to work extra shifts at the hospital. We both agreed we hated the thought of her working herself into an early grave, and it was a worthy cause to spend Slater’s inheritance on.

As for us, Slater and I made the decision to move forward together. We will return to university next week, pick up where we left off, build a future together. It won’t be easy, but we are determined to make it work.

I glance out the window, watching as morning light dances across the sky. The world is full of possibilities, and for the first time in a long time I’m feeling hopeful. Whatever the future holds, I know as long as I have Slater by my side, I can face it with courage and grace.

With a smile on my face, I turn away from the window, heading back to bed. Slater stirs as I climb in beside him, wrapping his arms around me in a gentle embrace.

“What time is it?”

“Early. You can go back to sleep. I love you,” I whisper, before pressing soft kisses to his chest. It’s bare, except for his tattoos.

“I love you too,” Slater’s hand drifts from my lower back, down to my ass cheek. I gasp when he gives it a firm squeeze. “Let’s go take a bath,” he mumbles, and I nod.

My mind wanders to the many memories I have with Slater and bathtubs.

This time will be different.

After we undress, and lower ourselves into the steaming water, I move closer to him.

“Make love to me,” I whisper, before leaning in for a kiss. Kissing Slater feels like coming home. Like years of longing finally ending.

When Slater reaches out for me, gripping my hips, and pulling me into him, I go willingly. More than willingly. I climb into his lap, and wrap my arms around his shoulders, pushing my wet fingers into his hair.

“You’re so beautiful,” Slater says between kisses, as he pushes my hair away from my face. “Fuck, you’re so stunning, Cora. You’re perfect, your body is so sexy.” His words of praise make my heart race, and I lean back so I can trail gentle kisses down his jaw to his neck, and then chest.

He tugs my head back, claiming my lips once again. I can’t help but rock my hips against him, loving the way he groans against my lips. His length between my thighs makes me gasp. He’s long and thick, and feels so good against my clit.

“I need you,” I beg, making Slater smile.

“Take me then, little darkness.” He thrusts up against me and I moan, before reaching between our bodies and grabbing his shaft.

I push his tip to my entrance and grind down into him. As he enters me, I watch Slater’s face - the way his eyelids droop and his lips part on a moan. I lift and drop again as the water sloshes around us, spilling out of the tub and onto the floor. Neither of us seem to give a damn.

Slater grips my ass cheeks in his large hands and spreads them open, allowing him to enter me more deeply.

“Fuck, you ride my cock so well, Cora. I’m so in love with you.” Slater kisses me again, releasing one of my cheeks to caress my breast, brushing his thumb over my nipple.

“That feels so good, you feel so good. I love the way your cock feels inside me,” I moan, surprised by my own bold words. I want him to feel the way I do when he speaks those dirty words to me.

“Come for me, Cora. Milk my cock with that tight pussy,” he demands, using the hand that was just on my breast to circle my clit with his thumb.

The delicate sensation has me arching my back, but something is missing…I need more.

Slater must sense this, because then he’s wrapping a fist around my throat, cutting off my air. As I struggle to suck in air, my pussy pulses around his cock. The orgasm starts slow, before exploding through me.

“Fuck, your pussy is strangling my cock, Cora.”

We come together, and when he releases my throat, I gasp for air, and fall against his chest.

After that, we help each other clean up. I’m drying off, when Slater yanks the towel out of my hands, and bends me over the sink. I giggle when he playfully slaps a hand over my ass and then grips a fist full of my hair.

Without a word, he slams into me from behind. He bottoms out in one thrust, and I arch, screaming.

The way he fucks me, hard and ruthless, is everything I never knew I needed so badly. I watch his face in the mirror, the way his eyes fall shut on a moan. Then he looks down at where our bodies meet and his thrusts slow.

“The way your pussy swallows my cock is mesmerizing. I could fuck you until I die.”

“Yes,” I whisper, the only words I can say. Over and over.

Until his hand wraps around my throat and cuts off my air once again.

I come with him once more, this time passing out.

When I wake, he’s wrapped around me in bed.

I fall asleep, snuggled close to the man I love.