Vale chuckles. “Sure, run off. We’ll finish the hand without you.”
Ignoring him, I leave the room. I head to my office, grab a Post-it note, and write a new set of instructions.
Stay off the balcony, or you’ll get what’s coming to you.
Suddenly finding myself hoping she won’t listen, I go down to her floor and slide the paper under the door.
13
Seraphina
“Come on, sweetie. It’ll be different with him. He’s not like Thomas. Or the Beast, as you call him.”
“He’s still a monster, though.”
Mama sits down next to me, stroking my hair. “The days of struggling are over. Alfie is going to take good care of us. He loves you already.”
I look up at her, at the deep lines etched in her face, at the purple circles under her eyes. She’s struggled so much, and at last, she sees the light at the end of the tunnel. I should be happy for her.
The problem is, Idon’tsee light at the end of the tunnel. Only more darkness.
A worse kind of darkness than before, because I don’t understand it.
“He’ll spoil you, sweetie. Whatever you want, he’ll buy. Remember how you used to dream of owning a sparkly pink dress?”
“I’m fourteen, mama. I don’t want a sparkly pink dress anymore.”
“Please, sweetie. Alfie is a good person. He’s going to take care of you. I promise you that.”
She stares at me, smiling, and her face suddenly becomes mangled, her smile a deranged grimace, smeared with red. But it’s not real life. It’s nothing but a bad dream. A nightmare.
I wake up in a cold sweat, but I’m used to it.
Still, this nightmare was particularly bad. It takes me a while to cut through the fog. By the time I do, it’s noon.
I disobeyed Damien. I didn’t mean to, but I did.
I lay back down, feeling hopeless. It doesn’t matter if I wake up at seven or stay in bed all day. He’s not coming anyway. He’s barely come since he’s brought me down here. I probably won’t see him again for days, so there’s nothing to look forward to.
I stare at the ceiling, replaying what he did to me again and again.
Searching for the pressure again, I drag my hands over my body, twist my own nipples, and inhale as I feel tingling that seems to emanate from my very core. I slide a few hesitant fingers over my stomach, under my panties, and…
A sudden loud noise makes me jerk up, startled. I look around, confused, and see the phone ringing on the other side of the room.
It’s the phone I was staring at last night, a nice change from the blank wall in the living room. I’ve never even thought of using it, though. I assumed it was a toy. And even if it wasn’t, who would I even call?
I stand up slowly and walk over, wondering who it could be. Damien always leaves Post-it notes under the front door, and that’s usually my only contact with him. If he’s even the one leaving thenotes. I find myself doubting everything lately. It’s not like me to let things play on my mind like this. If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s plagued with uncertainty or anxiety. And yet these days, I seem to be overwhelmed with both of those uncomfortable sensations.
I pick up the phone, swallowing my nerves.
“Yes?”
“Good morning, my naughty girl. Or rather, good afternoon.”
I clutch the phone to my ear as I hear the familiar voice tinged with dark humor.
“Naughty girl?” I echo in a whispering tone.
