The words hit my chest like a bullet. In an instant, I’m a child again, standing small and trembling as my stepmother’s voice cuts into me.
“No one will ever love a girl like you. Not with that hair. Not with that skin. You’ll always be invisible, ugly and everything Elena is not.”
My vision blurs. The air is suddenly too heavy, pressing in on my lungs. I stumble back, shaking my head, muttering something I can’t even hear. And then I turn and run before the walls close in completely.
I slam through the restroom door, gripping the porcelain sink so hard my knuckles whiten. My chest heaves in shallow bursts.I can’t breathe. Sabrina’s voice still echoes in my skull, merging with the ghosts of my stepmother’s cruelty.
The door bursts open. I don’t need to turn to know it’s Dominic. His presence fills the space like a storm waiting to rage. “Isabella.”
“Don’t—” My voice cracks, shame burning through me. “Just don’t, okay?” I don’t have it in me to put up with his cruelty. One more hit and I don’t know if I’ll survive.
He moves toward me, fingers clenched into fists by his side.
“Just go away,” my voice is pleading as tears burn my eyes.
His hand clamps my chin, tilting my face to his. “Don’t believe her.”
“She—she called me a basic…wannabe…” I shut my eyes, unable to look at him as the words rip out of me. And of course she’s right. “That’s all I’ve ever been. My stepmother—she used to say the same things. That I would always be unwanted…” I hate myself for breaking down, especially in front of him. I hate myself for being the ugly, pathetic bitch that I am.
“So tell me…” Tears wet my cheeks. “How can I not believe her when she called me all the things I’ve been called all my life?”
“Look at me,” he growls.
When my eyes lock with his, the room stops spinning. “They’ll fucking regret—”
“No!” My voice comes out louder than intended. “You don’t understand anything!”
The muscle in his jaw ticks, but he says nothing. “You live above everyone else. No one even dares to breathe wrongly near you. You’re feared… respected. But me…” My voice cracks, and a sob escapes from my lips. “I’m the trash. I’m a nobody.”
Always have been, always will be. My legs give up, and I fall to the ground, burying my face in my hands as hot tears spill out. I’ll never be good enough, never be worthy enough to be loved. I’m too pathetic and weak.
He crouches down next to me, his thumb stroking my jaw tenderly.
“Dom…” It comes out as a plea, though I don’t know if I’m begging him to leave or to keep touching me. He chooses for me.
His mouth crashes onto mine, rough and consuming, tasting of fury and want. I grip his shirt as he lifts me onto the sink. The marble counter bites into the back of my thighs as Dominic spreads me wide, stepping in until the heat of him consumes the small space between us. His hand fists the back of my neck.
“Say you’re unwanted again,” he growls against my lips, breath hot and uneven. “I dare you. I’ll fuck the lie out of you.”
His belt clinks open, and my pulse jumps as he frees himself.
“On your knees.”
The command leaves no room for hesitation. I slide down from the counter, palms flat on the cool porcelain as I sink before him. His hand tangles in my hair, dragging my head back until I meet his stare.
“Open that pretty mouth.”
My lips part instinctively and he drives into me, thick heat stretching my throat. I gag, tears spilling from my eyes, but his groan vibrates through me. He holds my head still, fucking my mouth, each thrust rough and deep.
“Look at you,” his ragged breath breaks his voice. “On your knees like you were made for it. You think any man wouldn’t kill to have you like this?”
My shame transforms into hunger, and I take him deeper, hollowing my cheeks, and swallowing him down until my throat tightens around him.
“Fuck!” He yanks me up, spit and tears glistening on my chin as I stumble against the counter. “You think I’d waste myself anywhere but inside your sweet pussy?” His hands fist in my dress, shoving it up past my hips. In one swift movement, he rips my panties off, tucking the torn fabric into his pocket.
“I liked that pair,” I whisper.
“I like you without them,” he growls against my ear, one hand wrapping tight around my throat. “Look at the mirror, Princess. I want you to see what you do to me.”
