Something bad happened to Joseph. It’s obvious. Su Yin, the screams from the black room, his cold personality, and the yearning in his expression when he’s late in disguising it.
My wedding band gleams against the pale skin of my finger, leaving me doubtful of my choices right now. My body is on fire, my mind working overtime, and yet the inner glow that he put there is something I would happily wear for the rest of my life.
* * *
When I resurface,he’s gone, and it’s not long before Mrs. Harrington appears.
“Mrs. Ravera.”
I blink as she accompanies her words with a small smile.
“Please follow me. Mr. Ravera has asked that I help you prepare for your guests.”
I follow her out of the room as she bustles down the staircase and heads toward the guest room where my closet is. I’m amazed when I follow her in and note the bulging rails, all coordinated by color, and the ever-increasing shoe display that has definitely doubled since I was last in here.
“I take it Harrods made another delivery.”
I stare in amazement at the designer outfits begging to be worn.
“Mr. Ravera insisted. If there is anything that doesn’t fit or displeases you, I’ll arrange its return.”
My heart is empty as I stare at the rows of elegant dresses, casual trousers, tops, and silk lingerie.
None of it is mine.
I’m just somebody else’s doll, exactly what Morgan promised I would be.
The air is thick in here, so stifling I can’t breathe. Memories of Morgan’s closet, not dissimilar to this one, merging with the memories of what happened in there. Joseph replacing the man powering into her, me replacing her as he thumps inside me, surrounded by material possessions, the weakness of so many.
“Are you okay, Mrs. Ravera?”
I shake my head, a panic attack gripping me from out of nowhere, and I sink down to my knees, my head in my hands as Morgan’s cruel taunts reach me from the past.
“Hurry up, Tiffany, you’re taking too long.”
A pain in the back of my head as a stiletto catches me off-guard.
“You’re so ugly, inside and out.”
“No wonder your mother left; she couldn’t bear to look at you.”
Thumping, groaning, moaning, sex, tension, danger.
It all swirls around me, and only a gentle hand on my arm steers me away from the abyss.
“Mrs. Ravera. It’s okay, nobody is going to hurt you.”
I raise my stricken gaze to the kind face of the housekeeper, fresh tears spilling down my face as I whisper, “How do you make the nightmares go away, Mrs. Harrington?”
She drops down beside me and pulls me close, her arms wrapping me in comfort as she strokes my hair, whispering soothing words.
“It’s okay, my darling. Nobody can hurt you. I’m here now.”
I squeeze my eyes tightly shut, wishing that were true more than anything. Butshe’sstill out there, plotting my downfall, and Joseph’s words cut deep.
I’m to be sold as a sex slave because I’m broken and discarded like an irreparable toy. How can one woman be so cruel? How could my own parents be so cruel?
My breathing is fast, and Mrs. Harrison whispers, “Take deep breaths, darling. I’ll fetch you a nice cup of tea to calm your nerves.”
