Page 596 of Coal Hearts

Hated that I’d been so alone.

Hated how wonderful it was to suddenly have someone. Someone who threw up a shield between me and horror and kept me hidden just for a moment.

The past weeks unravelled, crushing me into tears.

Victor.

H-He raped me.

I didn’t watch.

But I’d felt it.

My body endured it.

He’d sullied me.

Defiled me.

Fucked me—

Nausea brewed hot in my stomach.

The urge to purge clutched around my throat.

I had a sudden commiseration for Henri and all the moments his system forced him to retch. It made sense. He had a lifetime of nightmares haunting him.

I only had one and it was enough to make me want to scream and scream and scream!

I cried harder.

I couldn’t stop.

God, I couldn’t stop.

“Ah, Ily...I’m sorry. So, so fucking sorry.” He rocked me, cradled me, treated me like spun sugar and gave me the sweetest kisses. He didn’t try to lick my tears. Didn’t growl at me to cease.

His strong arms wrapped tighter. His hard body supported mine.

Never in all my life had I felt so accepted, so cherished, so seen.

Never trusted someone enough to be so ugly and sad.

Just him.

This enemy turned twin flame.

My missing piece of my soul.

Victor’s grunts.

Victor’s thrusts.

Victor—

I couldn’t do it anymore.

Pulling away from Henri’s embrace, I tripped and grabbed his hand.