Enslaved To Fulfill His Desires

ernoon sun cast long shadows between the trees, and the air felt heavier with each mile. Elaine sat with her hands folded tightly in he

, her eyes fixed on the trees outside. The sil

ke, her voice was soft-lik

nversational, "it wasn't entirel

ted cautiously. "

your presence had become unsettling in the house. That maybe, in

opened, then closed again.

. He's got to protect what's his. Stephan has been on edge ever since the last stunt you pulled, Priscill

dry. The mention of her uncle saying suc

he cared," s

cisions. He told me once, 'I wish I hadn't let her stay so long.' Not out of cruelty, dear-but regret. He

ed behind her ribs. She didn't know what hurt mo

mething f

d any of that to

ver been good at confrontation. He'd rather let things rot quietly than pu

now looked darker-thicker. The road narrowed the deepe

y that," she said softly, mo

o understand-everyone agreed. Everyone. This wasn't just some r

d quiet. Her

forward, her

th. You were brought into that house out of guilt. A gesture. A favor.

. I always tried to fit in. I jus

ted, voice curling like smoke. "You were a charity case.

etting the si

he truth. Marcus never planned for you to stay. I just w

dn't let the tears fall. Not yet

to Aunt Margaret," she said q

Margaret wouldn't let you through her door. Not even if I offered

breath

where are

l, rusted gates came into view. Smoke curled in the sky

inally be useful,"

. The paths grew larger, more menacing with every

e whispered, h

sson number one: people lie when the truth is in

Her world, her hopes-all shattere

conscience clean. He lied about me taking you to Margaret,I never said such bu

of road gave way to Cobblestone. Elaine wiped her

at th

aine's room, once warm with scattered boo

, dressed in Elaine's favorite go

e muttered. She ripped the gown off, f

tched a gold brooch Marcus had gifted her cousin. It gleamed on

window, chain-smoking. His fingers ta

ast," he said to no

ever behind his eyes. Elaine had slipped away

uld've had her when I had the

full bottle of whiskey stood untouched. His elbo

ot agree

aret. He had imagined sending for her

something

flickered when he mentioned Margaret.

pped his ches

ting under the mango tree. Joseph and his younger siblings

bsently. His mind, how

Maureen speaking to a man called "the merchant." S

n the silence of the halls and the

laine had been taken,

t be coming

came back

would not come