Married To My Bully's Father

e air hung too cold and too sterile. How the silence was never really silent, not wit

er a hospital blanket, lips pale, chest rising in slow, shallow pulls

ith Sunday pancakes, scratchy old records on lazy afternoons, her dad's laugh echoing through their r

g slowly.Scarlett stepped closer, brushing the hair back from his damp forehead. He didn't

d to "discuss options." Insurance didn't cover the experimental tr

nked them for their "concern," and hu

ssed what happened in that alley yet. The business card sat in her coat pocket, c

already knew she wo

ours late

n. Just a silent connection, and then

now

s Ha

rom behind her.

rned s

ring fluorescent lights. Gone was the tailored coat from the alley. He wore a gray s

ped inside without waitin

ically, body tense. "H

led the

sn't an

n't nee

"Do you always stalk peopl

stalking," he said fl

. But she hated the way it made her feel like she'

er father in the bed. His face

"He's a human being

said ot

silence passed

his coat and pulled o

hat?" Scar

of

on't even know what

teady. "You don't need to sleep with me. There's no rom

thudded. "

sentable in the public eye. I take care of your father's medical costs, provide a monthly stipe

e'd spoken in another languag

es

love, just..

es

shaky step

or a moment. "I

y m

the first time, somet

izes certain dynamics that, frankly, I don't care to explain t

you want

scandals. Desperate enough to take the de

t flooding her chest. "Is that

s a

her father again. A machine

now your name,"

. "Domini

mpire finance, tech, pharmaceuticals. Headlines followed him like shadows. No one really knew who he

ed. Ironclad. It spelled everything out duration: one year, renewable. No sexual obligation. A

rrifi

made h

ipped down her chee

ed it a

ting, don't you?" she

. "I think you're

k a model or a trained actress

they have

ilence

resent the rules. But you won't go hungry. Your father won't die in

hated him. Not for what he was

pens if I

Your life continues the way it

ack down at

e," she sai

"You have seve

he

ontract still in her lap. The folder smelled fai

ed at he

k at the

y-two

erything wo