6
518words
The crowd’s noise and sneers drove me mad,but my feet wouldn’t move.
For the first time,I fought back.
I rushed in,kneeling before Mom,tears streaming,begging,“It’s my fault.I seduced him.Please,let’s go home.”
My grip on her skirt loosened,falling limp.
I couldn’t meet James’s eyes,terrified of seeing scorn or pity.
I hated myself.
I didn’t know his eyes held only heartache.
At home,Mom left for a call.
In the vast mansion,Ethan lounged on the sofa,legs crossed,smirking.
My disheveled state amused him.His fingers tapped rhythmically.
“James Dawson,right?”he said,tone mocking.“Not bad-looking.No wonder you fell for him.”
Cold dread climbed my spine.
Ethan rarely called me sister—he forbade me from tainting their family.
When he did,he was furious.
I knelt before him.“Ethan,I’ll obey.I won’t contact James again.”
He patted my head,voice tender.“You know what happens if you don’t.”
He sighed.“Lily,what do I do with you?Who’d love trash like you?”
I cut James off,blocking him everywhere,locking his memory away.
Ethan controlled my life.
No school alone,no talking to others.
He locked me in,hired tutors,forced me to study for his university.
I became his toy.
At college,I met Emma.
I asked her what love was.
“Love is obeying him,never leaving,always depending,”she said.
Did I love Ethan?
I did.
I loved him.
“Lily,you scared me,”James said now,sighing,ruffling my hair.“Been bullied?”
I stayed silent.His familiar embrace,warm like sun-dried blankets,calmed me.
I nuzzled him.He blushed,realizing we were entwined on the bridge.
He patted my back,stammering,“It’s okay,Lily.I’m back.No one will hurt you now.”
James walked me home.
The river wind was chilly.He draped his coat over me,the hem brushing my ankles.
“Lily,you still don’t take care of yourself,”he said.
Three years had transformed the gentle boy into a tall,striking man.
And me?Still a mess.
We walked in silence.I didn’t want to discuss my past,hiding it from him.
“Lily…”
“James…”
We spoke at once,laughing.
His laugh was pure,free of mockery.
“You first,”he said,eyes soft.
My heart raced,like that summer when he brushed sand from my cheek,smiling shyly.
I’d lost control then.
“How’s life now?”I asked.
He thought.“Far from ideal.But meeting someone gave me direction.”
Someone…who?
My heart pounded.I tucked my hair,avoiding his gaze.“They must be important.”
“Yes,Lily.Very.”
He stopped,his voice low,bathed in the streetlamp’s glow.
The world hushed—no cicadas,no chatter,just my thundering heart.
His gaze was steady,merging with the boy who’d walked toward me.
They’d both crossed time’s ocean for me.
I touched my chest,heart racing,fearing it was a mirage.
“James,I’m home.Thanks.”
I fled,my skirt fluttering like wings.
I glanced back.He stood there,watching me go.
Inside,I saw Ethan outside,soaked in dew,staring at me.He’d waited long.
I ignored him,but he grabbed my arm,pulling me close.“Lily,fresh from the hospital,and you’re already chasing guys?”
“Have you no shame?”
His touch made my skin crawl.I shoved him.“Don’t touch me!”
He sneered,gripping tighter.“He can touch you,but I can’t?”
His face blurred with the hospital’s leering demons.
I trembled,begging,“Please,don’t.”
Seeing my fear,his jealousy flared.He remembered my smile with James,burning with envy.
“You’re mine,Lily.No one else can have you.”He grabbed my chin,forcing me to look up.
“I’m not—”His lips crashed onto mine.
My breath stopped,eyes wide with horror.
