Chapter 6
The man inside lunged, yanking Fiona into the room.]
Instantly, Seth burst through the door, Connor and Chloe clinging to his hands, faces etched with false concern.]
“Seth!”
Eleanor wailed, throwing herself into his arms. Her voice was shrill with manufactured terror. []
“Fiona didn’t believe we’re just friends! She drugged me! Said she wanted to watch another man ruin me… so she’d finally feel
safe!”
She pointed frantically at her disheveled hair, the marks on her neck. “You got here just in time… or else…“]]
“I did nothing,” Fiona stated firmly. “The driver brought me. He said there was an event.”[]
The driver stepped forward instantly. “Ma’am, don’t lie. You told me to drive here. Said there was a ‘show‘ about to start.“[]
The half–naked man scrambled, pointing at Fiona. “She hired me! Said she found me a high–class hookup! Swear to God, Mr. Sterling, if I knew she meant your woman, I’d never- Please!“]
Seth looked at Fiona. Disbelief curdled into profound disappointment. []
I WI
“Jealousy is ugly, Fiona. But this? Drugging her? Setting her up? After what happened to you? You’re vile.” []
His voice dropped, colder than the lake water. []
“Time you learned: hurt others, and you hurt yourself.”
He turned to the cowering man. “Want redemption? Here’s your chance.“]
Fiona’s blood ran cold. What are you doing? Seth, you can’t-“]
Seth’s laugh was icy. “I’m not as depraved as you. You wanted her defiled? I’ll just defile your face.”
He commanded the man: “Slap her. Hard. Until I say stop.“[]
The man scrambled up. Crack! The first blow exploded across Fiona’s cheek. Then another. And another. Like gunshots in the silent room.
One hundred times. Her face ballooned, grotesque. Blood trickled from her split lip like crimson tears.]]
Agony. Yet everyone watched–cold, amused. []
Seth didn’t look at her once, his focus solely on the trembling Eleanor in his arms. “Hospital. The drugs will wear off soon.“[]
“No!” Eleanor clung to him, sobbing dramatically. “I need you… now!” []
She crushed her lips against his.[]
Chapter 6
Seth’s mind screamed to push her away. His body rebelled. []
Her tears, the heat of her mouth… it shattered his control. []
With a groan, he swept Eleanor up, kicking open the door to the next private room and slamming it shut behind them.]
The sounds that followed – muffled gasps, urgent whispers, rhythmic thuds against the wall – left no room for doubt.[]
“Oui! Génial!” (“Yes! Great!)” Connor crowed in French behind Fiona, his voice dripping with excitement. “Tante Eleanor est incroyable! Écoutez–la mettre la pilule dans le café de papa, ils s’embrassent!” (“Aunt Eleanor was right! Put the stuff in Daddy’s coffee and they kissed!)“]]
“Oui, nous aurons bientôt des petits et des soeurs intelligents!” (“Yeah, soon we’ll have smart new brothers and sisters)!” Chloe chirped.
Fiona turned, stiff as stone.
The twins‘ growing disrespect after starting French lessons had prompted her to secretly learn the language too.
She never imagined Seth was the one drugged.]]
She never imagined Eleanor would use children as pawns.]
Seeing Fiona look at them, Connor offered a careless shrug in English. “Don’t be sad, Mommy. We know you didn’t do it.“[]
“Yeah,” Chloe added sweetly. “And sorry about the bracelet! We just… saw wrong!“]
Fiona felt a hysterical laugh bubble up. “I’m not angry.” []
Why waste anger on people who meant nothing?]
P
Seeing her “placated,” the kids instantly switched back to French, voices dripping with smug contempt.[]
L
“Maman est stupide et nous avons trompé à nouveau!” (“Told you she’s dumb. Fell for it again!)“]
“Elle nous aime, c’est notre chien lécheur, et certainement pas se mettre en colèrè contre nous.” (“She loves us too much. She’s our doormat. Won’t stay mad.)“]
“Non, dit tante Eleanor, les hommes sont appelés chiens lécheurs, les femmes sont des salauds.” (“No, no. Aunt Eleanor said boys are doormats. Girls like her? They’re trash.)“]
“Oui, maman est une salope! Il vaut mieux que tante snowyin, qui nous a enseigné tant de connaissances utiles.” (“Yes. Mommy is trash! Aunt Eleanor’s the best! She teaches us such useful knowledge!“)]
Fiona said nothing.
French, the language of love and art, twisted into something ugly by their tiny mouths. []
So this is how Eleanor teaches them. A chilling thought surfaced: If she knew Connor and Chloe were her own flesh and blood… would she still?
