Page 15 of Savage Vicious Heir: Part Two

It hardened his heart, and it shattered mine. And as the years went on, we drifted apart. Both of us, too scared about what the future held.

I run my fingers over the dusty sideboard, a gnawing ache inside me that this could be my future.

Dark bleak loneliness.

The doorbell echoes through the house, startling me. I hurry and open it, relieved to see Maureen standing there.

“Oh, Abigail.” She drops the bags and pulls me into her arms. “Whatever is the matter?”

“I’m fine,” I whisper, trembling in her hold, losing the fight against the tears burning the backs of my eyes.

“You’re not fine, you’re shaking. Come on, love. Let’s get you inside and I’ll put the kettle on.” She presses a kiss to my hair and steps back to pick up the bags. “I brought you a few extra things in case you need them.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“Hush now. I promised your father I would always take care of you. Now why don’t you sit down and tell me what happened?”

She ushers me down the hall and pulls out a chair for me.

“I’m—”

“Abigail, sweetheart, if you tell me you’re fine one more time, I’ll be forced to call Mr Porter and find out what the hell is going on up at that school.”

“I met a boy.”

“A boy, how wonder— Oh, I see.” Her expression drops. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Force you to do things you’re not?—”

“No, no. Nothing like that.” Heat stains my cheeks. “He turned out to be someone else.”

“Ah.” She makes the tea and joins me at the table, pushing a mug towards me. “Boys are complicated creatures, Abigail. They often say one thing and do another.”

“Yes, they do.”

“But you’re still young, sweetheart. There’s plenty of time for boys. You’re in a vulnerable place right now.” Her expression hardens a little. “It will make it easier for people to take advantage of you.”

Too late for that, I trap the words behind my lips. Refusing to let myself remember.

I gave Elliot control of my body, my pain. I submitted to him.

And I liked it.

I don’t know if that’s because of everything I’ve been through or because deep down, it’s in my nature.

I guess it doesn’t matter now.

I’ll never trust him with my body again, let alone my heart.

I smother the sob caught in my throat, wondering how things could change so quickly.

How I went from thinking Elliot had chosen me, that he wanted me—to standing in that pub being utterly humiliated.

But I guess I know the answer.

It was staring me in the face all along.

Elliot Eaton is out of my league.

And I’m just the lost, lonely girl he thought to take advantage of.

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