Page 97 of Monster in Disguise

Slut

Whore

Tart

My hands are trembling, but I try to hold my head high.

Everyone's talking about me, and what those women think they saw in the bathroom. How I'm so cheap I'm willing to lift my skirts for any man.

So many feelings threaten to overwhelm me – panic, embarrassment, fear.

But then I see him.

We make eye contact and I can finally breathe again.

He's here.

His eyes move around my body and I can only imagine what he's seeing... the state I'm in.

Marcello runs towards me and tugs me to his chest, holding me tight.

"What happened?" His voice is low and gruff.

"He... He tried..." I start. I can barely speak, but I tell him everything.

His hands tighten in my hair. The warmth emanating from his body makes me relax... He's here, that's all I need to know. When I'm with Marcello, I just know I'm safe. As he holds me, people continue to run their mouths, calling me all types of names.

I'm so embarrassed for Marcello. What must he think of me?

"Don't listen to them." His voice is for my ears only, and the pain in his eyes mirrors my own.

He drapes his blazer over my ruined dress and takes my hand, ready to leave.

But it's far from over.

Like the Red Sea, the crowd parts to reveal Franco, looking extremely smug.

"You see, everyone? You see how she's trying to ruin men? She's a Jezebel, I tell you. Driving good men to their doom!" Franco targets me directly, almost shoving his finger in my face.

Marcello places me behind him in a protective gesture.

"That's what you did to my son too, didn't you? You seduced him and then you fucking killed him. She's a murderess, everyone! A murderess Jezebel!" Why is everyone so against me? What did I ever do to them? I look around, and all I can see are accusing faces... hear derogatory words.

I close my eyes briefly, trying to escape the pressure building inside of me. But why do I bother? They've already branded me a whore and a murderess.

"I didn't!" I find my voice, surprising even myself. If they want a scandal, they will have one. I'll just state the truth.

"He was a pedophile... He was touching my daughter." People are quiet all around at my confession, but then Franco laughs.

"Aw, really? Like mother like daughter then. She's starting young."

I take a step back, my mouth hanging open in shock. He... Did he just... Tears are running down my face at this point. How can he say that?

I'm so shocked I barely register Marcello leaving my side. I immediately look for him, needing his presence.

He's maybe two steps away, his hand on a fork.

With inhuman speed, he flings the fork towards Franco, sharp side forward. Both the aim and the force must have been incredible because the fork embeds itself into Franco's right eye.

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