Page 63 of Whispers of Obsession

This was never about my education. It was about his control, his power over me.

“You’re a monster,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Sean just laughs, a cold, cruel sound. “I prefer to think of myself as a helpful mentor. To see you succeed where your mother couldn’t.”

I’m suddenly grateful for the tears streaming down my face because they hide the disgust I feel. I wipe them away, try to regain my composure, and say, “I appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me, but itwon’tbe given back to you in kind.”

Sean’s eyes narrow, a dangerous glint in them. “We’ll see.”

My mother returns from the kitchen, phone still in her hand, her face flushed with worry. “Who was that, Mom?”

Sean smiles, patting my shoulder, before answering for her. I try not to recoil from his touch in front of my mom. “Just a work call. But I have some great news for our little scholar here.” His gaze lingers on me, almost taunting, before he shifts his attention back to her. “Cora got accepted into the same college that Slater is attending, and not only that, she was offered a full scholarship.”

My heart sinks. There’s no way I can turn it down now that she knows. Not that I would. I’m in no position to deny a chance at a free education, and I have no intention of paying for it in whatever way Sean has in mind either. But I can deal with it, I’ll work something out.

My mother’s eyes light up, and she beams at me. “That’s amazing, honey! I knew you could do it! You’re so smart and hardworking.”

But I can’t feel her joy, can’t share her excitement. I don’t workthathard. I try, but I’m not naturally smart like Lizzy. I don’tdeservea scholarship. Sean has obviously pulled strings, but why?

I force a smile, trying to dampen my mother’s excitement. “Yeah, it’s...amazing. I can’t believe I got accepted.”When I didn’t even apply.

Sean claps me on the back, though the smile hasn’t left his face. “You reallyearnedit. You should be proud. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”

As soon as Sean leaves, my mother pulls me into a warm hug, her words muffled by my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you, Cora.”

I return her embrace, my heart heavy with the knowledge of the deal I’d somehow made with the devil. But I knew I had tomake it through this ordeal somehow, for the sake of my mother and my own future.

We spend the next few minutes discussing the logistics of the scholarship - where to enroll, what to major in, and when to start. The excitement is palpable, and I can’t help but feel an ounce of happiness at the thought of escaping this difficult environment. I love my mom, I do, but I won’t be sad to leave and start living for me.

As my mother begins to leave the room, she turns to me with a concerned look on her face. “Cora, are you okay? You seem...distant.”

I swallow hard, trying to find the words. “I’m just overwhelmed, Mom. This is all so...surreal. I never thought I’d get this opportunity.”

She nods, understanding. “I know, honey. But you deserve it. You’re smart, hardworking, and you’ll do great things.”

I force a smile, wishing I could tell her the truth about what this scholarship means, but I know she would never understand.

Sean’s words echo in my mind: “We’ll see.” I know that this is just the beginning of a long and dangerous game.

And I have no idea how to play it.

But one thing’s certain, I can’t go on like this, can’t continue being this naive good little girl that everyone uses and takes advantage of.

It’s time to grow a backbone and start standing up for myself. No more good girl Cora.

PART TWO

5 MONTHS LATER

26

CORA

It’s been three months of summer vacation, and two months since school started. It’s the same town, but somehow everything feels different. I’m living on campus now, in a dorm room that’s covered by the cost of attending the school. I do go home often though.

The last time I saw the masked man still haunts me, but he hasn’t visited me since he ripped away my virginity.

I’m here now, so he probably has no idea where to find me. I don’t really know how I feel about that. Safe, or…oddly empty.

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