Page 62 of Whispers of Obsession

My heart sinks. Sean? What is he doing here? Nothing good ever comes from seeing him, and last night was already sooner than I wanted to spend time with him again. Twice in less than a day is torture.

“Cora, be polite,” my mother warns, grinning widely at Sean and inviting him into the house.

I want to scream at her to stop, to not let this monster back into our home - our lives - but the warning glare she shoots me when I open my mouth has me snapping it closed again.

Sean enters the room, his eyes locked on me, assessing, unnerving. His presence swallows the room hole, just like it did before. He greets my mother, and they chat about the day’s happenings, their voices a dull hum in the background. I stand frozen, my mind reeling.

This can’t be happening. Not now. Not after...not after last night. Not with the masked man’s touch still on my skin, his taste lingering in my mouth. I don’t want to be around Sean, don’t want him tainting memories I’ve not even processed yet myself.

“Cora, dear,” my mother says, her voice bringing me back to reality, “Sean has some important news for you.” She beckons me over, an excited smile playing on her lips.

I can’t do this. I can’t face him, not now. Not after. I need time, space, to process. But there’s no escape.

“Do you mind giving us a minute?” Sean asks my mother coldly. Her smile falters, but she nods.

“Of course. I’ll…be right back.”

Sean hands me an envelope, and I glare at him.

“That was rude,” I hiss. I want to tell him it was a dick move, but Sean gets funny about me using cuss words, even in my own house.

He smirks, and nods his head at the envelope in my hand. It’s cold, almost chilling in my trembling hand as I open it, revealing a single piece of paper. It’s a letter, and it’s addressed to me.

My hands shake as I unfold it, the words a blur as my eyes scan the lines. My heart sinks further into my chest as I struggle to understand the news Sean carries.

“W-what is this?” I whisper.

“It’s a letter of acceptance, for college, Cora,” he replies smoothly, though I detect a hint of amusement in his tone.

“I don’t understand,” I tell him, shaking my head. “I didn’t apply here because they don’t offer scholarships.”

He laughs, a low, mocking sound that makes my skin crawl. “Once again, Cora, you are mistaken. We offer full scholarships to exceptional students, and based on your scores and transcript, you have earned one.”

I stare at him, my mind reeling. “W-we?”

“I’m on the board at the college. It’s a fairly new appointment, but I was more than happy to pull a few strings for family.”

I almost gag at the way he saysfamily.

This can’t be happening. I must have heard wrong – it’s impossible. But there, in black and white, are the words I never thought I’d see: “We offer you a full scholarship to attend our prestigious institution.”

I stammer out a thanks, my voice small and shaky. I can’t meet Sean’s eyes. This is no gift, no kindness bestowed upon me by a generous benefactor. My ex-stepfather nevergiveswithout strings attached.

“You’ll be pleased to know it’s the same college Slater’s attending,” Sean tells me with a sly smile.

My hands tremble as I crumple the letter in my fist, feeling its weight and warmth draining away.

My mother’s phone rings, and she races through to the kitchen to answer it. It’s probably the hospital calling again, desperate for someone to cover a shift. Except, it’s always my mom that’s the someone. She’s never around. If she were…last night would never have happened, surely?

“That’s perfect,” Sean says, nodding at me smugly and drawing my attention back to him. “You two can study together, or whatever it is you do when he keeps sneaking over here. You’re welcome, by the way. I thought it would make our little arrangement more...convenient.”

“Arrangement? What ‘arrangement’ are you talking about?” I demand, the tears welling up in my eyes again.

Sean just chuckles, his eyes flicking to the kitchen where there’s no sign of my mother other than her exasperated tone with whoever she’s speaking to.

“Oh, come now, Cora. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your extra tuition was paid for by me, right? As were your clothes, your phone, everything. Your mom walked away with virtually nothing in the divorce, so long as I looked after you. Isn’t it worth giving me a little something in return?”

I open my mouth to speak, to deny, to scream, but I can’t find the words. I can only look down at my hands, at the crumpled letter in my fist, and feel my world collapsing around me.

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