Page 86 of Kortlek

The footsteps are much lighter than those I heard upstairs, and I could recognize them anywhere. It’s Wyatt. As if to taunt me, his movements are deliberately slow, almost to the point of suffocating me.

Air thickens around me as he pushes the door open and steps inside. The lightbulb above flickers, and my skin gets goosebumps all over. Instinctively, I stand in front of Rose, hands by my side, fisted.

His brown hair is slicked back, with one strand falling down his forehead. The small scar he got while riding his bike and falling off is hidden poorly behind the hair, his lips curled into a deep, sadistic smirk.

It’s his eyes.

Those used to terrify me. Until recently, even when my nightmares didn’t show his face, his eyes would be there. There was a certain look he’d give me before he did things to me, and it’s this one. It used to force me to quiver in his presence, to beg, and to cry.

Now, I no longer feel like that.

I’m not alone.

And mentally, I’m no longer that scared little girl.

I’d be lying if I said that the trauma and fear disappeared overnight. They didn’t. They probably never will. But I found the strength inside me. It’s powerful enough not to let the fear overpower me and take control of my body, mind, or soul. It keeps me alive.

My power is Cove. He gave me the power I was craving and needing and made sure his words made a permanent mark on me. Cove Steele is the reason I am able to stand in front of Wyatt with my head held high, with the fear shoved at the back of my head.

Cove Steele put the pieces of my tarnished soul back together, taking a couple for himself to keep. And I know he’ll keep them safe. My soul belongs to him. Everything that I am, everything that I want to be, is all his.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wyatt’s smirk falters for a moment, a look of surprise flashing behind his eyes. Not too long ago, back at the fighting basement, I was too scared. I could barely speak or move, let alone keep strong eye contact.

Yet here I am, silently challenging him, urging him to do something. He didn’t expect it — he had hoped to see that broken, terrified girl he loved to use and abuse.

“Is everything alright, Wyatt? Or, do you prefer Karl now?”

I surprised him with the tranquility in my voice. I’m shocked, too, though I don’t let it show. The time of him being able to see through me, to spot my weaknesses and use them against me, is long gone. Not anymore. Not ever again.

“Wyatt is fine, baby,’’ he says, stepping forward. The smirk returns, but the confidence lacks in his eyes. He drifts his attention to Rose behind me, then settles his gaze on me. He’s trying to intimidate me, giving me that sadistic look he’s used to seeing me fear.

“Baby? I’m not your baby, Wyatt.’’

He lifts a brow, tilting his head to the side. Silently, he scans me, head to toe, a few times. He chuckles, shaking his head and laughing.

“You used to be,’’ he states. “Don’t you remember? It was one of the best years of our lives.’’

A scoff slips from me before I can stop it, and my hands slowly relax. I put them in my pockets, holding the small weapon tightly just in case.

“Maybe yours. Not mine.’’

“You loved me,’’ Wyatt grits out, stepping toward me yet again. Rose’s hand sneaks around my forearm, gripping it tightly. She’s not scared — she’s angry. I don’t look at her; I can’t afford to take my eyes off him. If he’s anything, he’s unpredictable, and I’m not giving him any advantages here.

“Loved you? Yes. I did. The first few months of our relationship were great. But you never loved me, did you, Wyatt? Your goal was always to just use me. You just didn’t think I’d tell anyone, did you? You thought I’d lie down and take all of the abuse and let you win.’’

The smirk disappears from his face, and the monster of my nightmares appears. This is exactly like the nightmares I’ve been having. His eyes are widened in rage, his lips curled into a snarl as he breathes heavily. He’s one moment from snapping.

Instead of letting the spark of fear consume me, I step forward, determined to face my greatest fear, the biggest monster of my mind.

“Let me be frank, Wyatt,’’ I chuckle lowly. “I was naive. I thought I knew what love was, and at some point, I thought I deserved your treatment. I thought that was what love was supposed to feel like, but it wasn’t. And you know that. You know that you never loved me, and that a sick, twisted motherfucker like you isn’t capable of loving anyone but yourself.’’

“You know that I love you—’’

I cut him off before he can spew more bullshit. I’m not sure where the words are coming from, but I let my tongue take over. Perhaps I’ve been waiting for a long time to say it, or perhaps it’s all in the spur of the moment. However, seeing Wyatt falter just makes me want to go on more.

“Love? You wouldn’t know what love is if it hit you in the face. That’s why your mother left you, Wyatt. Even she could tell that you’re unworthy of love, that you’re a pathetic excuse of a man. I’ll bet that she’s embarrassed to have given birth to you. I’ll bet she wishes she never had you. You ruined her life, and then you tried ruining mine. And at a certain point in time, you had ruined it. Not anymore, motherfucker. You no longer have any control over me. You no longer scare me. If anything, you should be scared of me.’’

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