22. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
VERONICA
If Uncle Thomas could see the state of the garden, he’d die all over again.
Sure, it’s still beautiful, but I notice every flaw, every neglected flower, and it’s abundantly clear the gardener has no idea what they are doing. Even Gareth can keep a flower alive.
Hopefully.
Whenever I get the chance to go back to the village, I hope to see my own sanctuary of flowers happy and healthy. If not, Gareth is going to have to beg for forgiveness. Now that would be a sight to see.
After waking up from my worst goddamn nightmare, I was drawn to the one place that always kept me calm. Seeing Sebastian was just as much of a surprise as discovering that silly little cat alive and well. Though, my heart did tighten when I saw him, as if it was still his secret getaway.
At least that hasn’t changed.
Soap lathers against my pruned fingers as I wash the few dishes left in the deep silver basined sink.
It’s hard to concentrate on the everyday tasks when all I can think about is the throbbing of my swollen pussy.
Four weeks since the first time Sebastian took my virginity, and it’s been a nightly occurrence.
A small group of housemaids always fills the room, and Mary, unfortunately, insists on sticking around while Sebastian fucks me.
She doesn’t speak anymore, but her presence alone screams loud enough for me to feel her absolute rage.
I can’t deny the flicker of pride that comes from knowing it’s me underneath Sebastian, instead of her.
The thought of him ever touching her intimately again deepens the unease already churning in my gut.
“Miss Pierce, it’s time to check again,” Addie calls out, pulling me from the delusional spiral.
She’s been almost nice to me, ever since this whole arrangement with Sebastian. Heck, she doesn’t even frown when I call her Addie instead of Miss Prim. Small victories, I guess.
“We checked two days ago, I don’t think I’m miraculously pregnant in the span of forty-eight hours,” I quip. The corner of my lip twitches into a playful smirk, making Addie sigh.
“Are you always difficult, or am I special?”
“Always, definitely always, and maybe you’re also special.” I swear I can see a small smile tugging onto her face… small victories.
“Negative.”
I set the thin test strip down on the counter, turning to face Georgina and Addie.
Both of them seem on edge, almost impatient.
It’s only been four weeks; I’m not entirely sure how quick something like this could catch.
My mother always called me her little miracle because it took her forever to create me.
Maybe I developed the same genes as her.
“We need to try twice a day,” Georgina says as she takes the ends of the napkin the strip lies on, before folding it to throw away.
My eyebrows shoot up. Did I hear her correctly “Twice a day?!” The question ricochets against the large bathroom walls, so loud I startle at the boom.
I won’t survive twice a day. Once a day is already a lot, considering Sebastian leaves me dizzy and sore.
“I can’t. I literally can’t.”
Sympathy swipes over Georgina as if she understands the toll this is on my body.
I’m small: my pelvic bones have bruises from Sebastian’s fingers, and if I were to sit in front of a mirror, I just know my folds are swollen and red.
That times two? No, thank you. I don’t care how mind-blowing he makes me feel, there is no way I can handle that.
“You can’t what exactly?”
Sebastian’s voice cuts through the anxiety clouding the bathroom, and I can’t prevent the groan from leaving my throat. I catch the odd look Georgina throws at me before she turns to him in her elegant way.
“We need to push your sessions to twice a day. Your father is becoming impatient.”
Warmth spreads through my chest when Sebastian’s honey-colored gaze settles on me. I can’t bring myself to look at him. If I did, I would see that lop-sided smirk; then I’d melt completely. Screw him and his stupid face.
“Well then, it’s a good thing my schedule is clear this afternoon.” I’m going to die.
His retreating footsteps should bring relief, if only because they free me from looking at the marbled tiles of the floor. Even though I can, I don’t. Not when Addie declares that she will prepare me a bath before my session, or when I feel the warmth of Georgina’s hand against my shoulder.
They leave and my gaze slides to the cabinet beneath the porcelain sink. I wonder if they’d find me if I hid in there.
They found me.
Of course they did. Or rather, Georgina did.
I am practically dragged out of the cabinet and to the bathroom in my room. What isn’t fine is the silence that comes from the older woman. She looks at me for a long moment before leaving. After I soak and clean up, Addie comes in to deliver me to Sebastian, it is normally Georgina.
Assuming she had other things to do considering this impromptu session, I didn’t question it.
I do question why Addie walks by the usual room.
According to Sebastian’s orders, I’m to meet him in his room for another session of blissful hell. Every time we do this, it’s in a designated room separate from his own. I’m not sure if I’m surprised or anxious. Both.
The door is open when we arrive, and my stomach flips at the sight of Sebastian standing on his balcony in his silk robe.
The two large white doors gape open, allowing sunlight to pour into the room and chase away its usual darkness.
Knowing he hears Addie and me enter, Sebastian doesn’t turn. Dick.
“Leave us.” His voice is smooth, controlled, and demands no questions asked. Addie must sense it, because she bows her head and slips out, closing the door behind her.
Why is she leaving? Where is everyone else? Mary?
“If you plan on throwing me off the balcony, know I will come back and haunt you,” I say slowly. His back straightens, and then Sebastian turns to me, a glass clutched in his grip.
He stares for what feels like forever before laughing.
An actual laugh. It’s light and I hate it because my stomach flips.
The motion has a strand of chestnut hair falling across his forehead, and I have the overwhelming urge to step closer to put it back where it belongs.
There isn’t time, not when Sebastian is already stepping back into his room.
“You are the strangest person I have ever met.” Sebastian’s eyes meet mine and I immediately want to hide, again.
“You must not really know a lot of people,” I reply. “Actually, know them.”
The corner of his lip twitches before pressing his plush lips against the glass rim. His throat bobs and the amber liquid is slowly consumed. My thighs instinctively press together. Forget my abused pussy; I want him to completely break it. God, what is wrong with me?
“Is the audience late or something? Maybe they needed to get a snack for the show?” My lighthearted joke doesn’t amuse Sebastian by the look of it. He sets down the glass on the small end table and brushes his hand over the edge of the only chair in his room.
“No audience.” His gaze locks on mine. “Just us.”
I think I’m going to pass out… again.