Page 69 of Quiet Obsession
It’s evening by the time I crawl out of bed, soundtracked by Abby’s humming while she’s busy preparing something in the kitchenette. I get in the shower, washing away Creed’s scent and the specks of blood between my thighs.
I should’ve done that the second I got in, but I wanted to hold on to his touch a while longer.
Every part of my body stings and aches, making the smile curling my lips widen further. It’s pure bliss. I feelalive, in control of my mind, body, and choices.
I towel my hair dry in front of the mirror in a pair ofcotton panties so I can admire Creed’s work blooming across my skin in shades of pink and purple. Purple from his fingertips all over my hips, waist, wrists... each one equally tender. Pink from his lips and teeth, little rosy love bites peppering my breasts and collarbones. I trace one with the tip of my finger, recalling his hot mouth sucking and marking while he made me forget the world.
I turn my back to the mirror, studying the burns running along my spine and shoulder blades where the mat scraped me raw.
My smile only deepens.
I lookfierce.
Every mark is proof that I’m not made of glass. Proof that, at least once, someone saw strength where others see weakness.
The bathroom door swings open abruptly, catching me off guard. I jump, fumbling with the towel to cover myself up but I’m not fast enough.
“Millie, have you seen—?” Abby freezes in the doorway, her voice catching. “Oh my God!” Her hand flies to her mouth, tears instantly springing to her eyes. “What... what happened?!” she whisper-shouts, rushing over.
I frown at the panic flooding her features, clutching the towel to my chest. “Nothing.”
“Nothing?” she echoes, snatching the towel away. “Millie...” She sucks in a sharp breath, her tears spilling over as she stares at the bruises. “You wereassaulted.”
My stomach tightens unpleasantly.
“Who did this?” she demands. “You can tell me.” Her fingers tremble as she grabs my hands, her eyes frantic. “Who hurt you?”
My giddiness quivers. I look at my reflection again, trying to see what she sees. The bruises don’t look the same anymore.
“No one hurt me,” I say, slower this time. “I’m okay.”
“Okay?” She shakes her head, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Millie, this isn’t okay. I’m calling your brother. Whoever did this has to pay.”
Panic explodes in my chest. Hyde can’t find out. He won’t stop digging until he uncovers the truth and who knows what he’ll do when he realizes his best friend touched me after he warned them all off? My heartbeat stutters into a frantic rhythm, and my hand shoots out to snatch Abby’s wrist, halting her in place.
“Don’t,” I plead. “Don’t tell Hyde.”
“He needs to know! You’re his sister, and you...” she chokes, pinching her lips, her voice dropping to a broken whisper. “Millie, you were raped.”
The word makes me shudder. Is that really what it looks like to her? I’m tender all over, but Iwantedthis. Creed didn’t do anything I didn’t silently beg for.
“Iwasn’traped,” I say, wrapping the towel back around myself. “It wasn’t like that at all.”
Abby steps back, shaking her head. “Then what was it like? Because this...” She helplessly gestures at my body, “...this looks painful. This looks likesomeone hurt you.”
I don’t answer, my mind dragging me back to Creed noticing the blood. The way his jaw tightened and the anger in his eyes...
“You let me fuck you,”he seethed. “Let me hurt you.”
Shame crashes into me and the marks along my collarbones burn hot, no longer pretty. They don’t look like proof that I’m strong... they look like proof that I’m unhinged because, a minute ago, Ilovedthem.
I swallow whatever’s lodged in my throat, making room for words. “No one hurt me, Abby. It was consensual.”
She stares like she doesn’t recognize me, disbelief and fear marring her features. “Youwantedthis?”
I nod, even though my stomach twists. “Yes.”
The silence stretches while she studies me. I’m not sure if she’s looking for a crack, a tell, or maybe she hopes I’ll change my mind and admit what she’s convinced must be the truth.
