Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Time seemed suspended as silence settled outside the door, I thought they had all left, but suddenly Dexter barged in.

Terror gripped me as I scrambled backward,

Dexter sneered, “Mom’s gone. Let’s see who’s going to protect you now.”

“Dexter… please, let me be,” I pleaded.

His grip was iron as he yanked me by the collar towards the bathroom.

“Disgusting! Clean yourself up.”

He was furious, probably thinking that I was tainted by those drunken louts the night before.

The cold water hit me like a wall of ice, stealing my breath away.

I was still feverish, yet he doused me with frigid water.

My mind was foggy, and I collapsed to the floor, unable to resist.

I was shaking uncontrollably.

“Melody’s awake. You’re going to apologize to her today!” Dexter commanded, disdainfully throwing the shower head at me.

“I won’t go…” I found some defiant courage. “I did nothing wrong…”

“Phoebe!” His rage seemed to peak, maybe thinking I was beyond saving.

“I’ve secured a spot to study abroad. In two months, I’ll be gone. Please… let me go,” I said, my eyes void of the love that once lived there. I despised him.

“Did Ryder secure that for you? How many times did you have to sleep with him for such loyalty?” Dexter snarled, forcing me to meet his gaze.

I looked into those eyes filled with fury and felt hopeless.

“Yes… we’ve been together. I’ve fallen for him. I won’t bother you anymore.”

My resolve was firm and I refused to bow my head.

“Fine, just fine!” He yanked my hair, pinning me down. “It seems you’ve got that cheapness seared into your bone. Have I not satisfied you enough?”

His strength was punishing, each touch a release of his anger.

I couldn’t understand his madness.

He claimed not to love me, yet sometimes he seemed jealous…

Well, that was impossible.

13:14

Ch 15

“Phoebe, you’re destined to atone for your sins with your life.” He was like an insatiable beast that was ready to tear me apart.

I screamed, begging for mercy.

But it was futile.

Eventually, my voice broke, and my mouth was filled with the taste of blood.

Slowly, I stopped crying out as well as struggling. I accepted this as my penance to the Fitzgeralds.

“What will it take for you to let me go?” After what felt like an eternity, I lay numb on the floor and asked him.

“Apologize to Melody.” he insisted.

“Okay…” I agreed. The truth didn’t matter anymore.

“The Fitzgeralds kept you all these years. We were cleaning up your family’s mess and paying debts. When you’ve paid your dues, I’ll let you go.” Dexter showered and left the bathroom wrapped in a towel.

I understood what he meant. He meant for me to sleep with him to repay a supposed debt until

we were even.

“I will pay you back…” But I was determined to leave. I would earn the money, not as his lover and not in his bed.

In the Sea City Hospital.

That afternoon at fout, Dexter took me to the hospital.

I numbly carried the carefully chosen bouquet from the flower shop into Melody’s hospital

room.

“Dexter,” Melody greeted him with a frail smile. Her face soured upon seeing me. “Dexter… why did you bring her?”

The wealthy friends by her side started to stir.

“Get her out! She pushed Melody down the stairs, and she still has the audacity to show up, huh?”

“Where do you get the nerve?” A rich girl advanced and shoved me.

I stumbled and fell, aggravating my leg wounds.

Dexter frowned slightly. “Enough.”

The rich girl looked at Dexter, “She hurt Melody and that’s it? We should call the cops. She should go to jail”

13:14

“Maya, it’s okay, don’t worry about me; it’s not that serious.” Melody spoke gently.

“Melody, you’re Just too kind!” The girl named Maya was visibly angry.

Dexter’s expression darkened as he glanced at me.

“She’s here to apologize.” He claimed.

“Huh. What good is an apology?” Maya sneered.

“An apology?” Bradley and the other heirs jeered. “Is that the right attitude? Shouldn’t she be on her knees?”

Melody laughed it off, “Stop it, guys.”

“For someone as vile as her, this is how you deal with them, Melody.”

I held onto the wall to stand up. My hands were clutching the flowers tightly.

“Didn’t you hear? Get on your knees to apologize!” Dexter ordered me to kneel.

But I wouldn’t. Stubbornly, I looked down and refused to say a word.

“I said kneel!” Dexter’s anger flared as he dragged me to the side of Melody’s bed. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Melody watched me, amused, “Dexter, don’t be so harsh. Phoebe’s still young.”