Luc gave her a cold smile, the same smile he had given to so many women, the one that shook them to their core— but this time, it was hinted with something else, the same smile he’d once given to Lauren… His eyes followed her every movement, hunger lighting them up.
(Uhhh can we skip?)
((Most definitely))
((I'll start))
Winifred shook intensely as she slipped from the bed. Her limbs barely worked and she crumbled to the ground, slamming against the nightstand. She caught her empty wine glass before it hit the ground and she looked back at Luc's sleeping form with wide eyes. He didn't stir. She sighted and lifted herself with shaky hands.
Her whole entire body ached with sick dread and painful release. She gritted her teeth as she worked her body out of it's tense state knowing it would hurt more when she dressed. She gathered her clothes from around the room as sickness rolled in her stomach. She had such a foul taste in her mouth that she could hardly swallow.
Damnit Winifred, breathe She pressed a fist to her chest. Panic would not relent though. She began to tremble furiously as she slipped her clothes on with gritted teeth. Tears fell down her cheeks as she looked to the mirror. She was pale and ill looking with clammy skin. She swept her hair from her face with unsteady fingers. And turned to the door.
Out…. she wanted to leave. So she did. Using the support of the things around her she made her way to the door. But the memories and echoes of that night grabbed at her and weighed her down.
He was rough and brutal, toying with her and using her body as a mere plaything…she hardly felt human. He forced her to do unspeakable things, things she'd long since for now branded to the forefront of her mind. But one thing stuck out most….
He didn't call her Winifred….
He called her Lauren.
(Shit I’m going to cry again
I really really hate Luc)
Marcus did not sleep. The night was long, the darkness wore on and on and on, and not once did he close his eyes. Every time his eyelids slid shut, the image of Winifred, tortured, crying, ravaged, burned itself into his mind.
Winifred.
He didn’t know it was possible to cry this much. All his life, he had never allowed himself more than a few tears. But now… he didn’t think he could ever stop.
Every step hurt but she didn't stop. Even though she dirty, she knew there was one person that would love her. He wasn't too far. That is what kept her going.
Marcus kept her going.
She smiled weakly at the thought of being in his arms, heard his voice, feeling his heart beat. It hardly felt as if hers was. Her eyes fell on the door to his room and she tried to compose herself as best she could. Winifred tucked her hair to one side and fixed the sleeve of her dress. And then she opened the door.
Marcus’s head snapped up when he heard the turning of the knob. His eyes fell on Winifred, and all of a sudden he was crying again. He said nothing, couldn’t find the words, only sat up properly and held out his arms to her.
Winifred gave a breath of complete abandon as she ran to him. She tried her best no to hurt him as she let him hold her. She rested her head against him, squeezing her eyes shut as she took in his scent. She needed him, all of him. Her shaky breathing soon turned into sobs that she couldn't control.
Marcus wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly and stroking her hair. His heart squeezed painfully, what was left of it anyway, but he just kept rocking her from side to side wanting to press kisses against the top of her hair but worried that it would scare her off after what she had just been through. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I’m here now, I’m right here, I’m not going anywhere.”
Winifred's heart wouldn't stop pounding violently in her chest. She was back in his arms, she was safe, she was home. "Don't let me go….please.." she whimpered.
Marcus hugged her tighter, and his heart broke for her. “I would never do that to you— I’m right here— you’re safe, he’s not going to get you here. I’m here for you, I’m right here.”
Resting her cheek against his, she shuddered. She was so tired. "I love you…" she whispered. "I thought about you every minute of it. I just wanted you… And now I have you…." She could feel herself smile. "I love you so much." And it was a love that didn't change at all. As she allowed herself to relax, to be swept away by the rhythm of his rocking, she prayed to the heavens above, thanking them for the man they had given her.
Marcus caved in, pressing gentle kisses to the top of her head. His hold on her softened, becoming easier to sleep in. “I love you too.. I love you too much for words… I’ll hold you for the rest of the night, just sleep…” he whispered to her, never wanting to let her go.
Winifred nodded and practically melted into him. She wrapped her arms about him and nuzzled his neck. Her cries quieted as he listened to his whispers. Her eyes drooped as she slowly fell into slumber. Marcus was so warm against her.
Marcus just held her and murmured sweet nothings into her ear for the whole night, until his throat was raw and his chest burned. But not once did he close his eyes. Not once did he fall asleep. He stayed wide awake until the sun rise ito the sky, thinking of nothing but Winifred and Luc.
Winifred awoke in Marcus's warm embrace. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes.
"How are you still awake?" She asked sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She gave a warm smile as she shifted beside him. She almost forgot about the events that had occurred that night. But she pushed the thoughts away, why make herself suffer through it once more? It was easy to do just that.
Marcus warmed at the sight of that smile, doing his best to offer one of his own. “I woke up a few minutes ago,” he lied smoothly, taking her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”
Running her fingers through her hair, she nodded, "Much better… I can get past it now…How do you feel?" She placed a hand on his chest, not being able to ignore the jolt of sorry that pulsed through her at the memories of that night.
Marcus gave her a smile that somehow conveyed just how broken he was, how unfixable. “I’ll be fine..” he answered, lying while he put his arms around her. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m just glad that you’re better now.”
"I know that we can't ever return from this…" she stated out of the blue. She needed to say this now otherwise it would eat away at her. She stared in his brown eyes. "There is no way I'll forget what happened last night and neither will you. We're not okay, and we won't be for a little while. I just want to remind you that we'll be broken….together. We don't have to be alone at all anymore." She took his hand in her. "And we will find a way to stop him."
"I know that we can't ever return from this…" she stated out of the blue. She needed to say this now otherwise it would eat away at her. She stared in his brown eyes. "There is no way I'll forget what happened last night and neither will you. We're not okay, and we won't be for a little while. I just want to remind you that we'll be broken….together. We don't have to be alone at all anymore." She took his hand in her. "And we will find a way to stop him."
Marcus squeezed her hand, nodding. "I'm glad– I'm glad you got that out in the open. And I completely agree. I–" He swallowed. "I'm glad we're not alone. I think– no, I know, that you're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I just– tell me, if I ever make you uncomfortable. If you need space, say so. If you need comfort, say so. I'll be here– I'll be here whenever you need me."
Winifred's smile beamed. If only she had always had him….life could've been so much better. She could've climbed mountains with him at her side.
Hesitantly, she kissed his cheek. "Could…could you wait for me? Maybe order something to eat? I'd like to wash." She stood.
Marcus nodded, letting her hand slip out of his as she stood. "Go do what you need to do," he told her warmly, voice still slightly hoarse.
She left the room, and he ran for a servant, ignoring their shocked looks at his bandaged chest when they came. He ordered them both a breakfast he hoped she would like, and leaned back against his pillows, mind running over everything that had happened.
Winifred took her time as she wash. Her skin was red and raw as she scrubbed herself furiously, the water scalding hot. It wasn't working. She still felt nasty. She still felt disgusting. She still felt Luc's hands all over her.
She couldn't get him off no matter how hard she scraped her skin. Tossing the rag away, she let the hot water run over her, mingling with her tears that resurfaced. She hated this… she hated the filth that covered her. It was just her mind, playing cruel tricks and condemning her more than any other person could.
You're such a whore. A voice said, the voice that'd been wit for years. , weighing her down with her mistakes and regrets. You enjoyed it, didn't you? You little slut….you don't deserve Marcus…
Winifred nodded. "I don't…and I know it…"
Marcus could still hear the water from the shower pouring down when the servant came back, wheeling a cart laden with food. He thanked her, sitting up with a wince and glancing at the closed door to Winifred's room. There was no reason to worry………… but of course, he still did.
"Winifred?" he called, voice coarse.