Flawless 10

Chapter 10 

REBECCA’S POV 

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I finally shifted my gaze away from Drew’s window after he dragged the curtains closed. The connection had been so intense that I’d completely forgotten where I was until a gentle hand landed on my shoulder. 

“Becca, are you joining us for breakfast?” my mother asked softly. Almost like she was being careful not to piss someone off. 

Before I could speak, Devon stepped in answering for me. 

“Of course she is,” he grunted. “She’ll sit at the table and only open her mouth when she’s stuffing her face.” 

“I’ll go do my rounds and then head to training,” Walter said, bowing politely before jogging off like he was some obedient soldier. 

I clenched my fists so tight my fingernails dug into my palms. I wanted to scream. Who the hell did Devon think he was, talking to me like I was a little kid or worse, a dog? 

My eyes locked on his. We stared each other down like two predators ready to pounce. I was so close to winning that battle, at least I believed I was winning until my mother’s voice shattered my concentration. 

“Honey, please come with me,” Mom said. But when I turned to her, my heart stopped. 

“Mom! What happened to your face?” I reached out instinctively. I used my fingertips to brush her bruised, swollen cheek. Her eye was ringed in purple and blue, and her lip was cracked open. 

Her mouth twitched into a brittle smile. “You know how dark this house is at night. I tripped… and fell down the stairs. You would have thought I was a ball if you witnessed how I rolled.” 

My breath caught. “I don’t believe you,” I whispered. 

“Hmm, Devon grunted. 

I got loud. “You did this!” I raved, pointing a trembling finger at him. My voice cracked with fury. “You hit my 

mother? 

Her hands flew to mine. “Becca, stop. Please,” she begged, but I yanked my arm out of her grasp and marched up to him. It felt like my insides were on fire as the blood in my veins burned. 

“What are you going to do, huh?” he spat. “Poke my eye out with your finger?” he chuckled. “You can barely reach my face, you little runt.” 

“You’re the worst thing that’s ever happened to my mother.” 

His lips peeled back as he snarled. I had to blink twice. I could have sworn his teeth grew sharp for a moment, 

“Really?” he asked. “Then let’s hear it from her, shall we?” He didn’t even turn to look at her. “Hilary, come here,” 

13:08 Thu, Sep 4 

Chapter 10 

“No, Mom. Don’t.” I reached for her, but he barked again, louder. 

“HILARY, COME HERE. NOW.” 

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My mother flinched and walked past me, mouthing I’m sorry. She stopped in front of him, her whole body tense as she melted into his arms like a woman hypnotized. 

“Tell me,” he said, never taking his cold, snake–like eyes off me. “Do you love me?” 

“With all my heart,” she choked out. “I love you, Devon Clawbelle.” 

My attitude softened because somehow, I knew she meant it. I didn’t know how to explain it, but I could feel it. My nose itched in a way it never did before and something in the air told my senses she told the truth. 

“And did I hit you?” he asked, the words dripping with malice. His lips formed a sinister smirk making him resemble how I pictured the devil would look if he ever smiled. 

I heard my mother gulp loud and clear, like she did it over a microphone. 

“No,” she whispered. 

“And how did you get those bruises?” he questioned. 

“I… tripped in the bathtub.” 

“Wait a second,” I said sharply. “You just told me you fell down the stairs.” 

She turned toward me. Her eyes were red from wanting to cry. It was obvious she was nervous and… scared. 

“I’m just hungry,” she mumbled. “You know how confused I get when I don’t eat.” 

“Bullshit!” I snapped, louder than I’d ever spoken in my life. “You’re not confused. You’re afraid. Let’s just pack up our things and leave this damn place!” 

“Leave?” Devon echoed, his tone twisting into something dark and delighted. He shoved my mother off of him like she was a broken doll, stepping past her and heading straight for me. 

‘Devon, please!” Mom cried. Her fists pressed to her mouth as if to hold back a scream. 

“You can leave,” he hissed at me. “But she stays. Hilary is mine. She will always be mine.” 

“You’re a fucking narcissistic psychopath!” I shouted, surprising even myself. This was the first time I was using the ‘F‘ word. 

He opened his palm to slap me. I cocked my cheek at him. 

“Go ahead,” I dared. “Hit me. Prove to me that you hit my mother. But just know, if you lay a finger on me… I 

will hit back.” 

He dropped his hand and his eyes sparkled. “I admire your bravery,” he murmured. “But you’ll learn to respect me.” 

13:08 Thu, Sep 4 

Chapter 10 

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Then, with a sudden twist, he spun around and punched my mother in the gut. 

She cried out in agony, falling forward, clutching her stomach. I screamed. “You son of a bitch!” 

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I ran toward him, my fist raised, but before I could land the hit, he turned and caught me by the throat. 

He lifted me off the ground with one hand like I was a doll. I gasped as his fingers sunk in my neck. My hands worked tirelessly trying to pry his fingers from my throat. He had this bored look in his eyes as he tossed me like trash onto the ground beside my mother. 

“Mom!” I scrambled over to her. “Are you okay?” 

She shoved me off. “Why can’t you just obey?” she hissed through clenched teeth, her breathing ragged. 

“What have he done to you?” I asked. My heart felt like it was breaking in two. “This isn’t you. You used to be strong. You didn’t take shit from anyone.” 

“She answers to me now,” Devon said, voice like poison. “And soon… so will you.” He stretched his hand toward her like he was offering a throne. She didn’t hesitate. Not even a pause. Her fingers slid into his. He lifted her to her feet with sickening tenderness. “My beautiful mate,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. Her lips gave him a shaky, tear–soaked smile. “Now,” he said, turning her back toward me, “tell your daughter if I’ve ever laid a hand on you.” 

She looked down at me. She had this dull, empty look in her eyes. “No. Devon has never hit me.” 

What? But I just saw him do just that. I knew what this is, he was showing me he had control. 

“And how did you get these bruises?” he asked. 

“I… fell down the stairs.” 

“Good girl.” He kissed her again. 

My stomach sank to the bottom of my feet. This wasn’t just manipulation. It was something darker. More unnatural. My mother wasn’t just lying, she was enchanted, bound to him by something I didn’t understand. 

He scooped her into his arms as he walked toward the castle. She looked at me once more over his shoulder, her lips forming I’m sorry, then she tucked her face into the crook of his neck. 

I watched as they disappeared into the house like nothing had happened. 

I stayed on the ground, trembling. My throat ached. My chest burned. My fingers were squeezed into fists as my nails cut into my skin. None of this felt real. 

This had to be a dream. This had to be a damn nightmare or I was trapped in an episode of the Twilight 

Zone. 

My breath came fast and hard. 

What the hell was going on in this place? 

13:08 Thu, Sep 4 

Chapter 10 

First it was monsters and dead body in the woods and now this. 

Was it magic? Mind control? Stockholm Syndrome? I didn’t know. But one thing was certain. 

I wasn’t leaving it alone. A bulb flickered inside my head as I got an idea. 

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If my mother wasn’t going to save herself or allow me to save her, then I knew exactly whose help she couldn’t refuse. 

The police. 

13:08 Thu, Sep 4