Uncovering You 5: Confessions Read Free Page A

you. Please, don’t throw another wine bottle at me.”
    Then he laughs, a great, rich laugh, as if he’s just made the most magnificent joke in the world.
    “But really,” he says through one last chuckle. “Please don’t force me to put you in this situation again, Lilly. I worry about you when you’re in here. You don’t know how much trouble I have sleeping when I know you’re cold, alone, and lonely.”
    “Is that why you come in and rape me every night?” I spit in his face. Then I gasp, and throw both hands over my stupid mouth. My eyes widen in fear.
    Idiot! A voice cries out in my head. Fucking idiot! You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?
    I wait for the oncoming explosion… and am caught by surprise when the only reaction that Stonehart gives is a widening of his smile. “I knew you had some spirit left,” he says, sounding pleased—pleased!—by the revelation.
    He stands. “The collar is deactivated once more, Lilly-flower. Your freedoms have been reinstated. You are welcome to come and go as you please. And I, for my part, will do my best not to provoke reactions in you that will warrant future punishment.” He pauses. “I like seeing you happy and free.”
    Then he turns back. “It’s a quarter to two,” he says. “Today is a rare day off work for me, but I won’t be calling upon you until six. Rose, you, and I are going to enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared by Charles. Rose is dying to see you. The only request I make is that you dress appropriately for the occasion.”
    He stoops low and picks up my chamber pot. His nose wrinkles in disgust. “I’ll get rid of this awful thing for you.”

    ***

    I wait until Stonehart is really gone before cautiously placing a foot on the cold, tile floor.
    The AC is off. Thank God. Sunshine from outside is starting to warm up the room.
    I push myself from the chair and stand. A brief wave of dizziness comes over me. Not enough carbs, I think.
    I take a deep breath and wait for it to pass. This is it. I’ve survived the worst that Stonehart could throw at me.
    Twice .
    The thought grants me precious little satisfaction. I know the reason is that Stonehart was right .
    He was right when he said I find myself in such situations only because of my own stupidity. How different would things have been if I hadn’t fallen asleep when Stonehart came back from his trip? Where would I be, right now? What type of progress could I have made with him?
    I wander to the huge window and look outside. It’s a dull, grey day. A thick sheet of clouds blocks the sun. The ocean is deceptively peaceful.
    It feels like I’m trapped in the eye of a storm.
    Just as I’m turning back, I catch my reflection in the glass. I turn and face it.
    “You’re a survivor,” I whisper. “You’ve gotten through everything Stonehart has thrown at you, barely the worse for wear.”
    That might not be entirely true. But, I need to make myself believe it. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’d risk a real mental breakdown.
    When I start the shower, a few minutes later, my hand reaches automatically to turn the heat up as high as it can go.
    I stop myself halfway through the motion.
    I am not a prisoner in the chair any longer , I tell myself. I settle on making the water a pleasant, unhurried warmth.
    I step out a long time later and leisurely towel myself dry. I walk to the powder room and open the towel to examine my body.
    Hmm . I’m a bit skinnier than I remember. But I haven’t lost my curves. That’s a wonder. I haven’t been eating a lot during my most recent stay in the dark.
    I check my hair. It’s gotten longer than I usually like to keep it.
    With a start, I remember the cameras watching me from the other side of the mirror. I start to close the towel. But, then I stop, take a deep breath, and force myself to relax.
    Like a starlet, I smile wide for the invisible audience, and turn away.
    Freedom has rejuvenated me. Sure, I may not be free in the true sense of the