“It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves,
and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.”
~ Agnes Repplier
CORALINE
Day 3
“I can’t do this!” I choked out before puking into the bowl once again.
“Cora, you’re doing well, and I’m not going to be the one to tell the Boss you gave up after only three days,” Adriana said, holding my hair back.
Pushing her away, I backed up against the tub. “My skin is so beaten up, it changed colors. I can barely stand. I can’t do this. I can’t. I’m in so much pain all the time, Adriana. Please, let me give up.”
Adriana sighed, kneeling in front me. She took my hands and pulled me to my feet.
“You are stronger than you think, Cora. In three days, you have come so far. Yes, I know you are in pain. But you aren’t the same Cora. So suck it up, get dressed, and go to dinner so we can get to work tonight,” she demanded, handing me an outfit to wear.
Grabbing the clothes, I glared at her. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.” She smirked, before leaving.
It hurt like a bitch getting into those clothes. My arms felt like they were being burned off. If I hadn’t just thrown up everything in my stomach then I would have just gone to bed, but I was so damn hungry. Washing out my mouth, I rinsed before heading down the stairs slowly.
“Coraline?” I jumped at her voice.
Not Olivia.
“Yes, Olivia?” I turned to her when we reached the dining hall.
She looked me up and down but didn’t say anything. Stepping into the dining room, both Evelyn and Sedric stopped speaking and just stared at me.
How did Mel handle all the staring? Whenever people stared at her, she simply walked prouder.
Taking a deep breath, I walked slowly to my seat. Placing the napkin in my lap, I grabbed some food and pretended they weren’t there.
“Okay, Coraline, enough. What is happening to you? Are you all right? I’m worried,” Evelyn asked, causing me to jump.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I replied, filling my plate.
“The way you wince when you breathe means you, at the very least, have a bruised rib. Not to mention the busted lip you’re hiding under makeup. But those are only the wounds we can see. I’m willing to bet Declan’s life on it, so tell me the truth, Coraline,” Sedric demanded as he cut into his lamb.
“I’m taking a self-defense class,” I answered, waiting for them to flip out. However, only Olivia seemed shocked.
“Why in God’s name are you taking a self-defense class?” It seemed like a stupid question.
“Because I would like to defend myself?”
“This is about Melody isn’t it?” she snapped. “She is killing this family and tearing us apart from the inside out.”
It’s not like we were perfect before.
“What would Declan think Coraline? What if you were to get hurt? You have no idea what you’re doing. You aren’t some—”
“Shut up!” I yelled, standing up angrily. “What I want to do with my life and my body is none of your damn business. The only person’s opinion that matters is Declan’s. We get it, you’re bitter that Mel stole your thunder and that the magazines no longer give a shit about you. But it doesn’t mean you have to take it out on me. Go look up baby names or something, and leave me the hell alone.”
When I was done, I blinked a few times, unsure of where that came from. Taking a seat again, I kept my head down and finished eating.
“Sorry for cursing, Evelyn.”
“Not at all. It seems like you have been holding that in for a while.” She laughed when I looked up.
Sedric frowned. “Who is giving you these lessons? Are they trustworthy?”
“Adriana, Mel’s—”
“The slave girl who follows Melody around like a lost dog?” Olivia snorted, drinking her wine.
“Olivia, that is enough,” Sedric snapped, and she stood up straight immediately. “Coraline, when do you train again?”
“Tomorrow at five,” I answered, smiling at Olivia.
“Very well, I shall see you both then.”
Shit.
Day 5
“Do it,” I told Adriana as I sat in front of the mirror.
“Are you sure Cora?” Evelyn asked, looking at my hair.
“It is just hair. It will grow back, right? Adriana almost ripped my ponytail out during our fight yesterday,” I said. After everything, Evelyn and Sedric were both watching as if it were some damn sport. Sedric didn’t really speak. However, he would frown every time my body collided with the floor.
Adriana demanded I learn how to use my size to an advantage, so everything I learned had been quick jabs and kicks. She made me jump up and down for an hour straight before having me kick her hands. But I could barely even stand up, let alone kick. When I puked, she gave me water, some bread, and a six-minute break before putting me to work again.
“Here I go,” Adriana said, and I closed my eyes. All I heard were the scissors snipping away at my hair.
“Evelyn, your nephew will still love me if I’m bald right?” I joked.
“Um—”
“Evelyn!” My eyes flew open, and I stared at my reflection. I looked so different. Not bad different, just different.
Evelyn gasped. “Adriana, you must cut my hair from now on.” She messed with some of the edges of my hair until she met my eyes in the mirror. “You look beautiful, and Declan, will fall in love with you all over again.”
God, I hoped so.
“Now you, Adriana.” I smiled, standing up as I pulled her down.
“Cor . . .”
“Nope, we’re doing this, and if you don’t, I will cut your hair while you sleep,” I threatened, causing her to roll her eyes.
“I don’t sleep,” she joked.
“Why doesn’t that shock me?” I smiled, grabbing the flat iron.
“I think we may have some contacts. Let me see if there are any for your prescription,” Evelyn said quickly, walking out of the room.
“Sexy Adriana is under here somewhere.” I grinned. “This is going to be like one of those teen movies.”
Day 7
I pressed my dress down for what had to be the ninth time since we stepped out of the car. I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I was so excited to see him. However, the first person to step out of the jet was one of the men I didn’t recognize, followed by Mel. She looked me over as she made her way toward me.
However, I couldn’t pay attention because there was my Declan. His eyebrows squished together as he looked at my hair.
“Do you like it?” I asked him as I brushed the back down a little.
He reached over and played with a little before looking back to me. “I’m kind of shocked, but you look cute.”
Cute, not beautiful, but I would take that for now. It was better than nothing.