Forbidden Nights with My Stepfather

After the car accident took her father, Lauren Blaese was completely alone.

Her father's closest friend took her in. He was a decade older and insisted she call him Uncle Matthew.

From that day forward, she lacked for nothing. Matthew Moore indulged her every whim, transforming her into New York's most cherished young woman.

Everything changed on her eighteenth birthday. She stole his prized bracelet, hiding each individual bead in her most secret spot. The beads felt cool, like his fingertips grazing her skin.

The door swung open. He saw everything.

Disbelief turned to fury. He shouted, accusing her of crossing an unforgivable line, of harboring shameful desires for her own guardian.

The next morning, he shredded her Elite University acceptance letter. He sent her to Rosewood Finishing School—Washington's most infamous institution for moral correction. He commanded her to learn propriety from the instructors, to purge those filthy thoughts. Only then could she return.

Her first day there, someone forced mustard into her eyes.

On the second day, they dragged her down flights of stairs for two endless hours.

On the third day, a strange man entered her room.

Three years later, Matthew arrived to collect her.

Lauren stood at the iron gates of Rosewood, watching the familiar black Maybach glide to a stop.

The car door opened. Matthew emerged. He looked as cold and polished as ever.

Unlike before, a woman now sat in the passenger seat.

She wore a simple white dress, her long hair cascading gracefully. She offered a soft, kind smile.

"You must be Lauren? Hello, I'm Jennifer Wilson, Matthew's fiancée. Please, call me Jennifer."

Lauren gave a numb nod. "Hello, Jennifer," she whispered.

She turned and slid silently into the back seat.

Matthew started the engine, his voice icy. "Did you learn your lesson? Are those improper thoughts finally gone?"

Lauren's hands shook. Her heart squeezed tight, like a fist closing around it.

The memories crashed over her—the electric shocks, the dragging, the humiliation. A rock seemed lodged in her throat. The pain was so sharp she could barely speak.

She shut her eyes. "No. Never again," she breathed.

Matthew frowned. A peculiar emotion stirred within him.

This was the answer he had demanded. So why did it feel so hollow?

"Good."

Lauren offered a bitter, silent smile.

The car sped toward the Moore family villa.

Lauren got out and headed for her old room.

She pushed the door open. It was now a shelter for stray cats.

Jennifer appeared behind her, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, Lauren. With the wedding approaching, I moved in last month. I care for homeless animals. This room gets the best light, so the cats stay here. I'll have the staff clear it out immediately."

Lauren shook her head. "It's fine. You're the lady here now. Any room is alright."

She turned toward the guest quarters, moving with doll-like obedience.

At dinner, Matthew attended to Jennifer's every need.

He placed food in her bowl. He spoke to her in soft, low tones, his gaze tender.

Lauren kept her eyes fixed on her plate. She ate her rice as if none of it concerned her.

During a pause, Jennifer glanced over. "Lauren, don't just eat plain rice. Have some vegetables."

Lauren reacted instantly, like a soldier to a command. She began shoveling vegetables into her mouth mechanically. Even when the hot food scalded her throat, she swallowed without expression.

Jennifer smiled at Matthew. "You said Lauren was difficult, but she seems so docile now. So well-behaved."

Matthew lifted his gaze to study Lauren.

He hadn't anticipated such a total transformation. Since her return, she hadn't shown a spark of defiance. He nodded, satisfied. "It seems Rosewood taught you well. Continue to behave this way with Jennifer."

Lauren finished everything on her plate and stood. "I'm full. I'll retire now."

Inside her room, with the door closed, she finally exhaled.

She pulled a small box from her pocket. It contained all the money she'd saved during her years at Rosewood.

Matthew's words echoed—get along with Jennifer—but her own plan was clear. Buy a plane ticket. Get far away from here. Far from Matthew.

She counted the bills. She only had enough for the cheapest flight, departing in nine days.