I shake my head, tears spilling down my cheeks. He closes his fingers over his palm gently. Then, he crushes them against his skin. His eyes are on me, his lips open in a half-laugh, half-snarl.
"I'm going to break it," he says. "Crush it. Ruin it. I'm going to turn you into a helpless, needy little toy for my dick. And you know what the worst part is, Pandora?"
I stare at him blankly, refusing to answer as he gets up, regarding me with a patronizing expression.
"I'm only going to put you back together just so I can do it again the next day."
Twelve
Pandora
It’s a week later and I’m still bearing the faint marks of Lai’s grip on my wrists. Dexter has left me alone for the most part, though I have a feeling that won’t last long. He’s made it plenty clear he thinks he owns me. I’m just waiting until he makes me do more things I don’t want to do.
I've gotten used to this town now. It's easier to understand how it works when you accept everyone in Eden Falls is a sick, perverted fuck.
Still, the image from my father's office, of Minnie bent over his desk, is still fresh on my mind, and I can't help but feel sorry for the girl. She's been quiet and pensive the last few times I've seen her, and I'm convinced her mother is keeping her too busy for us to have a proper conversation about what happened.
It’s an hour before dinner, and I ring the bell for my maid, this time almost losing hope that Minnie will be the one to show up. Despite her being my official maid, Belle has been taking her spot more times than I can count, and it pisses me off.
I’m surprised when a moment later, Mignonette appears in the doorway, looking pretty as ever.
“Minnie!” I cry out. “Please, please come in!”
“You wanted something, Miss Lily Anna?” she asks, closing the door behind her.
“Don’t call me that,” I remind her.
She glances at the door guiltily, admitting, “I’m worried someone will overhear and I’ll get in more trouble.”
“Minnie, I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to help you,” I whisper. “I have something for you.”
I walk over to my bed, reaching under the pillowcase and pulling out a wad of money – the three grand my father gave me. If anyone deserves them, it’s Minnie. I hand the money to her, and her eyes widen at the sight.
“I’m going to start getting you money,” I promise her. “Maybe with this you can get out of Eden Falls.”
“Oh, Miss Pandora…” her eyes water. “I can’t leave here.”
“Why not?” I insist. “My father is a horrible man and he treats you so cruelly. You could run away… start a new life somewhere out of here, where nobody knows who you are.”
“It’s not that easy,” she shakes her head, pushing the money back at me. “I can’t accept this.”
“You have to,” I insist, my voice breaking over the words. “Please, Minnie, I insist.”
“I can’t.” She places the wad of cash on my dresser. “I really can’t. It would be so wrong.”
“But what my father is doing to you isn’t wrong?”
My blood is boiling and I’m tethering over the brink of an explosion.
“I didn’t say that,” Minnie whispers. “But still, I can’t leave Eden Falls. I’ll explain it to you, Miss Pandora… one day.”
Defeated, I sink on the bed and invite her to come sit with me. After a moment’s hesitation, she joins me, her eyes regretful.
“I just wanted to help,” I admit.
“I know.” She pats my hand. “It’s just not possible right now. But I’m grateful to have you, Miss Pandora. I feel like… like I finally have a friend.”
“Good.” I smile at her. “You do. You’ll always have a friend in me.”