Chapter eleven: Broken truth

Bronte’s POV

I barely had time to process what I had told Chloe before the consequences hit.

The next morning, Mom left early for a weekend work retreat, leaving Rufus and me alone in the house for two full days.

I thought it would be heaven. Instead, it became a pressure cooker.

Rufus was different today, he was quieter, and more calculating. After breakfast, he called me into his office.

Not for sex. He sat me down in the chair across from his desk like I was in a business meeting.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said, leaning back. “You’re getting too comfortable lying to everyone. That needs to change.”

My stomach tightened. “What do you mean?”

“From now on, when you’re with me, you don’t get to feel guilty. Guilt makes you sloppy.” He slid a small black box across the desk. “Open it.”

Inside was a delicate silver necklace with a small pendant. It looked so beautiful until he turned it over.

On the back, engraved in tiny letters. Property of R.

Is he fucking kidding me.

“I want you wearing this at all times,” he said.

“Even when you’re with your mother. Even when you’re talking to Jake or Chloe.”

I stared at the necklace. It felt like a collar.

Rufus stood up and fastened it around my neck, his fingers lingered on my skin.

“This is your reminder,” he whispered. “Every time you touch it, you’ll remember who owns you.”

The weight of the pendant felt heavier than it should.

Later that afternoon, while I was trying to study, Chloe called again. This time she sounded more urgent.

“Bronte, Jake came to my apartment last night. He’s really going cr*zy. He said he saw bruises on you.

He’s talking about going to your mom if you don’t talk to him.”

I felt my blood drain from my face.

“Chloe… please tell him to stop. I’m handling it.”

“Are you?” she asked immediately. “Because from where I’m sitting, you sound like you’re in way too deep.

This man is twice your age and your stepfather. If this blows up, it’s not just going to hurt you it’s going to destroy your mom.”

Her words hit hard. And for the first time, I felt real fear but it was not the thrilling kind Rufus gave me, It was the kind that made my hands shake.

That night, Rufus noticed my mood.

He didn’t fuck me roughly like usual. Instead, he laid me on his bed and went down on me slowly.

It was lovingly, until I was trembling and crying from overstimulation.

When he finally slid inside me, he held my face and made me look at him.

“You’re mine, Bronte,” he said between thrusts. “Stop fighting it. The more you resist, the harder this gets.”

I came while crying.

Why can’t I stop it all, why don’t I want to? I questioned myself.

Afterward, as I lay in his arms, the necklace felt like it was burning against my skin.

My phone vibrated on the nightstand. I reached for it before Rufus could see.

Jake had just sent me another message saying “I’m coming over tomorrow. We’re going to talk whether you like it or not. I’m not letting him ruin you.”

I deleted the message quickly, My hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

Rufus kissed the top of my head.

“Whatever it is, i’ll handle it” he murmured.

That was exactly what I was afraid of.

Rufus is a complete entire person now and i’m scared of what he can do and how far he can go to make me know i’m His.