Deck of Cards [DARK ROMANCE/ ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP] - sample

i'm optimistic

Hello readers,

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Heed all the trigger warnings.

This story will include but is not limited to physical, mental, emotional abuse, sexual assault, incest, and drug abuse.

Do not read if any of these subjects are triggering for you.

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Deck of Cards

Season 1: Black Spades

Episode 1: i'm optimistic

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Isabelle Young peered into the bubbling pot of stuffed sausage, shellfish, and roughly chopped vegetables. The hearty stock scented each level of the soundless, three-story suburban home. She stirred the contents, slurping the brown gravy from the wooden spoon, seemingly satisfied with the level of salt and seasonings.

Tires crushed the ice-coated driveway, and Isabelle reduced the heat. She checked her appearance in the reflecting stainless-steel refrigerator door. The white turtleneck decorated with large ruffles and cropped sleeves was perfectly crisp and contrasted nicely with her deep, dark skin. She smoothed her parted bun and straightened the symbolic sliver doves dangling around her neck.

"Jingle bells," James called, slamming the door shut and tossing his suitcase against the area rug.

"In here!"

"Good, you've cooked; I am starving. Let's eat quickly. I need to finish some work tonight."

He remove the tailored jacket, taking his usual seat at the head of the table. Tugging on his patterned tie, he scrolled through his phone, checking email notifications.

"Yes, sir." She mumbled, removing two serving dishes. She scooped in white rice and the soup mixture. Isabelle served her father before removing the pastel pink apron and seating beside him.

"Gumbo," He said, "...again."

Isabelle fiddled with her spoon, watching nervously as he sipped the broth. She pinched the fat of her thighs, waiting for his final verdict. His judgment was all that mattered.

"Hm. Not as good as your mothers, bells." He notated casually, checking his watch and cutting her confidence in the process

"Sorry," She mutters, swirling the contents of her bowl, "I tried to follow a different recipe, but they aren't as good as Moms. I wish she wrote them down or something. " Pausing to glance at her father, who seemingly paid no attention to her, she whispered the proposal that was pestering her all day, "So...I'll be graduating soon."

James nods and hums absently.

Isabelle rubs her wet palms against her dark pants, "I was wondering if I could finish m-my last year at school - with Amy and Kyle..."

"Was that an opened sentence or are you asking me a question?"

She swallowed her nerves, "Can I go back to school, please, sir?"

His brown eyes glared, and he unknowingly clenched his cloth towel in his hand, "What a stupid question, Isabelle,"

"Professor Lawrence says I'll be ahead of my class - even Valedictorian. I want to go to prom, that's all."