Beatrice

Chapter 3

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TRIGGER WARNING: 

Potentially distressing  material to some readers ahead. This chapter contains depiction and/or strong implication of the following:

• Sexual Harassment 
• Negligence

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The next morning, I couldn't bring myself to leave my room. My body ached, not just from the physical impact of the night before but from the emotional toll it had taken. I'm young but my vulgar household teach me this kind of thing unintentionally. 

If not the two of them, it was that bastard with another woman when my aunt was away. "Why do I have to live like this?" I silently sob under my blanket. I can't even fall asleep; I feel fragile, as if the slightest touch would shatter me into pieces. The fear and shame weighed heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I stayed curled up on my small bed, staring at the worn wooden ceiling above me. The other maids passed by my door, their footsteps echoing in the hallway. Each step sent a shiver down my spine, a reminder of my obligation to join them and to carry on with my duties as if nothing had happened. But the mere thought of facing him again makes me sick.

A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. My heart pounded in my chest, and I held my breath, hoping it would go away. But the door creaked open, and Lena stepped inside, her face etched with concern.

"Bea?" she called softly, closing the door behind her. "Are you alright?"

I shook my head, unable to find my voice. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Lena crossed the small room and sat on the edge of my bed, her hand gently touching my shoulder.

"You don't have to come out if you're not ready," she said, her voice kind. "But we need to talk about what happened last night."

I sat up slowly, wiping away the tears that had gathered in my eyes. The words felt heavy in my mouth, and my throat was tight with fear. "I'm sorry, Miss Lena. I should have been more careful."

Lena shook her head, her expression firm. "This isn't your fault, Bea. What the Young Master did was inexcusable. You did nothing wrong."

"But I... I feel so scared," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. The fear was a tangible thing, wrapping around my heart and squeezing tight.

"I know," Lena said, her tone gentle. "It's natural to feel that way after what happened."

Her words were a small comfort, but the fear still lingered. "What if he tries again?"

"If he does, you come straight to me," Lena assured me. "I'll try my best protect you."

I nodded, grateful for her support but still feeling the weight of my fear. "Thank you, Miss Lena."

Lena stayed with me for a while longer, talking softly and helping me gather myself. Eventually, she had to return to her duties, but she promised to check on me later. I finally drifted off to sleep, my exhaustion pulling me into a restless slumber.

Suddenly, a burning sensation spread across my body, jolting me awake. Panic gripped me as I opened my eyes, and I immediately began to struggle when I saw the young Lord, Gillard, on top of me. His weight pinned me down, and his breath reeked of alcohol.

"No, please!" I cried out, trying to push him away, my voice trembling with fear. "My Lord, stop!"

His eyes were glazed over, and his movements were clumsy yet forceful. "Shh, don't fight it, Bea," he slurred, his words sending a chill down my spine. "You escaped last night, but now you belong to me now."