The Heartthrob's Dark Obsession

Epilogue

Epilogue:

"We find the defendant, Theo Masterson, not guilty, by reason of mental disease or defect." Even days after the trial was over those words rang out in her mind.

Not guilty. Theo Masterson, her rapist, her tormentor, was not guilty. It made her want to cry. After everything he did to her, he deserved to rot in jail.

It came out during the course of the trial that Theo had schizophrenia. He was legitimately insane. He would spend an indeterminate amount of time in a mental institution until they deemed him fit. Which meant if a treatment started working he could be free some day. And she hoped if that day ever came she would be far, far away. She could never forgive him for what he'd done to her.

Meanwhile, his mother, Martha, was also due to stand trial over in England. Nori was glad she didn't have to go over there to testify. She wasn't sure she could go through it all again.

She wasn't angry at Martha. The woman was a victim just like her. But she'd long since given up hope and that was something Nori had refused to do. She wrote a letter to the court, expressing her wishes, that the woman's sentence should be light. Maybe in time Martha would realize that everything she was brainwashed to believe was a lie. Maybe she could get the help that she so sorely needed.

When Theo's mother was arrested, Nori's dog, Celeste, was with her. The dog her captor had gotten her was sent to New York to be with her. It was the only part of her captivity she didn't mind keeping around.

She sat on the floor of Derek's apartment, playing with Celeste. The trial wrapped up near the end of January. She was happy to be free. Most of her freedom involved seeing a therapist and trying to go out in public without breaking down. But it was a start.

In time, the trauma of what happened to her may dull. Maybe someday she would be able to sleep through the night without having nightmares. She was still waking up every few hours.

She hadn't gone back to LA. Even though she loved the film industry it was a rough place for her at the moment. For the time being she was on temporary disability due to the PTSD she had already developed. The media always made it feel like life turned back to normal after trauma. But she couldn't be normal. Not yet. And maybe not ever.

Her first TV interview was coming up soon. It was scary. But she knew that if she didn't speak about it the rumors would be worse. Everyone had their own opinions and she knew that she needed to set the records straight.

Derek came inside with large bag full of small dog toys.

"How are you feeling, Nori?" he asked. She looked up at him. She couldn't believe the lengths he went through to find her.

"Same as I was when you left two hours ago."

Derek dumped the dog toys onto the floor and Celeste immediately skipped over to them. He sat with Nori and gently rubbed her head before pulling her into his arms.

"I missed you so much. I know I say it every day. But it's true," he sighed.

"I missed you, too." Derek hadn't given up hope. He was the reason she was free. He said she saved herself, but the truth was that Theo would have captured her again if this amazing man hadn't been there looking for her.

"I have a question for you," he said, while absent-mindedly stroking the scar on her cheek. It was still hard for Nori to believe that Derek didn't mind how she had changed. He loved her regardless of her scars or trauma.

"Ask away."

"What if I were to suggest that we be with each other always?" She looked up at his goofy grin and sparkling eyes.

"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?" she asked.

"Depends. Were you also thinking about surgery to join us at the hip?"

Nori laughed. The sound of her own laughter almost felt foreign to her. But in a good way.

"God, I missed that sound," said Derek. "I may just have to marry you if you're not down for the hip attachment."

"Are you serious?" she asked.

Derek pulled a box from his pocket and flipped it open. Inside was a beautiful emerald and opal ring.

"I've been waiting far too long to ask you this, my little Nori Story."

"Yes. The answer is yes." She kissed Derek. She was free and she was happy. She wanted nothing more than to be with him...to be happy with him.

But a sudden sadness overtook her and she quickly pulled back. "Are you sure you want to marry me? I'm...I'm not exactly a virgin anymore."

"That doesn't bother me. Nothing you could possibly tell me about what that monster did to you could ever change my opinion about you." Derek rumpled his hair back. He pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger.

She was so skinny. Even after the hospital stay she had barely gained weight. The ring felt heavy despite its dainty band. But it was perfect.

"I'm not sure if I'll ever want to have sex again," she whispered.

"I'd wait a lifetime for you, Nori." He kissed her on the forehead. She melted into his arms. She was going to be his wife.

"Why don't we go get pizza?" she asked. She looked at the perfect ring she got from her perfect man and took a deep breathe, reminding herself that this was the life she always wanted. And she was finally going to have it.

"I love this plan."

"I just gotta get dressed." Nori got up. She pulled her shirt off and grabbed bra. As she looked down, the branding on her chest reminded her of everything she fought for. She smiled.

A wave of happiness washed over her. Derek wanted her no matter what. She was going to be okay. And some day the scars of her past would be nothing more than an annoyance. But they couldn't stop her from living her life. She covered the scar with a shirt, ready to face the world. Ready to be truly free.