'Over a month ago, I overheard the guys at the academy,' Brad confesses, 'They were furious at you for rejecting them all, so they devised a bet. They all put in money, and whoever could sleep with you first would claim the entire sum. There was just over a thousand dollars. My car was falling apart, and I had my own financial troubles. My mother refused to give me any money, especially after my dad left us. She claimed she couldn't afford to help me financially, yet indulged in drinking and smoking. So, I saw an opportunity. I told the guys I wanted in. After all, I've always had feelings for you, Rose. I've always wanted to have you for myself. So, you see, it was like killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. So, it's not as bad as it sounds,' he says, trying to justify his actions, and smiles.
My voice trembles with anger and hurt as I respond, 'If you wanted money so badly, then why would you take me to such an expensive restaurant on our date?'
Brad's laughter echoes hollowly in the room. 'I knew my dad would take care of the bill, much as he didn't want to. He can't stand me. He's always nagging me to get a part-time job while I study. My dad probably wanted to spare you the embarrassment of me not being able to pay,' he reveals callously.
'But you said your father was dead,' I remind him, my voice tinged with disbelief.
Brad's laughter deepens, 'Mitch is my dad,' he admits.
‘The chef at the restaurant? You said he was your uncle. I thought he wasn’t happy with you at the time. Now I know why. He knew you were lying to me. Why would you lie about your father’s death?’
‘I hoped you’d feel sorry for me and sleep with me sooner. I was hoping to have a new sound system in my car as soon as possible,’ he shrugs.
I shake my head in disbelief, the weight of his betrayal crashing down upon me. 'You said you loved me,' I whisper, my voice filled with pain. 'You lied to me this entire time. About everything.'
Tears stream down my face as I confront the harsh reality of his manipulation. 'You physically hurt me. You manipulated me, making me believe I was a terrible girlfriend, all to make me feel guilty and vulnerable so you could sleep with me to win a bet,' I sob, the words barely escaping my quivering lips. The depth of his deceit stabs my heart painfully, leaving a trail of shattered trust in its wake.
With a surge of anger and a primal instinct, I fight to keep my animalistic urges at bay. My lips tremble as I suppress the growl that threatens to escape, and my hands, now resembling claws, dig into the door behind me. The wolf inside me is ready to pounce and tear him apart.
'I need you to go,' I manage to say through clenched teeth, my voice laced with a mix of seething anger and a desperate plea for him to leave. The urge to unleash my wrath upon him is overpowering, but there's also a lingering fear of what I might do if he remains in my presence any longer. 'We're done,' I declare, my voice trembling.
Brad's callous laughter fills the room. 'You're not dumping me, Rose. I've already made it clear. No other man will touch you. I want you, and I always get what I want,‘ he retorts, with a twisted sense of entitlement in his words.
A surge of fury courses through my veins, empowering my voice with newfound strength. ‘Lucky for you, I never want another man to touch me again!’ I shout the words echoing with unwavering determination. ‘We're done, Brad. It's over. So, stay away from me!’ I declare, stepping aside from the door, my eyes piercing him with a warning glare.
Brad, refusing to be deterred by my declaration, looms over me once more, his hand reaching for my chin, intending to force a kiss upon me. But I refuse to allow him to exert control over me any longer.
Summoning every ounce of strength, I push him away with a forceful shove, my sharpened claws leaving behind three deep scratches on his skin.
Brad staggers, clutching his wounded skin, a mixture of pain and rage contorting his features. I swiftly open the door, grab Imogen's hand and run.
My heart pounds relentlessly in my chest as I sprint down the stairs, my breath ragged and frantic. I refuse to look back, knowing Brad's furious footsteps echo behind us. Every fibre of my being screams for me to escape and distance myself from the danger chasing from behind. We bound down the stairs, taking them two at a time, disregarding the risk of stumbling and falling. Nothing matters except getting away from him and the torment and pain he has inflicted upon me.
Finally, we burst out of the house, and I gasp for air, my lungs desperate for relief. My head spins, and my claws, once extended in a defensive stance, retreat into the safety of my trembling hands. I feel hurt and heartbroken. How could I have been so blind? How could I have let Brad manipulate me like this?
Martha, Tori, and Sandra stand in the front yard, their eyes wide with confusion and concern as they witness our frantic flight. Martha's gaze meets mine, a mixture of horror and disbelief reflecting in her eyes. Without releasing Imogen's hand, I run until we reach her car. Imogen's hands tremble as she fumbles with the keys, her urgency mirroring mine. Finally, the car door unlocks, and she swiftly slides inside just as Brad emerges from the house, angrily bellowing. The crowd around him shrinks back, their silence a testament to the danger he represents. Martha, however, remains frozen, her gaze fixated on the blood staining Brad's chest, aghast at the violence that has transpired.