Instead, she cuts the water off. Before I can react, her hand wraps around my arm and yanks me forward. My feet slip against the tile as she drags me out from under the shower.
“Stop. Please—”
“You already took more time than the girl before you,” Sophie says flatly. “You get nothing.”
My knees buckle slightly when she lets go. I catch myself against the wall, my hand slamming against the sink to stay upright. Pain pulses under my ribs as I try to steady my breathing.
Sophie straightens, her expression shifting back into something bored.
“Get dressed. Elliot wants to meet with you in the study.”
She turns and walks out.
I stand there for a second, dripping water onto the floor, my body still shaking as the cold settles into my skin.
I grab a towel, and wrap it tight around my body before stepping into the bedroom.
Sophie stands near the bed with a dress draped over her arm. She holds it away from herself like it offends her.
“You destroyed the other one,” she sighs. “Do you know how irritating it is to scrub blood out of silk?”
She shoves the dress into my hands.
“Put it on.”
I pull it over my head.
The fabric stretches tight across my chest, pressing painfully against my breasts that feel heavy and sore. The fit clings in ways I can’t hide.
Sophie notices immediately.
Her gaze drags over me, taking its time. “Hmm, Elliot’s going to clock that the second you step inside.”
Heat climbs up my neck.
She smiles. “He has a habit of breaking things that stand out. And right now, you stand out.”
I turn away to adjust the hem.
“Hurry,” Sophie says. “You already wasted enough time crying in the shower.”
I smooth the dress down with shaking hands. Sophie leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching me with open contempt.
“Let’s go.”
A knock hits the door. Sophie opens it. Knox and Asher stand in the hall. Both look at me the way someone looks at an animal that needs training.
Knox smirks. “You clean up fast.”
Asher’s eyes stay on my face. “Move. He's waiting.”
They escort me down a staircase I hadn't seen earlier. The Manor feels larger at night. The hallways are colder, the lights dimmer. Every step I take feels heavier as they lead me toward a room with double wooden doors.
Sophie opens one door and gestures for me to enter. Elliot stands inside, leaning against the desk with both hands rested on the edge. He looks calm, collected, and freshly showered. Not a drop of blood anywhere on him.
“Brooke, come in.”
I step inside. My feet feel unsteady. My throat still burns from earlier. Knox, Asher, and Sophie line up behind me, silent. Elliot stays focused on me.
