Chapter 3 Caught red handed, whore!

Naomi tiptoed down the marble corridor, her torn dress clutched in her trembling hands, the silk sheet she wrapped around herself trailing like a ghost behind her.

The mansion was eerily silent, the remnants of last night's party lying scattered, champagne flutes abandoned on tables, a single high heel forgotten on the steps.

Her heart pounded louder with each step. She just needed to get to her room but as she turned to the corner, a shadow detached itself from the wall.

Lo and behold, it was Isabella.

Her stepsister's eyes glittered with fury in the dim light, her arms were crossed, and her lips curled in satisfaction. She took one look at the dishevelled Naomi and smirked.

"Well, well," Isabella hissed, stepping into Naomi's path. "Look who's doing the walk of shame."

Naomi froze, her breath hitching. "Get out of my way, Isabella. I don't have time for this."

Isabella laughed bitterly, blocking her. "Oh no, you don't get to walk away. Where the hell were you all night? Don't tell me my plan failed? Did you miss your appointment, Naomi? Because I can tell you weren't in that room."

Naomi's eyes widened in shock. "What... plan?"

Isabella's smirk deepened. "Oh, don't play dumb now. You were supposed to be taught a lesson last night. But no, you messed it up. What, did you find some other man to embarrass yourself with? God, you're pathetic."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Naomi whispered, trying to push past her.

But Isabella grabbed her arm, her nails digging in. "Who was it, Naomi? Who did you spread your legs for? You looked like a desperate little whore just now. Was it one of the waiters? Or maybe one of Mom's rich friends? Tell me!"

"Let me go!" Naomi snapped, yanking free.

The commotion drew footsteps from down the hall.

Meredith appeared, her silk robe tied tight at the waist, her hair still immaculate despite the hour. Her eyes darkened the moment she saw Naomi's state.

"Where have you been?" Meredith's voice was ice, low and dangerous.

Naomi opened her mouth to answer, but Isabella jumped in.

"Out! She was sneaking around all night, probably with one of the guests. Look at her, Mom. She looks like a slut."

Meredith's face twisted in disgust. She marched forward, her hand striking out before Naomi could even flinch. The slap echoed down the hall.

"You vile little tramp!" Meredith spat, grabbing Naomi by the hair and yanking her forward. "You leave my party, you sneak off, and now you come back looking like this? You've brought shame to my house. To your father's name!"

Naomi stumbled, tears springing to her eyes. "I didn't...I didn't do anything wrong. I don't remember...."

"Of course you don't!" Meredith screeched, pushing her against the wall. "Because you were too busy being a drunken little whore!"

"Mom, should we call Dad?" Isabella taunted, enjoying every second of Naomi's humiliation. "He should see what his darling daughter has turned into."

Naomi's lip quivered. "Please, just let me go. I didn't mean to..."

"Mean to what?!" Meredith snarled. "Mean to humiliate me? On my birthday? After everything I've done for you? I should have locked you indoors."

Naomi felt the world tilt. The slap had reopened the cut at the corner of her mouth and the bitter taste of blood filled her mouth as she tried to steady herself.

"I didn't do anything, why am I being punished?" she whispered, more to herself than to them.

But Meredith wasn't done. She shoved Naomi toward the stairs. "Get to your room, and you better pray your father doesn't find out, because if he does, you're out of this house, Naomi. You hear me? Out!"

Naomi clutched at the bannister, breathless and humiliated, every part of her burning from the inside out. She felt Isabella's gaze follow her as she fled up the stairs, the sound of their laughter haunting her retreat.

She reached her room, locked the door, and collapsed against it, sliding down until she sat on the cold floor.

The tears came then, hard and fast, wracking her body with silent sobs. The bruises on her skin didn't hurt as much as the ones on her heart.

Why couldn't she remember anything?

She stared at her body and felt the numbness and pain before the beating she received from her step-mother, she knew something definitely happened.

"Oh God, please don't let it be what I think it is."