Emily Harper hadn't been in college for more than five minutes before she realized she didn't belong. It wasn't the stares that gave her away, it was the laughter. She'd stopped a group of girls to ask for directions to the administrative building, and instead of answering, their eyes swept over her like she was an alien. The ankle-length skirt. The modest blouse buttoned up to her throat. The white rosary hanging from her neck. One of them snickered. Emily muttered a polite thank you and walked away quickly. She needed to find someone else, someone kinder. But instead her feet carried her faster and faster, until she wasn't sure where she was going. She turned a corner breathless and frozen. The campus garden was quiet and secluded. And in the middle of it, a boy sat on a bench like he owned the air itself. He wasn't like the boys in the hallway. His presence felt heavier. More deliberate. Even with his eyes closed, he looked carved out of perfection, sharp jawline, lashes casting shadows over his cheeks, hair so dark and silky she almost reached out to touch it before she could stop herself. Her fingers hovered just inches away from his hair, and in the next heartbeat, his hand shot up, not to take her hand but to wrap cold, strong fingers around her neck. Her gasp caught in her throat as his eyes opened, black and unblinking
"Who sent you?" The words were low and dangerous
Emily's lip trembled as she closed her eyes praying
"Lord, deliver me from the snare of the Fowler. Almighty, keep my soul clean even if he takes my life. Lord, forgive him for he knows not what he do" she kept on rambling prayers and something shifted in his gaze. Not kindness. Amusement. His grip loosened but he didn't let her go.
"Pray all you want, flower. God might hear you, but I promise you I'll be the one to answer"
And in that moment, Ethan Monaco decided
He would break her
He would corrupt her and God himself might not forgive them.