The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 98

Last night had been such a frenzy that it felt as though Shailoh had fallen into hell itself. She was violated again and again, writhing in pleasure until she fainted, only to wake and repeat it. The last thing she remembered before losing her consciousness was reaching her fourth climax.

 

By the time she managed to lift her eyelids, heavy as waterlogged cotton, the sun was already high in the sky. As she frowned at the sunlight stabbing into her eyes, the maid who had just been drawing back the curtains greeted her.

 

“You’re awake, Milady.”

 

“…Who are you?”

 

“My name is Anne. I’ll be attending to you for the next few days while you stay here. I’ll do my best to make sure you lack for nothing.”

 

Shailoh nodded slightly and waved her hand, signaling her to leave. As the maid opened the windows one by one to air out the room, she spoke again, cautiously. “Would you like something to eat? I’ve prepared a simple meal.”

 

“I’m fine for now. Just let me sleep.”

 

“Understood. If you need anything, please pull the bell cord. I’ll come at once.”

 

“Yes.” Shailoh yawned deeply and nodded drowsily. Only after Anne bowed deeply and left did she find herself alone.

 

“Ah…” Enduring the sharp pain throbbing in her lower abdomen, Shailoh slowly stepped down from the bed.

 

It had truly been a night where she was devoured like prey in the jaws of a wild beast, chewed alive, bit by bit. At some point, someone had cleaned her. Aside from the bruises, bite marks, and handprints left all over, her body was spotless.

 

“Still, it feels grimy. I should wash again.” Muttering to herself, Shailoh staggered toward the bathroom, leaning against the wall for support. Though the distance was short, her legs gave out several times, nearly causing her to collapse. Gritting her teeth, she took one step at a time until she finally managed to turn the bathroom door handle.

 

Fortunately, the bathtub was already filled with water. It seemed someone had anticipated that she’d want to bathe again after waking, as the water was just the right lukewarm temperature. Shailoh slipped out of her gown and slowly sank into the tub. The warm water wrapped around her body, easing the tense, contracted muscles and nerves one by one.

 

“I’m saved…” A long, relieved sigh escaped her lips. As she picked up a sponge and began washing, a heavy voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

 

“Coco.”

 

“Mmm…”

 

“You chose this. Blame me all you want, but don’t think of escaping.”

 

It was definitely Caleb’s voice. Whether he was speaking while she was being washed or the words were just ringing in her head, they reverberated like a nightmare.

 

Shailoh covered her temples with both hands. The whispered voice, which had sporadically haunted her even in her sleep, resurfaced. She shook her head, trying to drive them away, but failed. Then she abruptly rose from the bath.

 

* * *

Once she came out of the bath, hunger hit her like a lie exposed. Pulling the bell cord as the maid had instructed, a simple meal was quickly brought in, as if they had been waiting. Since she had screamed so much the previous night that her throat now ached, she reached only for things easy to swallow.

 

After finishing the last spoonful of soup, Shailoh spoke to the maid who was tidying up belatedly. “What about His Highness?”

 

“He’ll be coming tonight.”

 

“I see.”

 

Through the cruelty of last night, Shailoh had realized something completely. Caleb intended to train her perfectly. To turn her into the kind of woman Albert would be unable to resist, sexually, beyond doubt.

 

“Could you bring me something to wear?”

 

“Something to wear?”

 

“I want to take a walk. Staying cooped up in the room all the time feels suffocating.”

 

“Understood. Please wait.”

 

The maid nodded at Shailoh’s words and soon returned with clothes and a coat. With her help, Shailoh changed and stepped outside the villa. She brushed her hair back with one hand as the wind whooshed around her. The sound of leaves rustling and birds chirping echoed through the quiet forest.

 

“Please wait, Milady.” Turning around, she saw the maid hurrying after her, putting on her shoes as she went.

 

Shailoh waved her off. “You don’t have to follow me. I’ll just take a walk alone. Besides, it seems like no one else is around here anyway.”

 

“That’s not possible.”

 

“I just feel more comfortable alone.”

 

“Even so, it’s not allowed.” The maid spoke firmly, showing no sign of backing down.

 

Shailoh pursed her lips for a moment, then caught the hidden meaning behind the maid’s words. “You were ordered to watch over me.”

 

Instead of answering, the maid bowed deeply. “I’m truly sorry if this causes you discomfort. Please accept my apologies.”

 

“What do you have to apologize for?”

 

“If I’ve made even the slightest mistake in serving you, please tell me. I will correct it without fail.”

 

They were speaking the same language, yet no conversation was happening.

 

Closing her eyes tightly in frustration, Shailoh finally surrendered. “Do as you please, then.”

 

Taking her words as permission, the maid quickly followed at a few steps’ distance. Feeling stifled, Shailoh walked along the forest path.

 

“How many people know about this place? How many staff work at this villa?”

 

“Right now, it’s just the cook and me. The caretaker couple as well, but everyone else was given leave by His Highness.”

 

“I see.”

 

That was actually better. Considering what she would endure in that villa, fewer people around was preferable. Feeling relieved, Shailoh suddenly stopped when she spotted something on the dirt path. She crouched down carefully and cupped it gently in her hands.

 

“Milady?” The maid approached with a puzzled look and spotted the tiny baby bird in Shailoh’s hands. “It must have fallen from the nest.”

 

“Poor thing. That must be its nest right there.”

 

Shailoh clicked her tongue and stood on tiptoe, trying hard to lift the bird back up. But no matter how much she stretched, she couldn’t reach. Disheartened, she looked on silently.

 

The maid, watching her quietly, volunteered. “I’ll do it.”

 

“You? But you’re shorter than me.”

 

“That’s okay. I’m very good at climbing trees. I’m from the countryside, after all.”

 

Caught off guard, Shailoh nodded and handed over the baby bird. The maid carefully took it in one hand and slowly climbed the tree. With ease, she placed the bird back into its nest. The baby bird chirped loudly, as if to say thank you, then settled quietly inside the nest.

 

When the maid climbed down, Shailoh honestly admired her and clapped her hands. “Impressive!”

 

“It’s nothing special,” the maid said, scratching the back of her head shyly and smiling bashfully.

 

Shailoh smiled warmly and asked quietly, “You said your name was Anne, right? Is it alright if I just call you by your name?”

 

“Yes. Please do.” Anne nodded with a flushed face.

 

“Then, Anne.” Shailoh rummaged through her pocket and handed over some money. “This is a token of my gratitude.”

 

“What? I can’t accept this!” Startled, Anne waved her hands in refusal. But Shailoh firmly put the money into her pocket.

 

“Please take it. It’s only enough to buy a couple of good pastries in the town anyway.”

 

Anne could only open and close her mouth soundlessly. After being told that much, returning the money already tucked into her pocket felt rude.

 

“If you help me like this whenever I need it from now on, I’ll make sure to repay you accordingly. How about that?”

 

“Taking care of you while I’m here is naturally my duty.”

 

“I don’t mean those small things. I mean personally.”

 

“Do you have any personal requests for me?”

 

“You never know. Something might come up later.”

 

Unable to resist Shailoh’s sparkling eyes, Anne finally nodded. Thus, the short walk came to an end.

 

* * *

The carriage that had left the villa at dawn returned after the sun had already set and darkness had fallen outside. Caleb, who had been informed in advance, handed a coat and gloves to the maid who came to greet him, then strode to open Shailoh’s bedroom door.

 

“Sasha.”

 

None of the lamps in the room had been lit. Aside from the dim moonlight, it was dark. Narrowing his eyes, he swept the room with his gaze, then approached the bed and pulled back the covers. But no one was there.

 

“Sasha. Where are you?”

 

Since the maid remained glued to her every move, there was no chance Shailoh had escaped. Even setting aside the fact that she wasn’t the sort to leave debts unpaid. Thinking it strange, Caleb was about to leave the bedroom when the bathroom door creaked open. Before he could turn around, he stiffened at the sound of his name.

 

“Caleb.” It was the first time she had spoken his name since everything between them had gone wrong.

 

Turning his head slowly with a creak, he saw Shailoh standing in the bathroom doorway, wrapped only in a bath towel, looking at him.

 

“Aren’t you tired?” With a strangely alluring smile, Shailoh lifted one finger and beckoned him closer. “You should wash first. Come in.”

 

The temptation was obvious, but Caleb couldn’t turn away or refuse. Whatever her intentions, it didn’t really matter.

 

“You’ve been waiting quietly.”

 

“Of course. Whose pet do you think I am?” Shailoh smiled wickedly and wrapped her arms around Caleb’s neck as he approached.

 

If this was something she had to go through anyway, then she would no longer endure it passively from now on.