Bloody Sheets
I tiptoed quietly back to the bathroom, heart racing, hoping Cullen wouldn’t notice I’d been listening the entire time. I got inside and closed the door behind me, trying to slow my breathing.
I stepped into the shower again, letting the water run over me as I tried to process everything I’d just heard.
Every family has secrets, I thought. And clearly, the Cincinnati family has theirs too.
But the one that lingered the most, bloody sheets.
Was this really going to happen now? Was that what was waiting for me out there? Because when we first walked into our honeymoon suite last night, I’d been scared, nervous even but a small part of me had held onto hope. Hope that maybe Cullen would be kind. That maybe we could talk. That maybe this wouldn’t feel so forced.
But after the way he treated me last night? The silence? The cold shoulder? The indifference?
I didn’t want to. I wasn’t in the mood. I didn’t feel safe. I didn’t feel wanted. I didn’t feel ready.
I didn’t want to. I really didn’t want to...
And more than anything, I hoped he wouldn’t force himself on me. I prayed he wouldn’t try anything.
These thoughts tangled in my mind as I finished bathing, towelled off, and stepped out of the bathroom, unsure of what, or who, was waiting for me on the other side of that door.
When I opened the door and stepped into the room, I found Cullen standing right in the middle, hands shoved into his jean pockets, just… staring at me.
He didn’t say a word. Neither did I.
We just looked at each other for a long, silent moment. There was something unreadable in his eyes—distance, maybe, or conflict. I didn’t know this man. I didn’t know what he wanted. I didn’t know how to act around him. So I froze.
Then, finally, he cleared his throat and spoke.
“Bella brought you some pills,” he said. “She said you had a headache or whatever. I put them there. On the table.”
I nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”
He gestured vaguely toward me, flicking his hand as if he didn’t know what else to do.
“Alright, I’ll, uh… let you dress or whatever...”
“Okay,” I replied softly.
He lingered for a beat—like he wanted to say more but then turned and left the room.
I didn’t breathe until the door clicked shut behind him. My hand was still gripping the edge of my towel, holding on like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.
I was glad when he left.
I went through my usual routine, applied my body oil, got dressed, and chose a wine-red dress that was the perfect balance between formal and casual. I stepped into my heels, moved to the mirror, started doing my hair, and then applied light makeup.
Then I remembered the pills and put them in my hand. I wondered what Cullen and Bella talked about when she brought these...
I shook my head and drank the medicine. But after all of that… I just sat there. Staring at my reflection, not sure what to do next.
Then knock knock, a soft knock on the door.
I turned. Cullen stood there, lingering in the doorway, looking at me again with that same unreadable expression. I looked back at him, tense.
He took a deep breath and stepped inside.
I swallowed hard. My body stiffened instinctively. I was afraid of what he might want. Afraid of what he was going to say. Was this the moment? Was he going to ask me to do something I didn’t want to do?
I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want to.
“Look,” he started, not meeting my gaze, “I’m sorry… for being such an asshole yesterday.”
I blinked.
That....that, I hadn’t expected. Did he actually apologise? The same man who looked at me like I was an unwanted burden just hours ago?
I’d braced myself for commands. I thought he’d walk in and bark orders, 'Take off your clothes. Get on the bed.' Something cruel. Cold.
But instead, he was standing there, apologizing. Softly. Hesitantly.
For a brief second, I saw a glimpse of the man I thought he was yesterday when I said yes. And it took me completely off guard.
Before I could say anything, Cullen continued.
“Yesterday... I wasn’t in the right headspace,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, his voice quieter now. “I drank a lot. I was really drunk. And the truth is, I’ve never done this before. I’ve never been married. I’ve never had someone like that in my space. I value my privacy, my peace and I was kind of... angry.”
He sighed, frustrated with himself.
“I mean, you said it too... you didn’t want to be married to me either. I guess I was just taking it out on the wrong person. You. And you didn’t even have a choice, just like me. We were both forced into this. I was such a prick to you, and I’m sorry. I ruined your day.”
He shook his head as if trying to shake off the guilt.
“Anyway,” he said, straightening a bit, “what I really wanted to say is... don’t be scared of me. Don’t act weird around me. I’m not that guy. What happened yesterday, it’s not going to happen again. I want to wait. I want to take things slow.”
He paused, glancing at me like he needed me to believe him. Like he needed me to trust him.
“I don’t want you going downstairs and acting all uncomfortable around me,” he went on. “Because then people will start thinking I’m like my fucked-up brother.”
“Your fucked-up brother?” I asked cautiously.
He shook his head. “Long story.”
He shifted again. “Anyway... I’m not like him. I’m not going to hurt you. Not physically. Ever.”
“You mean…” I started to ask, needing clarification.
“Yes,” he cut in, nodding firmly. “I’ll never touch you. I’ll never hurt you. So don’t be afraid of me. This whole thing....we’re doing it for our families. There’s no reason for you to hate me, or fear me.”
He looked at me then, eyes searching mine, waiting for a response.
“Okay,” I said softly, giving a small nod.
“..... And just so you know, I thought there were two bedrooms in here. I didn’t mean for you to sleep out there. I just assumed you’d find the other one and use it.”
“Yeah, okay. Fine. I get it,” I said when I realized he was waiting for me to talk.
And so there we were, standing in the middle of this strange, tense room just nodding at each other, like two people trying to be polite when neither of us really knew what to say.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
