All Chapters of Corrupt Temptation: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

IVY.I took off running. It seemed as though the corridors immaculate mirrored floor would never end—a surreal never-ending white tunnel. I ran with my reflection, a shattered and terrified ghost of the girl I once was. My feet pounded frantically against the harsh stone as if to mock my desperation on the polished surface. My vision was blurred by hot stinging tears that were streaming down my face. Every step I took felt like a heartbreaking betrayal and a retreat from the reality I had just had to confront. A final damning sound, a seal on the tomb of my illusions was the muffled hiss of the facilitys door closing behind me. I stumbled up the stairs, my legs hurting and rushed into the mansions well-known hallways. My heart was thundering and the only sounds to break the silence were my ragged breaths and the frantic shuffling of my shoes. The hallway that seemed to go on forever the long left and the sharp right were the turns I had become so familiar with. Every turn served as

IVY. Sophia let out a sigh that was laden with resignation and a hint of sympathy. I turned away from her and gazed at the wallpapers elaborate floral design which seemed to contain the answers to all of the universes mysteries. As she approached the door, her footsteps were quiet. “Ivy” she said softly “I'm always available if you… if you want to talk…about anything.” I did not answer...I couldn't. My heart was an aching bruised lump in my chest and my throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper. “What was there to discuss, the fact that my life was a carefully constructed delusion that everyone I had started to believe was a prop in this macabre play? No, thank you.” I stopped talking. I had had enough of the lies. A muted echo of the door, the final damning sound was the soft click of the door closing. After that there was silence. I was surrounded by a thick oppressive silence. I let out a trembling breath that I hadn't realized I was holding until I was certain she was gone

IVY. The shock of his lips against mine sent a shockwave through every nerve ending. As the shock subsided, my gasp became a gentle sigh and then I felt a confusing rush of something like surrender. He intensified the kiss, applying a slow forceful pressure that forced air out of my lungs and for a brief moment kept me from thinking clearly. My body betrayed me despite my rational brains insistence that this was a bad idea and the loud ringing of alarm bells in my head. I gave him a kiss in return. With all the rage bewilderment and unadulterated unquestionable attraction that had simmered between us since the day I entered this mansion, it was a passionate desperate kiss. Until there was no more room between us his hands tightened around my waist and drew me in. Traitorous, my own hands reached into his hair and gripped the silky strands at the back of his neck. The world shrank to the sensation of his lips, the scent of his skin and the hammering heartbeat of my own. Before he f

IVY.My eyes were still obstinately closed when I woke up but the faintest light was coming in through what I thought were thick curtains. I briefly drifted in that blissful transitional state between sleep and wakefulness feeling a strange yet reassuring warmth spread throughout me. Memories from the last night then rushed forward like a dam breaking. Sloan. Kissing. His eyes were full of unvarnished honesty. The irresolute desire that had engulfed me. My eyes opened slowly absorbing the opulent space. It was definitely not the sterile hotel room I had been preparing to escape to nor was it my tiny apartment. It was my room here in the mansion. I bit my lips. There had been no dream. Not a single bit of it thrilling or terrifying. The silken sheets gathered around my waist as I slowly sat up. I was still naked. The events of the night were evident in my attire—or lack thereof. My neck started to flush but it wasn't from embarrassment. Indeed it was. Something else. A glimmer of s

IVY. Together Sophia and I whirled around, the effortless laughter fading from our throats. Alissa was a fiery-haired immaculately styled figure standing behind us. Her red hair was styled in a sleek severe bun that matched the acerbic tone of her eyes. My stomach turned slightly. The universe decided it was time for more drama just as things were beginning to feel normal. Sophia continued to grasp my hand and gave it a firm squeeze. Both of us braced ourselves for the typical sarcastic jab or vague threat. Alissa had a way of piercing the atmosphere like a poisoned dart. Rather a strange almost pitying smile appeared on her lips. “Well well.” She said, her voice silky smooth but with a hint of coolness that raised the hair on my arms. “I can see that someone is feeling better.” Her eyes moved over me and then back to Sophia's hand which was still in mine. “Alissa” I said attempting to sound neutral despite a sudden wave of defensive protectiveness toward Sophia. Alissa went on