《The Devil's Handmaiden 》全部章節：第 1 章 - 第 10 章

CHAPTER ONEShadows of the Past"Mom, Mom, please don’t do this to me!" I screamed, shaking her lifeless body, drenched in blood. Panic consumed me, my mind barely able to process what was happening. Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled toward the garage where my father was painting."Dad! Dad!" I cried, my voice breaking. "I don’t know what’s wrong with Mom. She’s not talking,she’s lying in a pool of her own blood!"Before I could even finish, my father dropped everything and bolted for the house. I followed close behind, my heart hammering in my chest. When we reached her, he knelt down, cradling her limp body, seemingly oblivious to the blood soaking into his clothes.“Rory!” he shouted, his voice frantic. “Call 911!”I fumbled for the phone, dialing with shaking hands as I watched my father,my once invincible father,sob uncontrollably. I could hardly believe what was happening. My mother was gone, just like that.---I jolted back to reality as I heard Victoria, my stepmother

Chapter 3: Web of Shadows“Grin, grin, grin,” my alarm blared, dragging me out of a restless sleep. I woke up feeling more stressed than refreshed.As I sat up in bed, yesterday’s events replayed in my mind—my dreamy date with Peter, the confrontation with those thugs, and the hot stranger from the festival who’d turned out to be my unlikely savior.“Why is this happening to me?” I screamed, my voice echoing off the walls.I checked my phone for messages. Nothing.“At least I’m safe from any tantrums,” I muttered.But before I could finish the thought, the sound of raised voices drifted up from downstairs. My father and stepmother were arguing again. I quickly got dressed for school and made my way down to the chaos.“You’re going to get us killed!” Victoria yelled at my father.“I don’t care what you do, but I won’t stand by and let you endanger my daughters,” she added, her voice shaking with fury.“I’m not going to get anyone killed. I’ll pay back the debt,” my father insisted.“P

Chapter 5Shattered PeaceSaturday mornings used to be my sanctuary,but the only time the house was quiet, and I could breathe without anyone watching or judging. My stepmother always left early for her gym class. Vanessa was busy with her drama club rehearsals. And Anastasia, though around, barely acknowledged me unless she needed something.I woke up early, savoring the silence like a secret gift. After a peaceful breakfast, I retreated to my room to work on my painting, the one of the mysterious guy I met at the festival. The more I painted him, the more I found myself falling into a fantasy I couldn’t escape. He was captivating, dangerous-looking, yet soft in my imagination. A stranger who made me feel more than anyone I actually knew.But even as I lost myself in the brush strokes, real-life shadows crept in. Thoughts of my father's lingering debts to the Blackwood family, the haunting final words Peter and I exchanged, and those cryptic, threatening messages from that unknown

Chapter 7: The Unexpected EncounterThe moment I woke up, a cocktail of emotions surged through me, excitement, fear, anticipation. Today wasn’t just another ordinary day. Today, I would finally face the mystery head-on.Downstairs, Vanessa and Anastasia were already at the table, their eyes following me like shadows. Their stares were sharp, suspicious, as if they could sense something was about to shift. I ignored them. Nothing they did or said could ruin this day.I skipped breakfast, too nervous to eat, and left for school early, without waiting for Alex.I needed space. Space to think. Space to breathe. And space from him.Alex had been kind too kind lately, but I couldn’t let myself fall into that. Whatever feelings he harbored for me, I couldn’t return them. Not now. Not with everything spinning out of control.When I reached school, a strange sense of relief settled over me. Tiffany wasn’t there. No dramatic outbursts. No passive-aggressive stares. Just... silence.“No drama

Chapter 9Fractured bonds Early in the morning, Peter decided to visit Tiffany’s house to reconcile after their fight. He picked up her favorite chocolate, hoping to ease the tension between them.As he stood in front of her door, anxiety gripped him, urging him to turn back. “I should just leave... there’s no way she’ll accept me,” Peter muttered dejectedly. Just as he was about to retreat, the door creaked open.“Oh, Mr. Peter, you're here. Should I call Madam for you?” the steward greeted him politely.“No, don’t disturb her. I was just leaving,” Peter responded.“Steward! Who’s at the door?” Tiffany’s sharp voice pierced the air from inside.“Ma'am, it’s Mr. Peter,” the steward answered.“Is he crazy? Why is he here? Wait, I’m coming. Tell him to stay put!” Tiffany's shout echoed through the hall.Peter braced himself for the conversation he knew would be difficult. He understood Tiffany well enough to know she wouldn’t let him off easily, but he was determined to win her over.T