All Chapters of After Dark: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The smell of lemon polish was a part of me, clinging to my clothes, my skin, even my hair, a quiet hum in the background whenever I was inside the Dovewood mansion. It smelled of hard work, of too much money, and of a world that definitely wasn't mine. From the grand hall, I could hear Mom, Elena, humming a soft, off-key tune. Thump, thump, went her duster against a fancy wooden railing. Just another regular Tuesday. I stood by a tall window in the main living room. Mom was cleaning the huge crystal chandelier nearby, her movements careful and slow. Her cough had been worse this morning, a rough, wet sound that made my stomach clench. But she just smiled it off, like always. "You really don't need to dust the skirting boards, Maeve," Mom said, her voice a little breathless as she reached for a high part of the chandelier. "Just rest your feet, dear. You've had a long day at school." "I'm fine, Ma," I lied, keeping my voice light. "Besides, Mrs. Dovewood likes things extra clean.

The next day, my skin still burned where Caden’s lips had touched mine. It was a phantom heat, a sickening reminder of how little control I had. I wanted to scrub my face raw, but I couldn't. I just had to pretend everything was normal, especially for Mom. "Are you feeling alright, sweetie?" Mom asked that morning, her brow furrowed. She was coughing again, a deep, wet sound that rattled through her chest. "You're very quiet." "Just tired, Ma," I mumbled, pushing my cereal around the bowl. "Long day at school yesterday." Jasper, my little brother, thankfully didn't notice anything. He was already buzzing with energy, talking about a new game he wanted to play at Mrs. Ani's. "Can we go early today, Maeve? Please?" he begged. "Maybe," I said, forcing a smile for him. I needed to get him out of the house, away from me. Away from the cloud hanging over me. Later, at the Dovewood mansion, the familiar lemon polish smell felt less comforting and more like a suffocating blanket. Every s

Caden’s hand was cold, firm, pulling me through the packed hallway of our high school. Every step felt like I was walking through thick mud. The noise of students, the slamming lockers, the buzz of conversations—it all hit me like a wave. All eyes were on us. I could feel them, a hundred tiny pinpricks on my skin. Whispers followed us like a shadow. I wanted to disappear, to melt into the floor. But Caden held my hand, forcing me to stay beside him. He walked with that easy confidence, like he owned the place, which, in a way, he did. He was Caden Dovewood. I was just Maeve Briggs, the quiet girl nobody really noticed, until now. He didn't let go of my hand until we reached his first class, Mr. Henderson’s Calculus. He stopped right at the door, and then, slowly, his fingers unlaced from mine. It felt like a part of me was being ripped away, even though I hated his touch. "Don't be late for my study hall later," he murmured, his voice low, only for me to hear. His dark eyes held

The cool morning air bit at my bare arms, a brutal contrast to the suffocating warmth of Caden's private sitting room. I had no memory of getting home, just the blur of dark hallways, the chill of the night, and the desperate need to escape. I must have stumbled through the front door, my mind blank. Now, I was wrapped in my thin blanket on the living room couch, harsh morning light streaming in. My head throbbed, and my body felt heavy, bruised in ways that didn't show on the skin. My mom's gentle cough from her bedroom was the first sound that truly registered. She was waking up. Panic jolted through me. I couldn't let her see me like this. Couldn't let her guess. The lie about the "history project" felt paper-thin, ready to tear apart. I scrambled off the couch, limbs stiff and sore, and rushed to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, scrubbing at my skin as if I could wash away the feeling of Caden’s touch, his mouth, the shame that clung to me. A shower felt impossi

The school day crawled by, each minute a tiny torment. I felt Caden’s eyes on me in the hallways of Oakridge High, even when I couldn't see him. The public "discussion" at the library had been a clear message: he owned me, and he wasn't afraid to show it. I kept my face blank, my shoulders back, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me affected. But inside, a cold knot of dread churned. When the final bell rang, I packed my bag quickly, almost frantically. I had to get home, away from this place that felt tainted by his presence. As I walked through the busy gates, the usual rush of students felt different, distant. "Maeve! Wait up!" Nova's voice cut through the noise. I braced myself, slowing my pace. I couldn't just run forever. She caught up, her expression a mix of worry and something else—a quiet anger. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice softer than it had been this morning. I forced a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Nova stopped, making me stop with her. "