Chapter 3
Sean and I were friends for two years and lovers for three, but the only time he ever saw me cry was when my parents died tragically.
He was so afraid I wouldn't make it through that he watched over me day and night, never leaving my side.
"Victoria, you still have me. I'll take their place and be your family. I'll always be here for you and keep you safe," he said.
My parents' bodies were never found, and our whole house was reduced to ashes. There wasn't even a single picture left for me to hold onto their memory.
He gave up a rare, one-of-a-kind survival item just so I could revisit my memories and recreate a lifelike image of my parents.
"Victoria, please, just listen to me..." he said, his voice wavering.
Sean hesitated, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
Sadie huffed, her face full of indignation.
Sadie snapped, "Victoria, Sean risks everything out there just to make sure you have a good life. You don't even care about him, and now people are spreading rumors that you're having affairs with other guys.
"Sean never believed any of it. He even moved in with you, putting his own reputation on the line, just to defend you. And now you're turning it all against him?
"Don't tell me you're trying to clear your own name by blaming Sean, saying he made you do all that?"
"How could you be like this? Sean loves you, and now you want to ruin him!" Sadie shouted.
Her words struck home, and Sean's face turned cold.
It left me with no way out.
The neighbors' nasty comments got even louder.
"Unbelievable! She leeches off men, spends their money, and still two-times them. How did trash like her end up in our community? She ought to be thrown out and fed to the monsters!" someone yelled.
"I heard her parents died protecting the community, that's why her house is bigger than ours," another neighbor sniped.
"Protectors? Please! What kind of hero parents would have a daughter like her? If you ask me, she's just a filthy slut who sleeps her way around!" someone else spat.
They could say whatever they wanted about me, but dragging my parents into it was unforgivable.
Back then, my parents stood their ground against the monsters for two hours, using nothing but their own bodies to buy time for everyone else to escape. That's why not even their remains were found.
"Go ask the district chief yourself if you don't believe me! This house exists because my parents died for it!" I shouted, unable to hold back anymore.
I couldn't take it anymore, so I finally snapped back at them.
"This guy is my boyfriend! His job means he has to go undercover, so he meets me using different disguises. That's why you always see me bringing home different men!" I yelled.
All this time, to protect Sean, I'd rather be treated like a total outcast than ever breathe a word about his secret.
Sean never saw this coming, and he instantly felt uneasy, a sense of dread settling in.
"Victoria, you just love dumping your problems on other people, don't you? The district chief's got enough on his plate, and now you want the neighbors to bother him over something so trivial? Isn't that just screwing them over?" Sadie said with a mocking tone.
Sadie picked up on Sean's discomfort and jumped in.
Her comment was like gasoline on a fire. The crowd erupted.
"She's always chasing after men, probably thinks every guy in the world revolves around her. And now she wants the district chief to handle her drama? Who does she think she is?" someone shouted.
I was just about to say something, but Sadie cut me off again.
"Victoria, forget about how you got the house for now. But you're saying Sean meets you in different disguises? What, he can magically change his height, weight, and looks every time? This isn't some fantasy novel," Sadie scoffed.
As she spoke, she edged behind Sean, playing the innocent.
"Why are you staring at me like that? I'm just being honest. Unless you and Sean have some regular messages you can show everyone?" Sadie said.
Sean instantly straightened up.
Of course we talked in private.
But he always blamed work, kept everything hush-hush, and our messages disappeared as soon as we read them.
"Victoria, first you give Sadie a hard time, and now you're getting the neighbors involved in your drama? Maybe I've just spoiled you too much," Sean said.
He let out a long sigh, looking like he was really wounded.
I never imagined he could be so hypocritical. It broke my heart and pissed me off.
"Sean! I was so wrong about you!" I yelled.
Sean froze for a second, looking stunned.
I was done with him. All I wanted was to go home.
As I brushed past Sadie, she let out a loud "ouch" and stumbled back a step, really playing it up.
"Victoria, if you have something to say, just say it. Why did you have to hit me? Is it just because I spoke the truth?" Sadie cried.
The moment Sean saw her looking so hurt and teary-eyed, he immediately turned on me.
"Victoria, you've gone too far!" he scolded.
"I'm the one who's gone too far? What about you, trading me to other men for supplies just to keep your mistress happy? And then you move your side chick in here and take over my house like you own the place!" I shouted.
I'd had enough. I shoved him away.
"Get out!" I yelled.
He never thought I'd finally blow up at him. He froze for a moment, then set his jaw, determined to stand his ground.
"I'm really disappointed in you. The way you keep hurting people. How are you any better than that monster that attacked you?" Sean snapped.
Even knowing how fake he was, it still hurt more than I wanted to admit.
The guy who once risked everything to protect me was now exposing my deepest scars for everyone to tear into.