Page 312 of The Professor's Wife

“Imagination?” I repeated, dryly. “You know it was more.”

He let out an empty laugh. “Do you think the spirit of Plato is communicating toyou? Of all the people that have walked this earth. That have left an imprint of their genius behind. You think among them all you’re special enough? Foolish girl.”

“I’m not saying a great philosopher visited me personally. You were very clear when you mentored me that you believed in your teachings. Intheirteachings.” I smiled, and it was as empty as his laugh. “Or was it all a lie, Oliver? Are you so doubtful that I could find the very tranquility that eludes you?”

“Tranquility? So, after seeing your dead sister and little boy in a dream, you think you’ve reached ataraxia?”

“I know what I felt.”

“Tranquility is a big word, too big for you, to toss about, Daisy.”

I raised my chin, holding his stare. “I understand the meaning well, and I stand by it.”

There was nothing in his eyes as he regarded me, like I was an adolescent child that needed a lashing. “This has been very entertaining and bold. I’m almost convinced you were hoping to die while I was gone.”

“I wouldn’t be here if I wanted to die,” I returned, calmly. “On the contrary, Oliver, I’m standing before you now, fighting for my life.”

He looked me over, inspecting me. “You’ve gone crazy. I wondered when it would happen.”

“When exactly what would happen?”

“When you would lose your mental clarity.”

“I’m thinkingveryclearly, Oliver.”

“Perhaps you’re trying to trigger me, but I’m not so easily ruffled today.” He adjusted himself in his seat again, appearing slightly uncomfortable in his position. Then he went back to observing me. “You look a little bit like a sour dream, Daisy. The way the fading sun is hitting you. Almost angel-like in your nightgown. I wish I could frame this moment. Your beauty never fails to save you.”

“If I were a little less beautiful?”

“You wouldn’t be here.”

“Wouldn’t I, though?”

He stared at me for a long moment. A thought flickered in his eyes. He smiled slowly. “In a way.”

I offered him a genuine smile this time, and I caught the way his face tightened. I turned around, giving him my back as I surveyed the woods. “How many of them are watching us now, do you think?” I didn’t wait for his response. I looked into the bush. I could almost see them. The forms standing there. Staring back at me. Faceless and voiceless. “Are they wearing nightgowns, Oliver?”

“I’m warning you to hold your tongue. It’s just this one warning, Daisy.”

I went on like I didn’t hear him. “I don’t think they have nightgowns on. I think you were impulsive with them. I think I’m different from you because I was the perfect victim. Malleable and vulnerable and trusting. You were my whole world, but…I think I’m your whole world, too.

“You act like you’re merciful, but you wouldn’t know what to do without me. Without someone to control and manage. You’rea monster, but every monster has a weakness, and I’ve found yours, Oliver Black. And it’sme. Without me, you’re just…you.”

He was quiet for so long, but I felt his slow approach as the seconds ticked by. My body didn’t tighten. I felt as relaxed as ever. Euphoric even. Knowing how this was going to end. I embraced the surrender. I looked up once more at the sky, entranced.

“What a beautiful day,” I whispered with awe.

The words had hardly left my mouth when my body was violently thrown to the cool ground. I landed face first and immediately thrashed at his grip. He was over me, everywhere, his hand in my hair, pressing my face into the earth. For several seconds, I couldn’t breathe as he soundlessly contained me. The silence was the most terrifying part of his assault. Because I could picture him so vividly in my mind’s eye. Could feel the coldness emanating from him as he blankly looked down at me, suffocating me.

Then he turned me over, and I gasped for air, but only for a moment because his hands wrapped around my throat, squeezing. The darkening sky was obstructed by him as he came forward, his nose bumping mine.

“I like this,” he hissed. “Every time you act out, Daisy, it breaks through the monotony. It makes me feelalive.” His voice broke into a growl. “But you’re not supposed to push me so hard I want to draw blood.”

He let go of my neck, but the relief lasted only a second. His hand closed around my jaw and drove the side of my face into the ground. Pain burst through my cheek. When he pulled me back, he struck me across the mouth. My lip split against my teeth, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

I thrashed beneath him, but he pinned me harder. He leaned close enough to speak against my ear, his cheek brushing theblood at the corner of my mouth. When he lifted his head, a red streak marked his skin. He saw me looking at it and laughed.

“You… sick… fuck,” I forced between pants. “You fucking monster…”