Chapter 27: The Basket

As Gabriel effortlessly lifted me, I couldn't help but notice the way his muscles tensed and rippled beneath his shirt. His strong arms held me with ease as he carried me across the threshold of our new home, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The Hoods had gifted us a spacious family cabin as per tradition when one gets married.

Stepping inside, I was flooded with conflicting emotions. On one hand, I was hopeful that this new life would help me move past the pain and turmoil I'd been through. On the other, there was a lingering sense of not quite belonging here. Boxes were strewn about, most of them filled with Gabriel's items since I hadn't yet found the heart to take everything from my mother's house after the scene she caused. My gaze flitted over the room, taking in the boxes, his clothes, and all the little details that made up our new life together.

Gabriel's happiness was tangible as he gently laid me down on the bed, his eyes never leaving mine. The softness of the bed beneath me, the rustling of our clothes, and the warmth of his skin seemed to surround me as he leaned in closer. "You look absolutely beautiful in that dress," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. And then, his lips were on mine, the kiss deep and passionate as our tongues tangled and danced together.

"Today has been the best day of my life, Red," he murmured between kisses. "I love you so much, and I promise to make you the happiest woman alive." As he spoke those sweet words, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, I could learn to love him too. Perhaps with time, I could forget Silver and find happiness with this man, even if for now it seemed like a distant dream.

Gabriel towered over me, his muscular legs straddling my body as he pinned me down with his knees. He slowly lifted the hem of my dress, revealing my panties. Without hesitating, he roughly removed them and began to massage my folds, pressing his thumb against my clit while inserting a finger inside me. I moaned, trying my best to forget my worries and surrender to the sensations coursing through my body.

His warm breath fanned across my neck as he licked and nipped at my skin, all the while continuing to rub my hardened clit. Suddenly, his words sent a shiver down my spine that was not entirely from pleasure: "You're such a slut." I stiffened, taken aback by his words. He had never spoken to me like that before, and I didn't like it one bit. I'm not a slut, I thought defensively, even though part of me felt guilty, as if I were somehow betraying Silver, despite us never being officially together.

Gabriel's hands roamed from my waist to my breasts, but instead of tenderly cupping them as he usually did, he ripped off the bodice of my dress, exposing my naked flesh. "What are you doing...?" I managed to ask, only for him to silence me by pushing a finger into my mouth, shushing me.

"I don't think I gave you permission to talk, slut," he said, his voice firm and commanding. Without warning, he turned me over so that I was lying on the bed with my ass facing him. He bit my ass cheek harder than necessary, then slapped it, causing me to yelp in pain. As he spread my ass cheeks apart, I could feel the tip of his cock teasing my entrance. Then, without any warning, Gabriel impaled me, filling me completely. His eager thrusts bordered on violence, causing me to scream out in pain.

"Please, be careful... it hurts," I pleaded, but he only told me to shut up. Reluctantly, I allowed him to continue while I slid a hand between my legs and began to masturbate, seeking some sense of pleasure amidst the discomfort. It was a mix of pleasure and pain that had me reeling, unsure of how to react or what to think. My mind raced with confusion, yet my body seemed intent on seeking more pleasure.

Gabriel's thrusts intensified, and with a guttural groan, he came, collapsing beside me on the bed. His chest heaved, his skin slick with sweat, and a satisfied smile spread across his face as he closed his eyes. I, however, felt far from fulfilled. I needed more.

As Gabriel lay there, motionless and seemingly satiated, I decided to take matters into my own hands. My fingers danced over my clit, rubbing in slow circles at first, then gradually increasing in speed. Thoughts of rain, the fresh earthy scent of the forest, and Silver's yellow eyes watching me hungrily from the dark filled my mind.

I imagined those raindrops cascading down Silver's chiseled torso, his beautiful face buried between my legs, teasing me, bringing me closer to the edge. My moans grew louder as my orgasm approached, my body tensing with anticipation. I gasped softly, as the pleasure built within me. Finally, I climaxed, shuddering and moaning in ecstasy. But as the waves of pleasure receded, guilt washed over me. I was still thinking about Silver during sex with my husband.

After a while, Gabriel stirred, turning to look at me. He reached out and petted me on the head like one would do to a dog, causing me to look at him in disbelief. "What was that?" I asked, unable to hold back my frustration.

"Hey, I was just playing," he replied defensively. "Calm down, Red. If you don't like it rough, I won't do it again." I thought about telling him that it wasn't the roughness that bothered me, but rather how selfish and uncaring he had been during our intimate moment. However, I decided against it, not wanting to start an argument on our wedding night.

"Fine," I said, and watched as he pinched my cheek affectionately before getting up to take a shower. I was left alone on the bed, feeling used and unsatisfied, wondering if this was what my future with Gabriel would look like. And, despite my best efforts to push them away, thoughts of Silver's intense gaze and tender touch continued to haunt me.

Lying in bed, I listened to the sounds of the shower running and felt a chill creep over my skin. Shivering, I got up, casting aside the torn dress and cleaning myself with some wet wipes. I rummaged through the boxes containing my belongings, found a nightgown, and slipped it on. As I continued perusing my stuff, my fingers grazed the familiar, torn red hood that Grandma had given me before her death. A pang of sadness filled me, knowing that I had never been able to find the one responsible for her murder.

I pulled out the silver key and the note from inside the hood. The cold metal sent a shiver through my fingertips as I read the note: "For the basket." What did Grandma mean by that? What was she supposed to tell me when she called me into her hideout? My thoughts swirled, trying to piece together the mystery she left behind. I exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of defeat settling on my shoulders. Maybe it was time to give up and move on.

With Gabriel still in the shower, I decided to entertain myself by going through some of his things. Among the items, I found a few fun trinkets like some cozy leg warmers, but what caught my attention was an ornate silver box. Adorned with intricate carvings of nature motifs - leaves, berries, branches - the craftsmanship was exquisite. I marveled at its beauty, the texture of its delicate engravings under my fingertips.

Yet, its mystery drew me in the most. There was no apparent way to open the box - no keyhole, no lid... What was it for? Curiosity piqued, I turned the box over in my hands, searching for any clue. Then, I saw it. At the top of the box, there was a carving of a basket. An intuition hit me like a bolt of lightning.

"For the basket," I whispered, remembering the words on the note. My finger traced the carved basket on the box's surface once, twice, three times... The carvings around the basket seemed deeper than the others. I pressed down on the basket and felt a hidden mechanism click into place. The carving lifted, revealing a minuscule keyhole.

Could it be? I took the tiny silver key with its cupcake-shaped end and cautiously inserted it into the keyhole. It fit perfectly. My heart raced as I turned the key; it clicked, and a lid appeared, ready to be opened.

My heart pounded in my chest, my hands shook, and a lump formed in my throat. A million thoughts raced through my mind. What the hell was going on? Why would Grandma's key open this box that was among Gabriel's things? Did she give it to him? Most importantly, what the fuck was inside?

My fingers trembled as I slowly lifted the lid, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. The room's atmosphere grew thick with tension, every nerve in my body tingling with anticipation. What could possibly be inside that had been hidden away so carefully?

"Wh-what...?" I stammered, my eyes widening in shock as I finally saw the contents of the box.