Beastly Beauty by Cara Ransom

…

“Morris is… dead?” Victoria’s voice is sharp, but shaky. She grows silent and drops her head into her chest. 

“I feel like I’m talking to a shadow.” Ben steps forward. “Step into the light. Let’s talk face-to-face.”

“Ben,” Eva touches his arm as a warning not to provoke Victoria.

Victoria raises her head and chuckles evilly. “You’ll regret seeing my face.” Slowly standing with her cane, she limps into the kitchen. Victoria pushes her hair back behind her ear, revealing burns and scars from the top of her ear down to her chin. She sneers. “You don’t want to stay with this Beast.”

Ben only glances at the scar for a minute before looking dead in her cold eyes. “If you’re expecting me to run away screaming, think again.” His stance, resolute.

Eva gasps at his reply and clutches the bottom of her neck. Victoria stares at him, perplexed. For a long moment, no one speaks or makes a sound until the doorbell interrupts the silence.  -