Chapter 2%
Every word out of Jayson’s mouth felt like a blade slicing through my skin, deeper than any wound I had ever endured. My chest tightened, my stomach churned, and my hands trembled so violently I had to clench them into fists.
I wanted to scream, to cry, to lash out. But I couldn’t. Instead, my mind spun back to that night. The night that had haunted me for five years.X
I had been walking home after a late–night school project, exhausted but relieved that it was finally done. The streets were quiet, bathed in the soft glow of flickering streetlights. My backpack was heavy on my shoulders, my phone clutched tightly in my hand as I texted my mother that I was on my way.
And then, everything went dark.
A van screeched to a stop beside me. Rough hands yanked me backward before I could even scream. I kicked, fought, tried to claw at my captors, but they were stronger. A cloth covered my mouth, suffocating me, drowning me in the scent of chemicals until my body went limp./
When I woke up, I was tied to a chair.
The room was damp, the air thick with the stench of sweat and blood. My body ached, my wrists raw from the tight restraints. Shadows loomed over me–men with cruel smiles, their voices nothing but distant echoes.
They never told me why they took me.
They asked for money, demanded a ransom. But they didn’t stop there. They wanted me to suffer.}
I screamed until my throat was raw, begged until my voice broke. But all they did was laugh.
Then came the blade.
I still remembered the cold metal pressing against my cheek, the sharp sting as it cut through my skin. The pain was unbearable, but their laughter was worse. They left me there, bleeding, broken.
And then–Jayson.”
He had burst in like a storm, fists flying, rage burning in his eyes. He had taken them down, one by one, his knuckles stained with their blood. I thought he was my savior, my hero.
He untied me, held me as I sobbed into his chest, whispering that I was safe now, that he would never let anything happen to me again.
And I had believed him.”
I had loved him.
Now, I realized the sickening truth.
Jayson had orchestrated it all. He had let those men take me. He had watched me suffer. And when it was over, he had played the role of the hero, making me fal! for him, making me trust him–just so he could take his revenge.
A shudder ran through me. My vision blurred with unshed tears.
i wanted to hate him.
I wanted to scream at him, demand to know how he could do this to me. How he could hold me at night, kiss me like I was his world, and still see me as nothing but a pawn in his twisted game.”
But I couldn’t.
I stayed quiet. I forced myself to breathe, to swallow the sobs threatening to escape my throat.”
Then–my fingers slipped,”
The glass of water in my hand tipped over, spilling onto my lap, the sharp sound of liquid hitting the floor cutting through the hum of the party.
The table went silent.”
Jayson and Xavier’s attention snapped to me.
“Hey, are you okay?” Jayson asked, concern lacing his voice–so fake, so practiced.”
I lifted my head, forcing the corners of my lips upward. My hands were shaking, but I curled them into fists beneath the table. “Yeah,” I said lightly. My voice didn’t even waver. “Just–just need a bathroom break.”
Jayson nodded, his expression unreadable. “Do you want me to-”
“I’ll be fine.”
I stood up, careful not to stumble. Careful not to let my face betray the storm raging inside me.‘
Then, I walked away. Past the glittering chandeliers, past the clinking glasses, past the people who had no idea that I had just lost everything
But I didn’t go to the bathroom. I left the party. I didn’t look back.”
By the time I reached my apartment, my body was trembling so badly I could barely unlock the door. The moment I stepped inside, the weight of it all crashed down on me.
I sank to the floor And I cried
I cried until my chest ached, until my throat was raw, until I had nothing left inside me but emptiness.
The boy I loved had destroyed me. I had spent years believing I was lucky to have him, that he had saved me when I was at my weakest. But he had been the monster all along
Bang the.
I sank to the floor. And I cried.
I cried until my chest ached, until my throat was raw, until I had nothing left inside me but emptiness.”
D
The boy I loved had destroyed me. I had spent years believing I was lucky to have him, that he had saved me when I was at my weakest. But he had been the monster all along.
I covered my mouth, muffling the sobs that wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t stay here.”
I wiped my tears. My thumb hovered over the contact list before landing on a name I hadn’t considered in months–Professor Valenti.} She answered on the second ring. “Kylie? Is everything alright?”
I took a deep breath, steadying my voice. “Yes. I’ve thought about your offer. I’m ready to accept the research project.“}
A pause. Then her warm voice replied, “That’s wonderful news. We’ll prepare everything for your departure in a few days. But I’m reminding you again that in this three years of project, you’re not allowed to contact anyone.“}]
“I know, Professor. I’m ready,” I said before hanging up the phone.”
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