Alena sat curled up in the corner of her room, knees pulled to her chest, her hands trembling so badly she could barely keep her phone from slipping. The message on the screen glared back at her like a curse, a ghost clawing out of her buried past.
Her breath came in short, uneven gasps. What if my past comes out? What if the people I've just begun to trust look at me with disgust? What if they leave me?
Her body shook harder. She stared at the phone again, her heart breaking at the confirmation she didn't want to accept. It was Jessi's father.
Her stomach twisted. How am I supposed to face Jessi, knowing what her father did to me? Knowing what he still wants?
Tears spilled down her cheeks as the weight of shame crashed over her. Her new life, her fragile new beginning, felt like it was crumbling before it could even properly take root.
The phone buzzed again. Her hands jerked.
Why are you not replying, darling?
Alena swallowed hard. Her fingers shook as she typed, Why are you messaging me?
The reply came almost instantly.
Because I missed you. When I saw you yesterday, I remembered all those beautiful moments we spent together.
She felt a sick turn in her gut. She wanted to throw up. Beautiful moments? They were nightmares…
Another message came before she could catch her breath.
Damn, you've grown so beautiful and hot, baby. I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but you collapsed as soon as you saw me. Why, baby? Didn't you miss me?
Her throat tightened. Rage and disgust warred inside her. She forced herself to type back, courage flickering through the fear: Have some shame, mister. How can you talk like this? You have a daughter my age.
For a second, she felt a surge of control. But then his reply arrived.
Ohh… you've learned to talk too much. Back then, you were so good, always obeying me. Now suddenly you're barking? Why? Is it your new sugar daddy effect?
Her blood boiled. She could take insults about herself, but not about Kieran. Kieran was the only man who had ever looked at her without hunger in his eyes. The only one who saw her as more than a sex object.
Her fingers stabbed at the keys. Watch your mouth before speaking nonsense. He is not what you think.
Another reply flashed back almost immediately.
Damn, it feels so good to talk with you. I can imagine how exciting you must be right now. I can feel the arousal… I always used to remind myself of the old days, when you used to satisfy me while obeying silently.
Alena gagged, disgust crawling across her skin. She threw her phone aside like it was poison. Her hands slapped against her own cheeks as if to wipe away the dirt of her past. Tears slipped from her eyes continuously.
She stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the shower, cold water drenching her instantly. She scrubbed at her skin, harder and harder, as if she could erase every trace of him, every scar carved into her memory.
But no matter how much she rubbed, she still felt filthy. Dirty. Unworthy.
Her sobs mixed with the sound of the water until her legs gave out and she collapsed onto the tiled floor, crying harder than ever.
Why me? Why is my past chasing me when all I want is to move forward? Why now, when I finally felt like I had a chance?
But the shower had no answers. Only the silence of her despair filled the room.
Three days passed.
Three days of endless messages. Jessi's father didn't stop. His words grew darker, filthier. Sometimes he sent photos and videos that made her sick to even glance at.
Every message carried a threat: If you tell anyone, I'll expose your past to Jessi… and to your entire school.
The fear gnawed at her. It caged her. It silenced her.
Last night, his message had chilled her to the bone.
I want you, darling. I've missed you so much. I know you'll obey me again this time. The message ended with a smirking emoji that made her stomach twist.
This morning, Alena stood in front of the farmhouse driveway, waiting for the guard to drive her to art school. Her hands clutched her bag tightly, but her eyes were unfocused, lost in a fog of dread.
"Alena."
She flinched at the sound of Kieran's voice.
He approached, brows furrowing at her startled reaction. "You okay?"
Alena forced a smile, though it barely reached her eyes. "Yes."
His gaze lingered on her, doubtful. "Where's the guard?"
"Waiting for him," she answered quickly.
Kieran studied her again, about to say more, but his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and answered. "Yes, I'm on the way."
Before leaving, he reached out, his habit as natural as breathing. He ruffled her hair with a smile.
But this time, she didn't react. No glare, no playful slap, no annoyed huff. Nothing.
Kieran froze for half a second. She looked… lost. But he was in a rush. With a small sigh, he let it go and headed for his car.
Alena's eyes followed him until he disappeared. Her phone buzzed again.
This evening, after school, come to this address. Or else your secret will be blown.
Her hands shook violently. Her chest felt too tight to breathe.
What do I do? What do I do?
"Miss Alena, let's go," the guard called.
She flinched again, quickly shoving her phone into her pocket. With trembling hands, she slid into the backseat instead of her usual spot beside the driver. The guard noticed but said nothing, only starting the car.
All day at school, Alena was a shadow of herself. Her brush moved across the canvas, but her strokes were absent-minded, lifeless.
"Alena?" Jessi shook her shoulder.
She blinked, startled. "What happened? You okay?"
Jessi's worried eyes peered into hers.
Alena blinked again, struggling to hold her composure. The panic rose too fast. She stood abruptly, turning to the professor. "Sir, I'm not feeling well. May I leave early today?"
The professor glanced at her pale face and nodded. "Of course. Take care."
She hurriedly packed her things and left the classroom. She didn't call the guard. Didn't call Kieran. She just started walking, her feet dragging her down the streets aimlessly.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, but she ignored it.
but....
Suddenly, a car stopped beside her. She turned to her side. It was Aiden. He rolled down the window, his brows knitted.
"Alena?"
"What are you doing here? You should be in school, right? Why are you walking alone? Is everything okay?"
Alena froze, staring blankly at him. His concern only twisted her guilt deeper.
Finally, she forced a small explanation. "I wasn't feeling well… so I left early. I didn't want to bother anyone, so I was going home by myself."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, glancing in the direction she was walking. "Home? You're walking in the opposite direction. Do you even know where you're going? Are you serious? You are roaming around in the city alone without knowing the direction. If Boss comes to know this, he would eat us alive. Come, let's go home."
Before she could argue, he got out, opened the door, and gently but firmly guided her inside. "Come on, Alena. If you wanted to sneak around, at least think of a better excuse next time."
He drove her back to the farmhouse, unaware of the storm tearing her apart inside.