PROLOGUE
I stabbed him. Again. And again. And again.
Sharp, cold steel plunged deep into his flesh that was already wet and slippery with blood pooling below us like black oil. His body convulsed, writhed and extended, but he did not fall, he didn't scream. He gasped, raw, ragged, and like a wild animal caught too long in a cage. My wet, boiling hands shook. I let the knife fall from my fingers, my heart beating so hard I was afraid it would punch its way out of my chest.
For a beat, I just stood there.
And looked.
The man who had taken it all from me was now a body…
A dead body.
A broken and bleeding body on the floor at my feet.
The forbidden dream I'd harbored for years, the ache I'd swallowed, the bruises I hid, every tear I've shed—they all caved in on me at once, driving the breath right out of my lungs.
I felt hollow.
Empty.
A soft whisper, broke me out of my trance.
"Isabella…"
I caught my breath in my throat.
Lily.
My sister.
The weak sound brought me back to the present.
I turned, squinting into the shadows.
There she was—huddled in the corner, gripping that frail blanket I'd wrapped around her so many nights before.
Her eyes were bulged and wet, pools of fear piscine in the faint light.
She turned and looked at me, and in that look there was all I fought for.
I wavered as I took a step in her direction, swallowing the vomit that rose to my mouth.
"We need to go baby," I whispered, voice rough and raw.
Her little hands now trembled as they took hold of mine.
We had to get going, I don't know where but we need to leave before one of his goons come to the house like they usually did.
Each step felt heavy, heavy with dread.
The house felt different now.
Cold.
Empty.
The walls that contained my screams seemed to press in on me now, muttering things I never wanted to know.
It was raining harder outside, an inexorable drum that softened corners of the world.
I could pretend it was rinsing off the darkness. But I knew better.
Because darkness doesn't wash away, it only hides.
Lily was kept crying, softly, and It ripped my heart in two.
I grasped her hand and drew here closer.
"Stay close to me, okay baby? We are getting out of here." I told her, my voice shaky.
My thoughts whirred- images flickering like jumpy movie reels.
The years of pain.
The nights I never thought I'd wake.
The oaths I'd sworn to myself—that I'd do anything to keep her safe.
I just proved it.
He should have never spoke about having his way with her.
He should have just left her alone.
Cold air pricked at my skin as I grabbed the door and shoved it open.
Outside, the world was damp with rain—shadows becoming long and spindly.
I swallowed hard as I turned to face Lily, her face puffy.
She looked scared, so scared.
God, I couldn't drag her out like this.
I shut the door and bent down to her level. "How about we go get your jacket so you don't catch a cold, hm baby?" I asked her trying to keep my voice steady.
But before she could reply, I heard a knock.
Soft.
Deliberate.
I froze.
Lily's little hand squeezed mine and held on.
I whispered to her "Shh baby, don't make a sound."
"Who is it?' I asked, trying to seem bold, my heart hammering.
The voice was calm, polite.
"Victor."
I didn't answer right away.
My mind spun.
What should I do?
Could I trust him?
He'd always been there, silent and watching but never chipping in.
He never helped, he just watched.
I wasn't sure what to expect.
Seconds stretched.
I felt my pulse jump, and the rain dripped cold against the door.
Then, gingerly, I opened the crack of the door to see him.
Victor was there, his dark hair sleek with rain, completely unfazed. His eyes raked my features, inscrutable, but I saw a flicker—something between disappointment and amusement.
I didn't say a word.
Didn't invite him in.
The silence stretched.
Finally, he spoke.
"Where's Michael?"
My throat tightened. I made myself say the lie, steady if my heart wasn't.
"He's not here. Went out a little while ago."
Victor's eyes darted past me, looking into the dark hallway beyond.
Searching.
It felt like hours before his eyes returned back to me.
He smirked. "Took you long enough." He muttered quietly, and there was something dark and amusing in his voice.
I didn't know what to do. My head whirled as I panicked, terror ripping at my chest.
Do I beg him? Do I beg him to spare Lily at least.
Would he take her away from me? I squeezed her hand more tightly, tugging her toward me as I use my body to protect hers.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, breaking me away from my thoughts. "Have you had dinner?" he repeated, looking at me.
The question caught me off-guard, the silence between us was heavy—until a sharp, unmistakable noise pierced the darkness.
Lily's stomach grumbled behind me.
I looked down at her, eyes open wide of desire and fear.
I didn't want to follow him. How could I? He was Michael's friend.
But at the same time I needed to get lily out of here, fast.
He sensed my fear and said "You'll be safe. You and Lily, I promise"
And I believed him.
But that trust cost me my freedom, forever.