Chapter three
My whole body was chilled with ice, and eventually they clad me in another expensive dress. My body ached from the beating I had received, but I didn't dare complain or even think of escaping the second time.
I left myself to whatever fate life had for me, but the thought of spending the night with an old man crept me out and definitely brought tears to my eyes.
"Don't you dare shed those tears and ruin the makeup," the maid snapped at me immediately.
I immediately forced the tears back, I literally had no choice.
When I was fully dolled up, Neo put me in the car, and soon we were driven off to a place I had no idea about. Before long, I realized it was a hotel— Neo told me so.
I didn't know what room it was, but after a short walk, we stopped in front of a door.
"When he's done with you, he'll send you home," Neo said casually, as if this wasn't our first time doing it.
After warning me not to try anything smart, he pushed me inside, patting my back like some good-luck charm. The door shut behind me, and soon I heard his footsteps fade away.
My whole body was tense as I held the hem of my dress, trying to process what was happening in the room. Strangely, the place felt empty.
I didn't have time to think further when I heard the doorknob turn. With a soft click, the bathroom door opened, and the smell of soap immediately filled my nostrils, telling me the man had just finished bathing.
I swallowed hard and dragged my feet backward. I could feel his filthy gaze fixed on me, though I didn't know who he was.
"Please let me go. I'm not for you," I didn't know when I blurted that out, even though Neo had warned me not to act funny.
Instead of responding, the man chuckled.
For a moment, it sounded painfully familiar—the same chuckle I had heard many times growing up. My father's best friend, Mr Jones Whitford.
When my father was alive, he had always given me those silly, creepy looks which I had always l ignored.
"When your father was alive, I told him to give you to me in marriage," he said mockingly. "But he wouldn't listen. Now, I can finally have you."
Tears filled my eyes.
I heard his footsteps as he moved closer.
"Don't worry I'll be gentle, it won't even take so long. Your husband gave you to me, so there's nothing to worry about." he assured me like I was a prize given to him, Maybe I was.
His wrinkled hands were soon all over me.
His fingers trailed over my face, then down to my chest.
I felt sick but I didn't dared to struggle, it would only earn me more pain. I didn't want more blows from Cassie's men, another beating might kill me.
His hand dipped further into my cleavage, and the tears I had been holding back finally rolled down my cheeks.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I pushed his hand away and ran.
I didn't know where the door was, but I ran anyway.
My shin hit the edge of the bed, pain exploding up my leg, but I didn't stop. My hands scraped the wall, the curtain, a lamp—then finally, the door.
I grabbed the handle with both hands, yanked it open, and ran out like a madwoman.
"Catch her this instant!" he barked.
I had no direction, but I kept running, following the breeze, praying I wouldn't bump into anything or anyone.
I didn't know where I was going. All I knew was that I couldn't stay and let that old man destroy me. I didn't care what Neo would do later. Right now, I just wanted to escape.
When I could no longer hear footsteps behind me, I stopped to rest. My feet throbbed with pain.
My breath came out in ragged gasps, tears blurring the little darkness I already lived in.
But Then I heard his voice again, darker and even more dangerous. "Find her. I won't spare her."
I tried to run again.
But my back hit a door.
I barely had time to register the smooth wood against my spine before it moved. The door opened suddenly, and I lost my balance, falling backward—
Strong arms caught me.
I gasped, my palms pressing against a solid chest. Before I could speak or scream, the door shut behind us with a soft but final click.
"Finally," a man murmured.
His voice was deep. Calm. Nothing like the one I had escaped.
I froze.
He leaned in suddenly, slamming his lips against mine.
The kiss was rough yet strangely gentle.
I struggled, but he didn't let go. Instead, the kiss deepened, soothing me, draining my strength.
I inhaled sharply, and that was when I noticed it.
His scent. Warm. Clean. Expensive. Intoxicating.
I didn't know when my body responded, kissing him back like my life depended on it, as if I hadn't been running for my life moments ago.
He guided me—not pulled, not forced toward what I guessed was the bed.
Before I knew it, I was on his bed, spending the night with a total stranger.
For a minute, I felt safe but I knew it won't last anyway.
***
When I woke up, the soft, quiet sound of his breathing told me the stranger was still fast asleep. I hurriedly grabbed my clothes, struggled to put them on. I found the door making sure not to wake him up and ran out.
I didn't know where I was. I staggered along the road, searching for balance, for something to hold onto.
I knew I couldn't return home. Neo wouldn't hesitate to kill me.
If he found out I had spent the night with someone else, he would crush me into pieces.
Tears filled my eyes.
Why did my life turn out this way? What sin had I committed to deserve this much pain?
"Do you want to see the ocean, babe? It's just a few steps away," I heard passersby whisper.
That was when it occurred to me.
To end it all.
"I'm blind," I begged. "Please take me to the ocean."
They listened.
I was led to the shore, and the cold breeze slapped my face. It was lonely. Empty.
If I died, I would finally be free—from pain, from Neo, from Cassie.
I stepped into the water without hesitation.
"What is she doing? Someone save her!" people screamed.
But the water had already swallowed me.
All I wanted was peace—and for a moment, beneath the waves, I felt it.
But suddenly, something strange happened.
Through the blur, I saw something swimming toward me.
A human?… but with a large fish tail instead of legs.
A… It was a mermaid.
H..How could I see that?
I was blind.
I immediately tried to lift my head above the water, but it was too late, the water pulled me down. I struggled, but it was useless
And eventually… everything went blank.