Chapter 2

2

His warm palm gently brushed my wounded cheek. He sighed with a hint of regret.

"I didn't mean for that to happen."

"But you're too sensitive. It was just a joke with friends. If you weren't so dramatic, last night wouldn't have been so ugly."

"Stop being angry. It's bad for your health, and it worries me. Be good."

His voice was a low murmur, like he was talking to a disobedient pet.

I could feel his breathing getting heavier and more ragged.

Just as he leaned in to kiss me, I opened my eyes.

"Do you still care that I was assaulted in the past?"

My voice was calm, but my face was full of mockery.

His body froze instantly. The heat in his eyes turned to ice, and he pulled away as if he had touched something filthy.

He stood there looking lost and awkward. "Elara..."

Before he could say more, his phone rang.

The room was so quiet that I could hear Maisie's panicked sobbing on the other end.

"Caleb, I went downstairs to buy a gift for Elara to apologize, but a man is following me! I'm so scared, Caleb! Ah!"

With a scream, the call cut off.

Caleb's face turned pale with terror.

Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and dragged me out of bed.

The pain from my recent surgery flared up, making me gasp.

Caleb glared at me as if he wanted to kill me.

"Elara! How can you be so cruel? If anything happens to Maisie because of your attitude, I'll never forgive you! Let's go!"

I clutched my stomach in pain as he forced me into the car.

I was covered in a cold sweat the whole way, but he didn't notice.

Ten minutes later, we found Maisie crying by the road with a small scratch on her foot.

He rushed out and gathered her into his arms, racing toward the hospital elevator.

He hissed at me, "You better pray she's okay!"

As the elevator went up, it suddenly lurched and stopped.

The lights went out.

In the darkness, I slid down the wall and crouched on the floor.

I started shaking uncontrollably.

Ever since I was attacked in that dark alley years ago, I've been terrified of the dark.

Caleb knew this. He had promised never to leave me in the dark again.

The darkness made me weak. I choked out his name. "Caleb..."

But in the silence, Maisie's soft, cat-like whimpers drowned me out.

"I'm so scared, Caleb. Hold me. Don't let go..."

Caleb was busy comforting her. He had completely forgotten about me.

I stopped making a sound. I just buried my head in my arms and shivered.

When the lights finally came back on and the elevator moved, I scrambled out as soon as the doors opened.

I leaned against the wall, gasping for air like a drowning person.

While Maisie was getting checked, Caleb dragged me into her room.

He pointed at her and barked, "Apologize!"

I slapped him across the face.

"You're disgusting, Caleb! You're absolutely pathetic!"

He stood there, stunned.