.....He was my first love.
I was only fifteen when he broke me,shattered me into pieces I didn't know how to put myself back together.But even then, he was my anchor in high school,my first friend.
When bullies came for me then, he stood up for me. When I cried, he sat beside me in silence. He was the only one who saw through me then,he really did. I loved him so deeply that I thought my heart could never belong to anyone else.
Until I met Grey when I was Sixteen. And meeting Grey… felt like starting a new life, everything changed a bit.He treated me like a princess,even though we were still young and reckless and all I ever wanted was to be loved. But Grey? He gave it to me without asking for anything in return.
He didn't know the truth about Gabriel,not at first. I didn't let him see how much I was suffering. I wore smiles always, I hid my pain behind my laughter, every time.
But the truth always finds a way out,he saw the bruises,the marks Gabriel left on me.He was furious,ready to destroy Gabriel with his bare hands.But I pleaded with him not to do anything.
"Grey…please,for my sake". He was hesitant at first but he listened.From that day, he swore to protect me. The only way was to run,to escape from Gabriel and my cruel stepmother.
He loved me. He never said it out loud, but I saw it in everything he did.He healed parts of me I thought were beyond repair.He risked everything to keep me safe.He held my gaze like it was sacred.He touched me like I was breakable.And in his arms, I believed I could breathe again.
I loved him more than life itself.
I remember how he always stood up for me. How his sister once called me her best friend,until her boyfriend started looking at me differently,that ended badly too.
High school was a battlefield. My love stories always started like dreams… and ended in disaster.Maybe not all promises are meant to be kept.
Because Grey failed to keep his,he fucked up big time.And at the time I was eighteen years old.
(FLASHBACK)
I stood in the rain, Soaked, feeling so cold.Thunder cracked overhead. The street was empty,except for the ache in my chest.
An umbrella hovered over me and I looked up to see him,my eyes lit up. He came,he didn't abandon me like Thorfinn did.
I smiled and threw my arms around him.He came,I thought he wouldn't. I had started to lose hope.
"Grey… I'm so glad you came. You don't know how scared I was," I said, clinging to him.
But he didn't hug me back, which faded my smile.
"Grey? Let's go. It's raining."
He didn't move his body.
"Say something. Grey, please…"
I touched his face, but he slowly pulled my hands down.
"Princess," he whispered.
It made me smile, even though something about the way he said it made my heart shiver.
"Finally, I'm gonna be free, and we can finally be together,no disturbance."
"You don't know how long I've been dreaming to escape from his clutches, I've suffered enough".
Still nothing. The rain pouring while he held the Umbrella tightly. His eyes gazing into my soul,he didn't say anything.
"Grey,are you okay?"I asked and he embraced me with one hand the other holding the umbrella.
"Grey,say something!" I hit his chest in panic. The umbrella slipped from his hand, crashing into the water.
"Lorraina…"
"Grey!"
"Not all promises are meant to be fulfilled," he said coldly.
My chest tightened.
"No… Grey, not you. Don't do this to me."
"I hope you didn't mistake what I felt for love," he said.
"I did!" I yelled through the rain and tears.
"Then it was one-sided. Because I never loved you, Lorraina."
And just like that… he crushed my heart, the heart I entrusted to him.
"I love you."I whimpered.
"I won't say it back. I'm leaving the country tonight. I only came to return this."He raised the necklace we exchanged on Valentine's Day.
[PRESENT]
"LORRAINA!!"
Aurora's voice ripped through the door, making me flinch.
I wiped my tears, dropped my phone on the bed, and rushed downstairs.
They were all there,Zinnia, Georgia, Aurora, and Andrew,waiting, for me.
"If you didn't know how to make coffee, you should've just said so!" Aurora shouted.
"Aurora, calm down..."
"Don't defend her!" Zinnia snapped. "Who adds salt to coffee? That much salt?"
"Even if you hate us, why poison us?" Georgia added bitterly.
"Salt? No… I didn't add salt," I said, confused.
"Aurora, I swear....."
"Don't even say my name!" she shouted, making me flinch again.
Zinnia's glare could burn through flesh. If given the chance, I knew she'd strangle me like her brother had done just two days ago.
"That's enough, girl," Andrew muttered.
"I'm sorry. But I didn't make it salty. I swear I didn't."
"Really?" Aurora hissed. She picked the mug from the table and shoved it into my hand.
The heat stung my palm then I took a sip,salt.How did it happen? I didn't add salt,I haven't added sugar either.
"Tasted your own venom?" Zinnia sneered.
"I didn't… I swear, this isn't mine…"
I glanced at Grench,she was smiling in the corner.She must've done this, she's behind it all. What was I even thinking to leave the kitchen?
I was thinking about my past...and it implicated my present.
A loud slap landed on my cheeks,my head snapped to the side. I staggered a little before I could maintain my balance.
Georgia and Andrew looked shocked,almost regretful.
"What's going on here?"Levander muttered from behind.
He walked in,his jacket tossed over one shoulder, his two buttons undone, sleeves rolled up, and his eyes cold as usual.
"Your wife made salty coffee for me," Aurora said flatly.
"I didn't, Levi. Please believe me. The one I made wasn't like this…"
Before I could say more--Levander's hand clamped around my neck.
He began to strangle me.
Zinnia smirked like she was watching her favorite movie,what she loved,to see me in pains,to see my fear.
I clawed at his hand, gasping for air, heart pounding.
"Levi, you'll kill her,Levi!!"Georgia held him but he shoved her hand tightening his grip on my neck.
I coughed helplessly, losing my breath,if he tightened his grip on my neck more, I'm gone.
"Levi,let her die,she should die!"Zinnia muttered.
"Levi,get a hold of yourself,Levi"Andrew shouted and forcefully pulled his hand.
I staggered and fell on the ground coughing.
"She deserves to die"He spat and a tear dropped from my eyes,more tears trailed down,his words like a sharp needle piercing into my heart.
"Yes, she should die and go to hell"Zinnia concurred, and smiled sinisterly.
☆
(Author's POV)
Meanwhile, Gabriel sat in his car, parked in front of the Smiths' mansion, watching everything unfold live on his phone. His eyes gleamed with disbelief.
He had never imagined this,he had never thought his daughter would be treated like trash in the Smiths' mansion. He believed Levander had feelings for her. Didn't he claim to have known her since high school?
Was this all a game? And his daughter was just the plaything?
If this is how he's treating her, then it can only mean one thing: he's been faking his friendship all along.
"Levander, you've forgotten I grew up in this game"He smiled hitting the steering wheel,his smile grew insanely.
****
(Emergency)
A woman was rushed out of the ward,she was transferred to the ICU as her condition rapidly deteriorated.
There was no family by her side. She was all alone as she received treatment in the hospital, which was owned by Aurora Smith, who had been quietly sponsoring her care for the past six months.
"Any news about her family."A doctor asked.
"No sir"The nurse hurried after him.
☆
<< NEXT MORNING >>
(VALES' COMPOUND – TORTURE BLOCK)
The path to the secluded building was dark and still, shadowed under the heavy morning.It was the place Lagatha reserved for vengeance,a place soaked in silence and suffering.
She entered, her guards trailing closely. As they reached the heavy door, one of them stepped forward and pushed it open for her. It creaked, loud in the quiet.
Upstairs, in a bare, dimly lit room, Jarvier and Celine were tied, their faces pale from hunger and fear.
Jarvier stirred as footsteps approached. Her body ached, frail from lack of food, her lips cracked and dry. She lifted her head weakly, dread sinking in. If I feel like this… what about Celine?
"Wake her up," Lagatha ordered, her tone flat and merciless.
Without hesitation, the guards struck both women from behind.
"Ahh!" Celine cried out, she woke up with pain.
Lagatha's mouth curved into a cruel smile.
"Jarvier," she said, walking toward her with calm malice. "Do you remember me?"
Jarvier didn't speak. She didn't have to. The memory was already cutting through her fog. Lagatha had visited them before. She had met Gabriel and she has smiled once with her.
Lagatha continued, her heels clicking softly on the concrete floor.
"I know you do," she said. "But don't overthink it."
She crouched and traced Jarvier's face with a cold, mocking tenderness, then gripped her hair and yanked her head up.
"Mummy…" Celine whimpered. Another wipe silenced her.
"You see," Lagatha began, her voice trembling not from weakness but fury, "your husband raped my daughter. He didn't just destroy her… he murdered her."
Jarvier's eyes widened with panic. "It wasn't me… it wasn't—"
The slap came fast and hard. Jarvier fell back,too weak.
"You were his wife," Lagatha spat. "And that girl—" she pointed at Celine "—is his daughter. That makes both of you responsible in my eyes."
She stood, brushing her hands as a guard brought a basin of water. Lagatha washed her hands calmly, like cleansing herself of the moment.
"When I'm done," she said quietly, "I'll send him what's left."
She turned and walked toward the door. "Guards. You know what to do."
Jarvier's heart stopped.
"No… no, please—!" Her voice cracked. "Not my daughter. Please don't touch her."
Celine's eyes were wide with terror. "Mummy!" she screamed as the guards approached, untying her.
Jarvier struggled against her restraints, her body trembling with helplessness.
"Please, take me instead," she begged.
"She's just a girl!"But her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Celine cried out again. Then again. The sounds that followed were gut-wrenching,her daughter being raped by different men right before her eyes.And she could do nothing,only scream, only sob.
It was unbearable. It was endless.
Celine's breathing was shallow. Her body shook uncontrollably. Blood stained her hands and legs. She looked at her mother one last time, eyes wide with disbelief,did it just happened to her?her body shaking so badly,before her body finally stilled.
Her hand fell limp,her eyes shut, and now she was gone.
Jarvier stared at her in shock, unable to scream anymore,her voice had died with her daughter.
She remembered how easily she had blamed Lorraina for everything,she blamed her even if it was never her fault,she made her suffer more than a slave would.
So... this is what it means to reap what you sow.
☆
(Thorfinn's Room)
Sweat formed on his forehead. He clutched the sheet tightly, his body trembling.
Another nightmare.
"Thorfinn, wait for me!"Her voice echoed, cheerful and bright.
"From today onward, I'll call you Mia Bella(my beautiful)" he had said, kissing her cheek.
"But why?My name is Lorraina not Bella" she'd asked, giggling.
"Because finally… you're mine. Mine alone.And Lorraina is for the world and Bella is for me."He said and she grinned.
"I love youuuu"She hugged him so tightly and his face buried on her neck.
"Am not going to leave you,I promise"He mumbled and she smiled.
"What if we break up?"
"I'll fight for us. Come what may."
Suddenly, Thorfinn jolted upright in bed, breathing harshly. His chest heaved, his skin clammy with sweat. His eyes were heavy, his hands unsteady.
"Arrghhh"
Damn it.
The same memories again… the ones he couldn't recall after the accident.The accident he had years ago.
Just then, the door swung open.
"Doctor, come in," Krystal said, stepping into the room worriedly.
Thorfinn's expression turned sharp the moment he saw the figure behind her.
"What's she doing here?" he snapped, eyes narrowing.
"She's here to examine you, Thorfinn. You're not—"
"A female doctor? Did our family doctor die?" he barked.
"Get her out of my sight. Now." He hates women touching him,he despised it so much.
Krystal paused, then turned to the woman. "You can go, doctor," she said softly. The doctor nodded respectfully before exiting.
"You know I hate what you did right now!"He snapped.
Krystal sighed deeply, then stepped closer. "Thorfinn—"
"I was worried, she came to check on mother and seeing the condition you were earlier,mom told her to come here as well.."She muttered, concern etched on her face.
For sometime, blurry flashbacks made his head bang,he shut his eyes and held his head.
"Damn, Thorfinn,are you okay?"She held him immediately, Thorfinn shoved her hands away.
"Thorfinn..."She cried seeing how he pushed her hands off coldly.
"You should leave too," he interrupted coldly. "I don't need a doctor. I'm not a child. Tell Mother she doesn't have to control my life like she thinks she's doing."
"She loves you," Krystal replied, voice low. "And what happens to you at night… it terrifies her. You may not realize it, but you're forcing memories to resurface. You have amnesia, Thorfinn."
"I've read everything there is about my past," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But there's this memory—this one—that keeps haunting me. Over and over."
He swung his legs off the bed and stood, still visibly shaken.
"What memory?" Krystal asked cautiously.
"…Nothing," he muttered, brushing past her.
"I hope it's not about that girl mother talked about"Krystal said inwardly.