I had no intention of falling for the man who bought me. He treated me like I was nothing while wearing a suit that resembled armor. I was young, desperate, and afraid. He possessed wealth, influence, and an icy heart. It was only a transaction, I told myself, and I would get out of there as quickly as possible. It wasn't difficult to leave him, though. He survived. It was never safe, but the nights were quiet. He didn't have to raise his hand, but he never did. His silence was more painful than his words. He had a touch that was colder than winter. I stayed, though, until the day I learned what he was going to do next. I ran that day with just the clothes on my back and the secret that was developing inside of me. Six years went by. I raised the twins he was unaware he had, buried my past, and changed my name. I declared myself free. I even thought so. Until I once more saw his face while observing them from outside the school. He said nothing at all. He was not obliged to. The boy had his eyes, after all. And while she slept, the girl simply muttered his name.