FRESSIA

Haru

He found Freesia clutching her hand under cold water, her skin red and blistered.

He cursed under his breath and gently took her hand. “Get the first aid kit!” he shouted.

He examined her hand carefully, his brows furrowed with worry. She looked at him silently… and then pulled her hand back.

“I’ll take care of it. There’s no need” she said softly, walking out of the kitchen.

Lily rushed after her, apologizing for forgetting the gloves were already burnt through.

🌺

They gathered for lunch.

Everyone chatted—except Adam and Freesia.

Freesia focused on her food. Adam kept glancing at her injured hand.

“Sweetie, eat properly. I know how hard you push yourself during finals” Lily said, brushing her friend’s hair gently.

“You treat her like your daughter, not your friend!” Edward laughed.

“I do. And that’s none of your business.”

Then she turned to Adam. “You’ve been quiet all day. Is something wrong?”

Adam smiled faintly. “No, I’m fine.”

And the conversation stopped.

🌺

“I’ll head out now. See you later.”

Freesia stood by the door, slipping on her coat.

“Wait—I’ll have Kevin drive you. It’s late” Lily said, eyeing her friend with concern. Something wasn’t right.

“No need. I’m strong.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know—‘strong.’ Are you joking right now?”

Lily pinched her arm and continued, “Something happened between you and Adam. I can feel it. I won’t force you to talk, but remember what I’ve always said about him—”

“I know” Freesia cut her off gently. “Don’t worry. Nothing happened worth worrying about.”

“Fine, I’ll believe you. Call me when you get home.”

Lily returned to the living room to find the guys still chatting.

“Where’s Freesia?” Kevin asked.

“She left.”

“Alone? At this hour?” Kevin frowned.

“It’s almost eleven” Edward added.

Both of them turned to Adam, who was staring at his phone.

“I’m heading out too. Thanks for today” Adam said, standing up.

They all watched him leave, puzzled.

Lily sighed. “Something definitely happened between those two. And if Adam hurt her—I swear I’ll kill him.”

She stormed off to her room.

Kevin turned to Edward. “Adam’s a mess.”

🌺

Freesia walked through the quiet night air, the cold wind brushing her face.

“Why do you hurt now? Did you forget the pain we went through before? You nearly broke before—so calm down. I can’t take another blow.”

She neared her building when she saw a young boy running toward her.

“Please help me!” he cried, grabbing her hand.

Startled, she asked, “What’s wrong? Where are your parents?”

“He’s after me… my mom’s husband. He wants to kill me!”

Her eyes widened. She looked around—and saw a man in the distance, clearly unstable, eyes locked on them.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the boy’s hand and ran.

“Come on—we need to get to the police!”

He couldn’t keep up. She lifted him into her arms and sprinted toward her building, the man chasing after them.

She made it to the elevator just in time and slammed the door shut.

Breathing heavily, she watched the numbers climb: 8… 9… 10.

She ran to her apartment, entering her code as the elevator dinged again behind her.

She got inside, locking the door seconds before he reached her.

The man started pounding on the door violently.

She lowered the child and bolted the door shut.

Her parents were away until the weekend. There was only one apartment per floor, and the walls were soundproof.

She called the police.

Then she scrolled through her contacts and tried Kevin. No answer.

She trembled as the man kept banging on the door.

She sat beside the child, trying to calm him. “It’s okay. He can’t get in. The door is strong. The police are on their way.”

She wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince—him or herself.

She stared at her phone again.

His name stared back at her.

She called. No answer.

Called again. Still nothing.

Tears welled in her eyes as the child clung to her.

“Why aren’t the police here yet? Why won’t he answer? He told me to call if I ever needed him—he said he’d always be there…”

“I swear if you don’t open this door, I’ll burn this place down! Give me the brat!”

Freesia pulled the boy close, covering his ears. “It’s okay. I’m here with you.”

Her fingers shook as she tried one last time.

🌺

She had called twice, but something kept him from answering. He had already made his decision and gone back to the way things were.

But… what if something had happened?

His thoughts wouldn’t stop circling, until suddenly, all of them were drowned out by the sound of his phone ringing again.

He was about to answer—then her voice pierced through, sending a cold chill through his body.

“Adam, please, help me…”

“Freesia? What’s wrong?” He couldn’t tell if his words came out coherent. His entire being was trembling from her shaky voice.

“There’s someone trying to break into the house. He won’t stop…”

“He’s going to kill us—he’s going to—”

She didn’t finish, because a child’s terrified scream cut through, followed by his sobbing.

And for the second time, she begged for his help. She didn’t know he was already cursing himself for ignoring her earlier.

“Adam, please. I need your help.”

“I’m coming. I won’t let him near you. Just tell me—what floor is your apartment on?”

“Tenth.”

“Okay, I’m almost—”

The call cut off.

He tried calling back, but her phone had died.

He shouted in frustration as he drove.

He was angry.

Angry at himself.

Angry for what he had done.

If anything happens to her, it’ll be my fault. I should’ve answered. I should’ve never ignored her. She’s not like the others—this is Freesia.

And the destructive thoughts returned again. They wouldn't stop until he saw her safe in front of him.

🌺

“Look at me and listen carefully, okay?” Freesia whispered to the small child in her arms.

She forced his attention to stay with her. “See that room over there? Go inside, close the door, and don’t open it until you hear my voice. Got it? And if anything happens, there’s a closet in there. Hide in it—it’s deep, no one will find you. I used to hide there as a kid, and no one ever did. It’s our secret place, okay?”

He nodded, ran to the room, and locked the door behind him.

Now, she was praying the police or Adam would show up.

A loud crash erupted. She flinched, heart pounding.

Trembling, she checked the security monitor—and there he was.

Adam.

Without thinking, she flung open the door. His voice was the first thing she heard.

“You’re an asshole!” he shouted, struggling on the floor, trying to pin the other man down.

But the attacker caught sight of Freesia—and like a predator, he surged toward her.

“Where is he?”

He was about to grab her—but Adam’s foot kicked him back just in time.

“Don’t touch her.”

In one swift motion, Adam tore off his jacket and wrapped it around the man’s legs, then hit his head making him unconscious.

Then he stood up, locking eyes with Freesia—tears were streaming down her face.

He slowly walked to her, gently cupping her cheek, searching for any sign that she was okay.

“Are you alright?”

“You said you’d always be there for me… but you ignored me. What would’ve happened to me if you hadn’t come?” Her voice broke. She couldn’t finish—her sobs took over.

Adam—already drowning in guilt—couldn’t bear to see her like this.

He pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair gently.

“I’m so sorry. I was a fool. I wasn’t thinking… I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you.”

She clung to him, crying.

She needed that hug—needed to feel safe.

“It’s over now. I’m here” he whispered, kissing her forehead, relief flooding through him.

When she calmed down a little, she walked to the room and gently opened the door.

“You can come out now. It’s safe.” She tried to sound calm.

He ran straight into her arms.

“That man won’t hurt you again, I promise” she said, her eyes drifting to Adam who had just entered the room.

She stood before him, still carrying the boy, and softly said, “I’ll tell you everything later.”

Adam nodded and took the boy from her arms when he noticed her hands still trembling.

🌺

At the police station.

“What will happen to that man?” Adam asked the detective.

“He’ll be prosecuted for two charges—child abuse and attempted assault on a civilian. As for the boy, we’ll need to take him now.”

Adam looked at Freesia and the child, who was clutching her hand.

He sighed and turned to the officer. “Excuse me, may I speak to her for a moment?”

Freesia had been watching Adam since they arrived. When he walked over, she stood.

He rubbed his face, frustrated. “He’s going to be sent to a shelter.”

“What?”

The thought terrified her.

“He has no one left. His only family was his stepfather. The shelter is the only option.”

She frowned deeply.

"No, What if someone adopts him and turns out worse than his stepfather? That man didn’t even care that he was his wife’s son—what do you think a stranger would do? He’s been through so much already. Look at him! How can a child like him endure so much abuse?”

“I know” Adam replied, folding his arms. “But what else can we do?”

She pressed her palm to her forehead, trying to think.

“I can’t let him go. It would break his heart, Adam.”

Her voice cracked, and her eyes began to fill with tears.

The boy had already been examined, and his little body was covered in bruises.

Adam saw how hard she was trying not to break down, her hands trembling.

He gently took her hand. “Let’s talk about it later. Go be with him now—I’ll finish things with the officer.”

She nodded silently.

Something inside her told her Adam wouldn’t leave Haru behind.

And he didn’t.

Adam was allowed to take Haru home for the night. He promised to start the legal process the next day after he decided what he is going to do with him, and because the officer know him he let him just this time.

Now, they were in his car.

“Where are we going?” Freesia asked.

“To my place. No way I’m letting you go back to your apartment in this state.”

“There’s no need. Just drop me off—I’ll manage.”

She stared out the window.

Adam sighed, trying to stay calm. “No. I won’t argue. End of discussion.”

She scowled. “Why are you angry now?”

“I’m not.”

“Sure sounds like you are. Just drop me off. Haru and I will be fine.”

Adam didn’t respond. Or pretended not to.

“Adam! Are you even listening to me?!”

“Stop, Freesia.” His voice was sharp now.

She raised her eyebrows, letting out a bitter laugh, then said something that pushed him over the edge:

“Right. I forgot. You like to stay up late enjoying—just like Lily used to say. I must’ve interrupted your night. Just drop me off and go back to whatever you were doing.”

He clenched the steering wheel. He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“You really want me to drop you off? Fine. But I guarantee you’ll call me again, begging me to come back.”

His words stung. She stared at him, hurt.

How had they gotten here?

She said nothing after that. But tears betrayed her.

She tried to stay silent, but a sob escaped.

Adam glanced at her, regret already crawling in.