When the Past Refused to Let Go
1202 Words
Felicia barely realized she was falling until strong arms caught her.
One second, her foot slipped on the smooth mall floor. The next, the world tilted, her balance gone, panic rising fast in her chest.
Then she was pulled back hard.
Her body slammed into a solid chest. Warm. Familiar.
Her breath hitched as her hands clutched at fabric.
“Felicia.”
Her heart skipped.
She looked up slowly, afraid of what she would see.
David.
His arm was locked tightly around her waist, holding her upright as if letting go wasn’t an option. His jaw was clenched, the muscles
tight, his eyes dark with something dangerous as he stared past her.
Felicia followed his gaze.
Andrew.
Andrew stood a few steps away, his face twisted in anger the moment he saw David.
His eyes narrowed, moving from David’s arm around Felicia to her pale face.
“This stupid guy,” Andrew snapped. “How did you even find her?”
David didn’t answer him right away.
Instead, he stepped forward, placing himself fully in front of Felicia.
His body blocked Andrew’s view of her, his stance wide and firm, like a wall.
“Stay away from her,” David said loudly, his voice sharp enough to cut through the noise of the mall. Heads turned.
People slowed to watch. “Or I’ll tell everyone how you were counting insurance money while she was trapped in a burning house.”
The words hit hard.
Andrew’s face drained of color.
For a split second, fear flashed across his eyes. Then rage took its place, hot and ugly. His fists clenched at his sides.
“You—” he started, then stopped.
He looked around and realized people were staring. Phones were out. Whispers were spreading.
Andrew’s jaw tightened.
He leaned closer, his voice low and full of venom. “This isn’t over,” he muttered, glaring at Felicia. “You hear me?”
Then he turned sharply and stormed away, shoving past people as he disappeared into the crowd.
Felicia’s knees gave out.
If David hadn’t still been holding her, she would have fallen.
He didn’t let go right away. He waited, scanning the area, making sure Andrew was truly gone.
Only then did his grip loosen.
“Are you okay?” David asked quietly.
Felicia nodded, though her neck burned where Andrew’s fingers had dug in. Her chest still felt tight.
“Y–yes,” she said, though her voice shook.
David’s eyes dropped to her neck. His jaw tightened again, anger flaring.
He didn’t comment, but she felt it—his restraint, his fury held barely in check.
“Come,” he said gently.
He opened the car door for her and helped her inside, careful, like she might break.
He placed her shopping bags on the seat beside her, then walked around and got into the driver’s seat.
The engine started.
The car pulled away from the mall.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
The city moved past the windows, loud and busy, but inside the car, everything felt heavy and quiet.
Finally, Felicia broke the silence.
“How did you find me?”
David kept his eyes on the road. “Don’t bother yourself with that,” he said simply. “I was worried.”
She turned to look at him. His expression was calm, but his hands were tight on the steering wheel.
“Get comfortable,” he added. “We’re going to your place. I need to inspect the fire damage.”
She nodded and leaned back against the seat.
She didn’t argue.
When they arrived, the remains of her house stood silently, like a wound that hadn’t healed.
The smell of smoke still lingered in the air. Burned wood. Ash. Loss.
Felicia stepped out of the car slowly, her chest tightening as memories rushed back—the heat, the fear, the moment she thought she would die there.
David stayed close, his presence steady.
Before she could take another step, someone rushed toward them.
“Felicia!”
Victoria.
She hurried over, her face full of concern, her movements quick and dramatic.
“Where have you been?” Victoria asked. “I was so worried!”
Felicia forced a small smile. “I’m… managing.”
Victoria’s eyes scanned her from head to toe, sharp and measuring, though her lips stayed curved in a friendly smile.
“I hope you’re doing great now,” she said lightly.
Then her gaze shifted to David.
“Oh!” Victoria’s expression brightened. “You must be the savior. The one who rescued Felicia from the fire.”
David nodded politely. “Yes.”
Victoria clasped her hands together. “Thank you so much. Truly. If you want, I can take you around and show you everything.”
David shook his head calmly. “Thank you, but Felicia can do that.”
For a split second, Victoria’s smile tightened.
Then it returned, smooth and bright. “Of course.”
As David and Felicia walked away, Felicia leaned closer and whispered, “Why are you doing all this? Why stress yourself for me?”
David stopped.
He turned and pulled her into a warm, firm hug without hesitation.
His arms wrapped around her like he was afraid she might disappear.
“I’m making up for my mistakes,” he said softly.
Felicia closed her eyes, resting against him for just a moment.
From a distance, Victoria watched.
Her nails dug into her palms.
First Andrew.
Now David.
Why did all the men come running to Felicia?
Why her?
Footsteps approached nearby. Victoria quickly turned away and slipped back toward her house.
A little later, Felicia walked up to Victoria’s door and knocked.
“Victoria,” she said politely when the door opened. “I’m pressed. Can I use your restroom?”
Victoria smiled widely. “Of course. Come in.”
Felicia stepped inside while David stayed outside, focused on checking the damage.
Inside the house, the air felt different, quiet and tight.
Victoria’s smile faded the moment Felicia walked past her.
Felicia used the restroom quickly and stepped back into the living area.
Victoria was waiting.
She moved to the counter, picked up her kettle, and poured hot coffee into a cup.
As Felicia walked past, Victoria tilted her hand.
The coffee spilled.
Straight onto Felicia’s arm and chest.
Felicia screamed.
“Victoria!” she cried, stumbling back.
Her skin burned instantly.
She waited for an apology.
None came.
“It’s just hot coffee,” Victoria said coldly. “It won’t kill you. Why are you acting so pathetic?”
Felicia stared at her, shock stealing her words. “Victoria… why?”
Something inside her snapped.
She grabbed the cup and threw the remaining coffee onto Victoria’s face.
Victoria screamed.
“You fool!” Victoria shouted, pushing Felicia hard. “I’ll ruin your body!”
She rushed into the kitchen, filled the kettle again, and returned, holding another cup, fury burning in her eyes.
Felicia backed away, her heart pounding.
“David!” she screamed. “Please help me—she wants to hurt me!”
Outside, David turned sharply.
And this time—
He did not walk.
He ran.
- Writer
