Episode 2
1422 Words
Elena's POV
A gun.
My breath caught in my throat as my eyes locked on it.
The man beside me shifted slightly, like he was about to wake, and every muscle in my body went rigid. I didn’t move, didn’t even dare to breathe properly, afraid the smallest sound would give me away.
My heartbeat pounded loudly in my ears, each second stretching unbearably.
Then I moved too quickly.
My foot slipped, and I fell off the bed, hitting the floor with a dull thud that sounded far too loud in the quiet room.
I froze instantly.
For a moment, all I could do was stare at him, waiting—expecting him to wake, to react, to notice me.
But he didn’t.
He remained still.
Still asleep.
Relief came slowly, shaky and uncertain.
I pushed myself up, grabbed my shoes, and made my way toward the door, forcing myself to move carefully this time. My fingers trembled as I opened it, every small sound making my nerves tighten.
Once I stepped out, I didn’t stop.
I hurried down the stairs, nearly missing a step as I rushed, my hand catching the rail just in time to steady myself. The house felt unfamiliar in the morning light—too wide, too quiet, like it was watching me leave. For a place this big, it felt strangely empty, and I couldn’t help wondering how he lived there alone.
I reached the gate, pushed it open and stepped out into the open air.
Only then did I breathe properly.
The moment I stepped outside, I dragged in a breath, my lungs burning like I had been holding it in for too long.
The cold air did nothing to steady me.
Last night replayed in fragments—Sophie and Damon tangled together like everything we had never existed.
I clenched my jaw and forced the images away.
No. I wasn’t going to fall apart here. Not over them.
I would go home. I would tell Mom everything. And for once, she would have to see it—see me.
A car I didn’t recognize was parked in front of the house when I arrived, but I barely spared it a glance. My mind was elsewhere.
Mom opened the door before I could reach for it.
“Where have you been?” Her tone was sharp, her eyes already searching for faults.
“My car broke down, so I—”
“Look who finally remembered she has a home,” Sophie cut in, her voice light with mockery.
I didn’t look at her.
“There’s something I need to tell you, Mom.”
“There’s something we need to tell you too,” she replied, her lips curving into a smile that felt out of place.
Something about it made me uneasy.
I followed her into the living room—and then I saw him.
An older man sat comfortably on the couch, his posture relaxed, his gaze fixed on me in a way that made my skin tighten. He looked like he had already made himself at home.
Mom’s voice came, almost cheerful. “We’ve arranged your wedding. You’ll be marrying Mr Sean.”
For a second, the words didn’t connect.
They hovered, meaningless.
Then they settled.
And everything inside me went still.
Sophie sat nearby, watching me with quiet satisfaction.
I turned back to the man. Late sixties, maybe Seventies. His breathing was uneven. When he smiled, the gap in his yellowed teeth was impossible to ignore.
“I… don’t understand,” I said, my voice barely holding together. “What do you mean… marriage?”
“Your wedding is this weekend,” Mom continued smoothly. “There’s a lot to prepare.”
My chest tightened. “This weekend… as in tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
The answer came without hesitation.
A dull pressure built behind my ribs.
“I can’t do that,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t want to marry him.”
Mr. Sean leaned forward, amused. “You’ll get used to me,” he said, a rough laugh following, like he already believed it. “I take very good care of what’s mine.”
The words settled wrong.
I turned to my dad, grasping for something—anything.
“Dad…”
He didn’t move.
Didn’t speak.
Didn’t even meet my eyes.
And just like that, whatever hope I had left collapsed quietly.
Mom’s voice cut through. "This is so exciting.”
“Is it?” I echoed, my voice barely there. “For whom?”
"You," she replied without hesitation.
“I caught Sophie with Damon last night,” I said suddenly, the words pushing their way out before I could stop them.
Silence.
No shock.
No outrage.
Nothing.
“That’s not important right now,” Mom said, her expression unchanged.
Something shifted in my chest.
“You knew,” I said, more to myself than to her.
Sophie smiled.
Not embarrassed.
Not guilty.
Just… pleased.
I stepped back slowly, the room feeling unfamiliar now.
No one stopped me when I turned and walked away.
I locked my door the second I got inside.
The quiet that followed felt heavier than anything they had said.
I sank to the floor, my back pressed against the door, and stared at nothing.
Were they trying to get rid of me?
The thought didn’t come with panic.
It came with clarity.
It explained too much.
Every time Sophie crossed a line and nothing happened.
Every time I was the one blamed.
Every time Dad’s belt landed without hesitation.
I let out a slow breath.
Damon knew all of it.
He had seen enough to understand.
He had promised we would leave this place together after my twentieth birthday.
But where is he now?
A bitter feeling settled deep in my chest.
If he hadn’t done what he did, I wouldn’t be here right now, trying to figure out how to survive this alone.
I dragged my hands over my face.
No.
I had to leave.
But where would I go?
The only family member I have is Aunt Linda, and she lives in California. She would drag me straight back home.
I just needed somewhere to stay for a couple of days while I looked for a job that offered accommodation.
I hit my head lightly. “Think, Elena. Think.”
For a moment, an image surfaced in my mind.
The stranger.
I stiffened.
That was reckless.
I knew nothing about him.
Except that he owned a gun and hadn’t hurt me.
Memories of last night flooded back.
His scent. His warmth.
He had taken care of me and asked for nothing in return.
But still, he could be dangerous.
I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.
“I have to try,” I murmured.
Because staying here meant walking straight into something worse.
I pulled the door open—and stopped short.
Mom and Sophie were right there.
Sophie looked amused, like she already knew how this would end.
Mom looked calm.
Certain.
“I hope you understand,” she said, reaching out to smooth my hair, “everything we do is for your own good.”
I stepped back. “I don’t want to marry him.”
Sophie’s lips curved slightly.
“It’s normal to be afraid,” Mom said gently. “You’ve never done this before.”
“Mummy, please…” The word slipped out before I could stop myself.
Her expression hardened instantly. “You will marry him. Tomorrow.”
The finality in her voice settled over me.
I already knew fighting wouldn’t change anything.
Still, I forced myself to nod.
“…Okay.”
“Good.”
I turned to go back in, but something caught my attention.
In Sophie’s hand.
A card.
“What’s that?” I asked, my eyes narrowing slightly as I stepped closer.
She shifted, trying to hide it. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
“Let me see it.”
“Stop it—” Mom started.
But I was already reaching for it.
Sophie resisted, but I pulled harder, and it slipped free into my hand.
It was an invitation.
My eyes moved across it slowly.
Carefully.
Then stopped.
"Sophie and Damon."
For a moment, the words didn’t make sense.
I read them again.
Slower this time.
Letting them settle.
Something inside me went quiet.
Not shattered.
Not loud.
Just… still.
I lifted my head and looked at her.
“You're getting married? To Damon."
Sophie smiled.
And so did Mom.
- Writer
