len

trange man lying on the bed beside me. Slo

ept with a

so completely. Shame, fear, and something dangerously close to longing twisted inside me, leaving me breathless. I searched for my phone, but it was nowhere

on desk, I asked a lady to check if anyone had turned in a phone. She shook her head, and I quickly asked for h

ut my cell ph

been calling nonstop. I had to tell him you we

ou," I b

gagement party. Your uncle is crazy-he even threatened to cut off

ry for another day, but right

d my driver to

ck to the lady, and s

ery much," I

e was. The man from last night. He is just too powerful even in the simplest ac

hinking, I pressed myself against the

et a part of me desperately wished he would, in jus

silver, shimmering gown along with my phone. I quickly asked the r

I tried to freshen up, and I noticed a thick substance mixed with blood on my thighs. Oh my God!, Sha

I could manage. The driver opened the door, and I slid into the b

**********

any familiar faces, until my eyes landed on Mariana, my friend, and her parents, along with other families deep in discussion, a

eyes met mine. She quickly excu

go to the bathroom," she said, grabbing

llow a stranger out?" I ask

the bathroom. Once inside, she checked each stall un

hat you've done?" Her s

threatening to burst from my chest.God, I hope no one s

t to speak, but a sharp knoc

cuts your grandmother's medical bills. You can't back out now, unles

hair into a center-parted style and r

ld, disdainful hiss.She turned sharply on her heel, her steps quick. I had no choice but to follow, trailing behi

tanding alongside with the older man from before, and the same la

loser to them. The o

make it on time. But don't worry, the party won't start witho

son of yours?" he aske

room. "He shou

lden hair catching the light as though it were meant to draw admiration. A smile curved on his lips, confident, practiced, almost

ed the crowd murmuring around us. Immediately I caught my aunt and cousin shar

cted , and he's acting all mighty, as if the world revolves

the memory hit me hard. Just thinking about him alone made my mouth w

e to his own engagement." The old man said st

even su

ction, Grandpa" he drawled, his v

ed as he stepped closer. Instin

ad. "And I suppose that makes me the prince, doesn't i

ut a soft, knowing chuckle,

oe. It felt less like admiration and more like a predator st

just close enough to make my skin crawl, "I h

ith shame and fury. His hands trembled as he struggled to ke

of remorse. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets quick

in a

eel louder than it should. Then, the sound of polished shoes echoed acr

my will, I turned my

e from la