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361words
For the first time,I allowed myself to fully remember the horrors of the hospital.
When they stripped and humiliated me,a fellow patient—a wild - eyed woman—stepped in to protect me. She brandished a makeshift knife and screamed at the orderlies as if they were demons.
Her embrace was warm,like Mom’s once was,when she’d protect me from Dad,whispering,“Lily,don’t be scared.Mommy’s here.”
But the madwoman was shoved,her head slammed into a metal cabinet, and blood gushed out, pooling on the floor like a never - ending crimson river.
That day,my mind became as sharp as a blade.
I vowed they’d all pay.
I planned to destroy that place,but Lucas showed up,disrupting me.
His presence always sent a shiver down my spine.
I’d fed them enough slow poison—I didn’t need to stick around and watch them waste away.
I closed my eyes,arms outstretched,savoring the cool breeze.
Next life,let someone love me,just a little.I’d love them back with all my heart.
Someone grabbed me from behind,hair wild,panting with panic.
“Let go of me!”I cried.
His arms,like steel,held tight.
I thrashed,the forceful embrace triggering memories of the hospital—restrained,helpless,toyed with.
My teeth chattered.
“I won’t let go,”he said,trembling,as if he’d nearly lost something vital.
“You’re crazy!”I bit his arm.He grunted but held on.
“If I let go,I’ll lose you forever.”
“Let go!I wasn’t going to jump!”
“Lily,please don’t leave me,”he pleaded,his voice shaking,head buried in my neck,cold tears burning my skin.
I stopped struggling,turning.
Seeing his face,my pupils shrank.
“Caleb?”
Caleb Reed—the name was like a long - buried memory, a faded dream I’d tried so hard to forget to ease the ache in my heart.
In high school,someone posted online that my mom was a mistress,ruining a family,driving the original wife to her death.
Classmates whispered,saying a mistress’s daughter would grow up the same way. They looked at me like I was something repulsive, something to be avoided.
I tried to defend my mother, explaining that Mr. Hayes had been divorced when they got married—but no one listened,their curses drowning me.
I hated the lies,hated their attacks on Mom.
I scoured the forum,tracing clues.
