RUNNING AWAY

~Kelsey

I didn’t sleep.

Even after he left, I couldn't force myself. It felt like if I shut my eyes, he might return.

The dungeon bed creaked every time I moved, the sheets still smelling faintly of him. My wrists throbbed beneath the belt marks, and my ass burned every time I shifted. I had cried so hard I couldn’t feel my face anymore. I was humiliated and broken.

And angry, very angry.

My phone buzzed for the fifth time and my father’s number flashed across the screen.

I stared at the screen, heart beating fast. I couldn’t answer. Not now. I didn't have the money and at this point, I was ready for him to give out my location. I honestly did not care anymore.

The loud ringing of the doorbell snapped me out of my thoughts.

I jumped out of the bed.

Did he actually do it?

Who the hell would come here this early?

I wiped my face, smoothed my hair, and dragged myself to the door. My hand trembled as I opened it.

I sighed in relief once I realized it was Melissa, Mr. Alessandro’s assistant.

I wonder if she knew about his sex dungeon. What if she was into that kind of stuff too?

“Good morning, Kelsey!” she chirped like this wasn’t the worst morning of my life.

I blinked, ridding my mind of filthy thoughts.

“Hi?”

She handed me a sealed envelope. “Mr. Alessandro asked me to deliver the rest of the payment for the house. He also sends his apologies for the inconvenience during renovations.”

I opened the envelope and my eyes almost popped out of its socket.

Nine hundred thousand freaking dollars! More money than I was probably worth.

What?

“This is....this is more than we agreed on,” I said, stunned.

She smiled, like it was no big deal. “It’s a reward. A thank you, and an apology. He wanted to make things right.”

I almost laughed. The irony. Right. Nothing about this situation was right.

But the check was real. And that money? That money would fix everything.

“Thank you,” I said stiffly.

Melissa nodded and turned, heels clicking as she walked away like she hadn’t just handed me a lifeline.

The second she left, I slammed the door shut, my heart racing with excitement.

This was it. My out.

I showered fast, scrubbing off every trace of last night like it could wash away the memory too. Then I dressed and drove straight to the police station, gripping the steering wheel like it was the only thing holding me together.

Detective Rivera was just stepping outside when I caught her.

“Detective,” I called. She turned, almost surprised to see me.

“I need to talk to you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”

"Did he come back?"

I pulled her aside. “Yeah..he did. But I've figured a way out of everything," I said, beaming with excitement.

She cocked her head, "that is?"

"I'm leaving the country," I said excitedly.

She blinked. “You’re what?”

“I’m going to Britain. In a few days. I just… I need to see my family first, then I’m gone.”

She stared at me for a few minutes. “You’re sure?”

I nodded. “It’s the only way I’ll ever be safe and away from that monster."

She studied me, then sighed. “Just… keep in touch, Kelsey. Okay?”

I explained the details to her and promised that if my stalker showed up before I left, I would certainly call her.

~

Driving into Tuscany felt surreal.

The town hadn’t changed, but I had. I kept my sunglasses on, hiding my puffy eyes, and made sure no one recognized me as I turned down the familiar road to my father’s house.

When I stepped through the door, my stepmother nearly crushed me in a hug. “Kelsey, baby. You’re home,” she said joyfully as she assessed me with her eyes.

But my father and brother looked like they weren't so pleased to see me.

My father didn’t waste time before pulling me away from my stepmother .

“Did you reconcile with your husband?”

I stared at him. “No.”

“Then why are you here?”

"Where is Hailey?" I asked, completely ignoring his question.

“She’s fine. Sent us plenty of money, unlike some People," my brother chipped in.

My jaw clenched. I pulled out the check and handed him $500,000.

“Here. This is what you asked for.”

He looked at it like it was nothing. “It’s not enough.”

I stared at him, my rage bubbling up. “Then go beg Hailey for more.”

I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me despite my stepmother begging me to come back.

Fuck no!

I was done being their cash cow. My entire life's purpose has been to upset debts and keep them out of poverty yet not even a single ounce of appreciation. One even went as far as sleeping with my husband while the others constantly disrespected me and make me feel unwanted.

~

The days leading up to my big move were oddly quiet. My stalker had disappeared again but this time, when he returns, he won't find me.

The thought of it made me extremely happy.

I sent Mr. Alessandro my resignation via email. Short and sweet. Melissa replied with a polite thank you and nothing else.

I packed my things and left the mansion without looking back.

Being at the airport was like watching the past six months play before my eyes. Families, husbands, wives, exchanged goodbyes, hugged like they would never let go.

I was all alone.

What I'd pay to feel this loved, even for a few seconds.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I wiped it off with the sleeves of my sweater.

The waiting area was slightly less worse but I had began to feel it again.

That prickle. That itch at the back of my neck.

Someone was watching me.

I glanced around. I couldn’t see anyone. My hands started to sweat.

"Flight 247 to London now boarding," the hostess announced over the public address system and I almost fainted from relief.

I didn’t wait. I rushed to the gate, heart pounding against my ribs.

As I stepped onto the plane, something in me shifted.

For the first time in months, I felt safe.

I was finally leaving it all behind.