CHAPTER 41: Where it all started

CHAPTER 41

I didn’t stay long after that.

I don’t even remember how I got back to my room, One minute I was standing there with the guy's, looking at Kael like I was seeing him for the first time, and the next… I was alone again inside my room.

Would I even call it my room?

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor, trying to make sense of everything, but nothing was settling the way it should. It was like my mind had taken everything I thought I knew and rearranged it into something I didn’t recognize anymore.

To think he was also there, Kael- Of all people in the whole world why him?

I let out a slow breath and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. My fingers brushed lightly against my side, right where the mark was. I’d had it for years. Treated it like something meaningless, but it wasn't

I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, but it didn’t help. If anything, it made things worse. The flashes were quicker now, not full memories, just pieces that refused to stay buried no matter how hard I tried to forget.

I opened my eyes immediately.

“No,” I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand down my face. “That’s enough.”

I wasn’t doing that again.

I wasn’t sitting here trying to remember things that only made everything heavier. Whatever happened back then… happened. I survived it, I escaped ,That should’ve been the end of it.

And staying here—being around him—was only pulling it back up, even when I don't want it to.

I sat there for a while longer, but I already knew what I was going to do before I even stood up.

I was not going to stay here,

Not around people who suddenly knew things about me that I didn’t even understand myself.

I needed space,

And more than anything, I needed to feel like I was in control again because right now, I don't feel like myself and to think that Kael killed Lina ...hell no...I need to leave

I stood u, picked up my bag and threw in the few things I actually needed. I didn’t bother organizing anything. This wasn’t a trip, and I was not planning anything long-term, I just need to leave and hide away like I did before I crossed path with Kael in school.

I paused at the door,

Nothing, which was rear because Guards were not standing in front of my door nor roaming round the corridor like thier normally do.

Well I guess he now knows am not really a threat to him snice we both passed through the same ordeal.

The house was quite,

I opened the door slowly and stepped out into the hallway. The lights were dim, the air still, like everything had gone to sleep early just to make this easier for me.

I moved carefully, My steps were light because the last thing in I needed right now is getting caught,

As I passed one of the doors, I slowed down, and walked down to the right into

Kael’s sister’s room,

I pushed it open just enough to slip inside and closed it quietly behind me, she was in the shower thank God

I didn’t waste time looking around. I went straight to the dresser, opened it, and found her purse where I expected it to be.

My fingers slipped inside.

I took some money. Not everything, Just enough.

I wasn’t stealing to be greedy. I was taking what I needed.

Nothing more.

I closed the purse, put everything back the way I found it, and left the room.

Back into the hallway.

Down the staircase, still not seeing anyone

It felt too easy, but I didn’t question it.

I walked out of the house without looking back.

The air outside felt different.

For a second, I just stood there, letting it settle around me. Then I started walking.

I didn’t stop until I was far enough from the estate, avoiding tge Security cameras and hacking the password to the gate was easy compared to when i escaped that hell hole.

When I finally got a ride, I gave the first location that came to mind. I didn’t overthink it. I didn’t care where exactly I was going, as long as it wasn’t there.

The motel wasn’t anything special.

I paid for a room, took the key, and walked down the hallway without paying attention to anything else. The place smelled like cleaning products trying too hard to hide something older, but I ignored it.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside, Locked the door back,

Then I leaned back against it for a second.

I pushed myself off the door and dropped my bag on the small table before sitting on the bed. The mattress dipped slightly, and I let myself fall back, staring up at the ceiling.

For the first time since everything started, I felt… lighter.

Enough to breathe without feeling like something was pressing down on my chest.

I turned my head slightly, staring at the wall now, These were the moments when lina would remind me that i could do this all over again.

I closed my eyes, just for a moment,

The knock woke me up

I frowned, sitting up slowly, still half out of it. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep.

Another knock.

I glanced at the door.

“Room service.”

The voice came through, calm and normal.

I hesitated for a second.

I didn’t remember ordering anything, but I wasn’t thinking straight enough to question it properly.

I got up and walked toward the door.

My hand rested on the handle for a moment before I turned it and pulled it open.

And froze because right in front of me was Kael standing ln all his annoying glory,

Damn....he is really Good looking if I minus the fact that his face is always looking like he wants to kill someone every second

For a second, I didn’t say anything

I just stared at him.

“How did you—”

I stopped.

The question felt pointless the moment it left my mouth.

Of course he found me.

Kael looked at me like nothing about this surprised him.

“You left,” he said

I held his gaze. “Yes.”

He didn’t react the way I expected, he was not angry or looked like he was going to strangle me

If anything, he looked… relived

Like this was exactly what he thought I would do.

I shifted slightly, still holding the door, not stepping aside.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said.

“And you shouldn’t have left,” he replied.

My brows pulled together slightly.

I stared at him for a second. “You don’t get to decide that.

He stepped closer,

“You don't have to leave Vera, we can figure this out together besides where do u even know you are going?

he said quietly.

I let out a small breath, shaking my head slightly. “i can't stay, I need to do this alone and do I need to remind u that u killed my bestfrnd? So stop acting like u give a fuck about what happens to me

"I Do Care" he replied and there was no hesitation in it.

And that was the problem.

I tightened my grip on the door, trying to push it closed, but his hand came up and stopped it easily.

Like he already knew I wouldn’t be able to push past him.

“You don’t just walk out and disappear,” he said.

I looked up at him. “Watch me.”

Something shifted in his expression then.

He didn’t move his hand from the door.

Didn’t step back, If anything, he stepped closer.

“You’re coming back,” he said.

I almost laughed, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

His eyes stayed on mine.

Like he had already decided how this was going to end.

"Do u want to do this the Soft or the Hard way Vera because trust me, am good with either of them.

"U can't be serious, u can't keep forcing me to do things I don't want to and why should I go back with you" and oh..yes I saved ur life in case u forgot.......I..

"That is exactly why I am not letting you go" he cut me off. And the earlier u understand that, the better for you.

"You need space, I get that and I will give it to you just for this night,

First thing tomorrow Morning I will be back to pick you up" Kael said

He turned his back to walk out and before he closed the door he turned back, looked at me

"Oh..and don't even think about running from here tonight because if u do, I will kill every single soul in this building" he said and walked out closing the door.

I was speechless.