Chapter 7: Flowers don’t judge

~ Avelyn ~

I didn’t sleep well.

My eyes opened to the soft rustle of curtains dancing with the morning breeze, but there was no peace in it, just a constant reminder that I wasn’t in my room… that I didn’t have a room anymore.

The events of last night weighed like lead in my chest. My nightgown stuck uncomfortably to my skin. I didn’t even remember falling asleep. One minute I was crying, the next I was unconscious. I lay there for a while, staring at the high, molded ceiling, wondering if crying in front of him counted as breaching the contract. The damn contract. My fingers twitched at the memory of signing it.

There was no clause against crying… but it still felt like resistance. Or maybe weakness. Either way, I doubted Xander Sterling took kindly to either.

After freshening up…if standing under a rainfall shower and hoping the water washed away shame counted as freshening up. I wrapped myself in my thoughts and took a look at my reflection. As expected, a hickey sat by neck to taunt me, as if I didn’t know the kind of mess I was in for.

I walked toward the study. One of the maids had told me that’s where he was. That word again, master. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

But I didn’t knock. I genuinely couldn’t. I stood there, barefoot, pacing back and forth like a ghost outside a door that led to a devil.

But then, nothing in the world could’ve prepared me for what happened next.

I heard a voice behind… a familiar voice.

“Avelyn?” I turned and nearly lost balance.

Kyle.

Kyle?! What in the—

He was walking toward me, sunlight behind him like something out of a dream. He looked older than I remembered but still somehow the same soft brown eyes, gentle mouth, and that boyish panic that always followed him when he cared too much.

Before I could react, he wrapped his arms around me.

My arms stayed limp. I couldn’t breathe properly and I certainly couldn’t process what was happening.

Was he real? Was I hallucinating? Did I dream of him so much that I’m seeing things?

“Kyle?” I whispered against his chest. “How are you here? How did you… find me?”

“I’ll always find you,” he said, his voice cracking slightly as he pulled away just enough to cup my face. “Are you okay? Avelyn, talk to me.”

That’s when the tears came flooding in. I couldn’t believe it. Matter of fact, I didn’t care if he was real or not. if this was an illusion it was good enough for me. Because he didn’t hate me. What I was worried about was all in my head. So I cried, not out of pain this time.

I lunged into him, burying myself into his chest, sobbing against the soft cotton of his shirt. “I missed you. I’m so sorry, Kyle. I didn’t mean to disappear—I swear. I didn’t know… I—”

“Shhh.” He held me tighter. “You don’t have to explain. I’m here now.”

When I finally pulled back, there were tear stains on his clothes. His hands brushed my cheeks, wiping away what was left.

“I have to speak with him,” he said. “The man who bought you. I’m going to get you out of here, Aves. I swear it.”

My heart twisted at his words “You’re going to see him now?” I asked, blinking.

He nodded and gave my hand one final squeeze. “Wait for me, okay?”

He turned and walked toward the study door and my stomach twisted.

That entire conversation… had happened right in front of Xander’s study. If he was inside, he heard every word.

Still dazed, I made my way to the dining area. My breakfast was already waiting. Some delicate pastries, fresh fruit, warm tea. Too elegant for someone like me. I nibbled on a scone I didn’t want and tried to keep my hands from shaking.

How did Kyle find me? Who told him?

Certainly not my family—

I corrected myself, ‘not them’. That word didn’t belong to them anymore.

They had sold me off like used furniture and slept well that night. I hoped their pillow was lumpy.

Minutes ticked. Then an hour. Kyle was still inside.

I tried to distract myself. I really did. I wandered the penthouse, marveling at things I used to only see on P*******t boards. But it all felt cold. Like I was on display.

And I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. The blood on Xander’s collar. The dead look in his eyes. The way he kissed my neck like he was branding me, not seducing me.

What if he hurts Kyle?

What if Kyle says the wrong thing and ends up in a ditch?

I paced, I panicked, and when I felt the anxiety creeping up my throat again, I ran out to the greenhouse. I found solace in the quiet hum of nature. The flowers didn’t care who I belonged to. They didn’t look at me like merchandise or a debt collector’s prize.

So I talked to them.

Out loud.

“I don’t know what I’m doing anymore,” I whispered to a tall white orchid. “I feel like I’m suffocating. He kissed me like he owned me. And Kyle… he looked at me like I’m still the same girl.”

The orchid didn’t judge. So I kept talking.

“I miss having choices. I miss laughing without guilt. I miss my mom. She’d hate everything about this place.”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and crouched beside three smaller blooms.

“You,” I said, pointing to a pink one, “are Kyle. You’re sweet and soft and you bring sunshine.”

I tapped the blue flower. “You’re me. Confused and slightly wilted but still hanging on.”

Then I pointed to the violet one. “And you’re him. Xander. Beautiful but terrifying. Why do I feel like you’d still bloom even if the world burned down around you?”

I smiled to myself. It was stupid, naming flowers. But I felt better. Then a door creaked open behind me.

I turned.

Kyle. His expression was off even though his smile was there, but it didn’t touch his eyes.

“What happened?” I asked, rising to my feet.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” he said gently. “Just… hang in there, okay? I’ll get you out.”

He kissed my forehead like a prayer but when he withdrew his gaze dipped and I saw an emotion in his eyes that I’ve never seen before.

My hand immediately flew to hide the hickey. But it was clearly too late, I witnessed his jaws clenched before freeing me and walking away.

“Don’t… don’t leave,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

But he already had.

And I stood there… staring at the spot where he disappeared, a hundred questions screaming in my head.

Why did Xander let him in so easily?

What could they have possibly talked about?

And more importantly, how the hell did Kyle even know Xander Sterling?!