120

“Now, here is what you’re going to do. Give me your phone number, and let’s keep in touch, mm?” Drake pinches my chin, staring straight into my eyes. It was the same eyes I fell in love with all those years ago.

I hate it. I hate that I’m still urged to obey him because he will hurt me if I don’t.

I clench my fist.

I need to resist him.

I survived when he left me.

It took me so long to gather myself and my sanity. It’s as if he still has this power over me, and the compulsion he used to groom in me is still present, though I prayed for it to stay gone for good.

Yet, I find my hand slipping into my purse, and I hand my phone to him with my shaking hands. I shut my eyes.

“Shh…” He brushes his thumb on my cheek. “No need to be scared. We have a lot to talk about. I wasn’t always like this, remember?”

And he would always say those words to manipulate me.

‘I’m a good person, Alayna. I wasn’t always like this. Please don’t give up on me now.’

I pucker my lips. My skin shudders as my body dr