Chapter 5: Fear and Hatred

By the evening, the office began to empty. Bethany packed up her sketches, slung her designer handbag over her shoulder, and walked out of the Morgan Enterprises skyscraper. She stood gracefully at the edge of the bustling sidewalk, waiting for the private ride-share car she had ordered.

A sleek luxury sports car smoothly pulled up right in front of her. The window rolled down, and David’s handsome, smiling face appeared.

"Bethany, get in," David said, leaning across the passenger seat to open the door for her.

"I'll drop you off at home."

Bethany looked at the luxury car and shook her head.

"It's really not appropriate, Mr. Morgan,"

Bethany declined his offer, keeping her tone strictly professional. "You are the president of the company, and it would cause unnecessary rumors among the staff if they saw us leaving together. I already called a car, so you don't have to worry."

But David wouldn't take no for an answer. He insisted, his grip tightening on the steering wheel as he flashed her a charming smile.

"I'm just dropping a friend home. If they want to gossip, let them talk."

"Bethany, get in the car, I'll drop you off," David said. Bethany hesitated but had no choice. She looked at the luxury sports car parked right in front of the company building. Employees were already staring.

"Where do you live?" David asked like he had no idea, but Bethany knew it was just an act. He always pretended.

"As if you don't know," she said, rolling her eyes as she finally entered the car. The door closed with a soft thud.

"Besides, how are your kids? It's been a while. Maybe I can come into your villa for a cup of tea and bond with the kids." David smiled as he drove, his eyes focused on the road.

David was very fond of Bethany's kids. He felt they looked so much like his friend Jonathan. He had never told Bethany this thought, but every time he saw Alex, he saw Jonathan's cold eyes.

Bethany had no reservations against David. The kids also liked him, and she regarded him as a friend. He was the only man she allowed close to her children.

When they arrived at the villa, the kids were playing in the compound, and Soraya was in the kitchen making noise with pots.

Once the kids saw Bethany, they rushed into her arms, abandoning their football.

"Mommy, we missed you! You are back!" Sofia cried, her voice so sweet and loud.

"Really, did you enjoy your time at the kindergarten?" Bethany asked, kneeling down to hug them. She kissed each of them on the forehead.

Sofia folded her hands and acted like a small adult, then noticed David standing beside Bethany, leaning on his car with his hands in his pocket.

"Uncle David!"

She rushed into his hands with so much excitement. The boys followed immediately, running.

"Uncle David, where have you been? We missed you!" Derrick asked, hugging his leg tightly. Derrick was usually mature for his age, but he became a child around David.

Alex also hugged him from the other side.

David ruffled their hair, laughing. "I've been around, champ. I was very busy at work. Have you guys been good to Mommy? Have you done your homework?"

"Yes, we are! We have been very good!" they chorused, nodding their small heads.

Then Derrick dropped a bomb. He looked up with his serious, intelligent eyes.

"Uncle David, when are you going to marry Mommy?"

The compound became silent.

Soraya, who was listening from the kitchen doorway, burst out laughing, almost dropping the spoon in her hand.

David didn't even blink. He didn't laugh. He turned to Bethany, his eyes serious and deep.

"Of course, if Bethany is willing, I would marry her tomorrow. I mean it."

"What nonsense are you teaching my kids?" Bethany scolded.

David placed his hand gently on her shoulder, trying to calm her. Bethany glared at him, but she didn't remove his hand. David was more than a friend — he was like a brother, her protector. But marriage? That was out of her mind completely. She couldn't even think about it.

After dinner, which was noisy and full of the kids' laughter, David left. It was getting late, and the night was getting cold.

Bethany bathed the kids, told them a bedtime story about a princess and a superhero, and put them to bed. She walked slowly to her own room, feeling heavy.

That night, the nightmare came again, just like it always did.

She was drowning. Thick, dark water filled her lungs, and her chest burned. A man was holding her down — powerful, heavy, his legs blocking her knees so she couldn't move, his hand brutally tangled in her hair, pushing her down. She couldn't breathe. She struggled, she clawed at his arms, she tried to scream for help, but no sound came out. His weight was crushing her.

She gasped and jerked awake, her chest heaving violently. Her nightgown was soaked with sweat.

Sweat covered her forehead, and her hair was stuck to her face.

It was him. Again. The man who ruined her life six years ago in that dark hotel room and gave her three beautiful children. The man she hated and feared at the same time.

Bethany stood up to get water. She needed to sleep. She needed to forget him. Her legs were shaking.

As she came downstairs to the dining hall, still in her nightgown, her legs weak from the nightmare, she sat at the dining table lost in thought. She stared at the empty glass in front of her, her mind blank.

Footsteps echoed.

Soraya came from the bathroom, wearing her bonnet, and saw her best friend sitting alone in the dark living room.

"What keeps you up so late at night? Why aren't you asleep?" Soraya asked, her voice full of concern.

Soraya sat down next to her and observed her expression closely, holding her hand.

"What troubles you, dear?" she asked softly.

Bethany said, "Nothing, I just came to get some water, I'm about to go back upstairs. I'm fine."

She tried to wave it off and smile, but Soraya was not having it. She knew Bethany too well.

"I'm your best friend, Bethany. I know something is troubling you. I know that face. Please open up to me," Soraya insisted.

Bethany's eyes turned red, tears threatening to spill. She couldn't hold it anymore.

"I've been having nightmares. That same night keeps playing over and over in my head. I feel suffocated, I can't breathe. I lose sleep after these nightmares, I can't help this pain in my heart," she whispered, her voice cracking.

Soraya's heart broke, watching her strong friend cry.

"Have you tried seeing a psychologist or hypnotist? Maybe they can help you erase it?" Soraya asked gently, rubbing her back.

"During therapy, I found out that the only way to be free from these nightmares is to fall in love again, and with time, the pain will go away. But after how I was hurt by Francis, my heart couldn’t accept any man again. It is broken," Bethany explained.

Soraya touched her face tenderly. "You have to open your heart to love again, Bethany. Not all men are the same. Not all men will hurt you like Francis did."

Bethany looked at her friend, her eyes full of tears. "It's not that easy. I tried to open my heart to David, but I just couldn't. My heart just can't love again. I am scared."

Bethany stood up and left the table. She tried not to collapse on the floor in pain. Soraya watched Bethany as she went upstairs, her shoulders shaking.

Soraya knew what kind of life Bethany had lived. She knew she was a busy mother doing everything alone. She told herself that her friend had some feelings for David as he was the only man she was close to but it turned out to be otherwise. Soraya was lost in thought, she has found a way to help her friend. She must find a way.

Bethany survived the night. It was a long, painful night.

The next day, Bethany managed to cover her dark circles with makeup before leaving for work. She didn't sleep well, but she had to be strong. She left early, so Soraya had to drop the kids at school.

Bethany buried herself in work so as not to think too much. She reviewed sketches, attended meetings, and tried to forget the nightmare.

She was feeling thirsty, so she went to the company's cafeteria to get a cup of water.

Ding!

A message from Soraya popped up on her phone: "How are you feeling today? Don't forget to take a break. Take care of yourself."

Bethany smiled at the message and was about to reply, so she wasn't looking where she was heading when she bumped into someone tall and hard, and her coffee spilled all over the person's expensive clothes.

"I'm sorry!" she apologized quickly and looked up to meet a cold and handsome face. It was the man she met at David's office the other day. How could she bump into him here again? What was he doing at Morgan Enterprises?.