Trap Me or Free Me

Half a month passed before York Langston set foot on the island again.I tugged the shawl tighter around my shoulders but didn't bother to move.He limped his way over, his tone unusually soft. "What happened back then? That was on me. I'm sorry."As he spoke, he opened a sandalwood box. The vintage design of the item was his clear attempt at buying himself into my good graces as inside lay a necklace. The jewelry was violet and glistened like glass."I know you'll love this birthday gift, Nicole."My gaze drifted past the necklace, settling on his chiseled face.Those deep eyes were brimming with affection for me. It might have been a flattering touch on the handsome man, if not for the agonized cries outside my cage."I didn't feel like eating. It has nothing to do with them."The fruit on the table had been sitting out for hours, its skin just starting to turn.To him, that was reason enough to order their hands and feet chopped off. They would eventually be thrown into the

Luna staggered to her feet, grabbing a fistful of my hair and slamming my head against the wall.A wave of searing pain hit me, nearly knocking me out. My vision blurred, but instinct took over as I gripped her wrist tightly.I lifted my head, exposing my collarbone. I deliberately curled my lips into a mocking smile and sneered. "If York finds out you came here to throw a tantrum, he won't let it slide. Locking me up was his way of protecting me. A man like him, broadcasting to the world that you're his girlfriend—do you really think that's a blessing?"Luna's twisted grin spread across her face as if I had just told the most ridiculous joke. "You think he doesn't know I'm here? Don't kid yourself into believing you're important to him. You're nothing more than—"She froze mid-sentence, her eyes suddenly fixated on my collarbone.The violet jade necklace. The very one York had personally placed on me last night."Why is that on you?" she hissed.She looked like a steaming kettl

York's cold, unreadable gaze locked onto Luna as he advanced step by step.The silver prosthetic limb did nothing to diminish his imposing presence. If anything, it added a dangerous, coiled energy to him, like a predator waiting to strike.Luna flinched, instinctively backing away several steps. "Weren't you supposed to be in Rafiq?"York's eyes swept the room; his expression darkened when he didn't see the person he expected.Luna shot me a venomous look. Indeed, the moment she had burst into my room, I had triggered the emergency alert York had left for me.Luna sensed the shift in his mood and quickly changed her tune, adopting a sweet, innocent expression as she clung to his arm with feigned affection. "You're always off running around. I never get to see you. Quinn said you come here often. So, I begged him to bring me."York's stare bore into her. "You just said you knew I went to Rafiq."She didn't miss a beat, playing up her timid act. "How was I supposed to know if y

The white bandages covered my entire face.Every bone in my body felt as though it had been shattered and reconstructed."Ah, you're finally awake." A stranger's voice sounded beside my bed.I struggled to open my eyes.The nurse's face came into sharp focus in front of me. "You've been asleep for three days and nights."I stare at her, dazed. My mouth opened, but I could only make a few muffled sounds.The nurse reassured me, "Your vocal cords are severely damaged, so you can't speak for now. If you need anything, just write it down."She placed a pen and notebook by my side.My left hand was fully cast, completely immobile. Still, I could move my right hand.It was only then that I noticed something in the palm of my hand.My breathing quickened as my eyes locked onto the photo, hastily pieced together with tape.It was a picture of me and Clint!Before he went missing, he had wanted to break up with me.I refused. We had a huge fight, and in my anger, I tore up every ph

Anxiety churned within me, but I had no choice but to play along."It was behind the Golden Club. You were ambushed and seriously injured. I saved you."Yet, York shook his head. "No, that's not it. It was here."He lifted his foot and stomped lightly, and the ground responded with muffled thuds.His voice dipped, almost inaudible. "But it doesn't matter. Nicole, you saved me twice. Back in school, I vowed I would always protect you. Yet here we are, and I've let you down."A tear suddenly slid down my hand, catching me off guard.York's voice caught in his throat. "Nicole, if I had mustered the courage back then to pursue you, would you have said yes?"Almost without hesitation, I replied, "No.""Was there no chance for me even without Clint?""Correct."A heavy silence filled the darkness.York let out a soft, bitter laugh. "Nicole, why won't you even lie to me? You once said, 'What's wrong with picking up trash? I'd happily be friends with him for life!'"I had no patien