Semua Bab STRANGER ATTRACTION : Bab 11 - Bab 20

I left the shop without knowing where to go. My feet moved on their own as if they were trying to carry me away from everything I had ever known. I thought of going home, but the moment the thought crossed my mind, something inside me broke again. What home? The people in that house had spent years reminding me that I did not belong. My throat tightened as a small whisper slipped out of me.“Papa.”The word felt fragile. Maybe I could go back just for him. If I stayed away, it would crush him, and hurting him was the last thing I wanted.I kept walking down the road as the tears rolled freely. My cut had dried into a dark stain on my skin, but the sting was still there. I lifted my arm and wiped my face with the back of my hand, but it did nothing to stop the pain in my chest.Soon I noticed people turning their heads toward me. Their eyes stayed on me longer than usual. Some slowed down. Some whispered behind their palms. The murmurs grew louder with every step I took. A few passersb

Ina stood over me, her eyes dragging slowly across every part of my body pinned to the floor. Her stare was cold, almost calculating, before she crouched down and placed a hand on my chest.The moment her palm touched me, I tried to twist away.“Don’t touch me… stay away from me… haven’t you done enough already…” My voice cracked apart, each word breaking into pieces as I cried.Ina didn’t flinch. She only placed a finger on my lips, silencing me.“Hush,” she breathed. “We just want to see the weapons you used in seducing Veylor. Since you somehow managed what three of us couldn’t, after everything we’ve done.”Before I could process the words, Ina flipped open a small pocket knife. The blade caught the dim light, and my heart jumped into my throat. Panic surged through me. I tried dragging myself backward across the floor, desperate to escape, even though I wasn’t moving far.Ina moved faster.She climbed over me and sat on my belly, her weight pinning me down with a hard thud. She a

I stared at the slightly bent doorknob, breathless and frozen to the spot.For a split second, everything went quiet.Then my eyes shifted behind me.My room was right there. Just inches away.Panic flooded my body. Adrenaline surged so fast it felt like something else had taken control of me. Papa must not see me like this. He could not. I would not survive the look that would cross his face.I began pushing myself backward.I had not even moved an inch when the door finally creaked open.I gave up.I shut my eyes and let my body fall flat against the floor. Whatever was coming, I could not fight it anymore.But instead of Papa’s voice, I heard another.My eyes snapped open.“Kaelith.”It was Corven.He stood in the doorway, staring at me, his eyes wide. Shock, confusion, and rising anger battled across his face. His bag slipped from his shoulder and hit the floor, forgotten. His lips trembled as he stepped closer, fighting tears that were already spilling.“Who did this?” he asked,

Katherine was smiling like she always did, a woven basket balanced neatly in her hands. I didn’t need to look inside to know what it held. She brought food every morning without fail.“Hi, Veylor,” she said brightly. “Did I wake you?”I stared at her for a second, then forced a smile. How else am I supposed to tell her to stop without sounding rude and ungrateful?“It’s fine,” I answered. “I was already up.”“Can I come in?” she asked, still smiling, leaning forward as if the answer didn’t matter.My smile slipped.“Katherine—”“It’s Katherina,” she cut in quickly.“Sorry,” I said, exhaling. “Katherina. The thing is, I don’t think you coming in is a good idea. I’m working, and I really don’t need distractions. Maybe we could do this some other time?”I forced a tighter smile.“Oh,” she said, unfazed. “I can be quiet. Very quiet. I promise.” She lifted the basket slightly. “I can help you clean, heat your food, do your laundry. Anything.”She tried to step past me. I blocked the doorwa

I swallowed and kept my gaze forward, silently counting the minutes as the bus rolled on.About twenty minutes later, the bus stopped and everyone filed out. I stayed seated, waiting until I was the last to step down, not wanting to provoke anything further.Outside, the area buzzed with life. Small shops lined the street, people moved in hurried clusters, and carts rattled over uneven ground. I adjusted my jacket and headed toward the narrow path that led to the woods where I had waited for Kaelith the day before.I didn’t know exactly where she lived, but I was sure it was nearby. If I got past the woods, I could always ask someone.As I walked, dry leaves crunching beneath my boots, my thoughts drifted to her. I imagined the look on her face when she saw me. She would probably stiffen, glare, then fire off her usual lines at me.“I don’t like you. Stay away from me.”I mimicked her soft voice under my breath and laughed softly, lost in my own little daydream.I kept replaying my im