CHAPTER 17

The night wind touched my cheeks, drying the tears in my eyes, I stood there, surrounded by a trembling that felt like a drumbeat echoing in my soul. I didn't question where he was taking me; my mind was blank, adrift, until we arrived at a resort where even in the darkness, the beauty of the sea was visible.

He opened the car door for me, but I hesitated to step out when he bowed and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," with a smile. I stared at him as he stepped out, prompting me to follow him into the resort.

I thought we would check-in, but instead, we walked along the beach, hand in hand. What secrets lay within the sea? Memories flooded back of our first date, when he had taken me to the beach.

"What are we doing here?" I couldn't help but ask, breaking the silence. He glanced down at me for a moment before turning his gaze back to the sea. I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip was firm. "My foot hurts," I said, as if complaining, but in truth, I was comforted b