Howlo, Howlers. Please proceed with caution, this chapter contains triggers. Don't forget to like and drop your comments. Thank you!
He takes slow, deliberate strides toward me. “Please, dear, don’t strain your body. It’s not good for you or the baby.”My baby… I place my hand on my stomach, suddenly feeling like a terrible mother. I had been so overwhelmed by my pain and heartbreak that I forgot to check if my child was okay or even still alive.“Don’t worry, your baby is safe,” he reassures me, and relief washes over me. He walks over to one of the large, drums in the corner of the room and retrieves a bowl set on top of the cover. Carefully, he fetches some water and hands it to me. “Drink up, dear.”Without protest, I take the bowl from him, my hands trembling slightly from weakness. “Easy,” he says soothingly as I gulp down the water, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat.“Let me go get you something to eat,” he says with a reassuring smile. I rest my back against the headboard, trying to relax, but my mind keeps drifting back to painful memories I desperately want to forget. Of the day I met Nate.
FLASHBACK CONTINUES I looked at the dress sprawled on the bed—absolutely Claire’s style. I picked it up and scrutinized it. Everything about the dress screamed extravagance. It was a fitted red gown that flowed down, exuding elegance and class. The butterfly-cut neckline was bold. Paired with Louboutin heels, Bulgari accessories, and a Bottega Veneta clutch, it was a complete ensemble. I had spent enough time with Claire to gain a glimpse into the fashion world, as it was the only thing she ever seemed to talk about.I discarded my clothes and stepped into the shower, my mind restless. Closing my eyes, flashes of running, covered in scratches, filled my head. Gasping, I snapped back to reality and realized I was still in the tub. After drying off and applying lotion, I faced the mirror briefly, wrapped in a towel, and then quickly changed without looking at myself because I hated seeing the scars and branding engraved on my body. The harsh reality of all I was, ‘used and tossed’. A
**7 DAYS LATER**“Be careful, dear!” Anne calls out, her voice filled with a mix of concern and motherly affection as she glances back at me, her eyes wide with worry.“Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” I reply, waving the plastic fan over the firewood with a hint of confidence. I watch the flames dance and flicker, tiny sparks of soot drifting upwards in a mesmerizing display of combustion.“Hmm,” Anne stands up from her stool, placing her hands on her hips as she watches me with a scrutinizing gaze. She walks over and says, “No, hold the fan this way, or your wrists will get tired.” She wipes her wet hands on the back of her pants as she approaches.“No, no, I said I’m fine. I’ve gotten used to it,” I reassure her for what feels like the umpteenth time. I’ve spent so much time with her lately that we’ve practically become inseparable. Andrew jokes that I’ve stolen his wife completely. I’ve observed her enough to learn how to start a fire for cooking. Today, after much coaxing, she finall
**1 Month Later**“Do you really have to go?” Anne tugs at the hem of my dress, her voice trembling with emotion. It's classic Anne—always overreacting. Normally, I’d find her tear-streaked face amusing, but today, I’m sobbing right alongside her.“I have to,” I wail, pulling her into a tight embrace as we both cry. This place has become home to me; I never knew what it was like to be cared for so completely. They’ve made me feel like I’ve belonged here forever.“Are you *sniffs* sure?” she asks, her voice breaking. I nod vigorously, biting my lip hard to keep it from trembling. “Please, take… *sniffs* care of baby Alex for us.”“I will, Anne. I promise.”“Are you ready?” Andrew’s voice calls from the next room, and I call back a shaky “Yes.”Anne pulls me in for one last tight, warm hug. “Oh, come here, my miracle child.” That’s what she calls me—her miracle child.“I will miss you,” I say, tears flowing freely as I bury my face in her neck.“Alright, ladies, it’s time,” Andrew says,
After an hour’s torturous drive, we finally arrived at the neighboring town and the bus terminal. “Thanks, Bob,” I said as I hopped off the truck. “Let’s get you settled right?” we move around, and he kindly buys me a ticket, which I was grateful for, at least I would save my money. The route I am taking is 1-10 West. After waving goodbye and settling on my seat, the journey begins. *********The bus screeched to a stop, hissing as its old brakes caught up on the pavement. I had been holding it for miles, my bladder aching with every bump on the road. The diver’s gravelly voice cut through the cabin, “Ten minutes, folks. We stop here, then straight through to Houston.”I glance at the dusty gas station with its faded sign and peeling paint. Ten minutes. That was all I needed. My legs are painfully swollen, making it hard for me to move as quickly as I once could. I waddle off the bus, careful not to bump into anyone.The dingy restroom was exactly what I expected– grimy and smellin
The journey has not been an easy one at all. It has been over a day since the bus left me. I walked miles on the highway, looking for help. I had no choice but to hitchhike. For over every stop, I stood by the roadside hoping for another ride to the next town. Luckily for me, I had gotten closer to Los Angeles but the town seemed to stretch so far away, the hunger in my stomach was clawing at me, and blisters appeared on my feet, my shoes were worn out. I would stare at cars as I watched them whizz by without a second glance, I had become four shades darker due to the tanning of the hot sun. I had managed to catch a few short rides here and there, but none that would take me far enough to make a real difference. The last trucker who’d stopped left me stranded just outside a small town, promising he couldn’t take me any further. I thanked him, even though my legs felt like they couldn’t carry me any longer. At night, the cold air would pierce through my thin clothes. I found an
My people, I’m telling you, life in LA hasn’t been easy at all. I’m down with a fever, wandering every day like a homeless person in search of answers. If I had known, I would have memorized Andrew’s number and called him as soon as I arrived. But I lost the paper with his and Liv’s numbers since I didn’t have a phone. I have memorized Nate’s number, though, and even in my sleep, I can repeat those numbers effortlessly. There were a few times I fought the urge to just call him and ask him to come get me. This isn’t easy at all. I finally settled in a refugee camp, and let me tell you, this place is hell. There are drug addicts, toxic people, and bitter women. The environment is far from conducive, contrary to what the organization portrays. I’ve been here for five days, wandering into the neighborhoods of the elite, looking for anyone who knows Liv. That’s my only lead; I remember Anne saying Live works for a billionaire in Visionary Island, an estate for the wealthy here in LA. I’
56, 57, 58... I counted exactly 6 dollars and 58 cents. That was all the money I had left. What do I do? Where do I start from? I squeezed the money back into my pocket and strolled around the cramped space.It's been a day since the incident with the Hawthorne man happened, and it is pointing toward one thing: I have little to no hope of finding Liv in this big city.So instead, I am on a job hunt. I hastily brushed my teeth, styled my hair in a bun, took a quick bath, and sprayed my body mist that was given by Sarah, a kind lady.After zipping my bag and locking it with a padlock, I stepped outside. You can't trust anyone here at the refugee camp. There are a lot of miserable people, addicts among them. I wouldn’t dare leave my few belongings unsecured.The sun blazed overhead, and I squinted, wiping the sweat off my brow. I better be fortunate today. But how could I make the money last? It wasn’t even enough to cover three meals, and after today and tomorrow, I’d be out of options
Daphne’s POV My body shook, a buzzing filling my ears, tears blurring my vision. “I can’t believe this, Seb. I fucking can’t believe this,” I choked out, hugging him tightly, soaking his t-shirt as he held me close. “I’m happy that you’re happy, Daphne. You fought so well,” Seb whispered in my ear, his voice also shaky. Was this it? The end of Charles Sinclair? The end of the torment, the years of abuse, the never-ending cycle, all because of his selfish desires? It felt surreal. After the sentence was delivered, I watched Mom spiral. She couldn’t comprehend it, seeing the man she had placed on such a high pedestal come crashing down. Richard quickly took her away, but not before giving me a nod of acknowledgement. Seeing Mom like that tugged at my heart. She had ruined not just her life, but ours too. She had stayed with a man who repeatedly hurt her, and it had shattered me time and time again. But I had finally come to terms with it. I wasn’t responsible for her choices.
Daphne’s POV “This is the bank transaction, showing all the dirty work and exploitations,” Nathaniel said, spreading the thick sheaf of papers across the table. Sebastian’s eyes scanned the documents, his brow furrowed. “They’re rigging oil prices too,” he muttered. “Just how rich and powerful is Charles? He couldn’t have done this alone. There’s government involvement here, somewhere.” Nathaniel was back, thank God. Richard had been feeding us information over the phone, piecing together the puzzle of Charles’s illicit activities. After countless meetings with prestigious authorities, and after what felt like an eternity of legislative deliberation, we finally had it: an arrest warrant. But there was a problem. Intelligence suggested Charles was about to flee the country. Someone within the legislative body had tipped him off. Thankfully, Charles was tracked down to his private retreat, a secluded estate far from the city. The apprehension was swift and decisive. He would
Two Weeks Later “That’s great news!” I exclaimed, pulling Seb and Claire into a hug, joy bubbling inside me. We were gathered around the table, Skyping Nathaniel, who had finally gotten his hands on the NGO’s bank statements and transaction records. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow, and the chase will finally be over,” Nathaniel muttered with a cashmere smile. It had been two long weeks since Nathaniel traveled to investigate the NGO. Given his position in the ministry, he was able to gain access quickly, posing as an agent sent by me. Charles had been notified by the NGO of my request for the bank statements. Richard informed us that he had been desperately trying to track me down, still clueless about how I’d accessed the files. He was currently hiding in one of his estates in Suncity, under the pretense of being out of town. Our investigation had uncovered vital information, including receipts for bombs and weapons purchased under Charles’s name, weapons that led to the mas
Richard’s voice cut through the heavy silence, the words pulling us against the unspoken emotions hanging in the air. “Now that everything is done, and we have the documents, with Charles’s signature… all you have to do is sign, and the NGO is legally yours.” His jaw was clenched and his gaze distant. He tried to hold it together after Mother left, but I could see the cracks forming. This was just as hard for Richard as it was for me, maybe even harder. Mother had made her choice—time and time again, she chose Father, no matter the cost. Richard kept fighting for her, trying to pull her back from the edge, but she didn’t want to be saved. She never did. Sebastian broke the tension, his voice gentle as he gathered the papers. “She will, once she finds stability. Let’s go home, Daphne you need to rest.” He drew me away from a broken Claire. I turned to Richard, my voice firm with conviction despite the ache in my chest. “Thank you, Richard, for everything. I will see to it that Cha
Daphne’s POV “M…Mother?” I whispered, the word catching in my throat. The sight that greeted me was a brutal shock. She was disheveled, almost broken. Her lip was split and bleeding, a thin line of crimson tracing its path down her pale skin. Her face, usually vibrant and carefully made-up, was ashen, almost ghostly. “Wh…what’s going on? Why do you look like this?” I stammered, my throat tightening with fear and disbelief. I had expected to see my mother, but this ravaged, vulnerable woman was a stranger. She clutched a thick Manila folder to her chest, her knuckles white. Her eyes darted nervously between us, finally settling on Richard. “I don’t have much time,” she said, her voice was barely audible, very strained and thin. “These are the files. They belong to you. Only you can have full access. The name of the NGO is ‘Project Chilia.’ All the necessary details are inside.” She hurried on, her words tumbling out in a rush, “But I must warn you, everything still runs under you
Daphne’s POV The next day arrived with an unpleasant swiftness. The air in the house hung heavy, thick with unspoken anxieties. Our collective patience felt like a frayed rope, stretched to its breaking point. We sat in an uncomfortable silence at the breakfast table, the clinking of cutlery the only sound disturbing the quiet. Sebastian had made breakfast, but no one seemed to have much of an appetite. The doorbell rang, a sharp sound that shattered the tense atmosphere. Sebastian exchanged a quick, worried glance with me. "Wait here," he said cautiously, his voice low. I nodded, my anxiety spiking. Claire shifted in her seat, clearing her throat uncomfortably. I glanced at her, sensing she had something to say. But I was beyond conversation. The return to the forest had stirred something within me, a raw reminder of her past actions, how she had brutalized me, and her constant ridicule. Ever since I came back home, she made me feel unwelcome, telling me harsh words. Forgiveness
I snorted, listening to Sebastian recount his first impressions of me, a genuine laugh bubbling up from my chest.“I mean…why wouldn’t I be skeptical?” he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. “You gave me ample reasons. First, you trampled my shoes, and second, you bolted from the hospital like a bat out of hell.”“Oh, please,” I groaned, burying my face in a nearby pillow, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. “Don’t make me relive those days.”Sebastian chuckled a warm sound that resonated through the room. “I should’ve known you were anything but ordinary. You entered my life like a force of nature.” I peeked at him from beneath the pillow’s soft fabric. A genuine smile graced his features as he shook his head in amused disbelief.“I thought you hated me,” I mumbled, not entirely blaming him. My initial behavior hadn’t exactly been endearing.“Oh, Daphne,” he said softly, a hint of tenderness in his voice. “You definitely got on my nerves…but I have a small confession to make. Y
Daphne’s POV A chilling dread settled over me. “I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my world tilting on its axis. What could Richard possibly mean by saying I was the key? He gave a dry chuckle. “No one truly grasps the extent of Charles’s evil. Look at us,” he gestured to the group. “We all bear the scars of his influence, don’t we?” My gaze swept across Nate, Claire, and even Richard himself. Each of us carried a distinct torment, almost like a confirmation of Charles’s destructive power. “And here’s the kicker,” Richard continued, his voice laced with a bitter irony. “Mr. Calloway is the one who orchestrated your kidnapping, Daphne.” The name hit me like a physical blow. Mr. Callaway? One of my father’s business associates? The man who had… tried to….force himself on me last night? A wave of nausea surged through me. I retched, the contents of my stomach emptying onto the floor. Sebastian immediately wrapped his arms around me, his voice was like a soothing balm. “It’s al
THIRD PERSON POV FLASHBACK BEGINS The dogs barked wildly on a stormy night, their growls cutting through the eerie silence. The entire universe seemed cloaked in darkness, a heavy omen pressing down on the night. “I think something’s going on in the house. And from the sound of it, it’s bad,” Theo, the watchman, muttered to himself as he quickly sent a message to Richard. Richard, who had been restless all night, saw the notification and sat upright, his unease deepening. Richard had worked at the Sinclair residence for over a decade and knew every family secret. Though he didn’t have access to Charles’s numerous private dealings—something no one, not even Charles’s wife, possessed—he was privy to much more than anyone suspected. Richard was working as a double agent for a business associate of Charles, Mr. Calloway, who was also a trafficker. Calloway’s goal was to bring Charles down and seize his empire. Fueled by a thirst for vengeance, Richard had long buried any trace