Despite the smile on his face, that sentence alone produced a certain edge to his voice. “Oh, those rumors!” I placed my hands on my cheeks, hoping my cool hands would thaw them somewhat. Alex was still towering over me, closer than before. “Yeah, don’t pay any attention to those.” He laughed. “Oh
He laughed again, only a little less genuinely. "Oh, you don't owe me anything? We both know that's not true.” My mind began to race. "I'm not giving you a cent, Bruce. Leave me alone," I stated, my voice unwavering. "Oh, you will, Coco. If you don't give me what I want, I'll make sure everyone kn
Bruce walked closer, a wicked smirk on his face as he greeted me with false pleasantries. "Well, well, look who decided to show up. How have you been, Coco?" My jaw clenched as my anger simmered just below the surface. I had hoped to avoid any unnecessary small talk, but I couldn't ignore the taunt
My eyes fluttered open, and my head throbbed with a dull ache. Though body was heavy with exhaustion, it felt like I was being restricted in movement. I blinked and my eyes darted around at the space around me. The room was larger than expected. It appeared to be a barn shed, which exuded an aura o
I felt the gnawing ache in my stomach as I sat in the dimly lit shed, weak from hunger. I returned to cutting at the rope, but my movements were less methodical and more robotic as I grew tired. It looked like midday, but I wasn’t sure if that was a whole day that had passed by, or perhaps more tha
“But anyway,” he switched the conversation, looking satisfied that he’d drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he said he’d be here promptly to ‘bash my head in’.” He made air quotes around that last part, but I could hear the tension in his voice. He stood up and dusted off his pants before
The air in the shed grew thick with tension as Bruce hovered over Timothy, his knife dripping with blood. Timothy was sprawled on the ground, his injured shoulder clutched in his hand. “Oh, God!” I screamed, though it was muffled through the tape. Bruce's face contorted with a mix of anger and des
Timothy took the knife at my feet and began working on the ropes. Within a few cuts, I was freed. I felt compelled to reach out and touch his hand, my thumbs ghosting over his marred skin. "Thank you," I whispered. Timothy's shoulders relaxed slightly as he closed his hands around mine. "I won't l