Chapter 2

Elise’s heart tightened as she stared at the image. Memories of happier days from the past suddenly flooded back.

The freshman welcome ceremony at the prestigious Eldridge School was held with great formality. The auditorium was filled with young faces, brimming with hope. Daniel, the Student Council President, stood on stage, confidently and charismatically leading the event.

Meanwhile, Elise felt out of place among the unfamiliar crowd. She was trying to find her way back to the dormitory when a group of well-dressed male students blocked her path. They approached her with sly smiles and roving eyes.

"Why don’t you stay and hang out with us, little freshman?" One of them grabbed her arm.

Elise tried to pull her hand away, her voice trembling but firm:

"Sorry, I need to get back."

"Don’t be in such a hurry," another chimed in, extending his hand as if to touch her.

"Why don’t you give us your number?"

Elise shook her head, stepping back, her heart racing. "I don’t have a phone."

"Don’t play hard to get," the leader of the group said, his voice sweet but carrying an underlying threat.

"We just want to be friends."

They cornered her against a secluded wall, smirking all the while. Just then, a deep, strong voice came from behind them:

"Hey Ryan, leave her alone.”

The group turned to face Daniel, a law student with a tall, imposing figure and an irresistible charisma. His eyes were sharp, full of resolve.

"None of your business, get lost, Daniel," the leader sneered.

"I think it is my business," Daniel replied, stepping forward, creating an atmosphere of tension.

"She said no, and you’ll be reported to the school for harassment."

The group of male students exchanged uneasy glances, gradually backing off, unwilling to mess with Daniel.

“Let’s not get involved with him, Ryan, Daniel is trouble,” one of them muttered.

"Alright, let’s go," the leader reluctantly said, and the group slowly dispersed.

Elise sighed in relief, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at Daniel.

"Thank you."

Daniel smiled as he approached her, his eyes softening.

"It’s nothing. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I’m fine," Elise replied, her heart still racing—not just from fear, but from the sense of safety and anticipation that Daniel’s presence brought.

"They’re having a welcome party for the freshmen inside, why are you out here?" Daniel asked, his expression showing genuine concern.

Elise hesitated a moment, "It was too noisy in there. I just wanted to go back to the dorm."

Daniel smiled warmly. "It’s pretty dark on the way there; let me walk you back."

From that day on, Daniel and Elise grew closer. She was drawn to his intelligence and enthusiasm in everything he did. Daniel was captivated by Elise’s pure beauty and her gentle nature. He admired the way she smiled, her passion for fashion, and her determination to overcome every obstacle. Their conversations became more frequent, and with each meeting, the bond between them deepened.

Those beautiful times quickly passed as winter break arrived, and she returned home. Elise clutched her phone tightly in her hand, feeling a deep sadness and longing. She shuddered as she recalled the small house where she grew up, a place that never gave her the warmth and safety she felt when she was with Daniel.

"Crash!" The sound of glass shattering echoed as her father threw it against the wall in a drunken rage.

"You’ll pay off my debt!" he roared, his eyes bloodshot from the alcohol. "I don’t care how you do it!"

Elise shrank back, trying to avoid his furious gaze. But she had no other choice; she couldn’t escape the shadow of a father drowning in debt and alcohol.

That night, two rough and brutish men, Fred and Tony, entered Elise’s home. Their eyes were full of lust as they scanned her body like she was just another item for sale.

“This girl will fetch a good price,” Tony smirked, pulling out a wad of cash and shoving it toward Elise’s father. “Here’s the money. Count it, and get lost.”

“It’s enough, it’s enough,” her father hastily counted the money, his eyes gleaming with greed. Elise looked at him, her heart feeling like it was being crushed.

“Dad!” she cried out, but he didn’t even turn around.

Fred shoved a piece of paper in front of Elise, forcing her to sign. “Sign it,” he commanded, his voice cold and menacing. “If you don’t, neither you nor your old man will have peace.”

Elise shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I won’t sign!” she protested, but Fred and Tony quickly restrained her, forcing her to hold the pen. Her hand trembled, but under the immense pressure, she reluctantly signed the paper that would seal her fate. From that moment, her life would never be the same.

“Let’s go,” Fred sneered, dragging her out of the house without an ounce of pity. They took her to a luxurious mansion, isolated from the city, where the real nightmare began.

The room was dark and cold, the dim lights only enough to illuminate the vicious expressions on their faces. Fred was the first to pounce on her, like a wild animal. Elise tried to resist, pushing him away, but she was far too weak compared to him. “Don’t touch me!” she screamed, but her cry was choked by fear and despair.

“Shut up, you little bitch,” Fred growled, pinning her down on the bed. “You’ll have to get used to this.”

He began to assault her, each thrust brutal and merciless. Elise bit her lip, the pain and humiliation spreading through her entire body. “Ease up, you’ll tear her,” Tony grumbled, but Fred continued without a shred of compassion.

“She’ll heal soon enough,” Fred replied, his voice cold and detached. When he saw blood, he smirked. “She’s still a virgin. It’s her first time.”

Fred and Tony’s savage laughter echoed in her ears, but Elise could no longer feel anything. She only shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the horrific memories that were slowly beginning to take shape.