Chapter 3

When they were finally satisfied, Fred stood up and left the room. “Anyone else want to check the merchandise?” he called out, opening the door as three other men entered, their faces more ruthless and brutal than Fred and Tony.

“Fresh goods, I just unwrapped it,” Fred sneered. Elise felt her body and soul shatter.

But she no longer screamed. She was utterly drained of strength and tears, lying there, waiting for the nightmare to end, hoping that one day, she could escape this hell on earth.

Every time she closed her eyes, the memories would flood back like a violent storm—the images of them, their taunting voices, and the feeling of being trapped in indescribable pain. Elise knew she could never escape the whirlpool of her past, no matter how hard she tried.

Now, she no longer faced monsters like Tony and Fred, no longer forced to entertain dozens of men from all walks of life every day. Lucas, in some ways, was kinder than the others—he would take care of her after each VIP guest. She had thought she loved Lucas, but then she realized he only saw her as a valuable commodity, and one day, when her beauty faded, he would discard her too.

Elise wondered if, during that winter break, she had stayed at school with Daniel instead of going home, perhaps now she would be the one engaged to him. A deep sense of regret mingled with a swelling loss in her chest, causing her heart to ache.

Elise stood before the mirror, her eyes grazing over her reflection. Today, she chose a discreet yet elegant green dress adorned with crystals. She wanted to attend Daniel and Sophie’s engagement party—her first time in seven years and her last, as she would sever all lingering ties with Daniel.

Elise entered the party with a regal air, the sparkling green dress clinging to her body, accentuating her alluring curves. Her striking beauty captivated the guests. Some recognized her as a famous actress, whispering with admiration.

The room glowed with light, laughter echoing all around. But for her, everything was a blur; she had only one goal: to see Daniel again.

She didn’t have to search long. Daniel stood in the center of the room, wrapped in Sophie’s arms, her former best friend. Sophie looked radiant, a smile lighting up her face as she gazed at Daniel with eyes full of love. Elise felt as though a knife had pierced her heart, but she maintained her smile, stepping closer.

“Elise!” Sophie was the first to notice her, her voice filled with joy and surprise. “I didn’t expect you to come, what a surprise!”

Elise nodded, struggling to keep her voice steady. “I couldn’t miss your big day.” She smiled, but the smile couldn’t hide the unease in her eyes.

Daniel turned around, his gaze freezing when he saw Elise. The girl he once loved, who had vanished without a trace seven years ago, now stood before him at his engagement party. Emotions surged within him—pain, shock, and disbelief blending into a powerful wave.

“Elise...” Daniel whispered, his voice choked, “It’s been a long time.”

Her heart tightened as she looked at him, dressed in a sleek black suit that highlighted his tall frame and rugged charm. Daniel had become a stronger, more attractive man, but that only made her sorrow deepen.

“Yes,” Elise replied, looking deep into Daniel’s brown eyes, filled with memories. “It’s been seven years.” In that moment, she felt as though he was the prince in a fairy tale, except the princess in the story was not her.

After the ceremony, as the guests began to leave, Daniel sought out Elise. He followed her, feeling his heart race as he drew closer.

“Elise, wait!” His voice was urgent, and before she could respond, Daniel had pulled her into a quiet hotel room, away from prying eyes.

“Elise, it’s me…” Daniel whispered in her ear, his voice laced with pain and reproach. “You really disappeared without a single word of explanation.”

Elise felt frozen in place at his proximity. “I searched for you everywhere,” Daniel continued, his eyes brimming with unmasked sorrow. “I don’t understand. Why did you leave me like that?”

Elise lowered her head, guilt washing over her. “Daniel, I’m sorry,” she said softly, her voice trembling. Her eyes welled up, but she fought to keep the tears at bay. “So much has happened.”

Unable to hold back, Daniel stepped closer, pulling her into his arms. “Elise, you could have asked me for help. Why did you vanish like that?” His voice was filled with a desperate mix of pleading, helplessness, and love.

Elise couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze, knowing the truth would only hurt him more. She whispered, her voice fading into the air, “Please, understand me.”

She gently pushed Daniel away, trying to maintain some distance, but his closeness made it nearly impossible to suppress her emotions. Daniel tenderly placed a hand on her cheek, his eyes warm and gentle, as if trying to soothe the pain she carried. She felt herself weakening, unable to resist falling back into his embrace.

A heavy silence settled between them, laden with words left unsaid. After years of separation, his presence was both achingly familiar and painfully distant. Finally, Daniel broke the tense atmosphere with a sigh.

“Elise, I couldn’t forget you,” he said, his voice soft, carrying the weight of years of longing. “I searched for you for five years. When I saw you on TV, I was so relieved to know you were safe. I reached out to your company, but you never responded.”

Elise could feel the anguish in his words, but she knew she had to keep the truth hidden. “The management company is very strict; I’m not allowed to contact people freely…”

Before she could finish, Daniel silenced her with a kiss, as though he had been waiting for this moment for an eternity. Elise felt her heart shatter in his arms. Their first kiss after seven long years was gentle, but the tenderness quickly gave way to a fierce intensity, like a fire ignited by long-suppressed desires. Daniel held her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again if he let go.