I stood frozen for a second, my heart thumping. Did she just… do this on purpose? Was she trying to provoke me, to make me react?

I clenched my fists, “Are you insane? Do you get off hurting yourself by messing with me?”

Lillian looked at me, “Oh, Melissa… don’t you get it? I’m the one who matters to him now. You… you’re just background noise. Try and stop me if you can, but you won’t. You’ve already lost him.”

“You… you think this makes you strong? You’re pathetic. And he… he doesn’t even care.”

She laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. “He cares about what matters. And that’s me. Not you. Not your tears. Not your pain. You should’ve known that the moment you looked at him and thought you still had a chance. Watch me.” Then she screamed. “Melissa, don't hurt me!”

The office door slammed open and Christopher walked in like he owned the place, his eyes flicking between Lillian and me. “What the hell is going on here?”

Lillian stepped back, biting her lip, tears threatening to fall. “I… I’m sorry, Chris. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come here. Mrs. Bellingham must have misunderstood everything…” She glanced at me, scared, like I could snap at any moment.

He didn’t even look at her. He went straight for me and grabbed my hand. “Melissa… are you burned? Did she touch you?” His brow was furrowed so deep I thought it might crack.

“I didn’t splash her. It wasn’t me.”

Christopher’s jaw tightened, and then he let out a heavy sigh. “I told you before, the assistant could’ve delivered the documents. Get out!” He gestured at Lillian.

Lillian’s red eyes filled with that fake wronged look. “I… I was just trying to—”

“Get out!” he cut her off, louder this time. She hesitated, then finally turned and left without another word.

He turned back to me, still holding my hand, his voice softer but tense. “Melissa… I didn’t expect her to be this reckless. It won’t happen again, I promise.”

I stared at him, my chest tight. “And you… what about trusting me? You always leave me to deal with this crap alone.”

His lips pressed together, then he smiled, almost helplessly. “I love you, okay? I would never do anything to betray you. But you… you need to trust me more. Don’t go hurting people over nothing. Innocent people. You get that?”

I pulled my hand away, frowning. “I didn’t hurt her.” “Fine. If you say no, then no. Jesus, Melissa.” He glanced at his watch, impatience flashing. “I’ve got a meeting. Go home, rest. I’ll come back early tonight. I’ll keep you company.”

And just like that, he left without waiting for me to respond.

I stood there, frozen, then found myself following him, my legs moving on their own. He walked fast, catching up to Lillian before I could say anything. She threw herself at him like she owned him. “Chris, I’m sorry, I’ve been careful, really. Every time I come here, I disguise myself like a thief…”

His hands on her shoulders, voice low and dangerous. “Don’t cry. I’ll clear your name for what happened back then. You don’t need to hide anymore.”

Her lips trembled, and she whispered, “I just… I don’t want to sneak around anymore, not in my last moments…”

His eyes darkened, and for a second I thought he might crush her in that grip of his. “I said don’t cry. You’re done hiding. Done.”

I felt bile rise in my throat and turned away before I said something I’d regret. Back home, I checked my phone. My immigration application would be done in a few days. Finally.

I started packing, sorting through my things, throwing out what didn’t matter, keeping only the documents, clothes, and the gift box I’d prepared.

The moment Christopher opened the door, I could feel him stiffen. He paused, like he knew immediately something was wrong.

The room felt emptier than before, a lot of the decorations were gone, and a corner of the wardrobe was completely bare. Christopher’s voice broke the silence, low and uneasy, “Melissa, why are so many things missing?”

I didn’t even look up. “It’s old, we’re getting new stuff.”

His eyes fell on the gift box on the table. “And what’s this?”

“I made a little surprise for you. You can only open it in a few days.”

He hesitated a moment, then nodded without pressing further. After a pause he said, “There’s a family dinner tonight. Melissa, you… come back to the old house with me.”

I looked up at him and saw that look in his eyes. There was no way I could refuse. I just nodded and got into the car.

The old Bellingham house was bright, too bright, and too loud. I followed him into the living room and froze. His parents were there, Lillian’s parents, and Lillian was holding her daughter, laughing, teasing the little girl like she owned her. They looked so… happy, so normal.

I slowly turned to Christopher. “What… what does all this mean?”

He took my hand and his face softened a little. “Melissa, we looked into everything. You… misunderstood Lillian. You thought she was after you, but she wasn’t. I know you acted because you love me too much. I don’t blame you, okay?”

I blinked at him, my voice shaky. “Misunderstood? Christopher… are you seriously telling me I would try to hurt her, frame her?”

Before he could answer, his mother slammed her hand on the table. “Still arguing? Get over here and kneel down! You need to be taught a lesson today!”

Christopher stepped in front of me, frowning. “Mom, we agreed an apology was enough, didn’t we?”

I shook off his hand. “I did nothing wrong. Why the hell should I apologize?”

Lillian, clutching her daughter, couldn’t hold back anymore. Her eyes were red and wet. “Sister Melissa, you know what happened back then. So many years have passed, why won’t you just let me go?”

Lillian’s mother lunged forward, ignoring Christopher, and slapped me hard across the face. “You bitch! You framed my daughter, and now you still deny it? Lowly people like you are born liars!”

I staggered back, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth. My eyes swept over everyone before locking on Christopher. “You… you don’t believe me either?”

He looked away, his jaw tight, but his father’s voice mentioned family discipline, and Christopher stepped in front of me instinctively.

Then his mother snapped at him, voice sharp and venomous. “Christopher! How long are you going to protect her? Melissa hurt Lillian for years. She even made her sick, and still she ignores her own health to give birth to you!”

“Mom! Stop!” Christopher shouted, panic and frustration in his voice as he turned to me, helplessness flashing in his eyes. “Melissa… I can’t let you make the same mistake again.”

He stepped aside, and two servants grabbed me, forcing me to my knees.

“Christopher… you’re letting them do this?”

The first hit slammed into my back.

I gasped, feeling the sharp sting as my clothes tore. I bit my lip so hard it hurt. “I didn’t… I really didn’t.”

The second blow landed before I could catch my breath and warm blood seeped down my spine. My vision blurred and my ears were ringing, but I kept shaking my head. Everyone around me looked so cold, so indifferent, I couldn’t even open my mouth to protest.

The hits kept coming, harder and heavier, and I clenched my teeth, refusing to say I’d done anything wrong. When the last strike hit, I finally couldn’t fight anymore. Darkness swallowed me and I felt myself go completely limp. I thought I heard Christopher shouting my name, his voice urgent, desperate, but it faded into nothing.

...

When I woke again, the hospital lights were harsh and the window outside was dark. Moving my fingers sent sharp pain ripping up my back and I groaned.

“Melissa!” Christopher’s voice was right beside me, tight with panic.

I barely turned my head. He bent down, grabbing my hand like it would steady me. “Fuck, you’re awake. How the hell are you feeling? Does it hurt that much? Talk to me!”

I pulled my hand back slowly, silent.

“Why are you so stubborn?” His voice softened, edged with frustration. “One word, one tiny admission, and we could have ended all this. Why do you have to be so stubborn and make me feel like I’m fighting against a goddamn wall?”

“I didn’t frame her…”

His expression froze, disappointment cutting through him. “Melissa… I won’t blame you. But you can’t keep acting like you don’t give a damn. You can’t keep being so unrepentant.”

I closed my eyes and said nothing. I knew he wouldn’t believe me anyway.

He stayed a moment, watching, before finally sighing and leaving the room. I didn’t see him again for the rest of my stay. Every day I stared at the clouds outside, barely noticing the nurses when they changed my dressings. I wanted to ask for help but my voice always caught in my throat.

...

When the doctor finally said I could go home, I packed my small bag and stepped into the cold early autumn air. Pulling my coat tighter, I started to flag a taxi.

Then a hand clamped over my mouth, a sharp chemical smell filling my nose. I struggled, but my limbs felt heavy, my vision swimming.

When I woke again, I was hanging, wrists raw from the ropes. My head throbbed as I blinked and saw Lillian across from me, tied up too, holding her daughter who was wailing.

“Woke up, huh?” A masked man’s voice came, grating and loud. “I’ll follow orders. Remember the last payment, okay?”

Before I could even speak, the warehouse doors slammed open. Christopher stormed in, face pale, fury sharp. “Put them down! I don’t care how much you want! Just drop them now!”

The kidnapper shook his head, smirking. “Nope. Money won’t work. Employer says he doesn’t want cash. He wants a choice.”

Lillian’s tears fell freely. “Melissa… why did you do this? Tying me up is one thing, but the baby? Why hurt her?”

I shook my head, voice cracking, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t—”

Christopher’s gaze cut to the air cushions they’d carefully set under me, his jaw tight and eyes cold as ice. “Melissa, stop messing around. Tell them to stop. Now. I mean it. Stop this shit.”

The kidnapper waved that stupid knife like he was god, his voice sharp: “Hurry the fuck up and choose or I’ll start cutting ropes wherever I want.”

“No!” Lillian shook her head, tears falling fast. “Sister Melissa, please, just let them put the baby down. It doesn’t matter what happens to me. I’m not afraid, but please, she’s just a kid.”

I wanted to tell her it wasn’t my choice, that I wasn’t doing this to her, but I couldn’t get a word out before the bastard barked again: “Choose, now! Or it’s her life and the kid’s.”

Christopher’s voice tore through the chaos, raw and angry: “Melissa! Stop messing with them! I don’t care what you’re trying to prove! I fucking love you, and you don’t have to keep doing this! Don’t hurt the kid!”

“I didn’t—” I tried to shout, my throat tight, my chest aching, but the knife pressed against Lillian’s rope, and the kidnapper’s hand shook impatiently.

“I choose Lillian and the baby!” Christopher yelled, furious and desperate. “Put them the fuck down!”

The rope fell and Lillian collapsed into his arms, sobbing and shaking, murmuring, “Chris, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean—”

Christopher held her tight, muttering, “Shh, I’ve got you. It’s okay, it’s over. You’re safe now, both of you.”

I barely breathed, watching him, hoping for something, anything. “You… you’re leaving me?” I whispered, voice trembling, but he didn’t even glance at me.

He sighed, muttering, “Melissa, I’m not chasing you today, but this better be the last time you pull this shit.” He rubbed his temples and put his arm around Lillian. Then he walked off, not noticing the bastard hadn’t finished with me.

The kidnapper grinned like he’d won a prize. “Such a gift, Miss Davenport, so generous of you.”

I felt the rope snap beneath me before I could even react. Pain exploded through my body, every bone screaming. I screamed too, my voice cracking, but the bastard was gone and the warehouse was silent except for the car engine fading in the distance.

When I woke, the cold hit first. My whole body felt broken. My hands shook as I tested them, every movement sending fire through my muscles. I tried to crawl, my legs barely moving. Somehow, my phone was still in my pocket.

I unlocked it, hands trembling. There it was. A message from Christopher, sent hours ago. Melissa, let’s both calm down for a while.

And then… the immigration confirmation. My application was approved. My hands shook as I read it over and over. I could leave, finally leave this nightmare.

I booked the next flight without thinking. Back home, I grabbed my luggage, already packed. This “home,” that place full of lies and fake smiles, meant nothing anymore. Christopher had posted pictures of our two families eating together on Instagram Stories. I stared at the photo, my lips twitching with bitter humor.

I sent him a message. I typed, I’ve prepared a surprise for you. You can open it when you get home.

Then I pulled out the SIM card, snapped it in half, and threw it in the trash. I looked once at the gift box on the table, neat and meaningless, and walked out.

No looking back. No more pretending. Finally, I could take a breath, and maybe, just maybe, start living for me.