22. Lena

22

LENA

Six months later…

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, trying to ignore the bruises hidden beneath my long-sleeved graduation gown. The beautiful bird pendant I know Talon left me sits around my neck. I never take it off.

Just one week ago, Mr. Wilson had beaten me for incorrectly sorting the trash, his drunken rage leaving its marks on my body.

I take a deep breath, focusing on the day ahead. I’ve worked hard for this moment, studying relentlessly and honing my coding skills. The full-ride scholarship to MIT is a testament to my dedication and natural talent. It means I get to leave this place. Unfortunately, David got into Boston University, meaning we’re practically going to college together. And Mrs. Wilson has forced me to room with him at his apartment the Collins bought him.

The Wilsons practically blackmailed me into accepting him as my fiancé. They said if I didn’t agree to marry David, they’d reveal the truth about Talon and me.

And while I’m not ashamed of what happened between us, most people would find it disgusting. They even threatened to tell MIT that I’d been fucking my brother to get me kicked out.

David’s motivations, on the other hand, appear to be ego-driven. My constant refusal of his advances has only fueled his determination to have me. It’s as if the challenge of breaking down my walls and bending me to his will has become an obsession for him, a twisted game that feeds his ego and makes him determined to make me his wife.

As I go downstairs, the Wilsons greet me with false smiles and empty praise. Mrs. Wilson fusses over my hair and gown while Mr. Wilson claps me on the shoulder, his grip a little too tight. I fight the urge to flinch, knowing that any sign of weakness will only fuel his cruelty.

“We’re so proud of you, Lena,” Mrs. Wilson gushes, her eyes shining with manufactured tears. “You’ve come so far.” I hate how false she is. But the moment she realized how good a pupil I was, she always latched onto the hope I’d be a big achiever. It almost made me want to be shit at school to spite her, but I knew my only way out of this kind of life was to excel and get myself out. No one else would help me.

I force a smile, nodding along to their hollow words. She acts as if she’s had a hand in my success, conveniently forgetting the years of neglect and abuse I’ve endured under her roof. And it’s all for appearances. She likes to brag about me to her friends.

As we pose for photos, I can’t help but think of Talon. His absence is a constant ache in my chest, a reminder of the one person who truly understood me. The man who took my virginity and then left like it meant nothing, and yet, I wonder where he is now… if he’s found the freedom he so desperately craved.

The graduation ceremony passes in a blur of speeches and applause. As I cross the stage to accept my diploma, I glimpse a familiar figure in the shadows. My heart skips a beat, but when I blink, he’s gone.

Later, as I’m getting undressed for bed, I find a small, handwritten note on my pillow. The words are simple, but they fill me with a sense of warmth and longing:

“I’m proud of you, princess. Keep shining. - T”

I clutch the note to my chest, a tear sliding down my cheek. Talon may be gone, but his presence lingers. I have no idea how he got in here to leave the note. But I wish he’d come and see me. Speak to me. Anything.

I stiffen at a knock on my door and turn to see David let himself in. His eyes roam over my body, and I instinctively pull my cardigan tighter around myself.

“What do you want, David?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

He steps closer, invading my personal space. “I just wanted to see my beautiful girl before the big move,” he says, his tone dripping with false affection.

I back away, but he follows, his movements predatory. “I’m busy packing. Please leave.”

David’s expression hardens, and he grabs my arm, yanking me towards him. “Don’t be like that, Lena. We’re going to be together forever. You should be grateful.”

I struggle against his grip, fear spiking through me. “Let go of me! You’re hurting me.”

His hold only tightens, and he pulls me flush against him. “That’s no way to talk to your future husband.” His free hand trails down my side, and I shudder in revulsion.

Panic rises within me, and I cry out, “Stop! Get off me!”

David clamps a hand over my mouth, silencing my pleas. "Shh, it's okay, Lena. I’m just showing you how much I love you.”

Tears stream down my face as he forces me onto the bed, using his body to pin me down. I try to fight him off, but he’s too strong. The realization that I’m truly alone in this hits me hard.

I kick and scratch, desperately trying to break David’s vise-like grip. He leers at me, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of lust and anger. As he moves to tear my blouse, my heart hammers in my chest. I know what’s coming next, and I’m terrified.

Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Jamie strides into the room. “Get the hell out, David!” he barks.

David freezes, his hands still wrapped around my wrists. He looks like he might refuse for a moment, but then he seems to think better of it. With a final, venomous glare in my direction, he releases me and straightens his clothes.

“Go on, get out!” Jamie repeats, his stance threatening.

David’s face twists with annoyance. With one last look at me, he stalks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“Are you okay?” Jamie’s voice is gentle as he approaches me. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

I nod. “I-I’m fine, though. Thank you, Jamie.”

Jamie’s eyes flicker with concern. “You sure? He didn’t... you know...”

“No,” I whisper, feeling relieved that Jamie arrived when he did. “I’m okay. Really.”

“You’ve had it rough, Lena. I’m sorry. First Talon, then my dad.” He shakes his head, anger, and shame written over his face. “And now that scumbag David.”

My jaw clenches. “What do you mean by first, Talon?”

He tilts his head. “Well, my parents mentioned that they caught him forcing himself on you?—”

“That’s a lie,” I hiss, shaking my head. “I was more than willing with him. I loved him.”

Jamie’s eyes widen. “Motherfuckers,” he mutters, shaking his head. “I need to get the fuck out of here and soon. With you leaving, I can’t stand being around their lies.” He gives me a sad look. “I’m sorry for all of this, Lena. Just be careful around David. He’s a piece of work.”

I grip the edge of my bed, trying to steady my shaking hands. “I don’t know how I will be careful when forced to live with him in Boston.” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

Jamie’s expression darkens. “They shouldn’t force you to live with him.” His voice is tight with barely contained anger. “I’ve tried talking some sense into my mom, but she’s got this warped idea that you and him will make the perfect couple. And, of course, his family is rich as sin. My mom will brag about it to all her book club friends.”

Of course, that’s all this is to Mrs. Wilson—a means to an end, a way to claw her way into the upper echelons of society and brag about it. My well-being and happiness have never factored into her decisions and never will.

“I just...” Jamie runs a hand through his hair, his expression pained. “I wish there was something I could do to help you. You don’t deserve this.”

His words strike a chord deep within me, and I blink back tears. In all my years under this roof, Jamie is the only Wilson to show me a shred of kindness or basic human decency. He may have a rough exterior, but there’s a gentle soul beneath it all.

“Thank you, Jamie,” I whisper, offering him a tremulous smile.

He shifts uncomfortably as if unused to such open displays of emotion. But then he meets my gaze, his eyes filled with a fierce determination. “I promise, Lena. If that bastard hurts you, I’ll make him regret the day he was born.”

I nod, knowing Jamie isn’t one for empty threats. Despite his flaws, he has grown into a man with a strong moral compass and a deep-seated need to protect those he cares about—a miracle considering who his parents are. And for some reason, he seems to have taken me under his wing ever since Talon left.

As he turns to leave, I call out to him. “Jamie?”

He pauses, glancing back at me.

“Thank you,” I repeat.

A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips. “Don’t mention it. Just... stay strong, okay?”

With that, he’s gone, leaving me with my thoughts and a glimmer of hope that I’m not as alone as I feared.