25. Lena

25

LENA

M y frustration mounts each second while I stare at my mugs in disbelief. They’ve been moved again, rearranged in a way that makes no sense. This is the third time this week, and I’m increasingly annoyed.

“David!” I call out, my voice sharp. “Did you move my mugs around?”

There’s a pause, and his voice drifts from the living room. “No, why would I do that?”

I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to hurl one of the offending mugs across the room. He’s lying, I’m sure of it. Ever since I moved in with him, little things have been going missing or getting shifted around. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but now it’s becoming a pattern.

“Well, someone’s been messing with my stuff.” I slam the cupboard door shut. “And I’m getting really tired of it.”

Footsteps approach, and David appears in the doorway, his expression a mixture of annoyance and condescension. “Relax, Lena. Maybe you’re just forgetting where you put things.”

I whirl on him, my eyes narrowing. “I’m not forgetting anything. This is your doing, isn’t it? Some sort of power trip?”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “You’re being paranoid. Why would I waste my time moving your stupid mugs around?”

“I don’t know, David. Because you get some sort of sick pleasure from messing with me.” I step closer, my voice low and challenging. “Or because you can’t stand the fact that I’m not some submissive little plaything for you to control.”

His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I see a flicker of rage in his eyes. But then it’s gone, replaced by a sickly sweet smile that makes my skin crawl.

“You’re right, Lena,” he says. “I’m just trying to keep you on your toes. You know how forgetful you can be.”

I open my mouth to retort, but he’s already turning away, sauntering back into the living room. I’m left standing there, my hands clenched into fists, my heart pounding with anger and frustration.

I know he’s lying. I know he’s messing with my things, trying to assert some twisted dominance over me. But what can I do? He’s always been able to wrap my foster parents around his finger, and they’ll never believe me over him.

As I glare at the mugs, a strange feeling washes over me. A sense of being watched, eyes boring into the back of my skull. I whirl around, half-expecting to see David lurking in the doorway.

But there’s no one there. Just an eerie silence that sends a shiver down my spine.

My eyes stare back at me through the mirror, dull and lifeless. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life like this, trapped in a loveless relationship with a man who sees me as nothing more than a warm body to satisfy his urges. Not that I’ve let him get that far yet, but I know it’s only a matter of time until he snaps and fucks me. The thought makes my stomach churn, bile rising in my throat.

But then I remember MIT, the shining beacon of hope in my otherwise bleak existence. I feel alive again when surrounded by like-minded individuals who share my passion for learning. I’ve even made a few friends. People who see me for who I am, not just as David’s possession.

Rachel, my lab partner, has become a confidante of sorts. She’s the only one who knows the truth about my situation, the only one I can talk to without fear of judgment or pity. She’s been there for me, offering a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear whenever I need it.

And then there’s Alex, the quiet, unassuming guy who sits next to me in my coding class. He’s always been kind to me, offering a smile or a word of encouragement when I’m feeling down. I’ve caught him looking at me a few times, his gaze lingering just a little too long, but he always looks away before I can meet his eyes.

I wonder what it would be like to be with someone nice like him who likes me. To be honest, I can’t imagine being with anyone by choice other than Talon. My heart still remains firmly in his hand, but where is he?

After a moment of reflection, reality comes crashing down, and I remember who I am, where I am. I’m stuck with David until I graduate from MIT, as Mrs. Wilson has assured me she’ll find a way to get me kicked out if I don’t play ball. Not to mention, they do supply me with a small amount of money each month for things like food and other necessities that my scholarship doesn’t cover.I could get a job, but my course workload will be intense.

I grab my bag and head for the door, calling out to David over my shoulder. “I’m heading to class. Don’t wait up tonight, I’m going out with Rachel and her friends.”

David’s head snaps up from where he’s sprawled on the couch, his eyes narrowing. “What? You’re not going anywhere without me.”

I pause, my hand on the doorknob, and turn to face him. “It’s a girls’ night out, David. No guys allowed.”

He scoffs, pushing himself up to a sitting position. “I don’t care what it is. You’re not going out without me.”

I can feel my temper rising, my grip tightening on the strap of my bag. “I’m not asking for your permission, David. I’m telling you what I’m doing.”

He’s on his feet now, his face twisting into an ugly sneer. “You don’t get to make decisions like that, Lena. I’m the one in charge here.”

I release a harsh laugh. “In charge? Of what, exactly? My life? My choices? I don’t think so.”

He takes a step towards me, his fists clenching at his sides. “Don’t test me, Lena. You know what happens when you disobey me.”

For a moment, I feel a flicker of fear at his tone. But then I think of Rachel and her friends, the freedom and laughter awaiting me outside these walls.

I straighten my spine, meeting his gaze head-on. “I’m going out, David. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

With that, I turn on my heel and march out the door, slamming it behind me. I half-expect him to come storming after me, to drag me back inside and make me pay for my defiance. But there’s no sign of him as I hurry down the stairs and into the cool night air.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I can’t believe I just did that, that I finally stood up to him after all this time. It feels exhilarating, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

As I make my way towards the campus, I feel uneasy. It still feels like there are eyes on me, watching my every move. I glance over my shoulder, but there’s no one there, just the empty street and the distant sound of traffic.

I shake off the feeling, telling myself it’s just my imagination. I’m just paranoid.

A nagging sense of unease persists as I turn the corner and approach the bus stop.

I quicken my pace, my heart hammering in my chest. I can see the bus stop up ahead, the bright lights of the campus beyond. In just a few more steps, I’ll be safe, surrounded by people, noise, and life.

I hurry onto the bus, my heart racing from the confrontation with David. As I sink into a seat near the back, I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm my frayed nerves.

But even as the bus pulls away from the curb, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that’s been following me since I left the apartment.

I glance out the window, my gaze scanning the street outside. At first, I don’t see anything unusual—just the usual mix of pedestrians and traffic, the city’s bright lights blurring together as we speed by.

But then I see him. A dark figure standing to one side of the bus stop, his face obscured by the hood of his jacket. He’s not moving, not even seeming to breathe, just standing there like a statue, his eyes fixed on the bus.

A chill runs down my spine, and I feel a sudden rush of fear, like a cold hand wrapping around my heart. Who is he? What does he want with me?

I try to get a better look at his face, but the bus is moving too fast, and the figure is soon lost in the darkness behind us. I sink back into my seat, my mind racing with possibilities.

Could it be David following me, trying to keep tabs on me even when I’m not with him? Or is it someone else, someone I don’t know, someone with even darker intentions?

I push the thoughts away. I’m being paranoid, I tell myself. It’s just some random guy, probably waiting for the next bus, nothing to worry about.

But even as I try to convince myself, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Someone is watching me, waiting for the right moment to strike.

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold despite the warmth of the bus. I try to focus on the journey ahead, on the night of fun and freedom that awaits me with Rachel and her friends.

But even as I close my eyes and try to relax, I can’t escape the feeling of dread settling in my stomach. Like a storm is coming, and I’m caught in the middle with no way out.