Revenge In His Bed Free Preview

“Claire, you’re married now.”

The words hit me like a slap across the face. I stared at my mother in disbelief, certain I had misheard. “I’m… what?”

“You heard me,” Mom said, her voice calm, as though this was a normal conversation.

“What do you mean I’m married? To whom? When?!” My voice rose with each question.

“To Nathan Shaw,” my father cut in, his tone firm. “The CEO of CDI Tech. It’s all arranged. He’s a wealthy, successful man, and he’s on his way to pick you up.”

My legs felt like jelly, and I sank into the nearest chair. “This is insane! You married me off without even telling me? What kind of parents do this to their child?”

“Watch your tone,” Dad snapped, his eyes narrowing. “We’ve done what’s best for you. Nathan is a good man. You’ll be well taken care of.”

“I don’t care if he’s a saint!” I shouted, tears stinging my eyes. “This is my life! How could you make this decision without me?”

“Enough, Claire,” Dad barked, slamming his hand on the table. “Go upstairs, pack your things, and get ready. You’re leaving with him today.”

“I’m not going anywhere!” I screamed, my voice shaking. “You can’t force me to do this!”

“You will do as you’re told!” Dad’s voice thundered, making me flinch. “This is not up for debate.”

I looked at Mom, hoping she’d defend me, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes. Instead, she said softly, “Claire, please. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

Harder? I felt like my entire world was crumbling, and they wanted me to calmly pack my bags?

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, this isn’t happening.”

“Go to your room, Claire,” Dad ordered. “Now.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stumbled upstairs. Every step felt heavy, like I was walking to my own execution.

I threw open my closet, yanking clothes off their hangers and tossing them onto my bed. My hands trembled as I stuffed them into a suitcase. “This isn’t fair,” I mumbled to myself, my voice breaking. “This isn’t fair.”

When I was done, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the packed suitcase. Maybe if I refused to leave, Nathan would change his mind. Maybe he wouldn’t want a wife who didn’t want him.

But before I could entertain the thought, my mom called from downstairs. “Claire! He’s here. Bring your bags.”

I froze. “He’s… here?”

“Yes! Don’t keep him waiting!”

My heart pounded as I grabbed my suitcase and made my way downstairs. Mom and Dad were standing by the door, looking calm and satisfied, as if they’d just wrapped up a successful business deal.

At the gate, a sleek black car was parked, its engine humming softly. The driver’s side door opened, and a tall man stepped out.

I wiped my tears quickly, trying to get a good look at him. He wore a sharp black suit, and his dark hair was neatly styled. His face was sharp and chiseled, but his expression was unreadable.

He didn’t look at me. His cold, detached gaze stayed focused on the road as he opened the passenger door.

“Get in,” he said flatly. His voice was deep and icy, sending a chill down my spine.

I hesitated, clutching my suitcase tightly. “You’re Nathan?” I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

He didn’t answer. He simply stood there, waiting.

“Claire, get in the car,” Dad said sharply behind me.

I bit my lip, my heart hammering in my chest. With no other choice, I walked toward the car and slid into the passenger seat. Nathan shut the door behind me and got into the driver’s seat without a word.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I glanced back at my parents. They stood at the gate, watching us leave. I wanted to scream at them, beg them to stop this madness, but it was too late.

The car ride was silent. I kept sneaking glances at Nathan, but he never looked my way. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

“So,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “You’re Nathan Shaw?”

“Don’t talk,” he replied curtly, his tone colder than before.

I blinked, stunned by his rudeness. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t want to have this conversation right now,” he said without looking at me. “Just sit there and stay quiet.”

I clenched my fists, biting back a retort. My tears threatened to spill again, but I refused to let him see me cry.

After what felt like an eternity, we arrived at a towering penthouse building. Nathan parked the car in the underground garage and got out without a word.

I hesitated, unsure if I was supposed to follow him. When he glanced back at me impatiently, I scrambled out of the car, dragging my suitcase behind me.

He led me into the building and up a private elevator. The ride was suffocatingly silent. I could feel his cold presence next to me, but he might as well have been a statue.

When the elevator doors opened, I followed him into the penthouse. It was massive, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city skyline. Everything was sleek and modern, but it felt just as cold as Nathan.

He stopped abruptly and turned to face me. “That’s your room,” he said, pointing to a door down the hall. “You’ll stay there. And one more thing—don’t invade my privacy. I don’t tolerate it.”

I stared at him, my mouth slightly open. “Privacy? What does that even mean? We’re married.”

His eyes narrowed, his gaze cutting through me like a blade. “It means stay out of my way. Don’t ask questions, and don’t touch my things. Understand?”

I swallowed hard, nodding slowly.

“Good,” he said, turning his back on me.

“Dinner is at seven. If you’re late, you’ll go hungry.”

And with that, he disappeared into another room, leaving me standing there, clutching my suitcase and wondering what kind of nightmare I’d just walked into.

I stared at the clock. 6:45 PM. Dinner was in fifteen minutes.

I sighed and glanced around my new room. It was spacious, with a queen-sized bed, a large closet, and a window overlooking the city, but it still felt cold—just like the man who had dumped me here with barely a word.

Deciding not to make him angrier than he already seemed, I freshened up in the bathroom.

My hair was a mess, so I threw it into a loose bun. I slipped into a simple baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants. It wasn’t glamorous, but I didn’t care.

At exactly 7 PM, I opened my door and stepped out.

The penthouse was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. I made my way toward the dining area when suddenly, the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” I muttered, glancing toward the door.

Nathan hadn’t emerged from the room he’d disappeared into earlier, so I hesitated before stepping toward the door. But before I could reach it, Nathan appeared out of nowhere, walking past me.

“You shouldn’t concern yourself with that. Go to the dining room,” he said coldly, not even sparing me a glance.

“But—”

“Now,” he snapped.

I swallowed hard, clenching my fists as I turned toward the dining room. But curiosity got the better of me, and I stopped just out of sight, peeking around the corner.

Nathan opened the door, and a woman stepped inside. She was stunning—tall, with perfectly styled hair and a figure-hugging red dress.

She didn’t wait for Nathan to greet her. Instead, she threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

“Nathan!” she said, her voice dripping with excitement.

He stiffened, his arms remaining at his sides. “Vanessa,” he said flatly, stepping back as if trying to put distance between them.

“Oh, don’t be so cold,” she pouted, clinging to him like glue.

“Vanessa,” he said again, this time sharper. “What are you doing here? How did you even find out I was in town?”

She smirked, tilting her head. “What kind of question is that? Does it matter how I knew you were in town? What should matter is that I’m here to see you the moment you arrive Nathan.”

“Oh please, It does matter! You do know how much I hate it when my privacy is invaded and that’s exactly what you’re doing right now.” he said, his tone icy.

She ignored him, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “That’s enough! Aren’t you going to invite me in, Nathan? Or, are you locking me out of your house?”

His jaw tightened. For a moment, I thought he was going to say no, but then he stepped aside reluctantly. “It’s Fine. Just come in.”

Vanessa giggled like she had won a lottery and sauntered past him, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

As she walked into the penthouse, her gaze landed on me at the corner where I stood peeping at them.

“Oh,” she said, stopping in her tracks. Her eyes raked over me from head to toe, taking in my baggy clothes and messy bun. I could feel her judgment like a physical weight.

“And who is this?” she asked, her voice dripping with curiosity—and something else I couldn’t quite place.

I opened my mouth to answer, but Nathan beat me to it.

“She’s no one important,” he said coldly, not even glancing at my direction briefly.

My stomach twisted, the words hitting harder than I expected.

Vanessa laughed lightly, covering her mouth. “No one important, huh? Well, I suppose that explains the outfit. I also know you can’t stoop low to be with someone like her. I mean—”

I bit my tongue, forcing myself to stay quiet.

“Nathan,” she said, turning back to him, “why don’t we sit and catch up? It’s been far too long.”

He hesitated, glancing at me briefly before nodding. “Fine. Dinner is ready anyway.”

At the dining table, I sat stiffly across from Nathan and Vanessa, wishing I could disappear. She was all smiles, laughing at things that weren’t even funny, and leaning closer to him every chance she got.

Nathan didn’t seem interested, but he wasn’t exactly pushing her away either.

“So, Nathan,” Vanessa purred, twirling a strand of her hair, “how’s business? Still running CDI Tech like a pro?”

“It’s fine,” he said shortly, cutting into his steak.

“Just fine? Oh, come on. I bet you’re working on something huge. You’ve always been ambitious like that.”

Nathan didn’t respond, keeping his eyes on his plate.

Vanessa didn’t seem to notice—or maybe she didn’t care. She turned her attention to me instead. “And what about you?” she asked, her tone light but clearly condescending. “What do you do?”

“I’m—” I started, but Nathan interrupted.

“She’s nothing you need to concern yourself with,” he said, his voice sharp.

I froze, my appetite disappearing entirely.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow, looking amused. “Really? Well, if you say so.”

She turned back to Nathan, placing her hand on his arm. “You’re still as protective as ever, aren’t you?”

Nathan stiffened, his jaw clenching. “Vanessa, eat your food.”

She giggled, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “Alright, alright. No need to get grumpy.”

The rest of the meal was unbearable. Vanessa kept finding excuses to touch Nathan—his arm, his shoulder, even his hand once—and every time, my chest tightened.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I set down my fork and stood up.

“Thank you for dinner,” I said, my voice barely steady. “I’m done.”

Nathan looked up at me, his expression unreadable, but he didn’t say a word.

“Goodnight,” I muttered, turning and walking away before they could see the tears welling up in my eyes.

Back in my room, I shut the door and leaned against it, letting out a shaky breath.

This was my life now. Married to a cold stranger who didn’t even acknowledge me and forced to watch another woman hang all over him.

What had I gotten myself into?

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring blankly at the wall. Nathan’s cold words still rang in my ears. “No one you need to concern yourself with.”

I let out a shaky breath, wiping the corner of my eye as tears threatened to fall.

I shouldn’t let him get to me, but the way he dismissed me in front of that woman—Vanessa—cut deeper than I cared to admit.

A sudden knock at the door startled me.

I frowned, sitting up straight.

Who could it be? Was it Nathan? Was he finally coming to explain himself?

My heart raced as I hesitantly got up and walked toward the door.

The moment I opened it, my stomach dropped.

It wasn’t Nathan. Rather, It was Vanessa.

She stood there with her arms crossed, a smug smirk plastered across her flawless face. Her piercing gaze bore into me, making me feel small and uncomfortable.

She was damn intimidating.

“Uh… is there a problem?” I asked cautiously, gripping the edge of the door as I stared at her.

Vanessa didn’t answer. Without warning, she pushed past me, stepping into my room like she owned it.

“Hey!” I exclaimed, spinning around. “You can’t just—”

“Shut the door,” she said sharply, cutting me off like I’m some kid.

Her tone sent a chill down my spine.

I reluctantly closed the door, my hands trembling slightly.

When I turned back, she was pacing the room, her eyes scanning every corner like she was inspecting it.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady even though I was so scared.

She stopped near the window, her back to me. “I’m trying to figure out,” she said slowly, “why someone like you is in my man’s house.”

I froze, her words sinking in like a dagger. “Your man?”

She let out a dry laugh, finally turning to face me. Her smile was gone, replaced by a glare so fierce it made me take a step back.

“Yes,” she snapped, stepping closer. “My man. Nathan belongs to me, not you. So tell me—what are you doing here?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the words wouldn’t come. What could I even say?

When I didn’t answer, she rolled her eyes and took another step forward. “Oh, I get it. You think you’ve got a chance with him, don’t you? You think you can come into his life and… what? Steal him away from me?”

“That’s not—”

“Save it!” she barked, cutting me off again.

Before I could react, she grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me against the wall.

I gasped, my heart pounding in my chest. “What are you doing?” I whispered, struggling to free myself.

Her face was inches from mine now, her eyes blazing with fury. “Listen to me carefully,” she hissed. “You will pack your things and leave this house. Do you hear me? I don’t care where you go, but you will not stay here. Nathan is mine, and I won’t let some… some nobody like you ruin what we have.”

I gritted my teeth, pushing against her hands. “I’m not trying to ruin anything!” I shouted. “Let me go!”

But she was stronger than I expected. Her grip tightened, and I could feel the cold rage radiating off her.

“I’m warning you,” she said through clenched teeth. “If you don’t leave, I’ll make your life a living hell. Do you understand?”

I tried again to break free, but it was no use. She had me pinned. “Let me go!” I yelled again.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Someone was coming.

Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward the door, and a wicked smile spread across her lips. In one swift motion, she spun us around, pressing her own back against the wall. To anyone looking in, it would seem like I was the one holding her against it.

“What are you—”

“Shh,” she whispered, cutting me off. And then, to my horror, she began to scream.

“Help! Nathan, help me!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.

The door flew open, and Nathan stormed in. His cold gaze swept over the scene, taking in Vanessa’s trembling figure and my hands, which were still raised in an attempt to push her away.

“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his voice like ice.

Vanessa whimpered, turning her head to look at him. “Nathan, thank God you’re here,” she said, her voice shaking.

I opened my mouth to speak, but she cut me off.

“She… she attacked me,” Vanessa continued, clutching her arm as if I had hurt her. “I was just trying to talk to her, and she… she shoved me into the wall.”

“That’s not what happened!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “She—”

Nathan didn’t let me finish. He stepped forward, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Vanessa.

I stumbled, falling to the floor with a thud. Pain shot through my side, but I barely noticed it.

“Nathan, I didn’t—”

“Enough,” he snapped, glaring down at me. “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think you can just attack people in my house?”

“She’s lying!” I cried, my voice desperate. “I didn’t—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” he said coldly, helping Vanessa to her feet.

Vanessa clung to him, burying her face in his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I was so scared.”

Nathan’s expression softened as he looked down at her. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe now.”

I stared up at them, my heart sinking. No matter what I said, he wouldn’t believe me.

Vanessa glanced over her shoulder, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips.

Nathan turned and led her out of the room, leaving me alone on the floor.

I sat there for a long time, the weight of everything crashing down on me.

This wasn’t just a nightmare.

It was my reality.

And I had no idea how I was going to survive it.

I woke up to the sound of loud knocking on my door. My head pounded, my cheeks sticky with dried tears from the night before.

The knocking came again, sharper this time.

“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice hoarse from crying.

There was no response, but the persistent knocking continued. Fear gripped me as I swung my legs off the bed.

It’s her, isn’t it?

My stomach churned at the thought of Vanessa standing there, ready to tear me apart again.

I dragged myself to the door, hesitating as my hand hovered over the knob. The banging grew louder.

“For God’s sake, Claire, open the damn door!” Nathan’s voice boomed from the other side, making me jump.

Quickly, I unlocked the door and cracked it open. His tall, intimidating frame loomed over me, and his cold glare made me shrink back.

“What took you so long?” he barked, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.

“I… I wasn’t sure who it was,” I stammered, keeping my eyes down. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” he snapped. “Get dressed. We’re going out.”

I blinked up at him, confused. “Out? Where—”

“Stop asking questions and just get ready,” he cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll be waiting.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the doorway.

I sighed, closing the door and leaning against it for a moment before dragging myself to the bathroom.

I washed my face, tied my hair into a neat ponytail, and slipped into a simple white dress. I wasn’t much for makeup, so I just added a bit of lip gloss to brighten my appearance.

When I finally stepped out, I found Nathan pacing in the living room, his arms crossed and his jaw tight.

“Finally,” he snapped as soon as he saw me. “What the hell took you so long?”

I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. This man has zero patience.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered instead, keeping my tone polite.

He didn’t respond, just turned on his heel and walked out the door. I followed him, struggling to keep up with his long strides as we made our way to the car.

The ride was silent, tense. I kept my hands folded in my lap, staring out the window. The city blurred past us, but my mind was too preoccupied to take in the sights.

When we finally pulled up to a towering glass building, I felt my stomach drop. The name “CDI Tech” was boldly displayed across the front.

“This is your company,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nathan didn’t acknowledge my statement. He simply stepped out of the car and began walking toward the entrance. I hesitated for a moment before hurrying to catch up.

As we entered the sleek, modern lobby, I felt small and out of place.

Everyone we passed was impeccably dressed, their confident strides and sharp looks making me feel even more insignificant in my simple white dress.

We were almost to the elevators when someone called out to Nathan.

“Mr. Shaw!”

Nathan stopped and turned, his expression annoyed. A man in a tailored suit hurried over, holding a folder.

Nathan glanced at me briefly. “Take the elevator to the top floor,” he instructed, his voice as cold as ever. “I’ll meet you there.”

I nodded, even though my nerves were starting to get the better of me. “Okay.”

He turned back to the man, already deep in conversation as I walked toward the elevator.

Just as the doors slid open, I was expecting an empty space, but someone stepped out.

Vanessa!

She was dressed in a figure-hugging red dress, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her hair was styled to perfection, and her makeup was flawless.

The moment her eyes landed on me, a smirk curled at her lips.

“Well, well,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “If it isn’t the little charity case.”

I stiffened, gripping my hands together tightly. “Vanessa,” I said cautiously, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Her eyes swept over me, lingering on my simple dress and lack of makeup. She let out a soft laugh. “White, huh? Bold choice, considering you look like a mess.”

I said nothing, refusing to rise to her bait.

Her smirk widened. She held a cup of coffee in her hand, and my eyes flicked to it nervously.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Funny,” she said, tilting her head. “I was about to ask you the same thing. You don’t belong here, Claire. Not in this building, not in Nathan’s life.”

I swallowed hard, willing myself to stay calm. “I’m here because he brought me here.”

She let out a sharp laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, sweetheart. You really think that means something? You’re nothing more than a nuisance to him. He’s just too polite to say it outright.”

I clenched my fists, but before I could respond, she took a step closer.

“You know,” she said, holding up her coffee cup, “you really shouldn’t wear white if you can’t keep it clean.”

Before I could process her words, she tilted the cup forward, the dark liquid spilling out and splashing onto my dress.

I gasped, stepping back as the hot coffee soaked into the fabric. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted, my voice trembling with anger.

She feigned innocence, covering her mouth with a hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, her tone anything but apologetic. “It was an accident.”

The people in the lobby had started to notice, their curious gazes burning into me. I felt humiliation rise in my chest like a tidal wave.

Vanessa leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I warned you to stay away from him. Consider this your first lesson.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. I was too stunned, too angry, too humiliated to think straight.

Vanessa straightened, flashing me a triumphant smile before walking away, her heels clicking against the floor.

I stood there, frozen, as whispers and murmurs filled the air around me.

My hands clenched at my sides, my heart pounding in my chest.

Nathan’s POV

My office felt colder than ever, its polished floors and glass walls doing nothing to soften the sharpness in my voice.

Claire stood frozen, staring at the floor, her hands trembling at her sides. She looked pathetic, but I wasn’t in the mood for sympathy.

“What the hell were you thinking, Claire?!” My voice boomed across the office as I slammed my hand against the desk.

She flinched at the sound, her shoulders jerking slightly.

“I didn’t do anything wrong! You should stop casting blame on me always,” she whispered, her voice barely steady. “It wasn’t me who—”

“Don’t you dare make excuses!” I snapped, my gaze narrowing as my patience wore thin.

“You walk into my office looking like a complete disaster, and you’re telling me you didn’t do anything wrong? Does this place look like a joke to you, Claire? Or should I start regretting my actions of bringing you here?”

She opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say another word, Vanessa’s voice interrupted smoothly.

“Nathan, please, calm down,” she said, her tone saccharine.

I turned to her, watching as she sat elegantly on the couch, her legs crossed, sipping from a crystal glass. Unlike Claire, who looked like she belonged nowhere near a place like this, Vanessa was composed—collected.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean to make such a spectacle,” Vanessa continued, tilting her head in mock concern. “Poor thing. I perfectly understand she isn’t used to such luxury. It’s possible she was overwhelmed by the company and had to pour the coffee on herself without realizing it.”

Claire’s head snapped toward Vanessa, her expression darkening. “Oh please! Stop pretending like you care! It disgusts me!”

Vanessa widened her eyes, her body language portraying innocence, “What are you talking about, Claire?” She turned to me.

“I was only trying to help her,” Vanessa continued smoothly. “I even offered her my coffee because she looked like she needed a pick-me-up. It’s not my fault she couldn’t even hold it properly and spilled it all over herself.”

“That’s a lie!” Claire snapped, her voice shaking with fury.

I clenched my jaw. “Do you think this is some kind of game? Does all of this make you happy, huh?”

“It’s not a game!” she shouted, tears welling in her eyes. “She’s lying, Nathan!”

“Enough!” I barked, my patience finally snapping. “I don’t have time for your childish tantrums.”

“But—”

“Do you know how embarrassing this is for me?” I continued, my voice turning sharp.

“You’re supposed to be a part of this family. How do you expect me to introduce you to anyone? Here you are, proving to everyone how utterly incompetent you are!”

Claire’s chest rose and fell unevenly, her entire body trembling.

“Why won’t you listen to me?” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“I’ve heard enough,” I said coldly, crossing my arms. “If you can’t even handle a simple thing like this, then what use are you?”

Her lips quivered, and for a second, I thought she was going to break completely.

Then, she did.

“I’m the one who married into the Shaw family, dragged into this life, and now you’re treating me like garbage! I’ve had enough!”

My jaw tightened. “Careful, Claire.”

“No!” she screamed, tears flowing freely now. “I’m done! I can’t take this anymore!”

Vanessa sighed dramatically, clearly entertained by the scene unfolding before her. “Well, someone’s feeling dramatic today.”

Claire spun around, fists clenched. “I’m leaving,” she declared, her voice raw. “I don’t care what happens anymore.”

“Claire!” I called after her, but she didn’t stop.

She yanked the office door open and stormed out, her presence disappearing down the hall.

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples as the door slammed shut behind her.

Vanessa let out a soft chuckle. “She really is sensitive, isn’t she?”

I shot her a sharp look, not in the mood for her amusement. “Enough, Vanessa.”

She raised her hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, Nathan. You knew what you were getting into when you brought her home.”

I ignored her, forcing myself to push the frustration away. Claire would cool off and come back.

Claire’s POV

I burst out of Nathan’s office, my vision blurred by unshed tears. My heart pounded violently against my chest, the pain of his words hitting me harder than I wanted to admit.

I didn’t know where I was going—I just knew I had to get out.

Nathan didn’t care. He never cared. No matter what I said, he would always choose to believe Vanessa over me.

My breathing came in ragged gasps as I rushed past the rows of workers. Their eyes flicked toward me, whispers trailing in my wake.

“Isn’t that the lady who stained her dress with coffee?”

“What’s going on?”

“She looks like she’s been crying.”

I clenched my fists, biting my lip to stop the sob threatening to escape.

I pushed through the glass doors, stepping outside. The air hit me like a wave, but it did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.

Everything felt suffocating.

I broke into a run, my shoes slapping against the pavement, my mind spiraling with thoughts I couldn’t control.

Why did I let this happen?

Why did I think things could be different?

Nathan was never going to see me as anything more than an inconvenience.

The world around me blurred as I ran blindly down the street. I didn’t notice the intersection ahead.

Didn’t see the car speeding toward me.

“Hey! Watch out!” someone shouted.

The sound of screeching tires pierced the air.

I barely had time to react before everything went black.

Pain.

That was the first thing I felt. A sharp, blinding pain radiating through my body, pinning me down like an unbearable weight.

My breath came in shallow gasps. My fingers twitched weakly against the cold pavement.

My white dress was no longer white.

A figure emerged above me—a man in a black hoodie. His presence sent a shiver through me, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t run.

He crouched beside me, his gloved fingers brushing against my arm lightly.

“Hey,” he said, his voice low and mocking. “Having a good time?”

I wanted to speak, but my lips wouldn’t move. My body was shutting down.

The man hesitated for a moment before standing abruptly.

“No…” I whispered weakly, my voice barely audible.

He didn’t respond.

He turned and walked away.

I watched helplessly as his car sped off, leaving me behind, broken and bleeding on the pavement.

The world around me dimmed, the sounds fading into a dull hum.

My last thought before the darkness swallowed me whole was simple:

Why does everything hurt so much?