My whole body was still trembling as I remembered that night. No matter how hard I tried, the memories kept clawing their way back—the laughter of the men, the helplessness, the fear. I clutched the edge of my blanket, forcing myself to breathe, forcing myself to be okay. I had no choice but to be okay. After all, I was alone in this.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I woke up to the feeling of someone touching me. Panic surged through me. My instincts kicked in, and I shoved the person away with all my strength.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” a familiar voice said.
My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I realized it was Oliver. He stood there, looking confused. “You startled me. Are you okay?”
I couldn’t believe he had the nerve to ask that. After everything that had happened, after I had called him, begging for his help, and he brushed me off… he had the audacity to act like nothing was wrong.
“What are you doing here?” I asked coldly, my voice trembling.
“I just came back,” he said with a grin, holding up a bag. “I got a bunch of souvenirs for you.”
I didn’t say anything. I turned my back to him, my stomach twisting in disgust.
“Why are you being such a bitch?” Oliver snapped, his tone suddenly sharp. “Is this because I didn’t come to your stupid graduation? Is this about Naomi again?”
I froze, my fists clenching the blanket.
He sighed dramatically. “Hannah, it was all business. Naomi’s my client. I don’t know why you’re always so jealous.”
His lies felt like daggers, and I couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Joking?” My voice cracked. “Do you think I’m joking, Oliver? I was tortured! They tied me up and beat me like I was nothing!”
He blinked, stunned for a moment, but before he could respond, his phone rang.
He picked it up immediately. “Naomi?” he answered, his tone soft and concerned.
I stared at him in disbelief. Of course, it was Naomi.
He listened intently, nodding. “Okay, I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” He hung up and turned to me. “Something happened to Naomi. She’s in the hospital. She needs me.”
I stood there, my mouth open. “What about me?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Oliver shrugged. “You can handle yourself. Naomi’s weak right now. She needs me.”
“I need you!” I shouted, tears streaming down my face. “I’m your girlfriend, Oliver! Or does that mean nothing to you?”
“She’s like a sister to me,” he said, his tone impatient. “If you love me, you’d understand. Now stop acting like a jealous girlfriend. It’s pathetic.”
I stared at him, my chest heaving with anger and heartbreak. He didn’t care. Not about what happened to me, not about us. Naomi was always going to come first.
Without another word, I walked past him, grabbed my things, and left. Tears blurred my vision as I locked myself in the bathroom, muffling my sobs with a towel. How could he? How could he be so heartless?
I cried until my chest ached, my tears soaking the towel. I had nothing left to say to Oliver. I couldn’t even look at him anymore.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was my mom.
“Hannah,” she said, her voice gentle, “I’ve arranged everything in Sydney. You’re all set to go.”
I wiped my tears, trying to steady my voice. “Mom, I don’t know if I can…”
“You need this, sweetheart,” she interrupted. “After everything you’ve been through, you need a fresh start. And Scott will be there with you. He’ll look after you.”
“Scott?” I asked, frowning.
“Yes, your childhood friend. You remember him, don’t you? He offered to help you settle in. I trust him, Hannah. You’ll be safe with him.”
I hesitated, unsure if I wanted to go through with it.
“Honey,” Mom added softly, “don’t worry. We’re going to catch those men who hurt you. We’ll make them pay for what they did.”
Her words hit me hard, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thanks, Mom,” I whispered.
As I hung up, a new thought crept into my mind. I wanted to make those men pay. But more than that, I wanted Oliver to pay. He had betrayed me, dismissed me, and treated me like I didn’t matter.
I wasn’t going to let him win.
Wiping my tears, I stood up and grabbed my suitcase. I started packing, shoving clothes into the bag with a determination I hadn’t felt in a long time. I was leaving this place.
In just three days, I would be gone. Gone from the pain, the lies, and the betrayal. And for the first time, I felt like I could breathe again.
