Usually, after partying all night, I normally wake up with a tremendous headache, almost as if my skull developed a mind of it's own and hopes to tear itself open and away from my head. Not right now, though. I only have a mild headache, which proves that I haven't been asleep that long.When my eyelids flutter open, I catch the dim lights on the red ceiling above me, but it takes a while to get rid of the blurriness of the room before my eyes are able to adjust. Now that my eyes are focused, the entire room is in fact red, and I'm very certain that this isn't my room. Where the fuck am I? My brain activity seems to be slower than usual because it takes me more than a minute to realize the position I'm in. I don't even know what exactly it is but I do know that I can't move my body an inch. What the hell!I'm sprawled out on the surface of a cushioned table… or is it a chair? It's definitely the same as the ones in a gynecologist office, or something close. My legs are spread open w

Ivan and I stride into the grand hall, joining the other formally dressed guests who are here for the fundraising gala. Ivan said it's a charity auction, which has me excited. I haven't been to one before.Just like the last time we were out like this in public, every heads turn in our direction immediately we step into the room. And once again, I can feel every pair of eyes sizing me up. Especially the ladies. I'm wearing a strapless silver sequin dress that's floor length and has a high slit that runs across my legs. My hair is finely done in loose curls, and I put on just the right amount of makeup.Ivan had this gorgeous dress specially made for me and because there wasn't enough time to go shopping for new heels and a purse that would match my outfit, I paired it with one from my wardrobe much to Ivan's surprise. He said he didn't know I owned that many items since I am usually almost always at home. His statement made me laugh, and I told him a woman can never have ‘too many’ c

It has been such a confusing morning for me since I woke up, all puffy eyed from crying last night. Even as I try to get food into my stomach, it's impossible not to think about the events that played out last night and how it ended. I woke up this morning feeling embarrassed, and the feeling followed me to the bathroom to shower and straight to the dining area where I'm now having breakfast.I really did believe that Ivan played me after hearing everything Anna said to me last night. I was so hurt. But hearing all the explanation he gave is what's been confusing me all morning.Some part of me believes him wholeheartedly. It really does. I mean, with the photo evidence he sent to me showing the debris in an open yard, an underground entrance, cages containing frightened women and some more pictures of even more women entering the back of vans. They were really believable, and that's enough proof to know that he wasn't lying at all.Then there's the part where he showed me the one wa

I feel the trickle of a liquid running down my face before it seeps into my mouth. Blood.That's what the liquid tastes like. On my third attempt to open my eyes, they finally pity me and flutter open. I can't make out any figure in the room because it's so dark, and for a second, I'm confused as to how I got here. But everything comes flooding into my head.As soon as Ivan drove off, I was worried. I couldn't stop pacing our bedroom. Then I went to sit at the window overlooking the compound gate, hoping he would drive back in immediately, saying everything had been settled. But I knew I was only being delusional.Or was I? Because tell me why five minutes after Ivan had driven out, I got a text from a number saying ‘Lucia honey, It's Ivan. come outside for me. Hurry’No one had driven into the compound yet, so I assumed he was on his way and a few seconds out. I sprinted downstairs as soon as I saw the text, thinking everything was finally over.I didn't even check to see the sende

The persistent beeping grabs my attention first, akin to a pesky mosquito hovering around, waiting for its next unfortunate victim. Next, I become overly aware of the soreness and dryness in my throat.I gently flex my fingers, noticing one hand tightly clenched. With effort, I open one eye, then the other. Despite the dimness of the room, the unmistakable scent of a hospital fills my nostrils. Gradually, I turn my head to the left and find my sweet Ivan clutching my hand in his as he sleeps.My eyelids drop heavily as sleep threatens to swallow me whole again. Knowing that Ivan is with me, I hold on to his hand as well and let sleep take me for the second time.When I wake up again, the day is bright, and I don't see Ivan by my side anymore. My hand unconsciously goes to my belly as I rub it, but something immediately feels off. like it's empty and void of a living being. Just as I begin to panic, the door slides open, and Ivan walks in, holding a cup of coffee in one hand as he sli