Chapter 3

My phone lit up and wouldn't stop. One notification after another, each a new harassing message.

Their words were vile, turning my stomach.

My hands trembled as I blocked every single number.

My mother said she'd arranged a long leave of absence from school for me. I wouldn't have to go back.

I didn't want her to know about my plans to go abroad, so I'd have to go back to school myself to handle the paperwork.

She was always too busy to care about me; she probably wouldn't even notice I was gone.

Even though the photos had been deleted, almost everyone around me knew what had happened.

Their gazes were filled with scrutiny and mockery, accompanied by whispers.

"She always seemed so innocent, but underneath it all, she's apparently a total slut. Who knows how many guys she's been with?"

"Who knows, maybe she's got some kind of STD. Stay away from her."

A tidal wave of shame and terror crashed over me.

My heart tightened painfully, and I somehow managed to leave the university.

Walking in a daze, I was suddenly blocked by a group of men.

The leader pulled out his phone, showing my intimate photos, his eyes raking over me in a sickening way.

"That's you in these photos, right? Nice body."

"So you like to get wild, huh? What's your rate per night?"

"Come hang out with us, dollface. I want a taste of Finn Miller's girl."

My body stiffened, and I instinctively took a half-step back. "What do you want?"

They exchanged disgusting grins, and without a word, overpowered my struggles, dragging me into the dark alley.

They snarled, pressing down on me.

"Get off me! Don't touch me!"

But my hands and feet were pinned, leaving me powerless to fight. All I could do was watch as their filthy hands reached for my body.

The sound of tearing fabric filled my ears.

"Don't struggle. No one's coming to save you. If you make it enjoyable for us, maybe we'll go easy on you."

I bit down hard on my lip, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment they started to undress, I quickly pulled out the small pocket knife hidden in my bag.

My hand trembled as I held the blade. "Don't you dare come any closer!"

The first time I was harassed, my mother told me it was my fault for "dressing provocatively," and that I shouldn't wear skirts anymore.

But I was wearing my school uniform.

If Asher hadn't shown up then, I would have been completely lost.

Ever since then, I'd always carried a small pocket knife.

The fear in my heart reached its peak.

But they just smirked, unfazed, even trying to snatch the knife from my hand.

In the struggle, the blade sank into my chest.

The leader's eyes widened in panic, as if afraid of a murder charge. He let go of me.

I collapsed to the ground, blood soaking my clothes.

My vision blurred, darkness closing in.

But I could still hear them whispering as someone made a call.

"Asher, we've got a problem. She just stabbed herself."

Asher's voice came through the phone.

"Is she dead?"

Then Finn's voice. "Asher, you're a real psycho. You actually hired goons to jump her."

Asher scoffed. "I just wanted to scare the shit out of her. If she's suicidal, that's on her, not me."

"If she's not dead, just dump her at the hospital. Make sure she never finds out who sent those guys."

My heart felt like it was being brutally squeezed, the pain almost suffocating.

So... he really wanted to destroy me.

Then, the words I'd accidentally overheard him say resurfaced in my mind, chilling me to the bone.

"I know my mom's death wasn't her fault, not really. But I still refuse to let her have any peace."

"My dad might feel guilty towards them, but I sure as hell don't."

Tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

I finally lost consciousness.