Chapter 5

Sienna POV

Fortunately, I managed to slip into the shadow of the hallway before he walked out.

I took the side entrance back into the ballroom. As I picked up my clutch and headed toward the parking lot, a hand suddenly grabbed me from behind, covering my mouth with a chemical-soaked rag.

I thrashed wildly, but the darkness quickly consumed me.

When I woke up, my head felt like it was splitting open. My limbs were heavy, completely useless. From the adjacent bathroom, I could hear the sound of running water and a cheerful whistle.

I recognized that whistle... it was Julian.

Oh my god, no.

I struggled to sit up, dragging my heavy body across the bedsheet. I lost my grip and fell off the bed, the sharp pain from the impact giving me a jolt of adrenaline.

Hearing the thud, Julian walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Seeing me sprawling on the floor, a disgusting grin spread across his face.

Rip.

He pinned me down and tore open the collar of my dress.

The cold air hit my bare skin. His damp, sweaty hands made my stomach turn. "Don't touch me... get off!"

"You think you can run? Sebastian's had his turn, and you're turning your nose up at me?"

He slapped me across the face, sending metallic-tasting blood pooling in my mouth.

"Sebastian will ruin you!" I screamed, using the only threat I had.

Julian froze for a second, then sneered. "Melanie is back. How much longer do you think he's going to keep playing with you? Today's gala was literally his grand welcome-home gift to her."

Taking advantage of his distraction, I grabbed a heavy ceramic vase from the floor and shattered it over his head. Before he could recover, I kicked him squarely between his legs.

He let out a blood-curdling shriek, collapsing to the floor.

To keep myself from passing out, I picked up a piece of shattered ceramic and sliced my own forearm. The sharp pain cleared my foggy mind. I scrambled to my feet and ran out of the room.

It was pitch black outside. The distant lawn lights of the manor were shining.

Clutching my bleeding arm, I stumbled forward. It didn't take long before I heard Julian's angry shouts behind me.

I dove behind a thick hedge, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.

My phone.

My hands shook violently as I pulled out my phone, my blood smearing the screen.

Call 911? No, the manor was miles away from the city center. The police wouldn't make it in time.

Who else could I call? I had no family, no friends.

The only contact on my phone was Sebastian.

I pressed the call button, praying.

No answer.

Once, twice.

On the third try, the call finally connected.

"Sebastian, please. I..."

Before I could finish, the call was abruptly cut off. A wave of despair washed over me. I quickly sent a panic text to 911 with my location.

The footsteps got closer. "Fuck! Where did that bitch go?" Julian roared.

What should I do?

I squeezed through a small gap in the iron fence, scraping my skin, and tumbled out of the manor grounds.

Realizing Julian hadn't followed me outside, the tension in my muscles snapped.

I slumped against the brick wall, coughing up dust and blood.

Suddenly, a loud boom echoed in the sky.

Bright fireworks lit up the dark night.

I stared at them, dazed.

The last time I watched fireworks was with my grandmother.

"Sienna, you're graduating soon. Our lives will get better. I just hope my old heart holds up long enough to see you walk down the aisle," she had said, holding my hand.

My eyes burned. "Grandma, I promise I'll make you proud."

In the sky, the fireworks blossomed in layers.

On the ground, my blood dripped slowly into the dirt.

One year, two years, three years... my youth had been flushed down the drain.

Slowly, the fireworks formed massive red letters in the sky:

WELCOME HOME, MELANIE.

The sight snapped me back to reality. I dragged my battered body forward.

There were people ahead.

Under a massive oak tree in the distance, Melanie was smiling beautifully, tipping her toes to kiss Sebastian.

I quickly turned away.

I laughed, but tears streamed down my face.

Pain was a suffocating net, wrapping around me tighter and tighter.

How pathetic was I? I had actually looked for help from the very man who pushed me off the cliff.

Even after learning the truth, I still hoped he would pick up. I still expected him to save me.