Chapter 111 Drowning!

Chapter 111 Drowning!
\[This part contains depictions of self-harm. Reader discretion is advised.\]

|| Author POV ||
—FLASHBACK—

Almost two years ago.

Rosalie visited Velaris Island for the first time in her life. It was a vacation with her aunt and Kevin. The island’s beauty left her breathless.

By the afternoon, she wanted some time alone so she went to the shore after telling Kevin.

She wandered around. The ocean stretched endlessly before her. Waves glinted under the golden sun. She let herself get lost in the ethereal charm.

She let the waves lap at her toes, feeling a strange, fleeting freedom.

Though a grown girl, her mind wandered to childlike wonder. She scooped handfuls of sand, played with them, built little castles, letting the grains slip through her little fingers while laughing quietly to herself.

As evening approached–the shore was completely empty, leaving her alone with the whispering waves. Rosa smiled, soaking in the tranquil beauty. A rare peace settled over her heart.

The sky was looking so beautiful. Rosa’s gaze drifted and for a fleeting moment, she sensed a presence nearby. A figure stood by the shore, silently standing.

She didn’t even look in the direction–didn’t notice the piercing blue eyes that had followed her every step.

“Rosalie...!”

Startled, she turned toward the sound of Kevin’s voice. “Rosa, are you done? Come back. Mom’s waiting.”

“Coming.”

Rosa walked back to the hotel with a small smile tugged at her lips. For the first time in a long while, she felt light. Happy. Genuinely. She was finally free from studies.

AT NIGHT, Rosa followed Kevin toward the hotel cafeteria for dinner, Carolina was just behind them. Rosa’s wide gaze wandered over the bustling crowd of the luxurious space. She felt uneasy. She stood behind Kevin while he spoke to the staff.

Rosa’s attention snapped when a deep, dark resonant manly voice reached her earbuds from behind.

“Table for the VIP section.”

The voice murmured smoothly but edged with danger. “Quiet. I don’t like disruptions.”

Rosa felt a strange pull in her chest. The tone, it was magnetic.

She turned slowly almost shyly and caught sight of him. Her cheeks flushed with blush and eyes widened.

Innocence mixed with awe; she had never heard a voice like that–a voice this attractive.

The man was standing a few meters away with his hands tucked casually into his pockets but the confidence radiating from him made him larger than life. His profile was masculine, almost carved.

And his eyes were blue.

Rosa’s fingers twisted nervously. Her stomach tightened with an unfamiliar flutter. The man was mesmerizing.

Rosa’s lips parted slightly and she realized she couldn’t look away.

He was impossibly handsome. Every movement was precise, controlled and yet it made her stomach twist with a mix of fear and fascination.

She never felt this pull toward anyone. Never liked a boy in her life. She was sure this man was much older than her because he was tall and wearing a black coat like some businessman. His demeanor was so overwhelming–

For a little, soft-hearted girl like her.

Never had Rosa sought attention from anyone but then–a part of her fragile heart wanted him to notice her. His voice rang in her mind innocently. Her pulse quickened.

Rosa tried to blink away but couldn’t. She also noticed a man behind him wearing black suit.

She remained frozen, cheeks burning with blush as if she were a schoolgirl watching her crush.

Rosa never thought she’d be this captivated by a voice this deeply.

She blinked startled when he walked out of the cafeteria with that man following him behind. Rosa lowered her eyes, thinking why couldn’t she look away. Her heart was beating so fast.

“Mom, the seats are ready.” Kevin said, pulling her back to reality.

Rosa blinked rapidly, lowering her gaze to hide the flush on her cheeks. Her mind still replayed the deep commanding tone that had stolen her attention.

She quietly followed them to dinner with quick steps, almost eager to keep up.

LATER THAT MIDNIGHT, Rosalie tossed on the hotel bed, unable to find comfort. Her thoughts kept returning to him, to that voice that lingered in her chest.

“How frustrating. I don’t even know him.”

She whispered softly to herself, pressing her lips against the cool bedsheet. A pout formed on her expression.

She knew he hadn’t even looked her way.

“Humph!”

She let out a frustrated sigh, pressing her forehead against her folded arms. Yet, a tiny spark of excitement flickered. He was in the same hotel. That alone made her heart race. She kept tossing around.

The Night Passed.

Morning light spilled across the hotel corridors. Rosalie was eager to explore everything in the new place.

After having breakfast, Rosa wandered aimlessly from hall to hall. The hotel was so large, marveling at the opulent décor and endless corridors.

Her feet led her toward the swimming pool area and then she saw him again. The man who stole her sleep and her thoughts.

Again, that strange pull.

Rosa was so lost in thought that in a blink, he was gone. Blinking rapidly, she padded toward the pool’s entrance. The hall was empty. Grabbing the glass door, Rosa peeked inside. Her eyes tracked his movements.

While he was unaware of the innocent creature stalking him.

His broad back faced her.

Rosa’s chest tightened with a strange warmth. She liked his presence, liked it more than she understood.

The word ‘like’ was still new in her vocabulary.

A hidden smile appeared at her lips, betraying her admiration.

She wondered why no one else was here. The hotel guests, everyone should be swimming. But he was alone like he owned everything. Her frown deepened with awe until her eyes widened.

His hand moved in front of him, probably unbuttoning his shirt.

“Oh no–”

Rosa whispered, spinning around immediately. Her cheeks flaming.

She sprinted down the corridor with a heart pounding in shame until a cluster of men in black suits blocked her path. Their eyes narrowed instantly.

“Ma’am, what are you doing here? This area is not allowed for you. It’s reserved–” one of them spoke.

Rosa froze mid-step, then quickly bowed with hands on her knees. “I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Really, I didn’t know.”

Rosa stammered before bolting past them without looking back. Her cheeks still tinged.

Rosa huffed when she finally stepped into a different hall. She wasn’t shameless enough to try peeking at someone like that again.

“What a shame.” She muttered, cheeks pink, shaking her head at herself.

That was the last time she saw him. She returned to City, yet she couldn’t shake the memory of that stranger with blue eyes. His strong presence lingered in her thoughts.

She didn’t know his name. Didn’t know who he was.

Months crossed away.
Rosa enrolled at National University, immersing herself in her classes, quietly attending without making friends.

One day, while she was returning to her class after a lunch break. Her steps slowed. Eyes lifted to see the face of the tall person before her.

Her one foot stayed behind and she completely froze in the empty corridor. Her lips parted. Fingers grabbed her uniform skirt. And her eyes met with those same cold blue orbs.

For the very first time, their eyes met.

His piercing eyes locked on her like he already knew her.

The world around them seemed to blur and fade. Because there stood a miracle–the man her heart had been silently yearning for, the one she hadn’t been able to forget all these months.

She never imagined he would return to her life as her professor—Killian Salvatore.

Rosa felt it bloom softly inside her innocent heart and finally realized, she had fallen in love.

|| Flashback ended ||
Back to present.

Rosa pressed her cheek against the cold edge of the bathtub. Silent tears traced down her face.

She forgot how long she had been laying there lifelessly. Her heart felt hollow, weighed down by the memories.

Velaris brought her love; curse.

The tub overflowed. Water spilled onto the floor in careless waves but Rosa didn’t move. Nothing mattered except the ache that throbbed within her.

Anxiety so strong, her trembling hands lifted the drenched dress from the water, trying to stretch it, tear it and trembling under the effort.

She loved him. Too much.
More than she could bear.

She wished she had never seen him that night.

Wished he had never shown his face at the academy.

Wished...

She never went to that island. Hadn’t seen him.

That night. Hadn’t met him. Hadn’t fallen.

Not for his voice.

Not for him.

—without knowing if he was a human or a monster.

Rosa clutched her head. The words hammered relentlessly in her skull. Her chest heaved. Pain. She started gasping.

It hurts so bad!

It hurts so bad!

It hurts so much!

It hurts so bad!

It hurts sooo bad!!

I can’t take it!

I can’t take it!

I can’t take it!

I can’t take it!

I can’t take it anymore!!!

I can’t!

The water lapped against her lips. Waters kept falling. All she could hear was the hiss of waters and her own broken voice in her head, repeating and echoing loudly.

Rosa remembered their first date–how her heart fluttered just by sitting across from him. The first time his hand brushed hers, sending shivers down her spine.

The first time he kissed her, like he wanted to steal every breath she had.

How her world lit up the moment she knew he gave her his number.

Her Mr. Thief.

The man who quietly robbed her heart and never returned it.

And in that broken moment, she had no choice but to accept the truth she had been denying for so long–

He rped me.

He rped me.

He rped me.

He rped me.

He rped me.

He rped me!

The water rose above her lips, stealing her breath. Bubbles slipped past her mouth. Her vision blurred. Slipping into chaos.

Their sweet voices echoed in her mind.

Tears slipped from her lavender eyes. She closed them; He’ll kill me.

He’ll kill me.

He’ll kill me.

He’ll kill me soon.

My love will kill me.

Her hair floated around her like strings. Her heartbeat slowed, echoing in her ears.

And she was slipping. Slowly. Slowly.

\---

|| Another side ||
A while ago.

Killian frowned, watching her on the screen. She was awake and was acting wild, screaming, crying and flailing. His jaw tightened.

She shouldn’t be like this.

He can’t understand how to make her understand and accept him.

He tried to force himself to focus on work. There were contracts to sign, deals to close and a thousand things demanding his attention. Killian watched her sprint toward the washroom frantically.

And for a moment, he felt a flicker of relief. Maybe she was just trying to calm herself. But the minutes stretched. She didn’t come out.

“Tch!” Killian clicked his tongue before slamming his pen down in frustration.

“Don’t tell me she fucking fell unconscious.” he hissed to himself.

Killian rose abruptly from his seat. A sharp unease twisted in his chest. He couldn’t ignore it. Leaving everything scattered on the desk, he stormed out of the cabin.

The guards immediately followed but his sharp voice lashed out.

“Don’t fucking follow me!”

They froze mid-step, bowing in respect as he pushed past.

Killian drove off to the mansion. The steering wheel gripped tightly in his hands. Every second was feeding his impatience.

Reaching back to his mansion, Killian strode up the stairs, unlocking the door to her room. His eyes swept the empty space and his frown deepened.

His gaze shifted to the washroom door at the sound of water still running and hissing endlessly against the tiles inside. His brows pulled tight.

Killian strode to the door and knocked lightly at first.

“Rabbit?” his voice paused, “Open the door.”

Silence. He knocked again. Nothing. Something was wrong. His sixth sense told him.

Killian’s jaw clenched and he ripped the key bundle out of his pocket.

“Fuck!”

His fingers fumbled, finding the right one. Metal clinked in his grip. Finally, the key slid in. He twisted it hard, shoving the door open. And then he froze.

The sight before him made the world crash down. His soul nearly tore itself from his body.