Chapter 14 CHAPTER 14

Chapter 14 CHAPTER 14
ZARA

“You aren't kicking me out right?” I asked lightly, though a small sting accompanied the words.

He smiled faintly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “I am not kicking you out. Just… looking out for you.” Dylan said and I smiled.

I leaned back, grateful for the understanding in his tone. Standing up, I felt steadier than I had in hours. Dylan and I walked to the door.

Dylan climbed onto the bike and started the engine. I walked up to him and he told me to climb the bike.

I gripped Dylan’s waist a little tighter as the bike hummed beneath us, the morning wind whipping my hair back. Well, I had expected an awkward goodbye but instead, he offered me a ride on his motorcycle to the bus stop. Maybe Dylan is not that bad after all.

If Kate sees this scene, I am sure she is going to picture it in her head and tease me about it. The sun warmed my back, and for a few precious minutes, I let myself lean into him, breathing in the scent of his jacket.

My body still ached faintly from yesterday’s exhaustion, but the dizziness was gone. When we reached the busy bus stop, Dylan stopped the bike and helped me down. His hands lingered on my shoulders for a second longer than necessary.

“You sure you’re okay from here?” he asked, searching my face and I nodded quickly.

“I’ll take the bus. It stops right near my house. Thank you, Dylan… for last night. For everything.” I said and he gave me one last look, like he wanted to say more, then revved the engine.

“Text me when you’re home safe.” With that, he drove off, the roar of the bike fading into the morning traffic. I watched until he disappeared around the corner, a strange tightness in my chest. Then I boarded the bus, paid my fare, and found a seat near the back.

The ride home felt longer than usual, every stop jolting my nerves. I kept replaying the slap of his jacket against my cheek when I would hug him goodbye. Part of me wished I could have stayed longer but that will definitely make me look like those girls and after what I heard from his friends, I realised I need to shut down my feelings and Dylan also warned me.

He told us not to fall in love with him and that is our agreement.

When the bus finally pulled up near my neighbourhood, my stomach twisted. The house looked the same as always, with white walls, neatly trimmed lawn but dread pooled in my gut as I walked up the path. I slipped my key into the lock quietly, hoping to sneak in unnoticed.

The door had barely clicked shut behind me when I heard her footsteps. My stepmother appeared from the kitchen like a storm cloud, her face twisted with fury.

Before I could even say hello, her hand flew across my face with a sharp crack.

The slap stung hard, snapping my head to the side. Pain bloomed across my cheek, hot and immediate, but I didn’t scream.

I didn’t cry.

I just stood there, lips pressed tight, eyes fixed on the floor. Years of this had taught me that any sound would only make it worse.

“Where have you been?” she hissed, voice low and venomous. “Out all night like some cheap girl? You think you can disappear and come back whenever you please?” she asked on top of her lungs.

It's not as if she didn't see my text. She saw it but she still decided to ignore it. What else could I say?

I kept silent, tasting blood where my lip had split against my teeth. She grabbed my arm, nails digging in, and dragged me toward the stairs.

“You ungrateful little brat. After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?” She asked and I felt my eyes cloud with tears. I thought it would end but hell no, this suffering would never end.

The punishment came fast and severe. She shoved me into the laundry room first, forcing me to scrub the floors on my hands and knees while she stood over me, listing every rule I had broken.

My knees burned against the cold tiles. When I was done, she made me wash every dish by hand, even though the dishwasher was empty.

My palms turned raw from the hot water. Every time I slowed down, another slap landed this time on the back of my head, my shoulder, wherever she could reach. I swallowed every whimper, every tear that threatened to fall. Crying would only fuel her.

Finally, she hauled me upstairs and pushed me into my small bedroom. “You don’t deserve to be around decent people,” she snarled, slamming the door. I heard the lock click from the outside.

The sound echoed like a cage closing. I sank onto the edge of my bed, staring at the bare walls. My face throbbed, my body ached, but I still didn’t cry. Numbness had settled over me like a heavy blanket. This was normal. This was home.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours. I curled up on the mattress, hugging my knees, replaying the morning with Dylan to keep my mind from spiralling. The bike ride, his steady hands, the way he’d looked at me before driving off. It felt like another world. Then I remembered my sister who is fighting for her life at the hospital.

I'm afraid I cannot tell her anything other than lie that I was actually busy in school.

The lock clicked again. My stepmother stepped inside, arms crossed, holding my phone in her hand. I hadn’t even noticed it was missing. She must have taken it while I was scrubbing floors. Her eyes narrowed as she scrolled through the screen.

“Why didn’t you pick up when I was calling you?” she demanded, voice deceptively calm now. She tossed the phone onto the bed beside me. The screen showed several missed calls from Mother. I should have called her back but I didn't just want to know if the result would be the same.

I stared at the phone but didn’t reach for it. My throat felt tight. “I… I was on the bus,” I whispered hoarsely. “I didn’t hear it.” I lied through gritted teeth.

“Then tell me who he is?” Mother asked and showed me the screen. It was a text from Dylan. I didn't save his number but I know it.

“My friend,” I said and she laughed coldly.

“Liar. You were probably too busy thinking about that boy instead of your responsibilities here. Who is he? Some delinquent you’ve been sneaking around with?” She stepped closer, towering over me.

"He is just a friend. I was at the dorm" I lied, hoping she would just believe me.

“You’re not leaving this room until I say so. No dinner tonight. Maybe tomorrow if you learn your lesson, you will eventually let me know.”