FLORA’S POV:
But the only option I had was to stay calm. I feared what Jonathan had in mind or what he might do to me if I persisted. He went upstairs, leaving me behind in the living room, uneasiness lingering in the air. The atmosphere grew tense again, the weight of everything pressing down on my shoulders like freight.
“Dahlia,” I heard my name from upstairs as Jonathan called out. But I remained silent. I wasn’t ready to talk to him—not unless he was ready to tell me something meaningful instead of keeping me around and have me whenever he pleased, like the whore he seemed to think I was.
I heard my name again, louder this time, but I gave him the same response: silence.
To distract myself, I switched on the television and leaned back on the couch. I wasn’t interested in anything on the screen, but I needed the noise to drown out the storm in my mind. My gaze stayed fixed on the screen until suddenly, Jonathan was standing behind me. Startled, I looked up to see him holding out my phone to me.
Only then did I realize he had been calling to give me my phone. “It's been buzzing.” He said lightly.
Hesitantly, I took it from him, muttering a barely audible “thank you.”
I glanced at Jonathan’s face, searching for any change in his expression, but it was as unreadable as ever.
Looking down at the screen, I saw a missed call notification. It was from Trina. Why was she calling me now?
We were supposed to meet yesterday, but I hadn’t been able to make it. She hadn’t even bothered to check in—so why now? Or could there be another situation?
Curiosity got the better of me. Despite my frustration, I didn’t want to overthink things. I just wanted to know why she was reaching out.
I dialed her number. It rang until the line disconnected with no response. Annoyed, I hissed under my breath and tried again. This time, she answered on the third ring.
Her voice came through the phone, sharp and clear: “Dahlia, you have your stars to thank.”
Confused, I stayed silent. I had no idea what she was talking about.
Before I could say a word, she continued, “You owe me nothing. No more. All your debt is cleared.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. What was she saying?
“Trina, what do you mean? I don’t understand. Who settled my debt? It was huge,” I stammered, my breathing quickening as panic rose in my chest.
But Trina hung up before I could get an answer. I sat frozen, utterly shocked.
Fragments of the dream I’d had earlier resurfaced in my mind, vivid and haunting. My thoughts spiraled. Has Lucian really paid off my debt? Had he done it to claim me? Just as he’d stayed it in the dream.
Was the dream actually coming true?
My heart pounded as questions swirled in my mind. If Lucian had cleared my debts, it could only mean one thing: he would come for me. Soon.
I slumped back on the couch, overwhelmed and frustrated. My thoughts were racing, but no answers came.
The dream replayed in my head like a taunting memory. Lucian had made it clear: I would have to pay him back. And the cost wouldn’t be monetary.
Jonathan had been my only refuge so far, but even he couldn’t save me in the dream. How much longer could he keep me safe here?
For a fleeting moment, I considered opening up to Jonathan, telling him everything. But his recent behavior kept me hesitant. How much could I trust him?
No, I decided. For now, I needed to stay calm and come up with a plan.
I couldn’t go back to Lucian. That much was clear.
Jonathan’s footsteps broke through my spiraling thoughts. They grew louder as he approached.
He stopped in front of me and took my hand gently. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft yet probing.
I tried to act composed, brushing off his concern with a weak “I’m fine.” But my voice betrayed me, trembling under the weight of my fear.
Jonathan wasn’t convinced. His expression hardened with determination, though his eyes still held concern.
“Dahlia,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind, “the sooner you start opening up, the better. Now, no lies. What’s wrong?”
His words struck a chord, but before I could stop myself,
“How much longer can you keep me safe from Lucian?” I blurted. “And how much longer do you plan to keep me here? Captive?”
I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth, watching Jonathan’s face for any reaction. But he didn’t flinch.
Instead, he stepped closer, taking my hands in his. To my surprise, his voice softened. “I won’t let any harm come to you, Dahlia. You need to trust me. Only then can we work together. I’m not keeping you captive—I’m keeping you safe until you’re strong enough to leave and free from any danger.”
His words resonated deeply, and I felt a flicker of hope.
Without another word, I stood and went upstairs.
In the bedroom, I climbed onto the bed, hoping sleep would provide an escape from my worries. Before long, exhaustion overtook me, and I drifted into unconsciousness.
In my dream, the Moon Goddess appeared before me, her presence both comforting and enigmatic.
Her smile was radiant as she spoke: “You’re close to the end, Dahlia. But it doesn’t get any easier from here. You must give more of yourself. You’re progressing.”
Before I could respond, she vanished, leaving me with more questions than answers.
When I woke, her words still echoed in my mind. Frustration bubbled up within me. Why couldn’t she just tell me what to do? Why did everything have to be so cryptic?
I already knew the answer to my question, even if I didn’t want to admit it. The journey was mine to figure out.
Despite the confusion and lingering tension, I felt a strange sense of renewal. A fresh wave of determination swept through me.
Chaos still loomed, but for the first time,
I felt capable of facing it.
This time, I would be ready to fight for what I wanted.