She had no clue how long she’d been rolling.
All she knew was that her already bruised and battered body was about to fall apart.
Everything hurt.
Pitch-black all around.
Fear and helplessness slammed into her like a tidal wave, so heavy it felt like she couldn’t breathe.
Somewhere in the distance, she thought she heard a car.
She forced herself to sit up a little, crying desperately, pushing out a silent scream—just praying someone would show up.
But…
she couldn’t make a sound.
She was mute.
The car zoomed past.
Gone.
Silence fell again, swallowing everything.
So cold.
It was freezing.
Lydia curled up into a ball, arms tightly wrapped around herself, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Maybe…
it wouldn’t be so bad if this whole nightmare just ended here.
That was the last thought she had before passing out.
…
Lydia woke up from the cold, her whole body stiff and numb.
It was still dark, still the same nightmare.
She knew she couldn’t give up here—if she laid there any longer, she’d freeze to death for real.
Teeth clenched, holding back the pain, she forced herself to stand and began inching her way forward.
Luckily, she hadn’t fallen too far from the bottom of the hill.
Soon, she stumbled into the outskirts of the city.
The crowd and the familiar noises made her eyes sting—it felt unreal.
Then, screech—
A sharp sound cut through the air.
She didn’t even get a chance to react before a van swerved in front of her and slammed to a stop.
The door flew open, and several men in sunglasses and dark clothes rushed out.
A firm grip yanked her by the arm, shoving her into the van.
—Who are you?!
Let me go!
HELP!
Please!
Somebody help me!
She’d just barely made it out of one hell, and now she was thrown into another.
Lydia opened her mouth wide, eyes pleading, searching every face that passed by. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
But no one understood the fear in her eyes.
No one heard her.
Tears streamed down her face.
She clung to the van door with every ounce of strength left in her, struggling hard against them.
“Lydia?!”
A voice, sharp with panic and anger, rang out.
Then a punch came flying in—Michael was already pushing through the men, fists landing quick and hard.
Chaos broke out.
Taking the chance, Michael dragged Lydia behind him and shouted, “Call the cops!
This is a kidnapping!”
Finally, people around them started to realize something was wrong.
A few rushed in to help.
Sensing things were getting out of control, the men cut their losses and took off.
Michael wanted to chase—but they were too many, and it’d be risky.
At least Lydia was safe now.
That was what mattered.
“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at her disheveled, fragile state, eyes full of worry.
—Michael…
I’m okay.
I’m fine.
Every bit of strength in Lydia was gone.
Too much had happened in one night.
With tears pouring down her cheeks, she clung to Michael wordlessly and broke down in his arms.
Her fear and despair practically rolled off her in waves, hitting him straight in the chest.
“Lydia, how did you end up like this?
Where the hell is Henry?
That’s how he takes care of you?!”
Once Lydia had calmed down a bit, Michael finally got a good look at her—covered in cuts and bruises, a total mess—and his temper blew.
—Don’t be mad, Michael.
It’s not his fault.
I was just careless, that’s all.
Lydia gestured quickly, trying to explain.
“You’re still defending him…
Lydia?
Lydia!
Hey, stay with me!”
Michael was about to say more, but Lydia suddenly collapsed against him.
Panic instantly took over his face.
…
After leaving the old house, Henry purposely told the driver to slow down.
But the whole ride, not even a shadow of her was seen.
“Back to Halcyon Estate.” Henry’s voice was cold and clipped.
The second they got to the Halcyon Estate villa, he bolted up to Lydia’s room.
Empty.
His heart dropped, a tight knot forming in his chest.
He stormed back down and rounded up the staff.
“Where’s Lydia?”
The servants looked at each other, confused.
Finally, Martha stepped forward nervously, “Sir…
Lydia…
she hasn’t come back yet…”
Henry didn’t even wait for her to finish.
His face darkened instantly, a scary chill spreading off him as he turned and stormed back upstairs.
“Find her.
I want her back, alive or dead.
Now.”
Back in the room, Henry barked the order into the phone to his assistant, Jeffery.
He hung up and clenched his jaw.
Very bold of you, Lydia.
Running away from me?
You’re really pushing it now.
…
Lydia blinked her eyes open, a little dazed, only to see a room she didn’t recognize.
Her whole body tensed—she shot up in bed, wide-eyed.
“You’re awake.”
Michael’s voice was soft, calming.
“You passed out, and this place was closest, so I brought you to my place.
I hope you don’t mind me making the call.”
He looked at her, equal parts worried and gentle.
—How could I mind?
If anything, I owe you a huge thank you.
Seeing that it was Michael, Lydia stroked a relieved breath.
Tension drained from her shoulders.
She really meant it.
If he hadn’t shown up, who knows where she’d be now.
The thought alone made her skin crawl.
“No need to be so formal with me,” Michael chuckled, “Honestly, you scared me half to death earlier.
I had to do something.”
—Wait, my injuries…
Lydia finally realized her wounds had been cleaned and dressed.
And her clothes…
even those were…
The moment it clicked, her face flushed a deep, embarrassed red.
Right then, she looked heartbreakingly beautiful—fragile, soft, and almost too pretty for words.
Michael suddenly realized that the little girl who used to trail behind him all the time…
had really grown up.