Owned by the CEO

didn't want to. I only drank water, and even that made my stomach hurt. My head hurt. My e

g. But inside this tiny apartment, everything felt frozen. Alessio had made it that way. He took everything with him

utside; the sun was warm, but I still felt cold. There was a café down the street. Small, I n

free now

r

d me of Alessio, strong jaw, dark hair, dressed too expensive for a Sunday morning. I looked away quickly. It wasn't him. Of course it wasn't. But I couldn't stop myself from checking the window behind me again and aga

ired and weak. I pushed the door open and froze, He was there... Alessio. Leaning against the hallway wall like he had been

rmission to disappear

ightened into fists, even t

I said, trying to stay c

reached into his coat a

ri

dding

orgot

ch for it. I

asked, my voice t

er, closing the

u can just er

re colder than yesterday. Or ma

ered. "When you walked away. W

he didn't say no. Ins

ye contact. "Even if you run. Even if y

it felt, the memories it gave me, and how my bod

but it didn't sound strong. It sounded broken. He ste

turning away. "Don't sha

e door hard and locked it. I slid down to the floor, heart racing. My hands covered my face. Why was I still scare

of my life. He left pieces of himself behind. In my bed. In my breath. In the mirror, I couldn't look

owing in the dim room. Unknown Number. He's not t

art racing. I didn't recognize the number. No name. Just those words. I suddenly felt cold.

cross the room. then, another message came in. You looked sad at the café. But still beautiful. I dropped the phone. The café? I hadn't

he reminded me of Alessio. But what if... he wasn't just some stranger? What if he followed

nd typed fast: Who is this? No answer. Minutes passed, still nothing. I stood up, my knees weak bene

y a man who still acted like he owned her. A woman watched by someone she doesn't know. A woman tryi

of me sitting in the café. Head down. Holding the untouched tea. This picture was taken from inside the

lowed. You always choose the wrong man, Leah. This time, don't. And below i