Owned by the CEO

oto. Then the second message. You always choose the wrong man, Leah. This time, don't. And that last l

oor to the bed, not to sleep. I stared at the ceiling with a heavy chest and an empty stomach. My body ached in a way that sleep couldn't fix. I felt trapped between heartbreak, fear, and now, confusi

be okay",

I went to a corner store and bought bread I wouldn't eat and tea I wouldn't drink. On the way back, I stopped when I saw a black car parked a little too close to my place. It wasn't Alessio's.

Number: You're smart to be scared. I sta

hands. Not the quiet kind of cry. It came from somewhere deep, raw, and broken. My shou

eart dropped into my s

oes he keep bothering and scaring me Really, he is the one who divorced me. I didn't w

from the window,

take you so long

s scanned my face. "You

hungry,"

ser. "What's w

?" I snapped. "Why ar

s head. "You

upset! I'm terrified. And

s eyes. "What

er to the couch. Picked up

ad

. His jaw tightened,

?" he asked wi

n't k

nyone where you

N

around the phone. "Di

I don'

cause I thought he was the one following me and the one who took pictures o

atching me

second, then pulled out his

e you c

cur

ty?" I

"You're com

not," I

not staying here.

r responsibi

n't c

look stronger than I felt. "

control, it's ab

That's all it's ev

ooked at me in a way that made my sk

. "I don't wa

forward.

don't love me. You jus

n't de

"I'm trying to get better. B

coat. My heart p

etched

it,"

interest

urself. But don't pret

picked up the ring and

e? "Gone

dn't r

y place." "But I'll have someo

No

s too

ards the door

long. "Don'

he paused. "You'r

re," I whis

e more. My eyes were burning with tears. No more. I told myself. Again, and again. No more. It buzzed on my phone. I jumped. Unknown Number: Stay away from accompanying him. He will only cause you more harm. Leah, I can

t. The room felt suddenly too small, too silent-like the walls were closing in on me.

Someone who wanted to pull me back into a nightmare I thought I had escaped. Th

settled deep inside me-paralyzin