Escape from the Loveless Zone

The taste of the cake, sickly and sweet, lingered in Vivienne’s throat, bringing a wave of nausea that made her stomach flip. Her face drained of color as the feeling threatened to overwhelm her.

“Freya asked for some dessert,” Cassian explained, as though the reason was perfectly reasonable. “Her manager’s always watching, so she finally gets a break. I can’t disappoint her.” He added quickly, “I’ll call Remiel to pick you up. Wait by the corner for a moment.”

Without missing a beat, Cassian pulled over, clearly eager to leave.

Suddenly, a deafening clap of thunder split the air, rattling Vivienne and making her shiver uncontrollably. The rain began to pour in torrents as if the sky had cracked open.

Vivienne tightened her grip on the seatbelt, curling up in her seat, trembling uncontrollably.

The storm brought with it memories she couldn’t escape. When her father had failed in his investments and jumped to his death, the debt collectors always seemed to show up during storms like this, demanding what they were owed.

Her mother, always out working, left Vivienne alone at home and the sounds, the wind howling, thunder cracking, the shouting, the relentless pounding on the door, had struck her young heart like a hammer, imprinting a deep-seated fear.

Ever since that night, she had been terrified of thunder.

In the past, Cassian had discovered her fear and would hold her close, covering her ears as he spoke in a raspy, soothing voice, "Don’t be scared, Vivienne. I’m here."

“It’s just thunder. If you’re still afraid, you can hide in my arms, alright?”

But now, Cassian simply frowned, his gaze cold as ice, with a faint hint of concern furrowing his brow.

Vivienne knew all too well that his worry wasn’t for her. "Freya, are you scared again?"

"Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll be there soon."

Once he ended the call with Freya, Cassian’s patience snapped and he clicked his tongue in irritation. "Hurry up and get out of the car."

"Can you stop being so dramatic over a minor injury?"

Vivienne’s fingers trembled as she gripped the seatbelt, doing her best to mask her unease as she replied, "The rain’s coming down so hard. I’m worried my wound might get infected."

Cassian’s face darkened at once and he sneered, his disdain palpable. "Vivienne, what are you pretending for?"

"Freya was coddled like a princess, so of course she’s afraid of thunder. But you, afraid of thunder?"

"Don’t play the pity card here. Get out of the car, now!"

Before Vivienne could even open her mouth to defend herself, Cassian had already stepped out into the relentless rain, swiftly circling to her side. With a firm grip, he yanked her from the passenger seat, effortlessly undoing her seatbelt and pulling her out without a second thought.

"See that? A bus stop just a hundred meters away. Wait there for Remiel to pick you up."

"I know you're upset. Call me when you're done at the hospital and I’ll come get you."

The car sped away like a shadow, splashing filthy water across Vivienne, though the torrential rain quickly rinsed it off.

The raindrops stung like tiny daggers against her skin as she cradled her injured hand to her chest and stumbled toward the bus stop.

The open shelter at the stop barely shielded her from the deluge and the pain in her hand gradually numbed.

Her body burned with fever, her thoughts were muddled and her lips, cold as ice, began to turn an unnatural shade of purple.