Roses in the Abyss

8

After lunch, I felt a bit sleepy and went back to my bedroom to rest.

In my drowsy state, I felt as if a heavy stone was pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

I furrowed my brow, struggling, and suddenly opened my eyes—

"Who are you!?"

A stranger had appeared in my room.

Seeing me awake, his face was filled with excitement.

How did he get in? Why was he in my room? Did anyone else in the house know?

My mind was a chaotic mess, and I didn't have time to think. I opened my mouth to scream for help, but he quickly covered my mouth, making only muffled sounds.

The sounds were weak and almost inaudible.

"Screaming louder won't help. Just be obedient, and I might be a bit gentler with you!"

The man was breathing heavily with excitement, pressing down on my hands and feet, trying to tear my clothes.

The disparity in strength between men and women left me powerless to resist, and tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Despair surged in my heart like a tidal wave...

"Lucy, that reference book of yours..."

Just when I thought there was no hope for rescue, Zain pushed open the door and walked in.

My eyes widened, and my whimpers became louder.

"Who are you!? Don't touch my cousin!"

Seeing the scene before him, Zain wasted no time and grabbed a chair from the side, smashing it at the man!

The man winced in pain and released his grip.

I scrambled to my feet, and Zain rushed over, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the door.

He slammed the door behind us.

"Lucy, you need to hide!"

Terrified, I didn't think much about it, nodded, and ran out of the house.

9

In my rush to get out, I didn't take my ID or phone, only some cash in my pocket.

I found a small motel and spent the night there.

I only went back the next day.

As soon as I opened the door, my "disappeared" aunt rushed up to me.

Holding my hands with a concerned face, tears in her eyes, she said, "Lucy, where did you go yesterday? You didn't even take your phone. Do you know how worried I was? I almost called the police."

Seeing her emotional display, I took a deep breath and slowly pulled my hands away.

Staring directly into her eyes without expression, I asked, "Did you do this?"

My aunt played dumb. "What are you talking about?"

"The man from yesterday—did you send him? You couldn't marry me off to the Baton family or use me to appease that old man, so you resorted to this kind of scheme?"

The more I spoke, the more absurd it felt.

The aunt who always claimed to treat me like her own daughter had no sincerity toward me.

In her eyes, there was only interest.

It was truly disgusting.

The thought of that man on top of me made me feel nauseous.

I even vomited several times in the room yesterday.

I vomited until my stomach was empty and bile came up.

My aunt's expression suddenly changed, showing a moment of embarrassment as if she'd been exposed.

But it was only for a moment.

She soon regained her composure, sticking her neck out, and said with conviction, "What do you know? I'm doing all this for your own good!"

10

"For my own good?" I scoffed, as if I'd heard a joke.

She remained undeterred, her voice still full of conviction. "What do you know?! I've been running around for days, just for your sake. Now that Chris has ruined your reputation, shouldn't his family take responsibility? They're wealthy and well-established; you wouldn't be at a disadvantage marrying into their family. But who would have thought they'd look down on you, wanting to just pay you off with a bit of money. What a pipe dream!

"I've thought it over. They're not accepting you because they haven't been pushed to their limits yet. If you were pregnant, even if they're reluctant, they couldn't just let a child from the Baton family be left out in the cold.

"As long as you can marry into their family, it would be a life of endless benefits; it's a chance to rise to the top. It's worth making some sacrifices now for a better future!"

I was confused and incredulous, hardly believing it. "You mean, you want me to get pregnant with someone else's child and pretend it's Chris's?"

I usually spoke clearly, but this time, such a simple sentence was so hard to say.

It felt as though gravel was lodged in my throat, each word felt like being pierced by a knife.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean!"

My aunt nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with a fervent heat that almost seemed to engulf me. "I'm doing this just in case. Maybe you're already pregnant. Besides, this isn't your first time; what's a few more occurrences to you?"

What's the difference?

Perhaps the difference was between being human and being a beast!

I felt utterly exhausted, looking at her was as repulsive as looking at that man.

I couldn't stay for another second. I pushed past her and rushed back to my room.

I quickly packed my things and was about to leave.

Seeing me about to go, my aunt panicked and blocked me. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going back to school."

"Back to school? Don't you understand the gravity of the situation? Once this matter is resolved, you'll be well taken care of even without school. It's a stroke of good fortune!

"Do you want this fortune for yourself?"

I sneered, gritting my teeth, and was determined to leave.

My aunt tried to stop me, but Zain suddenly appeared from somewhere and pulled her aside.

He said to me, "Lucy, you should go back to school. I'll handle things at home."

Seeing his anxious expression, I felt my heart ached with endless sorrow.

Without him, I might be...

In this family, he was the only warmth I could feel.

I took a deep breath, blinked rapidly, and forced back my tears.

Clenching my teeth, I resolutely left.

Ignoring my aunt's shouting behind me, I walked faster and faster.