When the Fog Clears

After something happened to Caino’s brother, he had no family left. I promised him that even if we separated one day, I would still be his family whenever he needed me.

Maybe I truly could not let go of our ten years together. Maybe I refused to accept that after everything, Caino could be this cruel.

I agreed to attend his birthday.

On the day of the celebration, I pushed open the door to the private room with a carefully prepared gift. The scene inside made my heart stop.

Caino had pinned Amelia against the wall. She wore a novice nun's habit. He held her wrists above her head, bound with his tie, and kissed her fiercely.

Wet sounds echoed through the spacious room, setting off a wave of cheers from the friends gathered to celebrate Caino's birthday.

"Wow, first time seeing Caino lose control like this in public! Guess he really likes Amelia! Will she be the Donna?"

Amidst the cheering calling Amelia "Donna," she leaned hard against his chest, flushed and breathless.

Caino lifted her and sat down with her in his lap. Only then did someone notice me standing frozen in the doorway.

"Sancia, you're here? Come play games with us!"

I felt dazed. My eyes kept drifting toward Caino and Amelia across from me. I stood completely out of place in the lively atmosphere.

Caino's friends always played wild games in private. They used to tease me plenty in the past.

Amelia was no match for them. She drew a dare card.

"Strip in front of everyone."

Amelia's face went pale when she saw it. She clutched Caino's arm frantically, seeking help.

The next second, Caino, sitting directly across from me, worked his jaw and lifted his chin, ordering me.

"Sancia, you do it for her."

Suddenly, everyone turned to stare at me. It reminded me of my nightmare from years ago. My eyes turned red instantly.

"Why should I? If she can't handle the game, she shouldn't play! Why do I have to do it for her!"

I stared straight at Caino and Amelia, my voice carrying a barely noticeable tremor.

Amelia's tears fell immediately. She said, voice thick with hurt.

"Sancia, are you still mad that I left you behind that night? That I didn't stop those men from raping you?

"But you were the one who drank too much and insisted on sleeping with someone! I couldn't stop you! I had to leave first."

The secret I never spoke of in front of outsiders was announced to everyone just like that.

Countless lewd, disgusting stares stuck to me. Whispers filled my ears. Some people were already discussing my rates per night.

My chest tightened. I could not breathe, and my whole body started trembling uncontrollably. But Amelia kept pressing.

"Sancia, you know how strict Mamma is with me. If she finds out I stripped in public, she'll beat me to death. But you're different. You've slept with so many people already anyway. Now you're just being asked to dance..."

My consciousness grew hazy. When I came to, someone was screaming.

The broken glass embedded in my palm yanked me back to reality. In my rage, I swung the bottle at Amelia. Caino blocked it with his arm.

Then Caino's palm sent me sprawling to the floor. My left cheek swelled red instantly.

This was the first time Caino hit me.

Burning pain spread from my cheek. I sat there, stunned.

For the past ten years, he never raised his hand to me. Now, for Amelia's sake, he slapped me in front of everyone.

"Sancia, Amelia is pregnant with my child. If anything happens to her, I won't let you off!"

Pregnant? Amelia was pregnant?

All these years, after every time we slept together, whether we used protection or not, he would hand me a morning-after pill and watch me swallow it.

"I don't believe in marriage. Don't cause me trouble."

I always obediently swallowed it without a single complaint. But it turned out he did not hate the idea of children, he just did not want a child with me.

I let my tears hit the carpet. My voice sounded as calm as still water.

"Caino, I never want to see you again!"

Perhaps my resolve this time felt too unusual. Caino froze for a moment, then laughed mockingly.

"When did you get the right to order me around? Between us, only I get to call it quits!"

Amelia's tearful voice cut through everything.

"Ah... it hurts so much. Caino, my stomach hurts so much..."

Panic flashed across Caino's face. He scooped Amelia up and rushed out.

Laughter, mockery, gossip nearly drowned me. Something inside me shattered.

After fleeing the club, I still had not come back to myself.

Tears blurred my vision. I stumbled forward in a daze, my brain completely shut down. I had no idea where to go.

When the blinding headlights finally pulled back a thread of consciousness, a car had already hit me head-on. I tumbled onto the highway median.

Then I sank into darkness.

Half-conscious, I heard someone keep calling out.

"Signorina? Signorina!"