rey

ed from Adam's cold gaze to the medical team, impassive in their white uniforms, th

here? In front of everyone?" My voice wa

to disgrace the Mercado name, Aubrey. Now. Take them off. And where e

enore, perhaps, with her poisoned whispers. She must have spread rumors a

terated, my voice gaining a desperate edge.

would allow you to stay out all night without contacting me. So, if you weren' t with a friend, where were you? And why are you so r

edded to pieces. Slowly, my hands shaking uncontrollably, I began to unbutton my blouse. Each button felt like an act of self-betrayal, a concession to his c

pectators. I closed my eyes, a single tear escaping, tracing a pat

ical kit in hand, Adam' s voice, sharp an

trembling form. Then, to my utter shock, he waved his hand

uickly gathered their equipment and retreated, leaving Adam and

urned, holding it out to me. His face was unreadable. "Dress yourself, Aubrey," he sa

use and quickly covered myself. My skin felt raw, exposed,

. "Did you hear? Adam forced Aubrey to submit to a physical inspection! In front of everyone!" "Pr

um now, incapable of reaching the core of my newfound resolve. It was a clear confir

Under "Escape Fund," I added a

emotions swirling in a chaotic eddy. In my half-sleep, I felt a familiar weight beside me on the bed. A

name escaping my lips like

o was that, Aubrey?" Adam's voice was sharp, a sudd

rage, his breath hot against my cheek. "N-no one," I stammered,

he roared, shaking

Adam, please!" I plead

ain, not with passion, but with a desperate, crushing force, as if to reassert his ownership, to erase the name that had slipped from my lips. His teeth grazed m

y ear, was almost lost in the darkness.