Memories of the past, piecemeal yet as dark as hell, kept replaying in her mind.
From blurry to clear, like a long-shot movie, they kept reminding her painfully like a bleeding wound.
In her world of misery, she remained the tragically heroine, who could never escape the shackles of her past.
Annie leant against the smooth wall, sliding to the ground helplessly. The cold penetration of the thin clothing on her back sent a chill down her spine.
She could hardly believe that the events of years ago, even though they had been buried deep down her memory, could now suddenly surge back, ripping her heart with the same wrenching pain.
Closing her eyes, the man’s tall and resolute silhouette emerged slowly. His back was turned to her, only a few steps away, yet it felt like a gulf between them.
In her daze, she found herself back in that hellish room. The man suddenly stepped forward, his hand harshly gripped her chin, forcing her to look up.
A familiar face, a familiar expression. This text is hosted at novᴇlfire.net
The man’s gentle look remained unchanged, yet the words he uttered sent shivers down her spine.
Oliver Hudson bent down, carefully studying her eyes. His words flowed out gently, as though they were whispered words of affection between lovers.
"Annie, why aren’t you the one who’s dead?"
"Annie, why don’t you just die?"
In countless midnight flashes, she would gasp for breath like a fish on the brink of death as she struggled to wake from her nightmares.
Oliver Hudson was her savior, yet also the one who dragged her into hell.
The heart-wrenching pain could go no further.
Annie clawed her fingers into her long hair in agony, hugging her head tightly and letting out hysterical sobs.
Charlotte rushed over to hold her, feeling her trembling body. Gently wiping away the tears from her eyes, her voice trembling, she said, "Annie, don’t... your illness is acting up... This is dangerous."
Nearly shaking, Charlotte fumbled for her phone, failing several times to unlock it.
Almost on the verge of breakdown, she screamed, finally unlocking the screen.
Feverishly, she went through her call records and dialed Jack Bryant’s number.
As soon as Jack picked up the call, he heard Charlotte’s choked voice, "Jack, the restaurant bathroom... Please come quickly."
Annie muttered with bowed head, "Don’t come... don’t come, go away... Just go away!"
As she spoke, she raised her hand somewhat deliriously, as though trying to fend something off.
Only Charlotte knew, what she dreaded and hated was the dark past from before.
Tears welled up in Charlotte’s eyes as she grabbed Annie’s waving hand, choking back sobs, "Annie, lift your head and look at me. I’m here... I’m with you."
It seemed as if she heard her. Annie gradually calmed down, leaving her hand and looked up at Charlotte, her eyes bloodshot and frighteningly red.
The next second, her vision blurred, and she passed out completely.
Charlotte supported her firmly, resisting the shivers in her own body as she lifted her up.
Annie was frail. Charlotte supported her and stumbled out of the bathroom, coming face to face with Jack.
Jack hurried over, took Annie into his arms, locked eyes with Charlotte, and turned to dash out of there.
Charlotte wiped the tears on her face haphazardly, and when she walked out, she noticed several children’s curious gazes falling on her.