**Dream.**

---

Araya sat quietly on the cool sand, her gaze locked on the vast, endless ocean. The waves crashed softly, a soothing rhythm that offered a fragile solace. For her, the sea was a lifeline, a place that gave her fleeting moments of peace in a life filled with anguish. 

But peace was always temporary. 

She stood abruptly, picked up a stone, and began hurling it into the water. Each throw felt like an exorcism, a desperate attempt to expel the pain that clawed at her chest. The harder the stones splashed into the sea, the lighter she felt, even if just for a second. The sun lit her face, catching her hazel eyes, which glimmered faintly with life despite the turmoil within her. 

Her hand moved to her stomach as her voice trembled. "I didn't have much love when I was growing up, baby. But I promise you this-I'll take care of you and my sister. You're my life now." 

She brushed a strand of hair from her face and tilted her head back, letting the sun kiss her skin. For a moment, she closed her eyes and inhaled the salty breeze, imagining what happiness might feel like. 

"Time's up, sex doll. Did you miss me?" 

Her eyes flew open, and her heart seized at the sound of his voice. 

The man she feared most stood behind her, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. Luciano. He stood casually in a pair of shorts and a shirt, yet his presence radiated menace. His dark, sharp eyes pinned her in place. 

Araya's chest tightened as she turned to face him, her voice faltering. "What...what are you doing here?" 

"Still stuttering, doll?" His grin widened as he stepped closer. "Did you forget? You're mine. Forever." 

He closed the distance between them in an instant, his hand snaking around her waist. 

"Let me go, Luciano," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm not yours. I never was." 

Her defiance only made him chuckle darkly. "Not mine?" His grip tightened painfully. "Do you really think you own your life?" 

Before she could respond, his hand struck her face with a force that sent her stumbling to the ground. 

The world spun as pain bloomed across her cheek. She blinked rapidly, trying to steady her vision, but tears blurred everything. 

"You're evil!" she spat, pushing herself up. "Why can't you understand? I don't belong to you!" 

Luciano's expression darkened, his smile twisting into a cruel snarl. Without hesitation, he lunged forward and gripped her throat, cutting off her breath. 

"You're my favorite," he hissed, his face inches from hers. "But don't think for a second that I won't kill you." 

Araya clawed at his hands, panic surging through her as her air supply dwindled. Tears streaked down her face, falling onto his skin. 

"Please," she choked out. "If you kill me...our baby will die." 

His grip loosened, his hand faltering as her words registered. His expression shifted from disbelief to something unreadable. 

"What did you just say?" he demanded, his tone sharp. 

Araya coughed violently, clutching her throat as she gasped for air. But before she could recover, Luciano seized her wrist in an iron grip. 

"Answer me! What did you say? What baby?" 

Her tears flowed freely as she met his gaze. "I'm pregnant, Luciano. You're the father." 

For a moment, the world stood still. His eyes narrowed, disbelief etched into his features. Then, his lips curled into a sneer. 

"Get rid of it," he said, his voice flat and cold. 

Her heart stopped. "What?" 

"You heard me," he snapped. "Get rid of it. I don't want it. I don't care." 

Araya's knees gave out as he turned and walked away, his hands casually shoved into his pockets. His words cut deeper than any wound he'd ever inflicted on her. 

She crumpled to the ground, her body shaking with sobs. Cradling her stomach, she let the pain consume her. 

---

**The Nightmare Ends** 

Araya jolted awake, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat drenched her skin, and her heart raced as she glanced around the room. She wasn't on the beach. She wasn't with him. 

Her trembling hands moved to her face as she whispered, "He told me to kill my baby... What baby? I'm not even pregnant." 

The truth brought no relief. She threw the covers off and stumbled toward the window, her legs heavy and unsteady. Pulling back the curtain, sunlight poured into the room, bright and unforgiving. She raised a hand to shield her eyes, her lips quivering. 

"It's a new day, Ara," she muttered, forcing herself to breathe. "Don't let the darkness take you. Not today." 

Her resolve faltered as she entered the bathroom. The test kit sat on the counter, mocking her. Araya picked it up with trembling hands, her other hand moving instinctively to her stomach. 

Tears blurred her vision as she whispered, "Most people are happy when they find out they're pregnant. But me? It's just...another curse." 

Her knees buckled, and she sank to the cold bathroom floor. Clutching the test to her chest, she whispered, "What will I tell my parents? What will I tell myself?" 

Her sobs filled the room as she curled in on herself, the weight of her reality pressing down on her chest. 

---

Understood. Let me finish the chapter while keeping the tension consistent. Here's the continuation and conclusion: 

---

Araya sat on the bathroom floor, her tears flowing freely. She thought about her parents, about the promises she had broken. Her voice quivered as she spoke to herself. 

"I'm sorry, Mom... Dad. I didn't just fail you-I ruined everything you taught me. I let myself fall for someone I didn't know, someone who only brought pain. And now... now I'm carrying his child. How can I ever face you again?" 

Her hand moved to her stomach, a mix of love and despair washing over her. She couldn't deny the life growing within her, but it felt like a cruel joke-a reminder of everything she'd endured. 

"Will they forgive me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Or will they turn away, ashamed of what I've become?" 

The sharp ring of her phone startled her out of her thoughts. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, but something compelled her to pick it up. 

It was her sister's name flashing on the screen. 

Araya hesitated, wiping her tears quickly before answering. "H-hello?" 

"Araya!" her sister's cheerful voice filled the line. "You weren't answering earlier. Are you okay?" 

Araya swallowed the lump in her throat and forced her voice to steady. "Yeah... yeah, I'm fine. Just tired." 

There was a pause on the other end. Her sister's tone softened. "You don't sound fine. Is everything okay? You know you can talk to me, right?" 

Araya closed her eyes, the weight of her secret crushing her. She wanted to tell her sister everything-to cry, to beg for guidance-but she couldn't. Not yet. 

"I'm okay, really," she lied, her voice barely holding together. "I just need some time to myself. I'll call you later, okay?" 

Her sister hesitated but eventually relented. "Alright. Just... don't shut me out, Ara. I'm here for you." 

As the call ended, Araya stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her pale face and bloodshot eyes stared back, a haunting reminder of how much she'd changed. 

---

**Flashback to High School: Ashley** 

Meanwhile, far away in a bustling high school hallway, Ashley walked side by side with her best friend, Emma. The two girls made their way to the cafeteria, chatting quietly as they grabbed trays and lined up for food. 

But the peace didn't last long. 

"Well, well," a mocking voice called out from behind them. "If it isn't Ashley Stewart, the crybaby." 

Ashley turned slowly, her jaw tightening as her eyes met those of Colleen-the queen bee of the school-and her loyal entourage, Juliet and Adrienne. The trio stood with smug expressions, their laughter echoing through the room. 

"Still crying over your missing sister?" Colleen taunted, emphasizing the word "crying" with cruel delight. "What's the matter, Ashley? Scared she left because of you?" 

Emma stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger. "Back off, Colleen. Haven't you done enough?" 

Colleen's grin widened. "Relax, Emma. We're just having a little fun. But hey, isn't it true Ashley's broke? Guess that's why she's been clinging to you for handouts." 

Juliet and Adrienne laughed as if on cue, their voices dripping with malice. 

Ashley clenched her fists, her heart pounding. But instead of shrinking back, she straightened her posture and met Colleen's gaze head-on. 

"At least I don't need fake friends and a fake personality to feel important," Ashley said, her voice steady and sharp. 

Colleen's smile faltered. "Excuse me?" 

"You heard me," Ashley continued, her confidence building. "You spend all your time tearing people down because you're afraid no one actually likes you. And guess what? You're right. No one does." 

The cafeteria fell silent as Colleen's face turned red. Even Juliet and Adrienne looked unsure of what to do. 

Emma smirked and crossed her arms. "Looks like the queen bee just got stung." 

Ashley grabbed her tray and walked past the trio without another word, Emma following close behind. The moment they were out of earshot, Emma laughed. 

"That was amazing, Ash! Did you see their faces?" 

Ashley smiled faintly but didn't respond. Her thoughts drifted to her sister, the pain of her disappearance still fresh in her heart. 

No matter how strong she pretended to be, the ache of loss was always there, just beneath the surface. 

---

**Back to Araya** 

In the quiet of her apartment, Araya sat by the window, staring at the horizon. The memories of her own high school days played faintly in her mind-days when life was simpler, when her biggest worries were here sister, exams and friendships. 

Now, everything felt impossibly heavy. The secret she carried, the fear of what Luciano might do if he found out, and the uncertainty of how to move forward weighed her down. 

But as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Araya made a silent vow. 

She wouldn't let the darkness consume her. Not again. 

---