Chapter 13

The golden sunlight filters through the window, spilling warmth onto my skin. I groan, covering my face with my palm to shield myself from the brightness. My body feels heavy, my mind still tangled in exhaustion, but I force myself to sit up. The silence around me feels unusual. Something is missing.

Slipping out of bed, I grab a towel and head into the bathroom. The cold water shocks my skin awake, washing away the remnants of last night's troubled sleep. As I step out, I glance at my reflection-my pink shirt clings softly to my frame, and my brown skirt falls just below my knees. My hair, loosely tied to the side, sways slightly as I walk.

Descending the stairs, an eerie stillness greets me. The absence of familiar sounds-the rustling of newspapers, the clinking of cups-makes my chest tighten. I glance around. No one is home.

A small white note on the dining table catches my eye. My fingers brush against the paper as I pick it up, the ink smudged slightly.

"Hey Vidya, Mom and I took Dad to the hospital for his appointment. Breakfast is a sandwich in the kitchen."

I exhale sharply. They left without waking me up. Again.

A bitter sigh escapes my lips. Frustration simmers inside me, but as I rub my forehead, my eyes land on the faint bruises circling my wrist. My breath hitches. My fingers tremble as they trace over the marks, a painful reminder of the monster I wish to escape. The air in the room suddenly feels suffocating.

My heart clenches as the memories of his grip, his harsh words, and his piercing gaze flood my mind. A surge of helplessness washes over me, and I clutch my wrist, feeling an overwhelming mix of anger and fear. How much longer do I have to endure this? Is there really no way out?

The weight of it all presses down on me, and before I know it, tears spill over. My vision blurs as I rest my forehead against the cool surface of the table. Silent sobs rack my body.

"I don't want to see him anymore."

But I have no choice.

I lift my head, wiping my tears away. I can't keep breaking down like this. But the truth is, if it weren't for Sanjay's project and his blackmail, I would have resigned long ago. My life isn't my own anymore.

Pushing my chair back, I march to the kitchen. My movements are mechanical as I open the transparent container, revealing a sandwich sitting neatly on a white plate. The scent of butter and toasted bread fills my senses, and my stomach clenches in hunger. I take a bite, barely tasting it, my mind too consumed with the inevitable day ahead.

Once done, I grab my bag and step outside. The world outside feels indifferent to my turmoil. The bus ride to the office is a blur, my thoughts drowning in anxiety.

I have to stay away from him today.

As I step into the office, I take a deep breath. I need to blend in, stay unnoticed.

Emma catches my eye, her gaze immediately filling with concern as I approach.

"Are you sick?" she asks, tilting her head.

I furrow my brows. "No, why?"

Emma leans in slightly, examining me. "Your eyes... they look dull."

I frown. She rummages through her bag and pulls out a small mirror. As she holds it up, I see my reflection-dark circles taint the skin under my eyes, my usual vibrancy replaced with exhaustion.

"Does it still look dull even after makeup?" I ask, half-hoping she'll say no.

But she nods. "Here, have this." She hands me a sweet. "It'll help you feel a little fresher."

"Thank you," I murmur, taking it from her.

The sugary taste spreads in my mouth, but it does little to lift the heaviness inside me. I turn back to my monitor, forcing myself to focus.