“I’m going to accept the job in Sydney,” I said, cutting straight to the point. “Please arrange everything for me.”
As I hung up, a sense of clarity washed over me. I wasn’t going to waste another second on Oliver. I wasn’t going to wait for him to change or beg for his attention. It was time to move forward, to reclaim the life I had almost lost.
My whole body was still trembling as I remembered that night. No matter how hard I tried, the memories kept clawing their way back—the laughter of the men, the helplessness, the fear. I clutched the edge of my blanket, forcing myself to breathe, forcing myself to be okay. I had no choice but to be okay. After all, I was alone in this.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, I woke up to the feeling of someone touching me. Panic surged through me. My instincts kicked in, and I shoved the person away with all my strength.
“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?” a familiar voice said.
My eyes adjusted to the dim light, and I realized it was Oliver. He stood there, looking confused. “You startled me. Are you okay?”