Chapter 5

The nightmare was like a cage, locking me in tight.

It wasn't until I became aware of someone tapping my shoulder.

At first, the touch was light, but then it got more urgent, the taps coming quicker and a bit rougher.

Somewhere through the fog of my nightmare, I heard someone calling my name, worry thick in their voice: "Zoe."

It felt like a hand yanked me out as I was about to drown.

I shot up, wide awake.

In the faint glow from the bedside lamp, I spotted Chris standing right next to me.

It was way past midnight.

He'd wrapped up at work and came straight over, no hesitation.

Bruce was so weak. He was lying in bed, already fast asleep.

Chris looked at me, worry written all over his face. "You're sweating a lot. Are you feeling sick?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine."

I got up, went back to my own room, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Chris crouched down in front of me, looking up at me with a gentle, encouraging look in his eyes. "What's wrong? You can talk to me, you know."

I looked at him calmly and said, "That antique restoration contract was all Leon and Nathan's doing.

"I slipped out of the hospital tonight and ended up seeing them."

Chris's face suddenly darkened. He gently took my wrist and rolled up my sleeve.

He scanned me anxiously, his expression tight as he searched for any signs of injury.

I instinctively gasped, fear rising in me, and tried to pull my hand away.

Chris's voice trembled as he reassured me, "Zoe, don't be scared. It's me. Let me check if you're hurt, alright?"

I forced myself to stay still, barely holding back the urge to pull away.

As I shook my head, tears suddenly spilled down my cheeks. "I didn't get hurt. I'm okay, really. They tried to force me to sign the contract, but I refused."

I wanted so badly to tell Chris about the video Nathan was holding over me. But deep down, I knew Chris was powerless to help. So in the end, I couldn't bring myself to say it.

Chris did his best to soften his voice, trying to reassure me. "It's okay, really. Don't worry. If you want, we can go back overseas. Don't worry about the money."

I suddenly looked up at him, blurting out, "I'm not going back.

"Bruce spent three years overseas, but he never got used to it. His health kept getting worse.

"He looks so worn out now. I can hardly bear to see him like this."

Besides, my parents were buried back home. I hadn't visited them in three years.

My voice trembled as I said, "Chris, I don't want to go abroad again. I can't even speak the language there. I feel like I'm gonna lose my mind.

"Whatever, if they end up killing me, then let them. I don't care anymore. I will, I swear I'll protect Bruce. No matter what."

My voice caught as I kept talking.

Chris's eyes wavered, full of emotion. He reached out, as if to hug me. But his hand stopped midair. He let his hand fall gently onto my wrist, over my sleeve.

Chris and I were never together.

I met Chris when I was a kid at the orphanage.

He was always reserved and shy, and the other kids bullied him constantly.

Bruce and I helped him out a bit, and he never forgot it.

Later, when Bruce and I hit rock bottom, we fled overseas.

By chance, Chris was working there, and after all those years, he actually recognized us.

He took us in and helped us out so much over the years.

These past few years, my mental state was all over the place.

Bruce was always worried, terrified that I'd never be able to let go and would end up going back to Leon, only to get hurt by Nathan again.

His anxiety ate away at him, and his health kept getting worse.

So, Chris went along with the act for me.

We pretended to be a couple to put Bruce at ease.

Honestly, after these three years, I never really learned how to get close to anyone.

Every time I tried to connect with someone, I could never control the fear.

I clenched my fists, my voice hoarse. "Everywhere I go, it feels so stuffy. I can barely breathe."

Chris spoke softly, "Why don't we get out for a walk tomorrow? Let's bring Bruce too, and get some air."

I nodded, covering my face. "Yeah."

*****

At the mall, I ran into Leon again.

This time, there was a young, gorgeous woman hanging on his arm.

They looked pretty intimate, probably his fiancée.

I caught a glimpse of his profile from across the crowd.

Worried Bruce might see him, I quickly grabbed his arm, made up some excuse about going to the supermarket, and led him away in the opposite direction.

But these past few years, Bruce had become especially sensitive to my reactions.

He still turned around, glancing in the direction I'd looked. He muttered, "What's wrong? Why are you so flustered all of a sudden?"

My heart leapt into my throat.

I glanced over again. Thankfully, Leon and that woman had already vanished into the crowd.

Bruce's suspicion faded, and he followed me to the supermarket on the other side.