Chapter 3 Eyes in the Dark

I failed to sleep that night. I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that message. Then the photo. Then the second message. You always choose the wrong man, Leah. This time, don't. And that last line, tell Alessio he's not the only one who wants you back. I asked myself questions I couldn't answer.

I sat on the floor with my phone on my lap, with the hope that the screen wouldn't light up again, praying that it would. I was not sure about what I wanted anymore. Late at night, I moved from the floor to the bed, not to sleep. I stared at the ceiling with a heavy chest and an empty stomach. My body ached in a way that sleep couldn't fix. I felt trapped between heartbreak, fear, and now, confusion. By morning, I pushed myself to take a shower. The water was hot, yet I still felt cold. I dressed slowly, my hands shaking, and looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

"You will be okay", I whispered.

But I didn't believe it. I left the apartment to get some fresh air, walking down the street with my hood up. I didn't want to pass by the café. I didn't want to risk being seen again. Instead, I went to a corner store and bought bread I wouldn't eat and tea I wouldn't drink. On the way back, I stopped when I saw a black car parked a little too close to my place. It wasn't Alessio's. Or at least, I didn't think it was. Still, I walked close to it just, curious to see who was in it, but the windows were tinted. I went to my place and locked the door and slid the chain across.

My phone buzzed. I jumped. It was Unknown Number: You're smart to be scared. I stared at the words until my vision blurred.

I typed back: Who are you? No reply. I threw the phone on the couch and screamed into my hands. Not the quiet kind of cry. It came from somewhere deep, raw, and broken. My shoulders shook. I hated how afraid I'd become in such a short time. A knock came at the door.

I panicked again. My heart dropped into my stomach. Another knock.

I checked the peephole. Alessio. Of course, it was him again. What does he want? Why does he keep bothering and scaring me Really, he is the one who divorced me. I didn't want to open it, but I did. He walked in like he owned the place, like he still owned me.

"I saw your car from the window," I said quietly.

"Then why did it take you so long to open the door?"

I didn't answer. His eyes scanned my face. "You haven't eaten," he said.

"I'm not hungry," I replied

He stepped closer. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" I snapped. "Why are you here, Alessio?"

He tilted his head. "You sound upset."

I laughed bitterly. "I am upset! I'm terrified. And it's not just you anymore."

He narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

I hesitated, then walked over to the couch. Picked up my phone. Showed it to him.

"Read it."

He took it. Scrolled. His jaw tightened, and he acted shocked.

"Who sent this?" he asked with a soft voice.

"I don't know."

"Did you tell anyone where you went yesterday?"

"No."

His fingers clenched around the phone. "Did someone follow you?"

"I... I don't know."

He handed the phone back and told me to block the number. I was confused because I thought he was the one following me and the one who took pictures of me, but it looked like it wasn't him. They used another one. And another.

"They're watching me, Alessio."

He stared at me for a long second, then pulled out his phone and started dialing.

"Who are you calling?"

"Security."

"Security?" I gasped.

He nodded. "You're coming with me."

"No, I'm not," I replied

"Yes, Leah. You're not staying here. You're not safe."

"I'm not your responsibility anymore."

"I don't care."

I folded my arms, trying to look stronger than I felt. "You don't get to control me."

"This isn't about control, it's about your safety."

I laughed again. "That's all it's ever been with you."

He didn't answer that. Instead, he looked at me in a way that made my skin itch, part concern, part ownership.

I backed away. "I don't want your help."

He stepped forward. "Too bad."

I shook my head. "You don't love me. You just hate not owning me."

He didn't deny it.

"You ruined me," I whispered. "I'm trying to get better. But you keep pulling me back."

He dug into his coat. My heart pounded once again.

He stretched the ring.

"Keep it," he said.

"I'm not interested in it."

Then get rid of it yourself. But don't pretend that I didn't exist.

With shaking fingers, I picked up the ring and let it fall to the ground.

You, see? "Gone," I said.

He didn't respond.

He said, "I'm going back to my place." "But I'll have someone keep an eye on the building."

"No."

"It's too late."

He walked towards the door after turning.

I came in along. "Don't come back."

At the doorframe, he paused. "You're still mine, Leah."

"Not anymore," I whispered softly.

He looked at me one last time. chilly. Furious. As though he had lost something important. Then he left. I closed the door. Once more. Take advantage of a deadbolt. chain. Everything. I took a seat on the ground. Once more. My eyes were burning with tears. No more. I told myself. Again, and again. No more. It buzzed on my phone. I jumped. Unknown Number: Stay away from accompanying him. He will only cause you more harm. Leah, I can keep you safe, I already am. I went cold. My heart was racing. Another buzz, a photo. I opened it slowly, It was a picture of Alessio's car taken from behind a bush, taken just now. My breath caught. My skin turned cold.

Whoever this was... They were still watching. My heart hammered like a drum in my chest. The room felt suddenly too small, too silent-like the walls were closing in on me. I didn't know who sent the photo, but one thing was clear: I wasn't safe. Not anymore.

My fingers trembled as I stared at the screen. Was it Alessio? Or someone worse? Someone who wanted to pull me back into a nightmare I thought I had escaped. The phone buzzed again. Another message appeared. "Run while you still can, Leah."

And just like that, the cold fear settled deep inside me-paralyzing, real, and impossible to ignore.