Chapter 4

Overnight, the warm, cozy atmosphere of my home turned into a gilded cage.

Their constant, suffocating care felt less like love and more like surveillance.

I tried asking for a phone again, but they firmly refused, claiming that social media would only trigger my relapse.

Going out alone was completely out of the question.

The only time they gladly let me leave the house was when I agreed to see Ethan.

So, swallowing my terror, I began going on "dates" with him. It was my only chance to escape the house and find some answers.

"Luna, how are you feeling lately?" Ethan asked over dinner.

"Your family told you about our past, right? Please don't feel pressured. It’s okay if you can't remember. I’m happy to start over with you."

He took me to nice restaurants, movies, and shopping malls. He was the definition of a perfect, attentive boyfriend.

I didn’t know what his game was.

But I kept my guard up every single second.

While we were at a busy mall, I waited until we passed a restroom. I quickly followed a kind-looking girl inside. The women's restroom was the one place Ethan couldn't follow me. It was my only safe zone.

"Please," I begged the girl, tears welling in my eyes. "Can I just borrow your phone for a second? It’s an emergency."

The girl looked surprised but handed it over.

I immediately opened Google and searched for any local news about my assault from three years ago.

Nothing. There was absolutely nothing.

A violent crime like that would have made the local news. How could there be no trace of it online?

There was only one logical explanation.

The crime was never reported.

My family had lied to me.

They had conspired with my abuser to cover up the crime, and then forced me into a psych ward to wipe my memory.

I felt like I was drowning.

What could I do? If I went to the police now, did I have any proof? Who would believe the crazy claims of a girl fresh out of a mental institution?

"Hey, are you okay?" the girl asked gently. "Can I have my phone back?"

Her voice snapped me back to reality.

I immediately took off all my jewelry—including two expensive gold bracelets Ethan had bought me—and handed them to her. "Can we trade clothes? Just for today. Please."

The girl hesitated, but once she realized the gold was real, she agreed.

After a quick change, I slipped on her hoodie, pulled up the hood, and hurried out of the mall through the back exit.

I had to run. I had to find the truth.

Using my hazy memories, I navigated the transit system back to our old suburban neighborhood.

Sure enough, someone recognized me.

"Luna? Luna Miller?"

An older man, our former neighbor, stared at me in shock. "Your family sold this place years ago. What are you doing back here?"

I lied and said I was just visiting an old friend, and started chatting with him.

From Mr. Henderson, I learned the truth about my childhood. My parents had always favored Chloe, letting her bully me constantly. Even the neighbors felt sorry for me.

My parents were just low-wage factory workers who were drowning in debt.

But three years ago, they suddenly came into a massive fortune. They paid off their debts, sold the run-down apartment, and bought the luxury penthouse downtown.

The cold truth hit me like a physical blow.

Three years ago. The exact time of my assault.

My parents had taken Ethan's money. They didn’t just cover up the crime; they sold me back to the monster.

"Luna! What do you think you're doing here instead of being on your date with Ethan?"

A sharp voice made me freeze.

I spun around to see my parents and Chloe rushing toward me, their faces pale with panic.

I opened my mouth to scream for help, but Chloe reached me first, throwing her arms around me and covering my mouth with her hand.

My parents blocked the neighbor's view, smiling tightly. "Sorry, Mr. Henderson. Luna’s been very sick. We just got her out of the clinic. She’s having an episode. We’re taking her home now."

They dragged me into a waiting car. Ethan was at the wheel.

I was sobbing, my voice trembling with pure terror. "I... I just felt suffocated. I wanted some fresh air. I won't run away again, I swear!"

"Ethan, I had a great time today. Let's go see that new movie tomorrow, just the two of us—"

Ethan cut me off, his voice deadpan.

"Stop acting, Luna."

"You figured it out, didn't you? That's why you're trying to run."