Paralyzed by His Lies

Chapter 4

When I reached Raven Road, the whole street looked deserted, just a narrow, grimy alley stretching into the dark.

Number 35 was at the very end.

My fingers curled into fists as I forced myself to walk in. Step by step, I repeated the words like a spell:

"Come on, Lucy. Don't be scared."

"This is the last time. After tonight, you're free."

"Whatever Alexander has planned, it'll hurt for a while, but pain fades."

I was wrong.

So horribly, disgustingly wrong.

The second I stepped inside, they came at me. A group of men, eyes cold, faces hidden in shadows. Hands, rough, groping, merciless. Clothes were ripped, my skin exposed to the cold and their laughter.

"Stop! No, please, don't!"

"Alexander, I'm sorry! Please, don't do this to me!"

"Uncle, I swear I learned my lesson!"

I screamed, begged, clawed at them like a wild animal. But it didn't matter.

Eventually… I stopped fighting.

I don't remember how many of them there were. I just remember the hatred. Not for them. For myself. For loving the wrong person. For trusting the devil in a designer suit.

"Did you get the footage?"

"Yeah, perfect resolution. You can see her face the whole time."

"Freakin' disgusting. Niece in love with her uncle? These rich freaks are sick."

One of them spat at me. Another kicked me in the ribs like I was garbage. Then they left, laughing, as if they'd just finished a game.

I lay there, soaked from the rain, the blood, and everything else. I didn't move until the sky cleared.

Then I picked up the pieces, literally. My clothes, what was left of them. I got dressed as best I could, wincing at every step.

And then my phone rang.

I answered it out of habit.

"Hello?"

"Lucy? Where the hell are you? You were supposed to bring my meds."

I stared blankly at the alley wall. "I'm here. At 35 Raven Road."

A pause.

"What? We're at 5 Raven Road."

I blinked. My pulse stalled.

…No. He said 35. He definitely said 35.

Just one number off. One street apart. But between the two… was a universe.

One side heaven. The other, hell.

I walked the rest of the way like a ghost. At the club entrance, I handed the package to the manager with a steady voice.

"This is for Mr. Quinn. He needs it urgently."

The manager looked at me closely, eyes narrowing with concern. "Miss, are you okay? Should I call someone? A hospital?"

I gave him a faint smile. "No. But thank you."

I turned, pulled out my phone, and dialed one last number.

"Auntie," I said quietly. "It's done. Thanks for your help."

Then I dropped the phone into a nearby trash can and walked away without looking back.

Alexander Quinn, that was rainy day number ninety-nine.

From here on out, we're finished. For good.

"Mr. Quinn," the club manager said, knocking gently on the private room door. "A young woman asked me to deliver this to you. Said it was urgent."

Alexander looked up. He frowned when he realized I wasn't the one delivering it.

Lucas chuckled lazily, swirling the drink in his glass.

"What's the matter, Alex? Lucy tired of playing nurse?"

"She showed up but didn't even come in to say hi. You've spoiled that girl too much."

"I mean, her voice didn't sound panicked or anything. I just told a couple of guys to give her a little scare."

Alexander's expression darkened. The air in the room shifted.

He stood, brushing off Sophia's hand from his arm. "Cancel all her cards," he said coldly.

Then he walked out without another word.

Lucas smirked behind him.

The next morning, Alexander returned home with Sophia.

Strangely, the housekeeper didn't greet him with a wheelchair like he always did.

"Young Master," he said carefully, "you won't be needing the chair today. Miss Lucy didn't come home last night."

"She hasn't called. Her phone's off. We're not sure if something… happened."

Before he could say more, Sophia scoffed.

"Oh please. Nothing happened. She's probably just mad you cut her cards off."

"Or maybe she finally found a boyfriend. Took her long enough."

The housekeeper looked like he wanted to say something, but just then, the assistant came bursting in.

"Mr. Quinn! It's bad, " He was pale, out of breath. "Lucy… she tried to kill herself."