Naomi remained quiet, her body stiffening as she struggled to piece everything together. All this time, she had suffered immensely. She had been forced to cry, made to feel unsafe, and at times even wished for death. Yet, through it all, she hadn't given in. Insecurity had plagued her, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed. But how had her sister managed to act so normal all these years? Throughout this past month, Naomi had been overwhelmed with feelings of worthlessness, and now she felt utterly foolish for not realizing sooner that her sister had been behind it all. How had she continued to speak with her so casually?
As for her mother, Naomi couldn't entirely blame her. Both her mother and sister had been keeping dangerous secrets, secrets that, if revealed, could put them both in trouble. It made sense now why they had cooperated so closely, weaving a web of deceit that entangled them all. Naomi had always wondered why her mother never scolded Anna, no matter what mischief she got into. Instead, her mother coddled her, consistently choosing gentleness over discipline. It was a kindness Naomi had never been shown. After that fateful day, however, everything had grown worse.
But now, everything was starting to fall into place. Her father finally spoke, his voice trembling but somehow managing to maintain a little of composure. Naomi watched as her mother's lips quivered, her body shaking just as much. Her mother appeared utterly broken as she glanced at her father, who seemed equally shattered, although he fought to keep his demeanor steady.
"Mr. Zylan, you can take Naomi with you," her father said, his voice barely holding steady. "Thank you for coming yourself."
He hadn't expected Zylan to visit in person; it was a shocking turn of events. Not only had their family disgraced themselves, but something else had emerged—something even her father hadn't known. He battled to keep his composure, determined not to break down in front of Mr. Zylan.
Zylan nodded, his expression unreadable, as though he had just watched an intriguing show unfold before him—except this time, he wasn't just a spectator. He stood with an air of authority, exuding confidence as he walked toward the door. The moment he left, a woman entered the room and bowed her head respectfully.
"Good morning, Miss Naomi. I'll take your things."
Naomi blinked, trying to comprehend the situation unfolding around her. Had her father really just agreed to let Zylan take her? And what about everything else—was his reputation truly all that mattered to him? Her mother was still trembling, unable to speak. Then, her father finally found his voice once more.
His hands clenched tightly into fists, his gaze fixed on his wife. Naomi had never heard her father sound so devastated, so broken. The raw emotion in his voice was something she had never experienced before. He looked at his wife with an expression that was part anger and part heartbreak.
"How many times?" he asked, his voice sharp and demanding.
Her mother, confused and trembling, stammered, "Huh?"
"How many times did you sleep with Mark?" he demanded, his voice rising with fury.
Her mother's eyes widened, and she stammered again, "Just three... three... three times," her voice barely above a whisper.
Both Naomi and Anna turned to their mother, shock etched on their faces. Naomi had been completely in the dark about this. Anna had only caught them once, believing it to be the first and last time. But three times? The revelation hit them both like a huge wave, crashing over them with an intensity that left them gasping for breath.
Their father's pained smile twisted into something far more sinister, the pain evident in his expression. "Just three?" he repeated, the incredulity in his voice rising.
Her mother's body shook violently, fear coursing through her veins as she anticipated her husband's next move. Before anything more could be said, the lady returned, carrying a suitcase.
"I've packed the essentials, Miss Naomi. Shall we go?"
Naomi followed her, her mind still reeling, thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. As she stepped through the door, just before it closed behind her, she heard a scream echo through the house—a sound so piercing it sent a chill down her spine.
Naomi wondered what could have happened to cause that scream. A shiver ran through her as she contemplated the turmoil unfolding within her family. Her family… Who would have ever thought all this was happening right under her nose? She had been completely unaware. She glanced back at the house she had lived all her years.
How could her mother and sister be so heartless? It was a betrayal she would have expected from a stranger, but from her own family? The pain of it stung more deeply than she had ever imagined.
The woman escorted her into a car—an extremely expensive, luxurious one—before it sped off down the winding road. The opulence of the vehicle contrasted sharply with the turmoil of Naomi's emotions. As they drove, the woman broke the silence.
"Mr. Zylan... If you're looking for Mr. Zylan, he left earlier for some important business. You'll meet him at the mansion."
Naomi simply nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She didn't know what to think or how to feel anymore. Everything seemed like a blur. She had just discovered that she was, in fact, still a virgin—something she had doubted for so long. She had even considered going to the reverend school as she was already considered useless by her family, seeking refuge from the chaos that had enveloped her life. But now, she realized she needed a different plan—one that involved escape.
'I need to escape'