Bitch!" he shouted and ran after me.
Outside, it was still pouring rain, and it was dark. I tripped over something near the door and fell hard to the ground. Pain shot through me.
"Ah…" slipped from my lips, but I still tried to get up.
Suddenly, he grabbed my hair and tried to drag me back inside.
"Elise—" I heard Samantha's voice. She had come outside. "Why are you resisting? Just come inside."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Leave me alone!" I screamed, struggling to break free from him.
Suddenly, a loud sound cut through the night. A sports car stopped in front of the house. Someone got out and walked toward us.
Without hesitation, he punched the man who was holding me.
"I'll kill you," he said—and hit him again. And again.
I couldn't breathe. My head was spinning. I covered my ears, trying to calm myself down.
Someone grabbed my hand and pulled me up. He led me toward the car, saying something, but I couldn't make out the words.
He opened the door and sat me in the front seat, then closed it and got behind the wheel.
The light inside the car turned on.
Noah.
My eyes widened.
What is he doing here? How did he find me?
"Are you okay?" he asked. "Did they hurt you?"
How could I be okay? I thought… but I didn't answer.
He looked me over, checking for injuries. Blood was running down from my knee, and it burned badly.
"Bastard…" he muttered.
He fastened my seatbelt and started the car.
I felt terrible. I just wanted to cry all day.
This was the worst day of my life.
Tears fell, but I didn't want him to see, so I turned my head toward the window.
The rain slowly began to ease.
After about half an hour, the car stopped in front of a large gate. It was already getting light—probably around 6 a.m.
The gate opened automatically, and we drove inside.
A huge house stood in front of us.
He parked the car and got out, then opened the door on my side.
"Get out," he said.
But I didn't move.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around again.
"My house."
He waited a few seconds.
"Are you planning to sit there all day?"
I didn't answer.
"Don't be scared. You're safe here."
"Not a fact"
"Come on," he said, unfastening my seatbelt.
"Ah—" I winced as my foot touched the ground. My knee hurt badly.
Suddenly, he lifted me into his arms.
"What are you doing? Put me down!"
He ignored me and kept walking.
He entered the house and went upstairs to the second floor. He opened one of the doors and carried me inside, placing me on the bed.
"The bathroom is there," he said, pointing. "Take a shower first, then we'll take care of your leg."
I nodded and stood up.
He stepped closer.
"I'll go myself," I said and slowly walked toward the bathroom.
"Okay. Everything you need is inside," he said and left the room.
I entered the bathroom and locked the door.
I took a quick shower. I put on a robe and dried my wet hair.
When I came out, Noah was already in the room.
He looked at me… carefully. Slowly.
I shifted uncomfortably and wrapped the robe tighter around myself.
He smirked.
I sat down on the bed. He came closer, holding a medical kit.
"Show me your leg," he said, lifting it onto the bed. I fell back slightly from the sudden movement.
He started treating the wound—slowly, carefully.
My eyes were getting heavy.
I could feel myself drifting away. I was exhausted.
When he finished, he handed me some clothes.
"Put these on and get some sleep," he said and left the room.
I barely managed to get up. It was a long T-shirt… probably his.
I changed and lay down.
Completely drained—physically and emotionally—
I fell asleep instantly.
I slowly opened my eyes.
For a few seconds, I didn't understand where I was.
Then it came back.
Noah's house. Last night. The rain… running…
The room was filled with light.
It must already be afternoon, I thought.
The first thing I felt was the bed—soft and warm.
I tried to move my leg, and pain shot through it instantly. I pulled the blanket aside.
My knee was bandaged.
Noah had only applied gel last night… I didn't remember him wrapping it.
I stared at it, confused.
The door opened slightly. Noah walked in, holding a cup.
"You're awake," he said calmly. "How do you feel?"
"Better…" I replied quietly. I didn't know what else to say.
He placed the cup on the bedside table.
"It's water with honey. It'll help."
Silence filled the room for a few seconds. He didn't take his eyes off me.
"How's your knee?" he asked.
"It hurts… but I'll manage."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"A doctor came this morning. It's a bit swollen. You need to rest for two or three days."
"I didn't hear anything," I said, surprised.
"Yeah… you were sleeping deeply," he replied. "You were probably very tired."
"Why did you help me?" I asked suddenly.
"Because you needed help," he answered simply.
I picked up the cup. It was warm. I took a small sip.
"You can stay here as long as you want," he said calmly.
I froze.
I didn't know what to say.
We looked at each other for a few seconds.
And this time… I didn't feel fear. Or discomfort.
Just… a strange kind of calm.
"Get some rest," he said after a moment and walked toward the door.
But before leaving, he stopped and turned back.
"And Elise…"
I looked at him.
"Yesterday is over."
Then he left the room.
And I just sat there… holding the cup in my hands, staring somewhere far away… into the unknown.