Chapter 6%
I started to change the way I dressed. No more casual dresses or crop jackets that I used to wear.%
Now, every time I leave the apartment, I wear a long coat, hoodie, big glasses, and a beanie hat. I need protection. Not just from the cold, but from people’s eyes. I’m not ready to be discovered.
The city, with its brick buildings and sharp autumn breeze, still feels foreign. The fast, accented language made me often nervous when I had to speak.
I avoided looking directly at the cashier. I always say “Thank you” too quickly, too quietly. And food? I still can’t accept potatoes for breakfast.
Loneliness hurts the most. Even as I sat in the city park, surrounded by laughing children, I felt like an alien. Unseen. Unrecognized. Not wanted.
My nights were filled with writing. I bought a small leather journal and started writing letters to my baby.
“I know the world isn’t perfect. But you will grow up loved. You will know that you are not alone. You will be strong, stronger than Mama/% One afternoon, when I was in the dairy aisle of the supermarket, my eyes almost watered with frustration. All the labels were in the local language. Whether full cream, low–fat, oat–based, soy–based… they all looked the same. I bit my lip, worried. Some customers looked at me. I was almost back to the exit when someone said:2
“Need help choosing?“}
I turned around. A man stood with a grocery basket in his hand. He was wearing an old leather jacket, jeans, and slightly dirty white sneakers. His hair was a little messy, like someone who rarely cared about appearance, but his face was clean. His eyes were… dark brown, with a sharp but calm gaze.}
“Sorry?” I asked softly.
“Milk. You look kinda lost,” the man said, raising an eyebrow. “Been there.“}
I smiled awkwardly. “It’s that obvious?“>
“Yeah, but don’t worry. Happens to the best of us.” picked up a carton of milk and handed it to me. “This one’s decent. Doesn’t taste like cardboard.“}
I chuckled. “Thanks.“@
“Leon,” he said, introducing himself briefly.}
“Agnesia.“}
Leon nodded. “Nice to meet you, Agnesia. If you need help with groceries, let me know. I live nearby.“Z
I nodded. “Appreciate it.“}
And just like that, Leon left. Without further ado. But somehow, I felt strangely… relieved. Leon felt like someone who wasn’t interested in gossip, didn’t care much about people’s backgrounds, and didn’t try to second–guess my story.
A few days later, I accidentally met Leon again. At the tram stop. He recognized me first.”
“Lost again?” Leon teased.}
I smiled a little. “Maybe.”
From there, we started talking little by little. Not much. But enough to make me feel less alone.
Until that morning came. An email from my old lawyer, Nadia, appeared in my inbox.
“Agnesia. I apologize. Samuel was not arrested. There was a bribery attempt. And now his legal team claims your report is invalid, framed as ‘emotional revenge‘. The case has been postponed. It could even be dismissed completely…“}
The world seemed to stop spinning.”
I called Nadia immediately. My hands were shaking.”
“Are you serious?! He’s free?!” I shouted into the phone.”
“I know you’re angry, Agnes me too,” Nadia’s voice sounded tired. “But he has political connections, powerful lawyers, even the authorities are afraid of him.”
ཆ
“Then what should I do? Keep hiding! I have to wait until he comes to see me.“!
I couldn’t continue. My breathing faltered. My eyes were wet.Д
“Look… I’ll find another way. But you have to keep a low profile. Don’t post anything. No contact!“}
‘I’m sick of it!” I snapped. “Why does the world always favor that bastard?”
I threw my phone on the sofa. Then I ran to the kitchen, tore up the local newspaper where Samuel was named as the “influential businessman defamed by his ex–girlfriend. I tore it into tiny pieces, screaming in rage as I cried.
My cry was loud. Violent. Uncontrollable. I hugged my stomach as I whispered between sobs, “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… Mama can’t protect you this quickly…”
In the evening, I wrote two letters. One to my baby, and one… to Samuel. The letter to my baby was full of promise and strength. The letter to Samuel was full of anger, disappointment, and unbearable hurt. But when I reread the letter, I just smiled sarcastically and burned it.
I stood on the balcony looking up at the night sky. Letting the wind pierce my face.”
Maybe I’m not cured yet. But I’m still alive. And I will get up again. For the sake of my child. For my own sake.
It’s been a week since the email from Nadia came in, and I haven’t really slept peacefully. But today… something was different.”
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10:08 AM
I stood on the balcony looking up at the night sky. Letting the wind pierce my face.
Maybe I’m not cured yet. But I’m still alive. And I will get up again. For the sake of my child. For my own sake.
It’s been a week since the email from Nadia came in, and I haven’t really slept peacefully. But today… something was different.
I woke up angry. Not an explosive anger like yesterday, but a calm anger. An anger that makes me think clearly.
I sat at the small dining table, staring at the laptop screen. In front of me were two tabs open one about the country’s laws, the other the latest business news featuring Samuel’s face. That fake smile. Still as disgusting as the last time I saw him in person.
I thought I was just trying to survive. But as it turns out, I can do more than that. I can fight back.}
Not in the old way. But the new way calmer, more cunning, and stronger.
I started jotting down the names of those who had been close to Samuel. His business partners. His clients. His former employees. Then I remembered something. A journalist who once went viral for exposing a major scandal. Eva.”
I typed an email to her. Using a pseudonym. Be careful.
“I am a victim of violence and legal manipulation by powerful people. I have evidence. But I can’t act alone. Can we talk, anonymously?“}
Once the email was sent, I closed my laptop and took a deep breath. My hands were still shaking. But for the first time, I didn’t feel completely alone.
Suddenly, a soft knocking sound came from the door.
I was startled. Slowly, I walked over and peeked through the small hole. Leon.}
I opened the door quietly. Leon was standing there with two paper coffee cups in his hand.
“I didn’t know you liked coffee or tea,” Leon said quietly. “But I think you need something warm.“>
I gave a small nod, taking one glass from him. “Thank you.“}
Leon studied my face for a moment. “Did you cry again last night?“>
I was silent. But my face must have answered first.
I heard,” Leon continued. “Through the wall. Your voice isn’t loud, but… I know the sound of someone breaking.“}
I almost laughed at that. A little bitter, a little relieved. “I’m working on a plan. Not escape, this time. But… fighting back.”
Leon tilted his head, curious. “Fighting how?“}
I shrugged. “I don’t know exactly. But there are people who might be able to help. A journalist. I’ve sent an email.“}
Leon did not answer immediately. He just nodded slowly. “If you need help, just tell me. I won’t ask questions. But I can watch your back.“}
I looked at him deeply. Leon still feels mysterious, but he’s not scary. And so far… he’s the only person in the real world that I can still meet in person without feeling the need to run away.
2/2
