When Dust Meets the Lighthouse

Jeffery angrily threw me into the car. I instinctively tried to escape, but he grabbed my wrist forcefully.

In the next moment, he pinned my hands down and pushed me onto the back seat.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Jeffery clenched his jaw, smiling as he lowered his voice.

"What? You see your old flame once, and you've gone out of my control?”

Seeing his frenzied state, I struggled a few times.

"Jeffery, calm down. Don't do this."

"Why are you pretending? It's not like we haven't slept together before."

"Why act like such a chaste woman? Putting on a show for Dylan?"

Jeffery gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him.

His grip was so strong that it brought involuntary tears to my eyes.

"Naomi, should I remind you just how slutty you are?"

My mind went blank.

It was as if I was back to that terrifying night seven years ago.

On my 18th birthday, Dylan had already made plans with me.

He was going to take me for a ride along the coastal road on his bike.

His red ears told me there might be a surprise waiting for me.

But life is like a cliché movie.

You never know when the plot will suddenly take a turn for the worse.

That day, I put on my favorite dress and even applied some lip gloss.

But as I was leaving, I ran into Jeffery, who had just returned from a trip.

His eyes were bloodshot.

He grabbed me and pulled me back inside.

Then he started tearing at my clothes like a madman.

I dared not recall the scene in detail.

I only remember curling up on the bed.

He took photo after photo with his phone, then grabbed my hair.

Forcing me to open my eyes and look at my own disgraceful state.

"You like him? Want to be with him?"

"Without my permission, how dare you like anyone? What right do you have to like anyone?"

"Say something, Naomi! How dare you!"

I stared at him with hollow eyes.

In extreme pain, it seems, one has no tears left to cry.

Finally, he let me go.

His smile faded as he stared at me ominously.

"My dear sister, don't dream of leaving me, and don't hope for happiness."

"You can only stay by my side to atone!"

"I'm sure you don't want these photos sent to him, do you?"

"I think he would be utterly disgusted with you."

But how could Dylan ever be disgusted with me?

Yet I was afraid.

Afraid of causing him trouble.

Dylan had a bright future ahead. Why should he be tainted because of me?

Suddenly, Jeffery laughed softly, pulling me back to reality.

He leaned in and said maliciously,

"Naomi, let's do it right here, shall we?"

"Let your beloved see just how slutty you really are."

As soon as he finished speaking, he tore open my dress.

—

"Bang!"

The car window shattered.

I was crying.

Desperately, I looked at the person I had thought of a thousand times.

"Dylan, don't look at me."

--

Just when my mind was blank and I was nearly in despair, the weight on me suddenly lifted.

Jeffery, who had been pinning me down, was violently pulled from the car.

He stumbled a few steps before losing his balance and falling to the ground.

I was still crying, terrified and gasping for air.

Dylan took off his suit jacket and draped it over me.

His eyes seemed to be brewing a storm, but his movements were exceptionally gentle.

His large hand, with its distinct knuckles, rested on my back, patting softly.