Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
“Naturally, I understand. Rest assured, I’ll play by the rules.” Caitlin, listening intently, deduced from their exchange that this was not their first such venture. This cruel charade had likely played out countless times before. How many innocent girls had been ensnared in their web of depravity? A chilling realization dawned on her: some of these girls might not even be burdened by debt like her, simply victims of unfortunate circumstance. Where else could such a steady supply of young women come from?
Though Caitlin’s heart ached for the other girls, and a wave of revulsion washed over her at the unspeakable acts committed by these vile individuals, she knew her priority was escape.
While the men discussed the next stage of their twisted game, Caitlin’s eyes darted around, desperately searching for an escape route. Just then, a group of people strolled past the open doorway.
Seizing the opportunity, Caitlin disregarded the pain in her injured leg and bolted toward the door, screaming for help.
“Help me! They’ve kidnapped me!” Fortunately, Caitlin’s captors, underestimating her resilience, hadn’t bothered to restrain her due to her sprained ankle. The initial fall had sent waves of agony through her injured leg, but the pain had subsided somewhat. Years of hardship had inured her to physical discomfort.
The passersby turned toward Caitlin, their faces etched with shock and confusion. She was a picture of distress: her hair disheveled, her clothes soiled, her body bearing visible wounds. Her appearance undeniably corroborated her desperate cries for help.
A wave of panic washed over Caitlin. Something wasn’t right. She’d been yelling and screaming for help for ages, but no one had stepped in to offer a hand. Even the people in the private room seemed completely unconcerned about her cries.
A horrifying thought crept into Caitlin’s mind. She trembled, her teeth gritted in fear. Were the people before her working with those in the private room?
As if to confirm her worst fears, the leader of her captors stepped toward her, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. Without a word, he grabbed her by the hair and smashed her head against the wall.
A blinding pain exploded in Caitlin’s head, and tears streamed down her face.
“Like to run, do you?” the leader sneered.
“Go ahead and try running again. I’d love to see if you have what it takes to escape this time.”
Despair washed over Caitlin. Why was this happening to her? All she wanted was a normal life. She’d already paid them back a fortune. But escaping loan sharks was like trying to outrun one’s own shadow.
Anger and despair surged through her, but she was too exhausted to fight back. Then, she saw him. Among the group stood Clayton. He must have seen her struggling, but he just stood there, watching and doing nothing.
At that moment, one of the well-dressed men beside Clayton stepped forward, a sycophantic grin plastered on his face.
“Mr. Morgan, don’t let these idiots ruin your day. Let’s get out of here.”
A faint smile touched Clayton’s lips, but his eyes were cold.
“What’s the hurry?” he drawled.
“I’m enjoying the show.”
The man clammed up, not daring to say another word.
Caitlin’s heart sank further. It was obvious that Clayton held the highest status among these people.
Caitlin took a deep breath and shouted to Clayton, “Mr. Morgan, please help me! You know me! I’m Leila’s cousin. We’ve even talked before. Please, I just want to live!”
Everyone froze, especially the leader, who looked panicked. He loosened his grip on Caitlin.
“You… You know him?” he stammered.
Caitlin ignored him and stared at Clayton, her eyes filled with desperation. She wouldn’t have asked Clayton for help if she had any other option. He was her last chance. Escape had failed, and the thought of what they might do to her later on made Caitlin shudder. She was terrified.
Clayton chuckled.
“What proof do you have that we know each other?”
Caitlin’s face turned pale as a sheet.
The leader, relieved, raised his hand and slapped Caitlin hard across the face.
“You pathetic bitch!” he snarled.
“Trying to get close to Mr. Morgan? Know your place! Someone like you could never get his attention.”
The leader raised his hand to hit Caitlin again, but Clayton stopped him.
Caitlin was completely defeated. She didn’t say another word and just let the tears stream down her face. But she bit her lip hard, refusing to make a sound. Blood trickled down her chin from her bitten lip.
“It’s incredible how strong family resemblance can be,” Clayton muttered to himself.
“How else could Leila and Caitlin look so alike? They even share similar personalities. But Caitlin isn’t as tough and smart as Leila. She’s just a pale imitation. But that’s enough for me.”
Clayton glared at the leader, who instantly let go of Caitlin and stepped back, trembling.
Clayton reached out and softly caressed Caitlin’s cheek.
For a moment, a spark of emotion flickered in Caitlin’s dull eyes, but it quickly faded. She instinctively pulled away from his touch.
Clayton didn’t seem to mind.
“Don’t you want to get out of here?” he asked gently.
Caitlin’s chin trembled.
“Are you trying to humiliate me?” she croaked.
“Go ahead. I don’t care anymore. Even if I die, I won’t blame you for not helping me. This is my fate.”
Clayton looked at her intently.
“Are you going to give up just like this? Are you really going to let this happen to you?” he asked quietly.
Caitlin closed her eyes in despair. Of course, she didn’t want this. But what choice did she have?
Just when she thought all hope was lost, she heard Clayton’s voice.
“I’ll buy you. Come with me. With a face like yours, how could I say no?”
Caitlin’s eyes flew open. She stared at Clayton in disbelief.
Clayton’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he observed her hesitation.
“Don’t want to? It’s alright. I understand if you’re not willing.”
“No, no, no!” Caitlin quickly shook her head, her voice filled with panic.
“I just… I just wanted to thank you.”
Though the thought of leaving with Clayton filled her with shame, Caitlin knew she had no other option. She didn’t want to resign herself to her fate. She wanted to survive.
Clayton swiftly paid the leader, settling Caitlin’s debt.
Just moments ago, Caitlin had been dragged into the nightclub, kicking and screaming. Now, she was being escorted out with the utmost courtesy. The change in their attitude was stark. They wouldn’t dare mistreat her now that she was potentially under Clayton’s protection.
The thought brought a bitter smile to Caitlin’s lips. She desperately wanted to escape this life, a life where she was treated like dirt, at the mercy of cruel and powerful men.
Caitlin climbed into Clayton’s luxurious Maybach, sinking into the plush leather seats. The car’s interior was filled with a calming aroma that slowly relaxed her tense muscles. Exhausted and overwhelmed, she felt her eyelids growing heavy.
But the sound of the car door opening jolted her awake. She straightened up, her eyes fixed on Clayton with wariness.
Clayton chuckled at her wary expression.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit late to be cautious now?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“You no longer owe them money, but you’re indebted to me now. Do you understand what that implies?”
Caitlin bit her lip, a nervous habit, and nodded slowly. The reality of her situation dawned on her. Clayton had purchased her freedom from those criminals.