They were best friends for years, sharing every secret except one. When Felix finally confesses his feelings, Josephine lets him down with a gentle lie: she's not interested in men. Heartbroken but determined to keep their friendship, Felix tries to...
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This chapter has STRONG trigger warnings. Readers discretion is advised. ⚠️⚠️⚠️‼️
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After around a 5 hour drive, the engine cooled in the driveway, the ticking sound loud in the oppressive silence. Josephine sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her hands resting in her lap, loosely tied with the scarf Felix had insisted on. The scarf felt soft, but its presence chafed at her psyche, a constant reminder of her captivity. She stared out the window, her uneven, dyed-blonde bob reflected faintly in the glass. The jagged edges mocked her, a visible sign of her unraveling autonomy.
The dog lied peacefully with the muzzle still in the back seat. It seemed the dog was warming up to Josephine a little bit because when Felix put her back in the basement yesterday, the dog didn't start barking.
Felix stepped out of the car, slamming the door shut. The sound jolted Josephine from her thoughts, her heart racing. She watched him through the windshield as he walked around the car, his movements deliberate and steady. He opened her door, crouching down to meet her gaze.
"Welcome to my family guest's house, my love," he said, his voice warm, as if this were some romantic surprise.
Josephine's stomach churned. She forced herself to nod, trying to keep her face neutral.
Felix's face lit up with delight. "I knew you'd love it. This is where we'll finally be safe. Just you and me."
He spoke again with a neutral tone. "I am not talking to my family at all anymore because they wouldn't want us together. They don't know we're here at their old guest house. This house used to be used all the time when we had guests over to save them the hotel expenses....I have the key."
He reached for the scarf binding her hands. Josephine flinched instinctively, but Felix only smiled, his touch gentle as he loosened the knot. "You've been so good," he murmured, leaning in closer. "I can trust you now, can't I?"
Josephine's throat tightened. She nodded again, her words caught in her chest. Felix untied her hands completely and helped her out of the car. She stumbled slightly, her legs stiff from the long drive, but Felix steadied her, his hands firm on her arms.
"Careful," he said, his tone dripping with concern. "I don't want you getting hurt."
Josephine suppressed the urge to recoil from his touch. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. The guest house was small but charming, its wooden exterior blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. The dense trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their shadows deep and unyielding. There were a few houses in the neighborhood down the streets. Escape seemed a bit more possible right now. She thought she knew Felix inside and out, but she had no idea about the family guest house.
