Jaekyunghii
The attic door creaked open, and Rosy's head snapped up. Raven stepped in first. Dimitri followed behind him, arms crossed, silent. Just like always.
"Rose," Raven said, voice low.
Seeing that his nightmare had returned, she pressed herself into the corner, knees pulled tight to her chest.
He crouched down in front of her, close enough that she flinched back against the wall.
"Look at me,Rose." Raven said.
She didn't. Her head stayed down, forehead pressed into her knees, tears already falling.
"I said, Look at me!"
She flinched very violently because of his firm voice, and her head lifted an inch, eyes wet, body shaking.
Her hands came up, palms pressed together, trembling.
She mouthed the words without sound.
"Sorry. Sorry. I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't fix actions, baby." Raven said and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She shook her head fast, mouthing it again.
"Please. Please. Sorry."
Seeing how rosy is reacting to raven, Dimitri said,"Looks like she is ready."
Raven didn't turn around. "Quiet."
Dimitri went still.
Raven looked at her a long moment.
"You know what happens now."
Rosy's whole body folded forward, silent sobs shaking her shoulders, hands still pressed together, still shaking, still mouthing the same word over and over.
Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Raven stood.
"Get her ready," he said, and walked out.
🎃Trigger Warning
This book contains depictions of kidnapping, human trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, graphic violence, and attempted sexual assault. It also includes references to starvation, self-harm-adjacent trauma responses, and psychological manipulation. These themes are explored as part of the story's dark romance genre and are not intended to glamorize real-world abuse or violence.
Reader discretion is advised.