“You’re nothing but a ball and chain, so stop hanging around my cousin.”


    It was my freshman year at college, and Hank and I were ssmates. We weren’t in the same faculty,


    but we shared the newbie status. I’ve always been a softie, so I let hisment–slide without a fuss.


    But Hank was relentless. “Phoebe, why so high and mighty every single day? You’re just a nobody but


    a little tramp kept by the Fitzgerald family. My cousin’s just keeping you warm at night, and do why you


    think you’re some kind ofdy?”


    The people around Hank snickered, “Sure, she’s ady. But she’s ‘Lady Escort“.”


    I felt my face flush with humiliation, the sting of tears threatening to show.


    Hank, with his entourage, circled me and spewed insults.


    Desperate to escape, I turned and saw Dexter standing nearby, his face stormy.


    I looked at him and pleaded for help.


    But it was the first time he looked at me with such cold indifference; his gaze was filled with disgust


    before he turned and walked away.


    Because he did nothing, Hank grew bolder in his harassment.


    Then, on a crisp autumn day during my twentieth year, at the birthday g for Dexter’s mother, Hank


    found his moment and pinned me down in the shrubbery of the back garden.


    Looming over me, his voice was sickening and menacing, “Phoebe, so many men have had a piece of


    you. Why not let me have a turn?”


    當


    “You can’t always let my cousin have all the fun. Let me in on the action, huh?” he added.


    I tried to push him off, but he was immovable.


    I wanted to scream, but his hand mped over my mouth.


    “Scream, and I’ll kill you.” He threatened.


    I wasn’t afraid to die, but he was overpoweringly strong.


    “Phoebe, it’s clear as day you’ve got the hots for my cousin. The Fitzgeralds took you in out of charity,


    and you bite the hand that feeds you, thinking you can trap him with some marriage contract.” Hank


    sneered. He continued as he watched me struggle, “I’ll tell you the truth, Dexter sent me to teach you a


    lesson, to remind you of your ce. You’re nothing but a bitch bred by the Fitzgerald family.”


    I slowly stopped fighting. My eyes were filled with despair.


    Thinking I’d surrendered, he loosened his grip on my wrists and started eagerly tearing at my clothes.


    15.02


    That’s when I grabbed a rock from the ground and smashed it against his head.


    Hank looked at me, pain shing in his eyes before he ran off.


    That day, I curled up and hid in the garden for a long time. Until the autumn rain soaked me to the bone


    in the nightfall.


    It was then I realized I had to escape the Fitzgerald family.


    eded to escape. I had to leave.


    Otherwise, I would end up dying at the hands of the Fitzgeralds. I would be dying by Dexter’s hand.


    I studied relentlessly, striving for honors and schrships, but no matter how hard I tried, it was never


    enough to counteract the nderous whispers.


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    Rumors spread that Dexter was with the campus belle, Melody. They were the golden couple. perfectly


    matched.


    And I was the vile woman who plotted against her, ndered her, and schemed against her.


    Hank led the charge; he wasbeling me promiscuous, iming I threw myself at men and almost hit


    on him.


    I was powerless to defend myself, and I was also aware that trying to prove my innocence would be a


    trap. The more desperately I tried to clear my name, the deeper I fell into their trap.


    They mocked me mercilessly, trampling on my dignity, as well as pushing me closer to the brink.


    In my junior year, there was an opportunity for a student exchange program. It required excellent


    grades and all–around distinction.


    I saw that chance and thought if I could just secure it; if I could just get away, everything would get


    better.


    But I watched helplessly as the spot I fought so hard for was taken by Dexter and given to Melody’s


    sister.


    I cried out hysterically, asking him why. Why he loathed me so much and yet refused to let me.


    1. go.


    He said, “You’ll have plenty of other opportunities. You don’t need to study abroad. Melody’s sister has


    always been frail; she really values this chance. Can’t you just let her have it?”


    Let her have it?


    Everything was supposed to be handed over to Melody.


    Why the hell should I?!