As I pushed the door open, it creaked softly — but neither of them reacted.He was standing there, hunched slightly forward, moving in a slow, deliberate rhythm. And then I saw her. Amilia. Bent forward, eyes shut, her body moving with his.I couldn't move.The air suddenly felt heavy, pressing against my chest. Their soft moans filled the room, rising with each motion, echoing off the walls like some twisted rhythm I didn't want to understand. For a moment, my mind couldn't process what I was seeing. It felt surreal — distant — like I'd stepped into someone else's nightmare.Then it hit me, they were together.Quiet. Intimate. Too close.I stared, frozen, my thoughts spiraling. What was he doing to Amilia that made her moan like that? Was she in pain?It sounded like pain. It felt like pain.I couldn't help Mom when she needed me. I had to watch her suffer...but not this time. I have to do something...I whispered the words to myself — a promise. And I took a step forward. My chest tightened. Panic surged through me, boiling up and spilling out before I could stop it."Stop it!"I shouted. "You're hurting her!"The moment my voice cut through the room, the man jerked upright, startled. He stumbled back, grabbing a bedsheet from the mattress and wrapping it around himself in a rush."What the hell—?!" he barked, his eyes locking onto me, wide with shock.Then, more sharply — "Who the f*k are you?"His voice was harsh, demanding, but beneath it, I caught a flicker of surprise… maybe even fear.That's when Amilia turned — and saw me. Her face drained of color. For a split second, she froze, eyes locking onto mine, wide with shock. Still completely exposed, she scrambled, reaching out as if to shield herself from the weight of what I'd just witnessed."Mia—" she gasped, voice shaking. "Go! Just—go back to your room!" There was panic in her voice. Not just embarrassment. Something deeper — fear? Shame? I couldn't tell. I stood there, rooted to the spot, the doorway framing a scene I would never unsee. My heart pounded so loud it echoed in my ears. My stomach twisted.I didn't move. I couldn't.It was like my legs had forgotten how to work. My brain scrambled to make sense of what I had just walked into.I was still staring — unable to look away — when I noticed it. Something… long was pressed against the inside of the bedsheet the man had wrapped around himself. My stomach turned. Amilia's eyes met mine, wide and pleading now. She reached for the edge of the bed, fumbling for the blanket in a desperate attempt to cover herself.The man stayed still, tense — the sheet clutched tightly at his waist, jaw locked, eyes flicking between the two of us like a trapped animal. "Mia..." Amilia said again, this time barely above a whisper. Her voice cracked. "Please... just go." I took in a shaky breath. My throat was dry. My heart pounded so hard I couldn't hear anything else.I stepped back.Once.Twice.Then I turned and bolted — not just walked — ran down the hallway, her voice chasing after me, faint and fading. But I didn't stop not until I reached my room, slammed the door shut behind me, and slid down with my back pressed against it. I sat there, trembling.What the hell did I just see?Tears welled up, burning the corners of my eyes — but I blinked them back. I didn't want to cry. I wanted answers.And deep down… I wasn't sure I'd like them. I pulled my knees to my chest, burying my face in my lap, trying to block it all out. The image. The sounds. The confusion. The hurt.Then I heard it.A voice — loud and sharp, slicing through the walls like a blade."Who's that girl? What's she doing in my house?!"It was him. His voice was firm. Angry. Commanding. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. His house?Was I not supposed to be here?,What if he kicks me out?,What if he hits Amilia… because of me?Panic surged again.Then I won't go back to Miss Cathy, what if he kills me ....Before I could gather my thoughts, his voice boomed again — louder, sharper, and filled with fury."Won't you answer me, woman! Who the f**k is that girl? Why is she here?!" he shouted again, his voice echoing down the hallway like a gunshot. I could hear Amilia's voice — soft, hurried, trying to respond — but her words were broken, muffled, and clearly not enough to calm him.Then came a loud slam — something heavy hitting a wall or a door — followed by fast, heavy footsteps. Each one thundered closer.Closer....to me. My heart skipped. I scrambled to my feet, my eyes darting around the room, searching for someplace — anyplace — to hide. A closet, under the bed, behind the curtain — something.But I was too slow.The door burst open with violent force, and I lost my balance, hitting the floor hard.Then — a hand. A strong, rough grip yanked me upward by the arm. His hand wrapped fully around my upper arm like a clamp.I looked up — straight into his face. His eyes were bloodshot with fury, veins bulging at his temples. His chest rose and fell with rage, and for a second, I truly thought he might hurl me across the room."Who are you?!" he barked, voice deep and terrifying. I stood there trembling, lips parted, but nothing came out. My mind was blank with fear. Words failed me.I didn't know what to say, I didn't know if I could say anything.Just then, Amilia and Jessica rushed into the room. "Leave her, Grant… please," Amilia pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper as she grabbed his arm, trying to pull him back. "Move away!" he roared, his voice like thunder. He shoved her aside without hesitation. Amilia hit the floor. Jessica let out a gasp and dropped to her knees beside her, trying to help, but my eyes stayed locked on him. On *Colonel Grant*. My whole body trembled.Watching him push Amilia like that… My chest tightened. My heart pounded like it was trying to break free. Flashes of Dad's torture on mum hit me... Is he like Dad? Is he going to kill me?His eyes narrowed at me."You won't talk, huh?" he growled.And then — before I could even move — he grabbed me again and threw me across the room. My back hit the wall with a sickening thud — the one the bed rested against — and I collapsed onto the mattress. A sharp pain shot through my head. White flashes danced across my vision. My breath caught in my throat. Everything hurt."Mia!!!" Amilia cried out.She pushed herself up from the floor and rushed toward me, but he caught her by the wrist, yanking her back with force."Who is this girl, Amilia? I won't ask you again," he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. His hand gripped her wrist so tightly I could see the tension from where I lay. Amilia winced, then *screamed*."Grant, you're hurting me!" she cried.But he didn't stop.He squeezed harder, dragging her down until she collapsed to her knees. Her voice trembled with pain, tears already pooling in her eyes. I tried to sit up, but the pain in my head pulsed like a drum. I could only watch, helpless and terrified.Then — suddenly — another voice. Calm, sharp, and full of quiet authority."What's going on here?"It came from just beyond the doorway. Grant instantly let go of Amilia's hand and stepped back, his face switching like a mask — rage vanishing into practiced composure.An elderly woman entered the room. She moved slowly, posture slightly bent, glasses perched neatly on her nose. Her eyes scanned the space — from the scattered tension in the air to Amilia on her knees, to Grant, and finally… to me. She stared at me for a long moment. One full minute, maybe more. Then she spoke."Who is this child?...", she paused, she looked at Grant and Amilia and then says"Whatever is happening here will be discussed tomorrow. For now, everyone should go back to sleep," she said — firm, calm, in control. Just like that, he stepped back. Grant's eyes lingered on me for a moment — cold, burning — but then he turned and walked out. It was as if the old woman's voice had some kind of power. Like magic. She said it, and " it was so ".The door shut softly behind them. Amilia rushed to me and wrapped her arms around me tightly."Mia… I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" she whispered against my hair, her voice thick with guilt and worry. But I didn't move. Didn't speak. Didn't even blink.I slowly pulled myself out of her arms and turned away, lying down on the bed. My eyes shut tight, as if that would block everything out."Ma'am… please let her rest," I heard Jessica say gently. "She's in shock. It's better to give her space for now."More footsteps. The soft click of the door closing.Silence.I lay there, trembling slightly, my mind racing — replaying the scene over and over. The shouting. The push. The pain. I didn't know. Will I ever find peace ?
