Chapter 2 " Hey , assistant " Mina's gentle voice called out just as Alicia ended her phone call … Alicia spun around , nerves coiling in her stomach as she found Mina waiting in the staff kitchenette There was something almost intimidating about Mina, despite her gentle smile and poise . Just standing there , she radiated an effortless grace that made Alicia feel small and awkward . " Yes , Miss Holloway ? Is there something you need? " Alicia managed , voice barely steady .

" " I just remembered - I forgot to pick up a few things for the trip . Would you mind going out and getting them for me ? " Mina handed her a handwritten list . Her handwriting , neat and delicate , reminded Alicia of Mina herself : elegant , soft , and impossibly refined . Alicia's eyes skimmed the list and froze on one word - condoms . For one breathless moment , it was like an ice pick to the sternum , that sharp , that sudden.X " Please keep it between us , okay ?

" Mina whispered , flashing her a conspiratorial wink . Alicia nodded , flustered , and all but fled the kitchenette . " The first time she'd ever been with Vincent , she'd just turned nineteen . It was her birthday - he'd come by with a bouquet and a tiny cake … Alicia had grown up in foster care , and no one had ever gotten her a birthday cake before . That single , small cake and a bunch of flowers had been enough to sweep her completely off her feet .

She'd given him everything , heart and soul . A bitter smile flickered across her lips . She really was a joke . Maybe that's why people say girls should grow up with a bit of luxury - otherwise , the first guy to show them a cake can steal their hearts , In all four years with Vincent Alicia had never once bought condoms herself . Vincent didn't like them - he always made her take the pill . But for Mina , he wouldn't dream of that .

He'd never ask Mina to mess up her body ; he'd make sure she was taken care of . On the way to the airport , Alicia sat silent behind the wheel , barely blinking " Time's tight . Can you speed up ? " Vincent's voice cut in , sharper than usual , as if he'd noticed her mood . " Yes , Mr. Lawson . " Alicia turned left at the green light , barely glancing at the traffic The car in front had just cleared the intersection when , out of nowhere , a little boy darted across the road .

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Alicia jerked the steering wheel to avoid him , swerving hard - and crashed straight into the median planter " Mina " in the split second after impact , Vincent reached over and pulled Mina into his arms , shielding her. Luckily , they hadn't been going fast ; only the driver's side was badly crushed . " The airbag exploded into Alicia's chest , pinning her in the twisted seat . Her left leg was wedged under the dashboard , the pain so sharp che could barely breathe … " Vincent ..

" Terror made her voice tremble . " Help me " She hated the feeling of being trapped , unable to move , boxed in . Back in freshman year , Mira and her friends had stuffed her into a wooden equipment crate - no matter how much she screamed and pounded , no one had come . That horrible , suffocating pressure had nearly driven her mad . If the janitor hadn't found the puddle on the floor the next day while cleaning , she might have died in there .

" " Vincent Seeing him about to get out , Alicia panicked . She didn't care that Mina was tight there . " Don't leave me - please … " Let the rescue crew and the police handle it , Vincent said coolly , helping Mina out of the car while already dialing for assistance . " The assistant's still in there ," Mina remarked , her tone skeptical - no professional assistant would call her boss by his first name . Vincent pulled Mina close , glancing dispassionately at Alicia , then at his watch .

" We're out of time . The crash wasn't that bad . We'll take a cab to the airport . The rescue team will handle her ." Mina nodded , giving Alicia a long , unreadable look before slipping away with Vincent , leaving the wrecked car behind . !! Alicia thrashed against the seatbelt , pounding the window , but Vincent never looked back . !! She knew why - Vincent didn't want Mina to get the wrong idea . As she watched him leave , Alicia finally broke down , sobs wracking her body . " Vincent !

Please , help me . You promised you'd never leave me " Liart Vincent , you're a liar ! You told me you'd protect me ! " Her emotions spiraled out of control , depression and mania crashing together until all she could do was struggle and scream in the clamped , broken space . Her injuries weren't even that senous , but she couldn't stop herself from clawing at her own skin , thrashing against the seat Let me out Please , let me out ?

Alicia's voice was hoarse as she hammered the glass The old trauma from college came roaring back , robbing her of reason as the acrid smell of smoke drifted in from the engine " That car's on fire ! " * " Is anyone still inside ? I saw the people get out . Someone shouted from the street !! Alicia , trapped and hopeless , started counting under her breath . " One , two , three , four .. The night Mira locked her in the crate , Alicia had counted all the way to 6,788 . She wondered now - at what number would she die this time ?