The street was quieter than Dave remembered.
Or maybe it wasn't.
Maybe it just felt that way because she wasn't there.
He stood beside his car, hands tucked into his pockets, his gaze scanning every corner of the dimly lit road. The same flickering streetlight still stood in place. The same cracked pavement stretched ahead. Even the faint hum of distant traffic hadn't changed.
Everything was the same.
Except her.
Dave exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he walked further down the street. His footsteps echoed softly, the sound almost too loud in the silence.
He had come back at the exact same time.
Hoping....Not expecting
That she would be there again.
But she wasn't.
He stopped near the spot where they had stood the night before. The memory hit him instantly—her voice, her tears, the way she had broken down in his arms like she had been holding everything in for far too long.
"Lina…" he muttered under his breath.
His jaw tightened.
"I hope you're okay… wherever you are."
A pause.
"I wish you could let me help you."
The words felt heavier now.
Because she was gone.
And he didn't even know where to begin looking.
Dave ran a hand through his hair, frustration building in his chest. He wasn't used to this—this feeling of not being in control, of not having answers, of not knowing how to fix something.
Or someone.
He glanced around one last time.
Nothing.
No sign of her.
No trace.
Just silence.
After a moment, he turned and walked back to his car, but something in his expression had changed.
This wasn't over.
Not for him.
Across the city, in a house filled with noise and preparation, Lina stood in front of a mirror.
For a moment, she didn't recognize the girl staring back at her.
Her hair was neatly done, her face clean, her clothes simple but presentable—just enough to blend in with the background.
Just enough to not be noticed.
Exactly how she needed it.
Behind her, the house buzzed with activity. Voices echoed through the halls, laughter filled the air, and footsteps moved constantly as workers and staff prepared for the party.
Everything had to be perfect.
And somehow
It was.
The decorations were flawless. The tables were arranged elegantly. The food she had spent hours preparing was neatly displayed, filling the air with rich, mouthwatering aromas. Even the cake—after countless failed attempts—stood tall and beautiful, a four-layer masterpiece sitting proudly at the center.
No one would have guessed the amount of pain, exhaustion, and effort it had taken to create it.
No one ever did.
Lina looked at her reflection one last time before lowering her gaze slightly.
Tonight wasn't about the party.
It wasn't about Bella or Anna.
It wasn't about the guests, the laughter, or the celebration.
Tonight
Was about leaving.
.
.
.
A soft knock came at her door.
"Lina."
Simon's voice.
She moved quickly, opening the door just enough for him to slip inside.
"Everything is ready?" she asked quietly.
Simon nodded. "Yes. I spoke to the guards I trust. They'll create a distraction at the back gate."
Her heart skipped slightly.
"And the money?"
"I have mine," he said. "And the one you told me about… from Lilly."
At the mention of Lilly, something shifted in Lina's eyes.
A brief flicker of pain.
But she pushed it down.
"It's enough?" she asked.
Simon nodded again. "More than enough. We can rent a small apartment for at least two months. It won't be luxury, but it'll be safe. And we'll have enough left for food and basic needs."
Relief washed over her slowly.
For the first time
This felt real.
"We leave tonight," she said softly.
Simon looked at her carefully. "Are you ready?"
Lina hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then she nodded.
"I have to be."
The party started shortly after.
Music filled the house, loud and lively. Guests arrived in expensive cars, dressed in elegant outfits, their laughter echoing as they stepped inside.
Bella and Anna stood at the entrance, glowing with excitement as they greeted everyone, soaking in the attention like it was their oxygen.
Cynthia moved gracefully through the crowd, making sure everything appeared perfect.
And Lina...
Moved silently through it all.
Serving drinks.
Carrying trays.
Blending into the background like she didn't exist.
"Careful," a guest muttered as she passed.
"Sorry," she said softly, lowering her gaze.
Her hands were steady—but her heart wasn't.
Every second felt longer.
Every moment heavier.
She glanced toward the clock.
Not yet.
Across the room, Bella laughed loudly, her voice rising above the music.
"This is perfect!" she exclaimed, spinning slightly as she admired the decorations.
"Of course it is," Anna added. "We planned everything."
Lina said nothing.
She just kept moving.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Not from fear
But anticipation.
She spotted Simon across the room.
He didn't look at her directly, but the slight nod he gave was enough.
Soon.
Lina swallowed.
Her grip tightened slightly around the tray she was holding.
This was it.
Outside
At the back gate
Two guards exchanged glances.
Then one of them spoke loudly.
"Hey! Did you hear that?"
The other frowned. "Hear what?"
"I think something moved near the fence."
They stepped away from their positions, moving toward the sound.
The distraction had begun.
Inside
Simon moved quietly through the crowd, making his way toward the hallway.
Lina followed moments later, careful not to draw attention.
Step by step.
Calm.
Controlled.
Invisible.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Loud.
Fast.
Unforgiving.
They reached the back corridor.
Empty.
Simon opened the door slightly, peeking outside.
"They're gone," he whispered.
Lina exhaled slowly.
"Let's go."
They stepped out into the night.
The air felt different.
Cooler.
Lighter.
Free.
For a moment, Lina just stood there.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just… feeling it.
Freedom.
"Come on," Simon urged gently.
She nodded.
And they started walking.
Not running.
Not rushing.
Just walking.
Like they belonged there.
Like they weren't escaping.
Behind them
The music continued.
The laughter grew louder.
The party carried on.
Unaware.
Unbothered.
Inside
Bella raised her glass.
"To the best birthday ever!"
Cheers erupted around her.
Glasses clinked.
Smiles everywhere.
No one noticed.
No one cared.
By the time the realization came
Lina was already gone.
Far from the house.
Far from the pain.
Far from the life that had tried to break her.
She didn't look back.
Not once.
Across the city
Dave sat in his car, parked under a dim streetlight.
The same street.
The same silence.
His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel as his eyes scanned the empty road once more.
Still nothing.
He leaned back slightly, exhaling.
For the first time...
He felt something unfamiliar.
Not frustration.
Not curiosity.
But loss.
Like he had missed something important.
Something he wasn't supposed to lose.
"Lina…" he murmured softly.
And somewhere
Not too far away
A girl who had spent years trapped in silence…
Had finally chosen herself.
The night carried her forward.
Into the unknown.
Into something new.
And without realizing it...
Two paths had already begun to move toward each other...or maybe...maybe further apart..