Chapter 3
She quickly let go, putting distance between herself and Joaquin.
“Sorry, Joaquin. I didn’t mean to–I wasn’t feeling well and didn’t realize it was you. It won’t happen again.”
But instead of softening. Joaquin’s expression darkened.
‘Are you blaming me for not taking care of you?”
“I didn’t expect you’d become so fragile–one rain shower and you’re suddenly ill?”
Harley’s heart skipped.
She remembered faking illness before to win his sympathy, only to be caught.
He must think she’s at it again.
“Same trick twice? Please,” he scoffed.
Harley pressed her lips together, a wave of helplessness washing over her.
“It’s an accident. I didn’t plan to get sick. And don’t worry–I won’t burden you with my care anymore.”
Her face burned, but Joaquin seemed blind to it, leaving with a warning and a sour expression.
As college acceptance season approached, Harley became a regular at the post office.
She feared never receiving her file, fearing being trapped in the same fate.
Chapter 3
But luck was on her side.
When the acceptance letter from Stanford University arrived, Harley cried. for an hour in the corner.
In her last life, low education led to dead–end jobs, and factory work that wrecked her health.
A life as a homemaker that still couldn’t please Joaquin.
Even pregnant, he’d made her do grueling labor.
Instead of sympathy, he only blamed her, demanding she learn to endure.
Thinking of her past life, Harley shuddered.
Shivering at the memory, Harley secured her acceptance letter and booked a train ticket out of town.
Back home, both Joaquin and Myra were gone.
She’d just locked the letter in her drawer when Joaquin stormed in, livid.
“Where were you?”
Not wanting to reveal her trip to the post office, Harley lied.
“Just visited a friend.”
A flash of mockery crossed his face.
“Visited a friend? Those delinquents?”
“You’re the one who paid them to stalk Myra, drug her, and take compromising photos.”
“If I hadn’t stopped you, you’d have succeeded.”
10
Chapter 3
His brow furrowed, eyes blazing with restrained fury.
“Harley, wasn’t ruining my life enough? Now you’re after Myra too?”
Harley, confused, blurted, “Who are you calling ‘delinquents“?”
Joaquin sneered, his tone dripping with contempt.
“Who else? The village chief’s good–for–nothing son, Ged. Weren’t you two cozy before?”
Harley frowned.
Felipe was trouble–but she’d only used him to try to get Joaquin’s
attention.
When that failed, she’d cut ties.
Harley raised her eyes to Joaquin, her expression calm.
“Joaquin, we haven’t spoken in months. And I wasn’t with him today.“.
Joaquin crossed his arms, the air thick with tension.
“You expect me to believe Ged just randomly stalked Myra?”
Harley hesitated, at a loss for words.
Taking her silence as guilt, Joaquin sighed dramatically.
“You’re really disappointing me. Now come apologize to Myra at the station.”
As soon as he reached for her hand, Harley dodged.
Her usually calm face finally showed a flicker of emotion.
“I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do. I’ll confront Felipe with you,”
she said, defiance in her voice.
There wer
lines she wouldn’t cross. She wouldn’t be bullied into taking the blame for things she didn’t do.
Joaquin’s face darkened at her stubbornness.
“Who’s to say you two didn’t plan this?”
Harley’s fists clenched.
“Do you even have proof?”
“Because we’ve had past interactions, you assume I’m behind this? Is that what you really think of me?”
Joaquin hesitated, but seeing the faint red in Harley’s eyes, he steeled
himself.
“Silver–tongued as ever.”
“Fine. If you won’t listen-”
Without another word, he yanked her sleeve and locked her in the toolshed.
“Reflect on your ‘mistakes.‘ I’ll let you out when you’ve learned your lesson,” he said, slamming the door.
The shed plunged into darkness.
Harley’s mind went blank, her body trembling.
Last life, whenever Joaquin was upset, he’d lock her in dark rooms, cutting off food and water until she nearly died.
Over time, she’d grown terrified of small, dark spaces–she even slept with
the lights on.
Fear flooded her.
Tears streamed down her face as she pounded the door, begging to be let
out.
But Joaquin stood outside, cold as ice.
“When you’ve reflected. I’ll release you,” he said, echoing her past hell.
Harley collapsed to her knees, consciousness fading, until she passed out.
Unaware of her collapse, Joaquin felt a strange unease when her cries stopped.
As he reached for the door, Myra’s voice cut through.
“Joaquin, I’ve been worried.”
Joaquin hid his panic, greeting her with false calm.
“I’m fine. How about you?”
Myra, pale and downcast, asked, “Can you walk with me?”
By the time they returned home, night had fallen.
Joaquin unlocked the shed, finding Harley just waking up.
Seeing her disheveled state, he sneered.
“You’re awfully calm for someone who just tried to ruin Myra.”
“If it weren’t for Myra’s mercy, I’d leave you here days,” he added.
Harley met his gaze steadily.
103000
Chapter 3
“I’ve said it–I had nothing to do with this.”
Myra, sensing tension, looped her arm through Joaquin’s.
“Joaquin, don’t waste energy on her. I trust Harley’s just confused. And I’m unharmed, after all.”
Joaquin sighed, tapping Myra’s forehead.
“You’re too kind. Next time, I won’t be so forgiving.”
With that, he left, leaving Harley alone with her loneliness.
Harley lowered her eyes, a flicker of loneliness crossing her gaze.
Joaquin was always like this–ready to believe Myra over her, dismissing her explanations, accusing her time and again.
But it didn’t matter anymore. Once she left, she’d be free from this
torment.
The next morning, Harley was dragged into a car by Joaquin.
Myra, from the passenger seat, turned to explain.
“Joaquin and I are heading to the town’s clothing market. Thought could use some new clothes. Hope you don’t mind the company.”
Vou
Joaquin chimed in, “She minds? She should be grateful someone cares.
Harley simply nodded and closed her eyes.
At the market, Myra promptly forgot about Harley, shopping with Joaquin while leaving her behind.
An hour later, Joaquin and Myra returned, arms full, while Harley sat empty–handed.
1030
Chained
Myra, remembering her, held up a floral dress. “Try this on,” she said, reaching for Harley.
Suddenly, the building shook.
A beam crashed toward them. Joaquin lunged, shoving both women out of the way.
He grabbed Myra, shouting back at Harley, “What are you waiting for? Run!”
