Arriving in front of Chloé's bedroom, Lorenzo froze for a second. With a sharp kick, he pushed the door open, which slammed behind him. Chloé still in his arms, he stood there, motionless, not knowing what to do.
Lorenzo (calmly, deep but controlled voice)
"Do you want me to take you to the bathroom?"
Chloé (whispering, almost inaudible)
"Yes."
Without waiting, he walked into the bathroom. With unusual gentleness, he set her down, his eyes locked onto hers as if trying to read a hidden truth in them.
Lorenzo (softly, but tense)
"Do you want me to help you wash, or do you prefer I leave? Do you think you can manage on your own?"
Chloé slowly nodded, tears still rolling down her pale cheeks. Lorenzo felt his heart twist painfully in his chest, a dull ache he wasn't used to. He wanted to shake her, demand answers, understand what had been done to her—but seeing her like this, he swallowed all his questions. Still, one burned on his lips, one he couldn't hold back.
Lorenzo (calm but heavy voice)
"Chloé… reassure me. No one forced themselves on you, right? Why aren't you wearing anything underneath? Where are your jeans or your sweatpants?"
Chloé (murmuring, looking away)
"Please, go out first and let me wash. No one forced me. I'm not that weak."
A rough sigh escaped Lorenzo's throat. Her answer was vague, but at least she said those words. Clenching his jaw, he turned around, left the room, and gently closed the door behind him, as if not to break the fragile silence.
Chloé remained alone. She slowly removed her T-shirt, then the mini shorts she wore underneath. Her fingers trembled, her body shivered despite the warmth of the room. She turned on the water, letting it run over her skin. As soon as the first drop touched her, her strength gave out. She closed her eyes and burst into uncontrollable sobs.
Her hands scrubbed frantically against her skin as if trying to erase an invisible stain. Her heart raced, her legs shook, her shoulders trembled under the weight of her cries.
She was no longer the proud Chloé who refused to cry. She was a broken girl, feeling dirty, tainted. The only way she could breathe was by letting her tears flow freely.
Chloé (inner voice)
In a split second, I thought I was going to die. What happened to me today was horrible… so horrible that I would rather have stopped existing than let a man do that to me. My body is still shaking, my soul is bleeding… it was truly hell.
Flashback.
Chloé was leaving college with her best friend, Valentina. They were laughing, chatting carefree like two innocent girls. When they reached the main road, they stopped two taxis and went their separate ways.
Absorbed in her phone, Chloé didn't immediately notice the detail that would freeze her blood: the driver was wearing a black ski mask.
Her heart tightened. The air felt heavy. She tried to convince herself it was nothing… but her instincts were already screaming that she should never have gotten into that car.
Chloé (inner voice, ironically)
Seriously… first time I see a taxi driver hiding his face. Is he that ugly or what? That's weird… but kind of funny.
Her nervous laugh faded when she noticed the car wasn't taking the usual route. Her phone showed a different direction, and anxiety started twisting in her stomach.
The car stopped abruptly in a dark alley.
Chloé (raising her voice, pretending to be confident)
"Uh… what's going on, sir? Why did you stop?"
No answer.
The driver got out, then suddenly opened her door violently.
A cold shiver ran through her.
Chloé (uneasy, still ironic)
"Okay… what's this now? Why are you opening my door like that? Where are we? Is this some kind of prank?"
Instead of answering, the man pulled out a gun and pointed it at her forehead.
Chloé's eyes widened. Her breathing became erratic.
Chloé (screaming)
"Are you crazy?! What are you doing with that gun?!"
Taxi driver (cold, threatening)
"Get out of the car or I'll blow your brains out."
Her body froze. Trembling, she slowly got out. The man slammed the door and pushed her violently to the ground.
Chloé (crying out)
"Ow! Why are you pushing me?! What do you want?!"
Taxi driver (cold, violent tone)
"Don't move. If you get up, you're dead. Lie down and take off your jeans."
Her eyes widened in shock.
Chloé (breathless)
"What?! You're going to… rape me?! No—"
BANG… BANG
Two gunshots hit the ground near her feet.
Chloé (screaming)
"STOP!!"
Taxi driver (shouting)
"LIE DOWN AND TAKE THEM OFF OR THE NEXT BULLET GOES INTO YOUR LEG!"
Trembling, crying, she obeyed. She lay down and removed her jeans.
She tried to crawl away, but he grabbed her leg violently.
Fear crushed her.
But suddenly—rage exploded inside her.
She kicked him in the face with all her strength.
He screamed and let go.
Chloé jumped up and ran to the car. She almost made it—but he grabbed her again and threw her to the ground.
She ran again, screaming for help—but no one came.
He caught her, slammed her down, pinned her wrists.
Chloé (screaming)
"Let me go, you rapist!"
Taxi driver (furious)
"SHUT UP!"
He forced a kiss on her.
Terrified, she bit his lip as hard as she could.
He screamed in pain.
She pushed him away, ran, got into the car, started it.
And drove straight into him.
The impact was brutal.
She sped away, crying, shaking, covered in blood.
She was alive.
But broken.
End of flashback.
Lorenzo (firm, but softer)
"Close your eyes and sleep. I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay with you tonight. No one will hurt you while I'm here."
Chloé stared at him, confused.
For once… she almost wanted to believe him.
She turned away and curled up under the blanket.
Lorenzo sat on the couch, arms crossed, watching her.
Lorenzo (inner voice)
I swear… no one will ever hurt you again as long as I'm breathing.
To be continued…