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“Sadly, I did,” she concludes. I get that we’re in the present and can’t possibly go back in time and change what has been written, but I don’t want to brush it away.
What would make me different from the real villains who dare taint the innocence of a child? All because she’s an orphan? No…
“Was it a part of the deal of you being sold? In the agreement of paying your debt?”
“No.” She shakes her head and lowers her gaze. “Guess it just happened because.”
I hate this. Feeling absolutely helpless.
“So, no one else knows.”
“There’s one other person,” she admits.
I hold my breath, wondering who it could be, but the uncertainty in her gaze makes me lift her head up by the chin.
“You can talk it out,” I encourage her with a softened voice. “You don’t need to unravel everything in your head when it feels like a tangled web, Sweet Canary.”
I see the hints of appreciation in her softened gaze.
“There’s one night… I’ve never been able to forget. Nothing necessarily happened, but a man walked in. He had to be important. A vital individual in this fucked up world. That one interaction seemed to have given me two years of peace. As if… no one wanted to get on his bad side. He volunteered to take me home. He wasn’t super old. Older than all those bullies, but his vibe was different. Calm. Secretive. Didn’t say much for words.” She closes her eyes and sighs as if the entire scene is playing in her mind. “He told me if that ever happened again, I should reach out to him. To call him when I need a way out. A lifeline out of this madness.”
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a tad jealous of this being, but I’m also grateful that a being of power would offer her a lifeline. I can tell she never took the opportunity, despite how tempting it was, but I wonder if it gave her comfort back then, knowing she had another way out.
Sweet Canary really hates running away…
“Why didn’t you take it?”
“I promised myself the night I was sold that I wouldn’t cower to the hardships of life. I wouldn’t run away… unless defeat would give me exactly what I’ve always yearned for.”
“And what’s that, Cunning Canary?”
She smiles at my name change for her, then lifts her head up high and stares into my eyes with a sense of boldness.
“Power.”
We’re silent for at least a minute before she sighs.
“That’s why I kept it in for so long. I would have gone to my grave with that knowledge, but…” She’s beginning to blush as she seems lost in her thoughts. “Sometimes… with you, certain things slip out. It’s a different sense of comfort I feel with you, but after today… the photoshoot… overhearing what Scarlett said…”
She meets my eyes once more.
“Made me realize we may not be so far off from one another. We all know what it’s like to be betrayed. Despite our innocence and utmost loyalty.”
Ain’t she right…
“You want to reach out to him?” I ponder.
“If it gives us a head start.” She’s hesitant.
“Why do I feel a tiny part of you doesn’t want to?”
“Because…”
I didn’t really need her to answer me. I know why she’s hesitating.
The same feelings that kept me back, despite seeing all the red flags waving in my fucking face.
“He doesn’t deserve your empathy.” I’m upset just thinking about the bastard. “His whole empire doesn’t deserve your mercy.”
