Chapter 28
After leaving Norton’s house, I went to the place my parents had left behind before going abroad.
They had been assigned to open up overseas markets for three years.
After cleaning the room, I went into the bathroom. As the warm water dripped down, covering my body in a steady stream, I couldn’t help but shiver, as if the hands from that day were falling on me again.
I couldn’t even be sure whose hands they were.
My senses were heightened a thousandfold in this moment, and I cried out, “Ah!!!” My hands continued to rub my body furiously, inflicting self–torture.
“Norton, you deserve to die…”
I huddled in the corner of the bathroom, hugging myself, as my fingers dug into my flesh, drawing blood.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
After a while, I returned to the bedroom, took out my phone, and opened the news browsing history.
Title: “Woman Molested After Leaving Home Early Morning and Being Followed by a Man”
I didn’t look at the content but went straight to the comments.
“Can’t you write a better headline? This woman was just going out as usual and got molested by a pervert!”
“I’ll stand up for her right here, right now. Let’s see who dares to blame this girl for what happened.”
“I really hope this girl can pull through. She mustn’t live in pain, and she mustn’t punish herself for someone else’s wrongdoings.”
As I read through the comments, tears fell onto the screen.
No one would have guessed that the comments online were the only thing keeping me going.
I watched as these comments were upvoted to the top, with thousands or even tens of thousands of likes and replies, as if so many people were acknowledging and comforting me.
I was able to repeatedly suppress the self–doubt and self–loathing that rose within me.
I knew I wasn’t walking this path alone.
Norton sent me pointless and trashy messages every day, just meaningless confessions and apologies.
I quickly gathered my spirits and pulled myself together.
One evening, I went to the entrance of Norton’s building.
After confirming that the lights in his apartment were on, I drove straight to his company.
Having been with Norton for so long, some of his colleagues knew who I was.
“Austin, Norton’s been coming and going at odd hours lately. Has he met any… new friends at work?”
I deliberately emphasized the words “new friends.”
Austin chuckled, “Doreen, don’t think too much into it. Norton is very professional at work and doesn’t let any young women get close to him.”
“He’s been working long hours for the contract signing this Friday.”
“For this project, Norton has been busy for several months. You’re overthinking things.”
I pretended to understand and showed an embarrassed expression. “I guess I was being overly suspicious…”
Then I handed him a gift card. “Austin, this is a shopping card my friend gave me, worth $1000. The expiration date is coming up, and I don’t need anything, so you can use it for your girlfriend.”
Seeing him stunned as he took it, I smiled and added, “Just don’t mention that I was here today to Norton, so he doesn’t get any wrong ideas.”
Austin, realizing what I meant, also smiled. “Got it, Doreen.”
Attacking from what is most important to a person is the most devastating blow.
I was already looking forward to Friday.