Chapter 49

Mikayla's POV
I didn’t like this. “I don’t know, but something doesn’t feel right. I just want to enjoy our time here,” I replied, trying to refocus on Rudolf and us.
Rudolf frowned, and I could see the worry in his eyes. “Do you want us to leave? We can go somewhere else,” he suggested, ready to take action for my comfort.
“No… I don’t want to change plans just because of him,” I said, trying to convince him and myself. “Let’s just stay here and enjoy our time.”
He agreed, but the tension between us was undeniable. Every time I glanced at the guy, he was still staring at us with the same gaze—sharp and suspicious. My sense of unease was growing, and I knew I had to stay alert.
Trying to convince myself that everything was okay, I tried to focus on Rudolf and the food in front of me again. But the image of the man kept haunting me, making me feel unsafe even though Rudolf was beside me. I tried to smile again and enjoy the time with Rudolf. However, in the back of my mind, the feeling of alertness was still burning, calling me to be careful.
After finishing eating, we went home feeling satisfied and happy. Rudolf didn't have work today, so we could enjoy our time together. I also bought some extra food at the restaurant to eat with the kids when they got home later.
"You take a rest!" I said to Rudolf, seeing how tired he was after the previous therapy. He looked a little more relaxed, but I knew that he still needed time to relieve tension.
"Yes, I'll take a break," Rudolf replied, smiling at me. He walked over to the sofa and lay down comfortably. Seeing him rest gave me peace of mind.
That evening, our house began to be filled with cheerful sounds. My kids came home from school with laughter and excited stories. They called my name and Rudolf’s as they entered the house.
“Mommy! Daddy! We have so many stories to tell!” Emma shouted, followed by Daniel who nodded enthusiastically.
“What’s the story about, honey?” Rudolf asked warmly, getting up from the couch and approaching with a smile.
“They had a competition at school today! I almost won mine!” Daniel exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. “But then I fell, and Emma helped me up!”
“No! Why didn’t you tell me to be more careful? I was just trying to help you!” Emma replied, looking a little annoyed even though she nodded proudly.
Listening to their jokes, my heart felt warm. Children always have a way of bringing joy into our home. I set the food I bought earlier on the table so they could try it all after telling their story.
“Tell me more! What else happened?” I asked curiously, welcoming them enthusiastically. It felt like a fun story party.
They started telling stories about their friends, new lessons they learned, and the cute little ones at school. A cheerful and laughing atmosphere enveloped us, making our home feel warm and alive.
As their voices drifted, I felt the stress and anxiety from the incident with the woman slowly fade away. This togetherness was the greatest gift, and I was grateful to be able to share this precious moment with my family.
As time passed, we began to eat the food that had been prepared. Gratitude filled me as I watched the children eat with gusto.
“Thank you, Mommy, this food is delicious!” Daniel exclaimed, and Emma did not want to be outdone, “Yes, thank you, Mommy, the best!”
I just smiled at their compliments. “Glad to hear that, honey. Everything is here for us to enjoy together,” I said as I wiped the table, looking at Rudolf with love.
We continued to share stories and laughs, making this night even more memorable.
The next day, after dropping Rudolf and the children off at the front of the house, I felt grateful to be able to go through the day in peace. However, the peaceful atmosphere was suddenly disturbed when I saw a man standing in front of the door. Maybe he was a new neighbor who wanted to say hello—I didn’t really know many people around here that well.
“Hello, good morning, sir,” I greeted him politely, trying to give him a warm welcome.
However, before I could say anything else, something terrible happened. He quickly covered my face, and in an instant, my eyes began to dim. Dizziness swept through my body, and I felt my consciousness begin to fade as if the world was fading around me.
“What… what’s happening?” I thought to myself. But all that fear and confusion soon disappeared, leaving me unable to fight back.
All the sounds around me began to fade, and in a semi-conscious state, I tried to fight back, but all my efforts were in vain. I felt myself falling into darkness, not knowing what would happen next.
Uncertainty and fear began to fill my mind. Who is this man? What does he want from me? In the darkness that enveloped my consciousness, I waited for the moment when I could rise and fight against this situation.
The last moments I remember were only the distant and faint noises outside, leaving a sense of helplessness in me. I prayed that Rudolf and the kids weren’t involved in this, hoping that they would be safe and unaware of what was happening to me.
*
“Hey, wake up, you whore!”
The voice woke me up, but my head felt heavy and dizzy. I slowly opened my eyes, and as my vision cleared, I realized where I was—I was tied to a chair, unable to move. Fear began to engulf me, and I groaned inwardly.
The woman stood in front of me, her face filled with anger and hatred. I quickly realized that she was Rudolf’s ex-girlfriend. Why would she do this to me? Pain and confusion mixed inside me, making me feel like I was trapped in a living nightmare.