She laid there motionless for a long time, drifting into an unconscious slumber without realizing it.
In her dream, she felt someone’s arms embracing her from behind, their lips softly brushing against her neck, and a gentle whisper calling her name.
“Lola.”
At first, she believed it was merely a figment of her imagination, but the sound of the whisper jolted her awake. With a sudden start, she opened her eyes and turned her head, only to find Sampson’s intense and possessive gaze fixed upon her.
Without a second thought, she threw off the covers and hastily left the bed.
Barefoot, she retreated to the wall, finding solace in the limited space behind her.
Sampson took a few seconds to regain his senses before looking at her, confusion etched on his face. “Why are you so alarmed?”
Dolores feigned composure and denied, “No, I’m not alarmed. I was deeply asleep, but someone… someone frightened me.”
“It’s just me, not some stranger. Come back to bed,” Sampson beckoned warmly, his upper body exposed.
Dolores remained still, refusing to move or respond to his invitation. In the silence, she could hear the sound of her own dry breaths in her throat. Whenever she was in Sampson’s presence, she couldn’t help but feel on edge and anxious. Her pulse quickened, her head felt heavy as if it were being torn apart, and a layer of cold sweat coated her entire body.
Sampson continued to gaze at her intently, his eyes probing yet laced with temptation. “Why? Are you afraid of me?”
Dolores shook her head, her voice trembling. “No.” She turned her head and glanced toward the balcony. The sky had already darkened, leaving only the soft glow of the room’s lights. “I slept throughout the whole afternoon, so I’m no longer tired. You should go back to sleep.”
Sampson lifted the covers, got out of bed, and approached her. Dolores felt powerless, consumed by fear.
Internally, she cried out desperately. Please don’t come any closer.
Sampson seized her delicate wrist and declared, “I want to be with you.”
“But I’m not tired anymore,” Dolores panicked. Sampson’s intentions were becoming clear, and it terrified her.
The more explicit he became, the greater her fear grew.
“I can’t sleep either, so let’s do something enjoyable,” he stated, his fiery gaze fixed on Dolores. His face still flushed from sleep, his eyes burning with desire. “We’re a couple, and you shouldn’t deny me.”
This time, Sampson was not as well-behaved as the previous night. He forcefully pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as he kissed her passionately. “Lola, I want you tonight, and I won’t accept your refusal.”
Dolores pushed against him, desperately pleading, “No, I won’t. I don’t want to. Please, let me go!”
“Why not?” Sampson grabbed her restless hands, his gaze fierce and unwavering.
Dolores trembled uncontrollably, taking a while to find an excuse. “I… My stomach still hurts. I don’t feel well.”
“Excuses!” Sampson interrupted sharply. “You remember everything, don’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dolores vehemently shook her head, struggling to break free from his grip.
However, the strength disparity between them was too great, and she couldn’t break away.
Sampson chuckled darkly, his voice low. “You don’t know? Then let me enlighten you. You haven’t forgotten a thing; you’re just pretending to erase the past so that I won’t administer that injection to you. Every minute you spend here, you’re plotting your escape, aren’t you?”
“No, I didn’t!” Her lips quivered, and she pleaded with her eyes. “Will you let me go? I’m truly feeling unwell…”
“I’ll make you feel better!” Sampson’s behavior resembled that of a deranged beast. Ignoring Dolores’ struggles and pleas, he forcefully pushed her onto the bed and tore off her clothes. Dolores fought desperately beneath him, her voice filled with desperation. “Please, let me go!”
Sampson paid no heed to her pleas. Perhaps her resistance only fueled the conquering desires within him. He became even more brazen, his actions rough. Suddenly, Dolores felt a chill in her chest as her clothes were violently torn apart by Sampson.
“Are you a virgin? Why are you being so coy?” Sampson’s red eyes fixated on her alluring figure as he grinned wickedly. “I love you so much. You should feel it.”
Her heart shattered into pieces. She couldn’t break free from his grasp, and despair enveloped her expression. She stopped struggling, not because she had given up, but because any further resistance would only drive Sampson to greater madness. She had no chance of escaping his clutches.
Dolores ceased her struggle. Sampson mistook it as surrender and compliance. Gently, he caressed her cheek. “You’re just a normal woman. I know you desire this too.”
Dolores remained silent, desperately surveying the room. If she were forced by Sampson today, she would rather die than be defiled.
But in this room, there was nothing except the bed, and she had no means to end her own life.
Lost in his desire, Sampson failed to notice Dolores’ thoughts as he swiftly removed his pants. Seizing the brief moment of respite as he undressed, Dolores used every ounce of her strength to push him away and rushed to the door, struggling to open it. She desperately twisted the handle, but the door remained firmly shut.
“You can’t escape,” Sampson declared calmly, standing behind her in nothing but his underwear. His skin appeared delicate and pale, but the tenderness he once possessed had vanished.
Dolores hugged herself tightly, shielding her exposed chest, and slowly turned to face him. Finally, a faint smile crossed her lips.
She used to believe that it was a stroke of luck to have met Sampson, but now she realized it was nothing short of a calamity.
Gazing at the wall behind Sampson, she made up her mind.
As Sampson witnessed Dolores’ resolute expression, a wave of panic washed over him. “Lola…”
Dolores couldn’t bear to listen to another word from him. She was utterly disgusted!
With a surge of adrenaline, she darted towards the wall as if possessed by madness. Sampson attempted to stop her, but to his astonishment, she possessed an unexpected burst of strength that propelled him away. Bang! The impact of her head against the wall reverberated through the room, yet the air remained eerily still.
She strained to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt unbearably heavy, refusing to comply. Warm liquid trickled down her forehead as her consciousness faded into a blur.
Am I dying? The thought flickered in her mind.
She still harbored a lingering reluctance to leave this world. Her children still needed her, and without her, they would be vulnerable to mistreatment. They were already fatherless, and she couldn’t bear to abandon them as well.
The pain… it was unbearable.
She didn’t want to leave them.
Her vision grew darker and darker until she was swallowed whole by the abyss of unconsciousness. Her body crumpled to the ground like a collapsing hill.
“Lola…”
Sampson rushed to her fallen figure, his desperation evident in his voice.
Blood stained her face, extinguishing her once vibrant appearance. Sampson frantically wiped away the blood, his voice trembling. “Lola, Lola, don’t scare me. Please don’t die. I won’t force you anymore, wake up.”
No response came; her body lay limp, like lifeless flesh, in his arms.
Crimson stains marred Sampson’s hands as he shook her, pleading, “Wake up! Wake up, Lola. Please wake up!”
Still, there was no sign of life.
Sampson hastily tore the bed sheets and wrapped her body, cradling her in his arms as he descended the stairs. “Bess, Bess…”
Bess had just settled down to rest, but upon hearing Sampson’s urgent voice, she quickly rose from the bed and opened the door. As she stepped out of the room, her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Sampson holding Dolores, her face stained with blood.
“What… what happened to her?”
Observing Sampson’s near-naked state, she could surmise the events that had transpired.
Sampson had claimed Dolores as his girlfriend, but Bess found his way of loving to be deeply twisted.
He didn’t truly love Dolores; he only sought to possess her. If he genuinely loved her, he would never have confined her or deprived her of freedom.
If he truly loved her, wouldn’t he have provided her with a life filled with joy and happiness?
Moreover, Bess could sense that Dolores didn’t love him.
“You go get dressed. I’ll stay with her for now,” Bess suggested.
Caught up in his panic, Sampson hadn’t even considered putting on clothes. He couldn’t go to the hospital in his current state.
“You stay with her.” Gently placing Dolores on the sofa, he turned and rushed back upstairs to dress himself.