A pair of hands as cold as a snake slithered down Anastasias collarbone, tearing away her last shred of clothing. "Who am I? If you can guess, Ill let you go," the mans voice rasped, sending shivers down her spine. Anastasia struggled against her bonds, her voice trembling as she demanded to know his identity.
Knocked unconscious on her way home from the night shift, she awoke to find herself bound and blindfolded. The mans rough hands roamed her body, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. "I love the way you struggle," he whispered, his voice is strange and chillingly familiar.
Anastasia screamed for help, her voice echoing in the darkness, but her efforts were futile against her restraints. The man pressed down on her, his heat searing her skin. "Lets play a game," he said, his voice laced with a sinister laugh.
She was ice-cold, her fear radiating through her body. "Have you guessed yet?" he asked, his lips trailing down her neck—a mix of kisses and bites.
"Ahh!" The pain was unbearable, causing Anastasia to scream. "Guess again?" he demanded, grabbing her hair and pulling her head back.
Tears streamed down her face as she endured the physical and emotional torment. This day would be etched in her memory as the start of a nightmare.
"Six years, Ive waited for this day," the man growled, his lips biting down on hers with a venomous hatred.
The mention of six years triggered a memory, and a name flashed through Anastasias mind. With all her strength, she screamed, "Edward Cullen?!"
The man paused, then ripped off her blindfold. The face that greeted her was one she knew all too well, with the same sharp features and the mole at the corner of his eye. "Long time no see, Miss Steele," he said with a mocking smile, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Anastasia stared at him, her mouth agape in disbelief. She never thought she would see Edward Cullen again, the man who had once pampered her and then cruelly abandoned her.
"Do you like my way of reuniting?" Edward asked, his face twisted into a sneer. Anastasias lips trembled as she realized that he was Edward Cullen, but he was no longer her Edward.
"Youre back," she whispered, her body going cold.
Edward loomed over her, his gaze as chilling as winter. "Yes, Im back... Ive crawled out of hell," he said coldly before slamming the door and leaving her alone with her haunting memories.
Anastasias breath hitched as the past she had tried to bury surged to the surface. The unspeakable secrets that had been hidden beneath scars were now threatening to break free...
Ignoring the soreness in her legs, Anastasia stumbled back to her home. She needed to inform her father, Noah Calhoun, about Edwards return to Cloud City immediately!
As she reached the bottom of her apartment building, she saw Noah being escorted into a police car by officers in uniform.
"Dad!" Anastasias heart clenched as she ran towards the vehicle. Noah saw her, and his calm expression rippled with concern.
"Stasia, run! Leave Cloud City! Dont let Edward find you..." Noah shouted to her before the sirens drowned out his words.
Watching the police car disappear into the distance, Anastasias mind raced in chaos. Suddenly, she noticed a man in a black shirt standing under a streetlight across the street, watching her.
"What do you want, Edward?" Anastasia yelled, her eyes red with anger.
Edward moved his lips, and although she couldnt hear him, she knew what he said.
"Debt collection."