I leaned back in the seat, clenching my teeth so hard to keep the cab driver from noticing anything off about me. My nails dug into the wound on the back of my hand, using the sheer pain to keep myself somewhat alert.


    "You okay, miss? You look a bit off. Need me to swing by the hospital?" The driver nced at me through the rearview mirror, noting my silence.


    "No, just a bad breakup. I told my folks I''d be heading home, and they''re expecting me." I knew my expression was one of agony, fueled by the pain in my hand that sent shocks through my nerves, leaving my body feeling numb and feverish, sweat asionally breaking out on my forehead. So, I lied about a breakup.


    The driver sighed. "Young people these days drown their sorrows in booze after a breakup, but you? Heading home? You sure you got someone waiting for you?"


    I frowned, slightly annoyed. "That''s none of your business."


    I looked around, realizing we were only half a mile from my apartment. Did the driver sense something was off?


    "Isn''t a breakup supposed to be followed by a good cry with someone?" As he spoke, he clicked the locks shut with a snap and nced back at me, making me gasp in shock. "Daniel!"


    How could he have been lurking outside ude''s vi, waiting to know when I''d call a cab? Luckily, I had my hand on the door handle when I felt something was wrong, so his attempt to lock me in failed. I tried to open the door, but he had already activated the child safety lock, trapping me inside.


    Memories from my past life came rushing back. I remembered everything Daniel had done to me, slowly breaking me down. Already weak from being drugged, I felt like history was about to repeat itself.


    He red at me. "How do you know my name?"This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    He pulled over, his gaze filled with disbelief and a ferocious intent to choke the life out of me.


    "I..." I was at a loss for words.


    He mbered over the front seat in no time, yanking me up. "The Hart family sure raised a delicate youngdy. Getting my hands on such tender flesh is the highlight of my life!"


    He lifted my chin, and I jerked away, making him angrier. His hands tightened around my neck, "I n to let you go after you satisfy me, but now that you know my name you can''t leave here alive!"


    "Let go!" I struggled, but he pressed his legs firmly against mine. Perhaps the full extent of my hatred for him from my past life gave me strength. In desperation, I kneed him squarely in the groin.


    He yelled in pain, "You bitch!"


    Taking advantage of his weakness at the moment, I scrambled toward the driver''s seat. But just as I was halfway there, he grabbed my leg.


    With a loud thud, he pulled me back, and my head mmed against the door, dazing me with pain.


    At that moment, I grabbed a water bottle from the center console, using all the strength I had left to smash it against his head.


    I reached the driver''s seat again and


    hit the unlock button, but he was already recovering, pinning my head against the steering wheel. "Fuck Didn''t they call you just a pampered princess, huh? Daring to hit me, I''ll show you what real pain feels like!"


    Throughout it all, I barely had a moment to scream for help, knowing it would be in vain.