We finally step out of the town hall. The cool air hits my face, and for a second, I feel like I can breathe again. It feels incredibly good.
Leila walks beside me. Her presence reassures me more than it should. As if, as long as she's here, nothing truly bad can happen to me.
I scan the courtyard, searching for my mother. I spot her a few meters away, standing with my father and my father-in-law, deep in a serious conversation.
We keep walking when suddenly, Leila sharply changes direction. I frown.
What is she plotting again?
— Leila, where are you taking me? I ask, slowing down.
— Don't worry, she replies calmly. We won't be long.
— But—
— Esther, she interrupts, turning toward me. Come. Trust me.
Her tone leaves no room for argument. I fall silent… and follow her anyway.
We cross the courtyard and head toward the parking lot.
And then… I see it.
My father's car.
And Mina, leaning against it, arms crossed, her face closed off.
And the back window is… shattered.
Oh no.
I had completely forgotten about that.
I swallow hard, already feeling the monumental scolding coming my way.
We reach her. Mina slowly scans me from head to toe. Her gaze lingers on my dress, my hair, my makeup—still perfect despite everything. Then she asks coldly:
— What is this, Esther?
I lower my head, unable to answer. My throat tightens, my hands turn clammy.
Leila places a firm hand on my shoulder.
— Esther, she says gently but firmly, what's going on? Why were you late? Where were you?
— I… I…
I can't speak properly. I don't even know if I should tell the truth or lie.
— No, Esther, not with me, Mina says firmly. You're going to tell me what happened right now. Otherwise, I'll tell your parents—and believe me, I won't leave out a single detail.
My heart races. I feel hot. Too hot. My ears ring. My legs tremble.
— Okay… I finally whisper. I'll tell you everything.
Mina straightens immediately, stepping away from the car. Her gaze shifts between Leila and me, worried.
My voice trembles as I begin:
— When you… when you went to get the chocolates… Malik showed up.
— Malik? they both say at the same time, shocked.
— Yes.
— What did he want? Leila asks, anger creeping into her voice.
So I tell them everything.
The kidnapping.
The fear.
The car.
The accident.
Every word feels like a blow to my chest.
When I finish, they're both frozen.
— And… how did you get here? Mina asks softly.
I take a long breath.
— I'll explain…
Flashback
When I open my eyes, it takes a few seconds to understand where I am. Then everything comes rushing back.
I sit up abruptly in my seat. A dull pain throbs in my head. I turn toward the driver.
Malik is slumped over the steering wheel.
— Oh no… what do I do?
Panic overwhelms me. I open the door quickly. The moment my foot touches the ground, a violent wave of dizziness hits me. My breathing accelerates. I stay still for a few seconds, forcing myself to breathe slowly, to calm down.
Then I walk around the car. I open the driver's door and lift Malik's head. He's bleeding slightly—from his head, his hand—but he's breathing. He's alive.
A sigh of relief escapes me.
The car isn't destroyed. Just damaged. Nothing serious. For him or for me.
I lift my head… and see the town hall in the distance.
So I decide to walk there, hoping I'll find help.
The ten-minute walk feels endless. I'm sweating. My heart is pounding. When I finally reach the town hall, I know I can't go in like this. They'll ask questions. They'll worry.
So I head toward my father's car.
My mother always keeps a makeup bag inside. And I was saying just this morning that it was useless… turns out, you never know what will happen.
When I reach the car, I notice there's no guard. Honestly, what are they even for? Always absent when you need them.
I try to open the door. It's locked.
I have no choice.
I'll have to break it.
I look for a large stone. When I find one, I whisper:
— Sorry, Dad… I know you love your car. But it's for a good cause.
I throw the stone as hard as I can.
The window shatters.
The alarm starts blaring, immediately attracting the guards.
— Ma'am, what are you doing?
Now they show up.
I don't answer. I get into the car and turn off the alarm.
— Ma'am, this car belongs to—
— It's fine, I cut him off sharply. If my father asks, tell him I did it. Now you can go.
He looks at me for a long moment… then turns away.
Incompetent.
I grab the makeup bag, quickly fix my face, put everything back. Then I take the white flowers lying nearby.
When I head toward the town hall entrance, I see Mina running inside. She didn't see me—she must've been worried not to find me at the chalet.
I wait a few seconds, catch my breath… then I go in.
End of flashback
— That's how I managed to escape, I finish softly.
Mina steps closer and takes my hand.
— Esther… this is getting too dangerous. You need to tell your parents.
— She's right, Leila adds. He's gone too far. He's dangerous.
— I… I don't know. If I tell them… my father will blame me. And my mother will never forgive me.
Mina looks at me with infinite gentleness.
— Your parents will never blame you. Never. But you need to tell them yourself—before someone else does.
I nod.
She pulls me into her arms. I let a single tear fall and quickly wipe it away.
No.
I will not cry for him anymore.
What he did is unforgivable.
I will not destroy my life because of that sick man.
— And the car… Leila murmurs, staring at the broken window. I'm sure my uncle is going to freak out.
Mina smiles.
— Don't worry. I already told Alex it was a child playing.
— And what did he say?
— That it wasn't a big deal. That it happens.
Then she looks at me seriously.
— Be careful, Esther. He might come back.
— Don't worry. I'll be much more careful.
— And besides, Leila adds playfully, Tony is here now. And he'll protect her.
She winks at me. Mina laughs softly.
— Come on. They're waiting for us. Your mother and your aunts want to talk to you before you leave.
I take a deep breath… and follow them.