The Mountain's Cage

In the second year after being trafficked into the mountains, I went to my nephew's parent-teacher conference.

The new volunteer teacher was my former lover.

But he didn't seem to recognize me anymore.

The village auntie told me he was the most accomplished college graduate this village had ever produced.

1

At my nephew's parent-teacher conference, I ran into the new volunteer teacher.

He was the man I'd been in love with before I was taken.

He stood among the crowd, chatting with parents.

Two years had passed, and he hadn't changed at all.

That gentle smile. Those refined features.

And I had become nothing more than an ordinary village wife.

Two months pregnant.

Suddenly, my nephew kicked me under the table. "Where's my candy?"

I'd bribed him to bring me here.

I'd heard the volunteer team and some police officers had entered the village. The woman next door had escaped last night and been rescued by them.

I wanted to take my chance too.

I ignored my nephew, clutching the old phone I'd stolen from home, trembling with excitement.

I never expected to see Luke here.

My heart pounded like a drum. I stared at him, my mind flooded with the wild joy of impending escape.

When my nephew saw I wasn't paying attention to him, he flew into a rage, kicking his chair violently. "My candy! My candy! My candy!"

His voice drew the attention of the parents around us.

No one had noticed me before, but now all eyes were fixed on me.

I'd been bought by a man named Vance. The whole village knew I'd always wanted to run. They all watched me for him.

I broke out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile. "I... my sister-in-law was busy, so... so I came for the child's conference..."

For today's escape, I'd risked everything. I'd stolen Vance's phone and wallet, tricked my nephew Nico into coming with me. If I failed, Vance would drag me back and beat me to death.

The commotion caught Luke's attention. He stood up, looking over, his voice steady and calm.

"This parent, what's wrong with the child?"

Instinctively, I covered my face.

I was no longer that fresh-faced college girl. The constant beatings and imprisonment had left my skin rough, like withered orange peel.

I kept my head half-lowered, hair covering my face. "The child... wants candy..."

I wasn't sure if rushing over to beg him for help would work.

Maybe he'd already forgotten me.

Maybe he'd think I was a crazy fool and send me back to Vance.

I couldn't sit still.

Luke walked over to me and pulled a piece of candy from his pocket.

That's when I saw it—the ring I'd given him was still on his ring finger.

Years had passed, and it looked old now.

Nico happily snatched it, tore open the wrapper, and stuffed it in his mouth.

Maybe it was that ring that gave me a glimmer of hope. I gathered my courage, looked up, and said, my voice trembling:

"Teacher, do you have more candy in your office?"

Luke's gaze lingered on my face for a moment, deep and unreadable.

I couldn't read him. I wasn't even sure if he recognized me.

After a few seconds, he nodded. "Yes. Come with me."

I spoke softly to Nico. "I'll go get your candy. Don't cause trouble—"

Nico spat at me. "Hurry up!"

With his permission, I breathed a sigh of relief. Under the gaze of the crowd, I tried to walk normally out of the classroom.

Behind me, I heard Vance's angry voice: "That bitch ran again! Anyone see her?"

"She just went out."

The next second, I burst through the door, running wildly toward Luke. I grabbed him, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush:

"Are the police here! I was trafficked! Please! Save me!"

Luke looked down at my hand gripping his, momentarily stunned. Then he frowned. "Police?"

I could hear Vance and the other neighbors getting closer. I was almost in tears. "The police who came with you!"

Luke glanced behind me, then suddenly pulled open a small, shabby door and pushed me inside.

*Bam!*

The door slammed shut.

I collapsed onto the sofa. From outside, I heard Vance's furious voice: "A woman just ran this way. Did you see her?"

"Nico's guardian?"

"Yeah."

"Nico's grades are terrible. I need a literate guardian to sign some papers. Come with me first."

There was a loud crash as a stick hit the iron door. I trembled all over.

After a frenzy of smashing, Vance's voice faded away as he cursed.

I could tell from his words that he wanted to catch me and break my legs.

I broke out in a cold sweat. Turning my head, I saw through the window a naked woman lying by the roadside, crawling slowly forward.

It was the woman from next door who'd escaped last night!

Hadn't the police saved her?

Behind her, a man wearing a police jacket was beating her with a thick wooden stick.

As he beat her, he shouted, "A single cop tricked you out! I'll beat you to death! See if you dare run again! You bitch!"

The stick landed on her back, her buttocks, her legs. Blood streamed from her head. She writhed weakly on the ground, wailing.

Through bloodied lips, she begged, "I was wrong. I won't run again. Don't hit me... ah... please stop..."

My mind went blank. My whole body shook violently.

The news was fake...

The police were fake too...

It was all a trap—to lure out the "unruly" women and beat them into submission!

Everything I'd done today was for nothing.

I was finished.

Vance would break my legs and lock me up until the baby was born.

Just as I was panicking, the door behind me opened.

A harsh white light streamed in.

"...The school is collecting student information. I asked the child to bring a literate guardian. But she seemed in a hurry to get home and cook, and she twisted her ankle."

Luke was speaking as he stepped inside.

Behind him stood Vance.

His face dark, glaring at me.

My heart leaped into my throat. I backed up two steps, hit the windowsill, and my legs gave way. I slumped by the window, trembling like a leaf.

I thought Vance would rush in and beat me to death. But instead, he said politely to Luke:

"Teacher, why don't you come to our house for dinner?"

His words were full of fawning.

Then he walked in, grabbed me roughly, and dragged me away.

I turned my head desperately, looking at Luke with pleading eyes.

But the look he gave me was like I was a stranger.

Luke pushed up his glasses, which had slipped down his nose. In his pupils, I saw the reflection of the woman being dragged away, bloody, in the distance. He looked away and followed without a word.

For a moment, I thought Luke had come to save me.

But then a villager's words shattered my illusion.

"Luke, you haven't come back to the village in years. Look at you, all successful now."

2

Before I was trafficked, Luke and I were about to get married.

That afternoon, we'd planned to go to a bridal shop to try on wedding dresses.

Just as we were about to leave, Luke suddenly changed his mind. "I know a bridal shop you'll like."

Luke was always attentive to me, so I trusted his suggestion. I changed our plans and followed him into another shop.

But the moment I stepped into the fitting room, I passed out.

When I woke up, I was lying in Vance's bed.

Vance said I was his bought wife. If I tried to run, he'd beat me to death.

I tried to escape a few times, but in a remote mountain village where you had to cross several mountains just to get to town, and where the villagers all stuck together, running away was nearly impossible.

The price of failure was a beating.

Some people even lost their lives.

And now, Luke was walking behind me, greeting the villagers with ease.

Everyone in the village seemed to respect him deeply.

The faint hope I'd managed to kindle was cruelly extinguished.

Was Luke in on it too?

Would he tell Vance about my escape attempt today?

As soon as we got home, I received a hard slap from Vance.

He cursed loudly. "Are Nico's parents dead already? Showing off like that? Don't think reading a few books makes you special!"

My ears rang from the slap. I almost fell over.

Luckily, it didn't seem that bad.

He didn't know I'd tried to run.

Then, from next door, came wailing.

The woman next door wasn't so lucky. She was being beaten badly, her screams sharp and piercing.

That should have been my fate too.

I breathed a quiet sigh of relief and followed Vance carefully.

He told me to cook dinner and then politely led Luke into the house.

I crouched by the small stove in the kitchen, stuffing firewood into the pot.

Fragments of their conversation drifted out.

"...You're the only successful kid in our village. From now on, all the young men will rely on you to find them wives. Educated women give birth to smart children."

Luke murmured a few vague replies.

My sister-in-law's voice was light, eager to build a connection:

"Luke, remember when you fell into that ditch? Brother Vance saved you, right?"

Brother Vance was my buyer.

Luke laughed casually. "Brother Vance is my lifesaver."

*Crash!*

The pot slipped from my hands and shattered on the ground with a loud noise.

Boiling water splashed onto my calf, burning.

Luke turned to look outside.

My face was pale. I stared at him in disbelief.

Vance grabbed a pair of chopsticks and threw them at me, cursing. "Are you asking for a beating! No lunch for you!"

"I'm sorry... I'll make it again..."

I crouched down, ignoring my burned arm, and picked up the broken pieces.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over me.

I instinctively shrank back, covering my face with my arm.

A pair of pale, long-fingered hands appeared in my vision, picking up the shards. A calm voice said, "You're burned. Go treat it."

I froze. Slowly, I looked up to see Luke crouching in front of me. The light glinted coldly off the lenses of his glasses. His lips were pale. His tone was gentle, but it sent a shiver down my spine.

"I'll clean it up myself..."

Luke turned his back to Vance and grabbed my wrist firmly. "Go apply medicine."

My sister-in-law rushed out, looking like she'd made a huge mistake. "Let her do it. Don't dirty your hands."

Luke looked up. His cold eyes reflected my face.

Terrified and flustered, I forced a stiff smile. It must have looked awful.

"Brother, I brought some liquor. Let's go to the east end of the village and get some pork head meat and snacks. No need to remake the food."

Vance quickly agreed, his attitude softening.

Luke wiped the grime off his hands, stood up, and put an arm around Vance as they went inside.

My sister-in-law shot me a glare. "Go change your clothes."

Then she led Nico inside.

I was drenched in cold sweat.

Was this still the Luke I knew?

3

By the time I went inside, they were already drinking at the table.

Luke sat across from me, casually chatting with Vance.

Vance had never gone to school. He kept praising Luke for being so accomplished and well-spoken, then threw in a few insults at me:

"Unlike this woman. What's the point of all that education? Doesn't compare to a fertile belly. Look, now that she's pregnant, she's behaving herself."

Luke smiled but said nothing.

After a few rounds of drinks, Vance's hands started wandering.

"Pour the wine."

I kept my head down, didn't dare resist. I obediently poured his wine.

Tears welled up in my eyes. Vance's touch made me sick.

But even more unbearable was the look Luke was giving me.

Vance pushed the half-eaten egg custard toward me. "You've been losing weight. Eat more. Don't starve my son."

Suddenly, from next door, we heard a man's wail, followed by a torrent of curses and the sound of a whip.

My sister-in-law gave an awkward laugh. "She's more troublesome than ours. Ran three times in a month. Yesterday, Old Wang tricked her into thinking the police had come. She ran to the school last night and got caught."

My heart skipped a beat. I felt Vance's hand on my back stop moving, the pressure slowly increasing—

Vance stared at me thoughtfully.

I trembled slightly, forcing a smile. "She... she's really foolish. I just want to have this baby safely now and live my life with you and the child."

Vance laughed. "Is that so?"

"Yes—"

The next second, a heavy slap sent me crashing to the floor.

"I underestimated you."

Vance kicked over his stool, then kicked me in the stomach. He crouched in front of me, grabbed my hair, and yanked my head up. "You want to run with her too, don't you?"

My face was burning. My voice shook. "No... I wouldn't dare—"

Luke was sitting right there. "Brother, don't you trust me? I was the one who called her to the school."

Vance smiled at him. "I trust you. I don't trust her. This woman flirts with anyone. Don't worry, just sit. I'll beat some sense into her."

With that, he dragged me by my hair into the bedroom and threw me onto the bed.

I let out a desperate sob. "Luke, save me... please save me..."

*Slap.*

Another slap.

He tore at my clothes. "Have you forgotten who your man is, you bitch? Always looking at what's in someone else's bowl. Who's Luke? You dare to flirt with him?"

"Be gentle... I'm... I'm carrying your child..."

"If it's gone, you'll get pregnant again," Vance said dismissively. "You're young. A belly's nothing to worry about. First, take care of me. We'll talk about the rest."

He was too strong. No matter how I fought, I couldn't stop him.

Outside, my sister-in-law was still pleading with Luke:

"We feed her well and treat her well, but she's never satisfied. Don't worry. We'll straighten her out eventually."

A heavy blow landed on my leg. Pain and numbness consumed my mind.

The searing pain in my scalp reminded me—I was going to die.

Tears burst forth. A fierce hatred surged within me. I grabbed a water bowl beside me and smashed it against the back of Vance's head.

The bowl shattered. Shards cut into my palm. Blood gushed out instantly.

Vance cried out in pain and loosened his grip.

I scrambled out from under him, threw open the door, and, disheveled, crashed into Luke's arms.

"Please... spare me... I won't do it again... I swear I won't..."

Luke held my arm and pulled out a handkerchief to press against my bleeding wound.

"Brother, the volunteer team just arrived. There are strangers in the village. Don't make a scene. She's pregnant."

Vance pulled out a rusty long knife.

"It's fine. I'll just cut off her legs first. Won't affect the pregnancy."

Vance wasn't joking. He would do it. The whole village was used to this kind of thing.

I shoved Luke away and ran for my life.

In the quiet afternoon, I sprinted down the main road toward the village entrance.

Vance chased after me, the rough blade scraping against the sandy ground with a harsh sound.

A three-wheeled cart approached from ahead, filled with village men.

When they saw me, they wordlessly jumped off, rolled up their sleeves, and spread out to block my path, laughing. "Old Vance, she running again?"

Vance panted heavily. "Give me a hand."

Seeing my escape route cut off, I plunged into a nearby pond in desperation.

I knew how to swim, but I hadn't practiced in years. As soon as I hit the water, the foul, muddy liquid filled my nose.

My oxygen ran out. I flailed hopelessly a few times, then sank, exhausted, to the bottom.

Maybe dying was better than being beaten to death by them.

4

When I woke up, I was lying in a pitch-black room.

There was a small window high on the wall. Dim moonlight filtered through the iron bars.

Someone was holding my ankle.

I flinched, sitting up instantly, the chains clanking.

"It's me."

Luke's calm, cool voice cut through my confusion.

In the moonlight, I saw a bottle of iodine beside him. He was holding my ankle with one hand.

He'd rolled up my pant leg and was cleaning my wound.

"Can you get me out of here?"

When I spoke, I realized how hoarse my voice was.

Luke blew gently on my wound, then looked up at me through his clear glasses. "If you behave, you won't suffer."

He didn't answer my question. He just gave me a vague reassurance.

I burst into tears. "You said you loved me. Why—"

His eyes were unreadable. "Claire, I still love you."

Those words weren't a salvation. They sounded more like a demon's whisper.

I tentatively reached for Luke's hand. I felt his body stiffen slightly. Slowly, I climbed up and kissed him.

He froze at first, then, as if triggered, he cupped my face and kissed me back fiercely, with a long-lost passion.

After the intense kiss, I leaned against him.

"Luke, do you remember the violin I used to play?"

It was a memory we shared.

"I remember." Luke's cold hand stroked my hair. His voice was distant, lost in recollection. "You were so beautiful back then."

I held my breath. "Do you... want me to be beautiful like that again?"

I stared at the cold moonlight outside the window, clenching my fists.

I had to go back.

No matter the cost.

"Luke, take me away. I'll play the violin for you every day."

Luke finally gave in. "Wait for me a little longer. When we get back, I'll send you to school."

When we first started dating, Luke couldn't even afford a meal. Even when we were about to get married, he wasn't wealthy.

Now, he had money.

I didn't want to know where it came from.

I just held him tight. "Luke, I love you. Don't disappoint me."

5

On the seventh night, Vance showed up.

He kicked the door open.

I was wearing thin clothes, waiting for Luke.

Vance squinted at me. "Dressed up nice. Did you know I was coming?"

I forced myself to stay calm, enduring the stench of alcohol on him. I struggled. "I... I was about to sleep."

Vance leaned in without a word and started kissing me, his hands groping.

I couldn't hold back my nausea. I turned my head and vomited.

Vance grabbed my hair and slapped me.

"Fucking puking? Take your clothes off!"

Those disgusting touches reminded me of what I was enduring...

Suddenly, Luke's clear voice cut through the night.

"Brother Vance."

Vance froze. He turned. "Luke, I... I..."

"You know the rules."

A cigarette dangled from Luke's fingers, the red ember glowing in the dark.

Vance let go of me and pulled his clothes back on. "I... I just couldn't help it."

Luke raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. "If you want to live, stop."

Under Luke's icy stare, Vance shuddered and ran off.

Luke watched him disappear, then stubbed out his cigarette on the wall and walked in.

I was curled up on the bed, my clothes half torn off.

He tried to lift my blanket. I kicked him away, hysterical. "You're in on it too! Go to hell! All of you!"

Luke just stood there, watching me. He gently touched my head, his fingers running through my hair, leaving a trace of warmth on my scalp.

"I'm sorry. I was late today..."

I closed my eyes, steadied myself, and begged in a small voice, "Can you... make sure I never see him again?"

Luke stroked my back slowly. "Mm. You won't see him again."

I looked up and kissed him.

He smelled of cold air and faint tobacco.

That night, Luke didn't leave.

He whispered in my ear, "Claire, be good. If you're good, I'll take you away."

6

Two months passed.

My belly grew bigger.

Luke came every day. Sometimes, my sister-in-law brought me meals. I never saw Vance again.

I gradually relaxed. Luke had promised to take me away, so I stopped resisting.

One day, after my sister-in-law brought lunch, she forgot to lock the door.

The shackles on my feet were broken, and Luke hadn't bothered to fix them.

I leaned against the wall, wanting to go outside and get some sun.

*Creak.*

I pushed open the small door. In front of me was a dilapidated backyard that had been abandoned for years.

Warm sunlight fell on me.

Fragments of conversation drifted through the back window.

Curious, I moved closer. I recognized the voices.

Vance was drunk.

He slurred, "Luke, I gotta thank you. If you hadn't kept her distracted, who knows how long she'd have kept fighting. Once she has the baby, I'll treat you to the full-moon feast."

Luke's cold voice replied, tinged with boredom:

"You saved my life. It's the least I can do. How's that list coming along?"

"I've asked around. Twenty thousand per woman. I'll have them give you the money tomorrow."

Luke grunted. "Deposit it into that account. Note their names."

"Don't worry..."

Even though I'd suspected it, hearing it confirmed—that Luke was in the human trafficking business—still made my heart ache.

I was a woman sold into the mountains.

Beaten. Raped.

Pregnant.

Why would Luke save me?

Maybe, to him, I was just a novelty.

Or maybe he enjoyed the feeling of having people in the palm of his hand.

As long as I didn't cause trouble or try to run, his business could go smoothly.

That night, Luke came again.

This time, I was dressed neatly, sitting on the bed waiting for him.

Luke took off his coat naturally and came to hug me.

I dodged him and said calmly, "Luke, I don't want to leave anymore."

He stared at me in shock.

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

I smiled. "I love Vance. I want to stay here and have his child."

Luke was silent for a few seconds. A dark shadow passed through his eyes. "No. You have to come with me."

"Thank you, but no." My tone was icy. I stood up and walked toward the door. "I've accepted my fate. Luke, I know about your business. I wish you success."

He grabbed my wrist. "Don't be difficult—"

"Who's being difficult!" I spun around and started hitting him wildly. "How long do I have to wait? Until the baby is born? Do you dare say that in front of Vance? Vance! Vance! Do you hear what Luke is saying—"

Luke clamped his hand over my mouth. "Shut up if you want to live!"

I glared at him with hatred. If it weren't for Luke, I wouldn't be in this mess. Now he was pretending to be the good guy!

I bit down hard. The taste of blood filled my mouth.

Luke grunted in pain. His hand was bleeding.

They all deserved to die. Why wouldn't they just die!

Finally, Luke gave in. He sighed. "Calm down. I'll let you go back."

I collapsed to the floor, exhausted. I wiped the blood from my lips and let out a faint, bitter laugh.

"Luke, I'll hate you for the rest of my life..."

...

7

They let me out of the small, dark room.

Vance was in a good mood. He made sure I had a steamed egg with every meal.

They didn't bother hiding things from me anymore. At the dinner table, they openly discussed the trafficking business.

That's how I learned that another batch of women would be arriving in three days.

Every time new women came, there was chaos.

This time, there were over a dozen.

Enough to turn the whole village upside down.

While Vance was out, I approached the woman next door.

"Can you steal the key to the three-wheeler?"

She hesitated, then nodded. She took my hand nervously. "Sister, can we really escape this time?"

"We can."

Her body was still covered in bruises, old and new. There was a scar on her face from where she'd been scalded with hot water.

She told me that before she was taken, she was an artist. She could sell a painting for thirty thousand.

But now, her fingers had been broken, bent at strange angles.

My throat tightened. I hugged her. "As long as we get out, there's hope."

When I got home, I cooked a feast and borrowed my sister-in-law's cheap lipstick.

I used to be the campus beauty queen. After a few days of rest and a bit of makeup, I could still pass.

My sister-in-law teased me. "Wow, Vance has only been gone half a day, and you already miss him?"

I forced a grin. "Sister-in-law, I'm young. I don't know how to hide my feelings. Don't laugh at me."

She seemed completely reassured. She started telling me about how cute Nico was as a child.

But I hadn't forgotten how Nico had learned from the adults to curse and hit me over the past two years.

They were all wolves in sheep's clothing. And this child in my belly would be no different.

Carrying Vance's blood was a stain I could never accept.

Vance came home.

The moment he stepped through the door, his eyes locked onto me.

I knew that with makeup, I could still captivate him.

I eagerly wrapped my arms around his. "Honey, the baby and I were waiting for you. We're hungry."

It was the first time I'd treated him like this. He was pleasantly surprised. He rubbed his hands together and pinched my cheek. "You look beautiful today."

I swallowed my disgust and forced a smile. "I did it for you."

I led him to the table and poured him a drink.

Then I said, "After the baby is born, I want to build up the backyard. Make him a bedroom so he can study every day."

Vance took a sip, patted me happily, and said, "Sure. When the kid grows up and becomes successful like Luke, he can take us to the city to enjoy life."

For three days straight, I cooked hot meals every night and fed Vance a steady stream of sweet talk.

On the night of our planned escape, I finally managed to get him drunk.

In the dead of night, I ran out of the yard. The woman next door was already waiting for me on the three-wheeler.

She looked panicked. "Sister, hurry! My husband will be back soon."

I climbed on quickly. "Go!"

With the three-wheeler, the mountain roads would be easier.

The village was already buzzing. Many families were preparing for tonight's banquet and had gone to the west end to help.

Even my sister-in-law was there.

The noise covered the sound of the engine.

We drove out of the village entrance, but then the wheel got stuck in a muddy ditch. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn't get out.

She was almost in tears. "Sister, what do we do... we're stuck..."

Just then, a village woman passed by. She looked at us a couple of times, then suddenly ran back toward the village, shouting, "Someone's trying to escape!"

Her shrill voice echoed in the darkness.

I jumped down frantically and helped her push.

If we couldn't get out, we'd both die.

Ten minutes passed. Still stuck.

"Hurry! They're up ahead!"

Behind us, men with hoes and picks came running in a swarm.

I pushed with all my might and shouted, "Give it more gas!"

With a loud roar, the cart lurched out of the ditch, bounced three times, and kept going.

She left me behind and drove off into the night.

The wind cut across my face like a knife.

I felt like I'd fallen into an ice pit. Without hesitation, I started running.

They were men. I couldn't outrun them. Within half a minute, I tasted blood in my mouth.

I had no choice but to plunge into the woods beside the road. Thorny branches tore at my face. I stumbled through the darkness, a desperate, trapped animal.

Worse, Vance was coming too.

He was tall and strong. He ran faster than anyone.

Just as he was about to catch me, Luke appeared out of nowhere.

He threw his coat over my head. Everything went black.

"Luke! Throw her over here! I'll beat her to death!"

Luke held me tightly, his voice cold. "Brother Vance, another one got away! Go after her! If the police find out, we're all done for!"

Vance hesitated for a few seconds, then gritted his teeth. "Fine. I'll go. You take this bitch home!"

The sound of footsteps faded away.

Luke pulled me out from under his coat.

I turned to run, but he dragged me back into the shadows and covered my mouth. "Quiet. I'll get you out."

His hot breath hit my ear. He pinned me under a slope, and I couldn't move.

He was strong. He didn't let go, almost choking me.

He pulled me along, hiding in the woods, until Vance and the other men drove past us in a cart. Only then did he pull me out and lead me along the mountain path.

I struggled desperately. "Let me go! Or I'll die with you!"

"There are police up ahead. They'll catch them. Don't be afraid." Luke hugged me tightly, speaking quickly. "We'll follow behind them. It's safer."

I thought I'd misheard. I stopped struggling and stared at him blankly.

"I'm sorry for keeping this from you. The police told me I couldn't tell you."

Luke's heart was pounding against my ear. I felt like my throat was blocked. I couldn't accept this sudden change in identity.

Surprised... and terrified...

After all these years, I couldn't trust anyone anymore.

Deep down, I even believed I could never escape. When Luke told me the police were ahead, my first reaction was doubt and fear.

The mountain path was treacherous. Our ragged breaths filled the air.

I decided that if he was lying to me this time, I would jump off the cliff. I'd rather die than go back to that village.

Luke's hands were steady. I felt some scars on his wrist. "You didn't have these before."

He lifted me down from a jagged rock and continued pulling me forward. "I got them from the traffickers. After you disappeared, I searched for you for a long time. I followed the police to many places, posing as a trafficker. I saved a lot of people, but I could never find you. This was the last place I could think of."

I heard the regret and pain in his voice. It hit me like a thunderbolt.

"That bridal shop..."

"I had a wedding dress custom-made. It was supposed to be a surprise. But because of my mistake, you were taken. I'm sorry..."

Luke wiped his eyes, pushed up his glasses, and forced a smile.

"This place is too remote. It took me over a month to get in touch with the police. But luckily, I can take you away now."

My eyes stung. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Luke was silent for a long time. Then he said, "Because most trafficked women are mentally unstable. Revealing my identity too soon could have jeopardized the rescue mission."

Only then did I begin to believe that I might actually escape this place.

My voice was hoarse. "Luke... this time... can I really get out?"

The moonlight fell on Luke's head. His eyes were filled with a gentle light. "Yes, Claire. I'm taking you home."

My nose stung. I quickened my pace to keep up with him.

Luke said the police car was about a kilometer away.

A landslide had blocked the road with a pile of rocks. Otherwise, they would have reached the village by now.

As we rounded a bend in the mountain path, a van suddenly appeared in front of us.

Not far away, the woman who had escaped on the three-wheeler lay dead by the roadside, covered in blood.

Vance was on the phone with the village. "What? The new women are all cops? Then Luke—"

He stopped mid-sentence. He'd seen us.

A wave of terror washed over me. Instinctively, I grabbed Luke.

Vance stared at us, hung up the phone, and walked over with a hoe on his shoulder, followed by several men. A sinister smile spread across his face.

"Luke. Looks like you're not so honest either."

Luke shielded me and backed away. "Brother Vance, I'll pay you. Let me take her."

Vance sneered and spat on the ground. "Luke, I saved your life once. And now you want to take your sister-in-law away? That's not very honorable, is it?"

My palms were sweating. "Vance, I... I'll go back with you."

Luke grabbed me tightly. "Brother, when the police come, you won't be able to escape. Don't add murder to your crimes."

Vance pointed at the dead woman. "She's already dead. Luke, I don't care anymore. The village is under control. Those female cops won't get away. And you two... you're both dead."

I was trembling with fear. Suddenly, a few burly men pointed at the village and screamed, "Brother, the village is on fire!"

The small mountain village, which had been hidden in the darkness, was now wrapped in a dragon of fire.

It was bright red.

The wind fanned the flames, spreading them visibly. Within half a minute, the village was a sea of fire.

While they were distracted, Luke called out to me. "Claire."

I looked at him.

Luke cupped my face and kissed my ear quickly. "Be good. Run as fast as you can. Don't look back."

My mind went blank for a second. The next moment, I watched him charge at the men.

Vance was caught off guard and knocked to the ground.

"Claire, run! Get the police!"

His shout was deafening.

I snapped back to reality. Without hesitation, I ran toward the dark road in the distance.

Blood pounded in my ears. My footsteps echoed against the mountain walls.

Behind me, the sounds of cursing and fighting grew fainter, yet sharper.

"Fuck! Luke! Let go!"

"Hit his hands! Cut them off!"

A car horn blared, a long, piercing sound.

I ran through the darkness, the air forced from my lungs. Tears streamed down my face. I fell a few times, scraping my hands and knees, but I got up and kept running.

I could only think of Luke's words: "Get the police!"

The police were ahead! Hope was ahead!

The woman on the three-wheeler lay dead by the roadside, covered in blood.

In the distance, the village was engulfed in a towering inferno. The sea of fire consumed the evil hidden beneath the filth.

I sobbed. I'm sorry, Luke...

I can't stop...

I'm sorry...

"Ah..."

I let out a scream and ran forward with all my might.

As I rounded the mountain, red and blue lights flashed in my eyes.

The clear sound of sirens came from the horizon.

I could faintly hear Vance's voice. "Hit his head! He's done for!"

I fell to my knees and burst into tears.

The red and blue lights flickered across the mountains.

Casting my long shadow behind me.

8

In the twelfth lunar month, I gave birth to a boy.

He looked just like Vance.

Every time I saw him, I had nightmares.

So even after his first month, Luke hadn't brought him to see me.

Luke still had bandages on his forehead. He'd just been released from the ICU. As soon as he'd recovered a bit, he came to take care of me.

After we were rescued, they took me to the nearest hospital—Jiangzhou Women's and Children's Hospital.

I had too many old injuries from the beatings. Luke said I needed to rest. I wouldn't be discharged or get married until I was fully healed.

One night, I woke up from a nightmare, clutching Luke tightly, sobbing.

"Bad dream?" He stroked my back gently.

I cried. "I dreamed that they beat you to death..."

In the dream, by the time the police arrived, Luke was lying in a pool of blood. He was already gone.

The whole village was burning. Waves of heat rolled in.

Everyone was dead. Only me and Vance survived.

Luke kissed me. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

I cried a lot. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have left you behind."

"It's okay..." Luke whispered soothingly. "If I hadn't saved you, I would have blamed myself. Take it slow. Everything will be fine."

"Will you still marry me?" I asked.

"Yes."

After the baby's first month, Luke took me out of the hospital.

Soon after, Luke and I got our marriage