Chapter 233: Flashback – The Awakening and the Trap

Author’s POV (23 Years Ago)

Violet sat in the university cafeteria, her chin resting on her hand, eyes fixed on the void. Her mind was anchored to the night before. She felt the hair on her arms stand up as those manic moments rushed back; the cold touch of the scalpel in her hand, the way she had slowly carved it into Morgan’s flesh. That memory triggered a violent urge that made her heart race even now a delicious, indescribable sensation.

A corner of her mouth quirked up. She remembered binding him, injecting him with the cold precision of a professional criminal. Strange, dark thoughts had always lived within her, shadows she couldn’t control or even dare to whisper to herself. But after last night, she felt something stir in the depths of her soul a beast that had been sleeping, and she knew she would never be able to tame it again.

She took a slow sip of her juice, her thoughts drifting to her sister, Meredith. Her foolish sister, who had so naively tried to steal her identity. Violet let out a silent, inward laugh. She hadn’t realized how desperate Meredith was. In her stupidity, Meredith had walked into a trap with no exit. Violet coldly decided to leave her to her fate with Morgan; she knew he would take a revenge she’d never forget.

"Violet... I’m exhausted! The studying never ends!" her friend Mia interrupted, dropping her bag onto the table with a weary sigh.

"It never does, Mia," Violet replied calmly, swirling her cup.

Mia adjusted a lock of hair and groaned. "We have to go out tonight."

"The same place?" Violet asked flatly.

"No, somewhere new," Mia replied enthusiastically. "Martin said it’s going to be a surprise."

Violet’s features stiffened. A surge of nausea hit her at the mere mention of "Martin." He was Mia’s boyfriend, but Violet loathed him; in her eyes, he was nothing but a lowlife. "Are the others going?" she asked, masking her irritation.

Mia nodded. "Tara and Maisie are coming."

"Fine," Violet said, packing her things. "I’ll tell my mother I’m staying at the dorms tonight."

"Perfect!" Mia beamed.

Violet stood up, smoothing her clothes. "We’ll meet at the room after lectures, then."

She walked out of the cafeteria with confident, rapid strides. A strange energy was pulsing through her veins a fire that needed an outlet, and soon.

That evening, Meredith prepared for her night with Morgan with every fiber of her being. Despite being engaged, she felt no shred of remorse. Her only focus was seeing Morgan again. She stood before the mirror, slowly pulling up sheer black thigh-high stockings, and slipped into a tight, short black dress. She applied heavy makeup to accentuate her features, stepped into her high heels, and slipped out of the house cautiously before her mother could spot her.

She found Morgan waiting in his luxury car. She rushed toward him and slid into the passenger seat. She studied him, breathless; he was so handsome it ignited a fire of desire within her. He was wearing a blue shirt that emphasized his broad shoulders and jeans. His gray eyes, like a sea of mystery, settled on her.

"You look very beautiful," he said in a calm tone.

"Thank you," she smiled flirtatiously, tucking a strand of hair. "You look quite handsome yourself."

Morgan started the engine and drove off in silence. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice full of excitement.

"Be patient," he replied stoically, his eyes fixed on the road. "You’ll see."

Meredith leaned her head back and closed her eyes, imagining the high-end places Morgan might take her. A candlelit dinner at a five-star restaurant? A stunning surprise?

Perhaps a private night on a yacht in the middle of the sea? She played out every romantic movie scene in her head, convinced she was the leading lady tonight.

Meanwhile, Morgan remained utterly silent, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. His mind was occupied by one single thought: Tonight is the night I take my revenge on the liar who dared to deceive me.

Back at the university dorm, Violet and Mia were getting ready. Mia stood before the mirror in a short white dress, her blonde hair perfectly styled. "How do I look, Violet?" she asked, spinning around.

"Beautiful," Violet said simply.

Mia studied her friend. "Violet, you look so attractive even in just denim shorts and a top."

"Let’s go," Violet said, grabbing her bag. "We’re late."

They found Martin waiting in his car. Mia immediately began kissing him, while Violet sat in the back, leaning her head against the window and staring out with cold indifference. Martin watched her through the rearview mirror. "How are you, Violet?"

She ignored him completely. Martin frowned, irritated; he had always found her incredibly arrogant and felt a negative energy from her that he despised.

They drove off. "Maisie and Tara are waiting at the next bus stop," Mia said, fixing her lipstick. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

A moment later, Martin pulled over. Tara and Maisie climbed in, dressed in shimmering outfits and heavy makeup. "Hey guys!" they chirped in unison.

They sat beside Violet, who looked at them out of the corner of her eye. "You two look like disco balls," she remarked sarcastically.

Mia laughed. "Violet, you always have the funniest lines!" Tara and Maisie didn’t take offense; they were used to her sharp tongue.

After a while, Martin stopped at a place called "Bison." Two massive bouncers stood at the entrance. Mia looked at the venue with concern. "Martin, what is this place? I don’t think they’ll let us in."

"Come on, get out," Martin said confidently.

They stepped out, and Martin led the way. He whispered something to the bouncer, who immediately stepped aside. They walked in, and Violet’s eyes widened. It was a nightclub, but unlike any she’d seen. The seating was private, the atmosphere exclusive, and the music was low and sophisticated. She wondered how a guy like Martin knew about a place that seemed reserved for the elite.

"Look, Peter and Felix are over there," Martin pointed.

They headed to a circular lounge area. They sat and ordered beers. Violet remained silent, her eyes scanning every corner. Suddenly, her gaze froze. Her eyes landed on a tall man with sharp features, blonde hair, and piercing blue eyes. He sat alone on a sofa not far from them, smoking with cold detachment.

For a fleeting second, their eyes met. Violet didn’t look away. Instead, she intensified her gaze, challenging him with a bold, shameless stare, as if she were piercing right through him. The eye contact was broken by Martin, who rubbed his hands together. "So, who wants to play?"

"Oh yes!" Mia clapped. "Let’s play our usual game... Truth or Dare."

The girls cheered, while Violet remained silent, watching the bottle with a cold expression. Martin took an empty bottle and set it in the middle of the table. "No rules, no refusals. Agreed?"

"Agreed!" they shouted.

"I’ll start," Martin said. He spun the bottle. it whirled with a soft hiss until it slowed and pointed at Felix. A smirk touched Martin’s lips. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," Felix whispered.

"Tell me," Martin asked instantly, "which girl here do you have a crush on?"

Felix stiffened. He rubbed his palms together, clearly reluctant to answer, but the rules were strict. "Maisie," he croaked.

Maisie pursed her lips and looked at him with visible disgust before turning away. Felix lowered his head, embarrassment flooding his features; he wasn’t tall or particularly handsome, and he knew a guy like him would never catch the attention of a girl as confident and beautiful as Maisie.

Meanwhile, Morgan’s car screeched to a halt in front of a strip club. Meredith’s jaw dropped. Her eyes widened at the posters on the door images of women in graphic, suggestive poses. A shiver ran through her.

"What is this, Morgan?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Morgan stepped out without looking at her. "Get out," he said coldly.

Meredith stepped out, her legs feeling like lead. She couldn’t understand why they were at such a filthy place. They walked inside, and she was hit by the overpowering stench of booze, cigarette smoke, and deafening music that shook the walls.

The blood drained from her face as she saw the chaos inside. The place was a den of depravity; she saw a girl being double-penetrated by two men right there, the sounds of loud moaning filling the air. Nausea hit her stomach. She recoiled, grabbing Morgan’s arm tightly.

"Morgan... what are we doing here?" she choked out.