Lost innocence

Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry," I murmured into her hair, my heart breaking for her. "I had no idea." Rachel leaned into me, her body trembling slightly as she clung to me. The warmth of her body against mine was a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped my heart. "You can't tell anyone," she whispered, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "Please, Emma. If he finds out, he'll hurt me, or worse." I nodded, stroking her hair gently. "I promise, Rachel," I murmured, my voice filled with determination. "I won't say a word." With a deep breath, Rachel pulled away, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Now, we should get back to work before someone notices we're gone." I nodded, a lump forming in my throat as I took in the gravity of Rachel's confession. The mansion's glamorous facade was beginning to crumble, revealing the dark underbelly of manipulation and control that had been hidden beneath the surf