After Andreae left, Jessica lay wide awake in bed and ruminated. Over the past few days, it had bothered her that the media misinterpreted the event and cast unjust aspersions on Haroon. The entire nation was eager to believe that the man had assaulted her in the ambulance. In her heart, she had felt compelled to step forward to defend him. But now that the two video clips had surfaced, that compulsion had diluted. As a victim of a blackmail attempt, she had to save herself first.

Perhaps the MP, Andreae and the bastardly Chong Jin were right. Haroon was in a coma. She was the only one who owned the truth and it was really up to her if she wanted to disclose what had actually happened in the ambulance. She did not need to lie. All she had to say was “I don’t remember”. The tales would spin themselves.

Jessica was getting ready to sleep when her mobile phone beeped. She stretched to switch on the table lamp on the dresser. The alarm clock read 3am. Who could be sending her a message at this hour?

Hi Jess, just want to know if you’re doing okay. It was terrible what happened. You have to be strong. Let me know if you need to talk. Love, Krison.

Jessica did not know who might have given Krison her mobile number, but it was really sweet of him.

I’m hurting. Your message means a lot to me. Thank you.

You’re still awake??

Can’t sleep. Too much on my mind.

Want to talk? I can come over in 20 minutes.

Jessica washed her face and changed into a loose cotton dress. She went downstairs and sat waiting for him on the stone bench at the void deck. Krison arrived within 15 minutes. In a split second, he was off his bike and enveloping her in a tight embrace.

“I am so sorry, Jess. I didn’t want to call the last few days while I was in camp. But I am worried sick. I am so, so sorry this has happened to you.”

Jessica buried her face in his chest and felt Krison tighten his squeeze. It hurt a little, but Jessica said nothing. Chong Jin would sometimes hook his sinewy arm around her neck to immobilise her as he engaged in rigorous sex and she had put up with it to please him. That beast applied his strength for his own satisfaction. Krison was applying his strength to reassure her. She felt protected.

“Oh my God!” Krison suddenly gasped. Tears sprang to his eyes as he held up Jessica’s wrist and examined the bruise marks. “Did he do this to you?”

Jessica struggled to free her wrist and flipped to hold his hand. “Let’s go to the park and walk for a bit.”