A wealthy man, who tends to keep his emotions at bay, chooses to offer Lexi a secure home, inspired by her remarkable strength. Their unusual connection deepens, but everything changes one day when he unexpectedly steps into his garage and discovers something troubling waiting for him. In the end, it seems Lexi is hiding something from us. Who is she?
I owned a spacious house, drove some nice cars, and had plenty of cash—more than I could ever hope to spend in my lifetime. Yet, there was a void within me that I just couldn’t seem to fill.
Sadly, I never had the chance to start a family, as it seemed that women were only drawn to me for the financial support I received from my parents. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should have chosen differently when I was 61.
Without thinking, I found myself reaching for the steering wheel, hoping to lighten the heavy feeling that was settling on my chest. I noticed a woman hunched over a trash can at that moment. She looked like she didn’t know where she was.
I questioned why I was even bothering to slow down as I drove past. People like her were everywhere, weren’t they?
Yet, there was something different about her—the way her slender arms moved with unwavering determination as she sifted through the garbage. It stirred something deep within me.
She was both beautiful and brave, yet it felt as if sheer willpower was the only thing keeping her going.
Before I even realized what I was doing, I had already stopped the car. I lowered the window and watched her, the soft hum of the engine grounding me in a sense of security.
She looked up, her eyes widening in disbelief. For a moment, I thought she might run. But instead, she adjusted her position and wiped her hands on her worn white pants.
“Do you need any help?” My voice came out oddly strained, as if unused to conversations—especially ones like this.
She studied me, her voice sharp and tired. “What are you offering?” It was the voice of someone who had heard too many empty promises.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. The words came before I could even shape them. I stepped out of the car. “I saw you, and it just felt like the right moment.”
She crossed her arms, her gaze locked onto mine. Then, with a bitter laugh, she muttered, “Life is strange… especially with liars and unfaithful husbands who don’t treat their wives right. Something tells me you wouldn’t know much about that.”
Although I understood she was correct, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
“Perhaps not.” I let out a sigh, feeling uncertain about what to do next. “Do you have plans for tonight?”
She hesitated, glanced away for a brief moment, and then met my gaze again. No.
The word drifted like a cloud hanging between us. It shared all the information I required.
“Take a look: I have a garage.” It really resembles a bed and breakfast more than anything else. If you can find some stability, you might decide to stick around where you are.
I braced myself for her to burst into laughter and send me packing. But after just a brief glance at me, the tough facade she wore started to soften.
“I do not accept charity,” she said, her voice gradually softening as she spoke.
“It’s not charity,” they insisted, though I found myself questioning what charity really meant. “It’s just a temporary place to stay—no commitments.”
She hesitated, then finally said, “Just for one night.”
The drive back was quiet. She sat in the passenger seat, gazing out the window, her arms wrapped around herself as if shielding against more than just the cold.
When we arrived, we led her to the guest house—once a living space, now converted into a garage. It wasn’t fancy, but it was a place someone could call home, even if just for a while.
I gestured toward the small but cozy area. “Make yourself at home,” I said, pointing ahead. “There’s food in the fridge too.”
They said to her, “I get it and I really appreciate it.”
Over the next few days, Lexi hung out in the garage, but we managed to catch up for meals now and then. There was something about her that I just couldn’t quite identify, but it definitely grabbed my attention.
Maybe it was the way she pushed through despite the challenges, or perhaps it was the loneliness reflected in her eyes that resonated with my own feelings. Maybe it was simply that I wasn’t spending as much time alone as I used to.
As they sat across from each other at the dinner table, she began to share her feelings with him.
I used to be an artist, but not in a loud way. “There was a time when I considered myself an artist.” I really made an effort, you know. I just organized a handful of shows for a cozy venue and made sure to keep it well-maintained. Yet, somehow, everything fell apart.
“What happened?” I asked because I was genuinely curious.
Even though her laugh wasn’t genuine, she still found a way to make it happen. “Life unfolded.” My husband left me for a younger woman, and now she’s pregnant with his child. He walked away from me completely. He then threw me out of the house. Everything in my life crumbled after that event.
I apologized, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t true.
She glanced to the side. “It’s over.”
But I could tell that it wasn’t like that at all. The awful pain lingered just beneath the surface. I had already experienced that all too well.
With each passing day, I found myself eagerly anticipating our calls.
Lexi’s quick wit and playful humor had a way of pulling me out of the gloom that lingered in my empty estate. Over time, the emptiness within me seemed to shrink, little by little.
Everything felt unchanged—until one afternoon.
I was in a hurry to find the air pump for one of my car’s tires. Without thinking, I walked into the garage without knocking, intending to grab it and head out. But what I saw stopped me in my tracks, filling me with an unexpected sense of calm—if only for a moment.
Drawings were scattered across the floor. Some depicted moments that felt familiar—scenes of her being here. But others… others were darker.
One showed chains wrapped tightly around my neck. Another had blood streaming from my eyes. And in one, a figure—me, perhaps—was trapped inside a coffin on the other side of the room.
A wave of dizziness hit me. Is this how she sees me? The thought sent a chill down my spine. After everything I’ve done for her?
Panic surged through me. My heart pounded as I turned to leave, desperate to get out before she realized I had seen them.
