The warm sunshine cascaded down gently, illuminating the light blue sky with a mellow touch, devoid of the scorching intensity of summer. It wrapped around the body like a soft and cozy pair of well-worn cotton underwear, providing comfort. The occasional breeze that rustled through didn’t carry a chill.
The sunlight was just right, but on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, a woman with disheveled black hair sat. The balcony windows were open, allowing her to breathe in the fresh air, yet she appeared to be in great pain. The balcony was equipped with an anti-escape window, and she was locked inside the room. It was the only place from which she could catch a glimpse of the outside world.
Apart from a servant, the only person remaining was Sampson. Since her arrival, Sampson had never left this place, but today, he had stepped away for some unknown reason.
On the surface, it seemed as though he believed she had amnesia and didn’t administer the injection. However, the truth was that he didn’t trust her. He barely allowed her out of his sight, even making the servant follow her to the bathroom.
She had hoped that on a day like this, she would be able to breathe freely and find a way to escape, but Sampson had locked her inside the house.
The only window in the room was this balcony, but it too was sealed shut. It felt as if she would have to transform into a butterfly to break free from this place.
She closed her eyes slowly. If she wasn’t here, would Samuel and Simona search for her? Did they miss her? What were they doing at this moment?
And was Matthew worried about her? Was he searching for her?
She knew nothing.
At that moment, the sound of a door opening reached her ears.
Dolores immediately opened her eyes. The pained and anxious expression on her face disappeared, replaced by a blank and ignorant look.
She clenched her hands behind her back and fixed her gaze on the door.
Sampson, dressed in casual black attire, a peaked cap, and black sunglasses, entered while removing his hat and sunglasses.
“Lola, I’m back,” he said, placing his belongings on the table, closing the door, and walking toward Dolores.
Dolores calmly took a step back, pretending to be displeased. “You keep me locked in this house, never allowing me to go out. You claim to love me, but why do I feel like I’m being imprisoned?”
Sampson approached and embraced her. “Silly girl, I’m protecting you. There are too many wicked people out there. I’m afraid that if you venture outside, they’ll harm you, hurt you. You should appreciate it.”
As he spoke, Sampson playfully pinched her nose and leaned down to kiss her forehead…
Dolores’s body tensed, and she wanted to push him away. Yet, she feared that he would suspect she hadn’t truly lost her memory and would administer the injection.
No matter how repulsed she felt, she had to endure. Pretending to be bashful, she gave him a light playful push. “I haven’t even had lunch yet. I’m hungry now.”
She wasn’t truly hungry; it was merely an excuse to make him release her.
Sampson frowned, glancing at the time. “It’s almost two o’clock. Why haven’t you had lunch yet?”
Dolores lowered her head, a mocking smile curling her lips. “You locked the door, not even allowing the servant to open it. How could I have eaten?”
Sampson had forgotten about this. To prevent Dolores from running away, he trusted no one. He even harbored suspicions about the servant he had acquired at a high price, keeping the key to the upstairs to himself.
“Are you angry?” Sampson lifted her chin, urging her to look at him.
Dolores blinked, seizing the opportunity to vent her displeasure. “What do you think? You confine me to this room like a prisoner and even deny me food. If it were you, wouldn’t you be angry?”
Sampson smiled apologetically. “It’s my fault. I overlooked it. Don’t be afraid to punish me.”
“I dare not,” Dolores replied, lowering her gaze.
“There’s nothing to fear. If that’s what you want, I’ll fulfill your desires,” Sampson pledged, patting his chest.
With innocent widened eyes, Dolores looked at him expectantly. “Then, I want to go out. Can you take me?”
“Of course,” Sampson agreed, embracing her shoulders. “But before we go out, you need to eat. Let’s go. What would you like to have? I’ll have the servant prepare it for you.”
Dolores was thrilled that he had actually agreed to take her out, offering her a chance to escape. Casually, she said, “Udon noodles.”
Sampson carried Dolores down the stairs, holding her in his arms. “Bess, prepare some udon for her.”
“Okay.” Bess, wearing an apron and wiping dust off the TV, set aside the cleaning cloth and headed to the kitchen.
Sampson sat down in front of the sofa while still holding Dolores. He plucked a strand of her hair and kissed it. He was enamored with her scent and appearance. Whenever they were together, he yearned to hold her, caress her hair, and kiss her cheeks.
Dolores suppressed her disgust as her stomach churned, and she cautiously inquired, “When are we going out?”
“Tomorrow,” Sampson replied, narrowing his eyes as he took in the scent of her hair.
Dolores lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling slightly. She could hardly believe Sampson’s straightforward words. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” Sampson breathed deeply, pulling her into a tight embrace. “I just made the arrangements, and tomorrow I’ll take you away.”
He had meticulously avoided any contact with others, a deliberate decision from the start.
Any communication between him and someone else would leave traces. Regardless of whether Matthew could discern that the Dolores at home was an imposter, Sampson couldn’t take any risks by letting anyone know that Dolores was with him.
Following the standard procedures now, whether it was buying train or plane tickets, required identification. The real-name system made it all too easy to expose their whereabouts. That’s why he had prepared a car and decided against using the highway. They would leave City B through a small, less-developed road, heading to a mountainous county in Sichuan Province. There, they could live for a while without drawing attention.
Once the storm passed, he would whisk Dolores away from the country, ensuring they could never be found again.
Then they could live together forever and even have children of their own.
He harbored no regrets in this life.
Dolores felt as though lightning had just struck her. He wanted to take her away from here?
“But I think it’s fine here…” she started.
“This isn’t our home,” Sampson interjected firmly.
Bess brought the noodles to the table. “The noodles are ready.”
“Place them on the table,” Sampson instructed as he took the chopsticks from Bess and handed them to Dolores. “Hurry up and eat; they won’t taste good if they get cold.”
Dolores took the chopsticks, though she had no appetite. Still, she pretended to eat with relish. However, the noodles felt like stones in her stomach, filling her up all the way to her throat, refusing to digest.
“Are you feeling unwell?” Sampson asked, noticing her discomfort.
Dolores clutched her abdomen, her face turning pale, but she remained silent.
“I’ll help you go upstairs to rest for a while,” Sampson offered, helping her to her feet.
Concerned, Bess suggested, “Should we call a doctor to check on her?”
Sampson shot her a sideways glare and warned, “Can’t you see that she’s not feeling well? Do I need you to remind me?”
No outsider could know about this place, and he would never allow strangers to come near.
He couldn’t afford any mishaps.
Realizing her mistake, Bess lowered her head.
Dolores knew what was causing her discomfort. It was likely a combination of her sour mood and the food.
She returned to her room and lay down on the bed. “Can you leave me alone in the room for a while? I need to rest.”
Having denied her request for a doctor, Sampson couldn’t refuse this one. “Okay, rest well. I’ll come up later.”
Dolores closed her eyes solemnly, not wanting to say another word.
Curled up under the quilt, she kept her eyes open, watching as Sampson locked the door.
She was truly exhausted. Last night, Sampson had slept in this room with her, holding her tightly. She hadn’t been able to sleep at all, afraid to close her eyes, fearing what he might do.
Now, she was utterly drained, both physically and mentally. Her stomach continued to protest its discomfort.