As I pulled away, Rachel’s eyes looked into mine, her face showing regret and sadness. “You’re stronger than you think,” she whispered. “Remember that.”
Her words hung in the air as I hugged her back, feeling the warmth of her embrace. I took a deep breath, trying to prepare for what was to come. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice heavy with tears. “For everything.”
Rachel nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “Now go,” she urged, gently pushing me toward the door. “Before it’s too late.”
I took a deep breath and stepped into the unknown, the cold evening air a sharp contrast to the warmth of Rachel’s hug. The mansion’s lights flickered behind me, and the shadows seemed to move on their own. As I walked to the hidden exit, every creak of the floor felt loud in the silence. I gripped the envelope tightly, the cold cash feeling like a lifeline in my trembling hand.
Walking toward the gate, the weight of the mansion’s secrets pressed down on me. Each step felt like a promise of rebellion, a declaration that I was fighting back against the twisted games of power that had controlled my life for so long. The tall iron bars of the gate stood before me, a symbol of the freedom I hadn’t even dared to imagine just hours ago.
As I stepped into the cool evening, the sound of gravel under my feet seemed too loud, like a warning. The world beyond the mansion was huge and unfamiliar, filled with bright lights and fast-moving cars that had always been just out of reach. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the smell of exhaust and rain-a sharp difference from the suffocating perfume of wealth and lies that had surrounded me for so long.
My heart raced as I neared the train station, the neon lights glowing like a sign of hope in the darkness. The cash in my pocket felt like a secret treasure, the only thing keeping me grounded in the chaos. Rachel’s warning echoed in my mind: the mansion’s reach could go beyond its walls.
The train pulled into the station with a loud screech, and the doors opened with a hiss. I stepped inside, glancing around at the almost empty cabin. The few people there didn’t notice me, lost in their own thoughts or buried in their phones. I found a seat in the corner, curling up as small as I could, trying to disappear.
As the train moved forward, the mansion grew smaller behind me, swallowed by the darkness. I felt both relief and fear, as the familiar walls of my prison faded away, leaving me with the cold truth of the world outside. Rachel’s words kept echoing in my head: “You’re stronger than you think.” I held onto those words like a lifeline, trying to believe them.
The ride to the city was a blur of lights and shadows, the sound of the train tracks clacking underfoot a strange comfort. Every time the train stopped, I half-expected to see Mr. Luca or Adrianne rush onto the platform, ready to drag me back to face the consequences of my escape.
When I finally got off the train, the noise of the city hit me like a wave. The harsh sounds were loud but somehow comforting in their anonymity. I moved through the busy streets, keeping my head down, the envelope of cash feeling like it would burn a hole in my pocket. Rachel had told me to find a small hotel and wait for her call.
I walked through narrow alleys and past bright shops with neon signs, the colors flashing harshly on the wet sidewalks. The smell of fast food and car exhaust filled the air, but it smelled like freedom to me. I walked until I found a small, plain hotel, the kind that rented rooms by the hour to people who wanted privacy. The clerk barely glanced at me as I paid in cash, his face showing no interest.
The room was small and plain, but it was mine. It was a break from the luxury and lies of the mansion. I collapsed onto the bed, feeling the springs creak under me. For a moment, I let myself cry, the tears flowing down my face. But I knew I couldn’t stay here forever, couldn’t hide from Mr. Luca’s reach.
I took out my phone, the glow of the screen lighting up the dark room. My hands were shaking as I dialed Rachel’s number, the fear of what might happen next choking me. The phone rang and rang, and just as I thought it would go to voicemail, she picked up.
“Emma, are you okay?” Her voice was a lifeline, pulling me from my panic.
“I’m safe,” I said, trying to hold back the tears. “But I’m scared, Rachel. What if they find me?”
Her voice was calm and firm, a stark contrast to the fear in my own. “They won’t. Stay where you are and keep the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door. I’ll call you when it’s safe.”
The line went quiet, leaving me in the silence of the hotel room. My mind raced as I stared at the phone, hoping for another call from Rachel, telling me everything would be okay. But the silence reminded me of how alone I was.
Minutes passed, and as the adrenaline from earlier started to wear off, I began to feel an emptiness in my chest. I knew I had to keep moving, stay ahead of Mr. Luca and Adrianne. But the exhaustion of the past days was catching up to me. I lay back on the bed, the rough fabric of the sheets against my skin, and let my eyes close.
I don’t know how long I slept when the sound of my phone ringing woke me up. My heart pounded as I reached for it, my hand trembling from the sudden rush of fear. The screen showed Rachel’s name, and a wave of both relief and dread washed over me.
“Emma,” she whispered urgently, “you need to leave. Now.”
My heart skipped. “What do you mean?”
“Harrison… he’s found out,” Rachel’s voice was barely a whisper, like she was afraid someone could hear her. “He’s lost it, Emma. He’s looking for you everywhere.”
Panic surged through me. “What do I do?”
Rachel’s voice was calm, despite the situation. “Take the cash and leave the hotel. Don’t go anywhere he might find you. Change your look, and leave the city, Emma.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I knew she was right. I had to disappear. I grabbed the envelope and shoved it into my bag, my heart racing as I threw on fresh clothes. There was no time to think about what might happen next. I couldn’t waste any more time.