The cash in my pocket reminded me of the need to put distance between myself and the mansion. I knew Rachel was helping me, but the thought of facing Harrison again filled me with a deep, sharp dread. If I stayed, I’d never truly be free from Mr. Luca’s control.
With shaking hands, I booked a flight to the UK, hesitating a moment over the “Confirm” button. This was it-I was committing to an unknown future, away from the only home I’d known. Rachel had sent me enough money to start over, and I was determined to make it work.
I packed my few things into a small suitcase, feeling both excited and terrified. The UK, a place I’d only seen in movies, was now my escape. I had no idea what waited for me there, but just thinking about leaving kept me going.
A notification on my phone showed Rachel had sent another transfer. She’d given me enough not only to disappear but to begin again. A fresh start, far from the mansion and the dangerous games we were caught in. I felt a spark of hope rise inside me, pushing back the darkness.
But leaving Rachel behind weighed on me. She had been my friend, my protector. Without her, I was alone in a world of uncertainty. I knew I had to go, but leaving her to face the storm alone felt wrong. I picked up my phone, my thumb hovering over her name. I wanted to tell her how much she meant to me, how her support changed everything. But no words felt right. How could I say what I was feeling?
In the end, I settled for a simple text: “Thank you, Rachel. This is everything. I’ll pay you back somehow. Stay strong.” I hit send, hoping she’d understand my gratitude and the promise I made to her. I had to believe she would be okay, that she was strong enough to survive the mansion’s twisted games.
The air outside was heavy with the promise of rain, dark clouds reflecting my stormy thoughts. I waved down a cab, my heart racing as I told the driver to take me to the airport. Every car that passed made me jump, fearing it would stop and that Mr. Luca or his men would find me. Rachel had warned me they were looking for me, and the fear of being caught made my skin crawl.
At the airport, I handed the driver a wad of crumpled cash and hurried out of the car. My eyes scanned the crowd for any sign of danger. The rush of travelers was both frightening and comforting-I could blend in, but so could they.
Inside, I spotted a bathroom and ducked in, my heart pounding. I splashed water on my face, trying to calm myself. Rachel’s voice echoed in my head, telling me to change my appearance. I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror.
I barely recognized the girl staring back at me-tired eyes, messy hair. This was the girl who’d been a maid at the mansion so long she almost forgot who she was. I dug through my bag and pulled out a cheap wig and sunglasses, feeling a bit like a spy. I put them on, adjusting the wig over my hair until I was sure I looked different. It was surprisingly convincing.
With another deep breath, I left the bathroom and joined the flow of people, my heart racing. The airport felt like a maze, each step bringing me closer to my escape. I checked the departure board, searching for my flight number. It was boarding, the red letters on the screen urging me to hurry. I quickened my pace, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
At the gate, the attendant looked up at me with a bored expression. I handed over my ID and boarding pass, the fake name on them feeling fragile, like it could shatter any second. But she didn’t seem to notice. She just nodded and gave them back. The last barrier was a security agent. His eyes lingered on me for a moment too long, and I felt panic rising in my throat. But he just waved me through, and I was free.
On the plane, I sank into my seat, my hands trembling. Rachel had warned me to stay off my phone, to avoid being tracked. The silence was overwhelming, the roar of the engines outside a contrast to the quiet inside the cabin.
As the plane took off, my thoughts drifted to Harrison. What we had shared was intense and forbidden, a secret that grew into something almost suffocating. Now, that love felt like a noose, tightening with every second. Would he come looking for me? Would he ever forgive me for leaving?
I forced myself to focus on Rachel’s instructions. I had to stay off the radar, to become someone else. The weight of my choice pressed down on me, but I knew it was the only way. The mansion had once been my whole world, but now it felt like a prison, and I had to escape if I wanted to live.
The flight was long, and turbulence shook the plane, mirroring my own storm of emotions. I barely slept, my mind racing with fears of being caught. Every time someone passed my seat, I tensed. But as hours went by, my fear began to fade, replaced by a strange feeling in my stomach-a mix of hunger and a new sense of freedom.
When the plane finally landed in the UK, a wave of relief washed over me. I stepped off, taking in the busy airport, my eyes wide with wonder. The unfamiliar sights and sounds were thrilling and frightening. This was only the first step in my journey, away from Mr. Luca’s grip.
Outside, the cold air hit me, a sharp contrast to the mansion’s warmth. I decided to find a hotel for the night, needing a place to rest and gather my thoughts. The city lights outside the airport seemed to promise freedom.
The hotel I found was small, squeezed between a few shops. The lobby smelled like old smoke and coffee, but the bed looked inviting. I checked in under my new name, my voice shaking as I handed over cash. The clerk barely looked at me, his face blank with boredom. To him, I was just another traveler, and that was exactly what I needed.