But why would he marry her?” I questioned Rachel, desperation seeping into my voice. She sighed, her eyes filled with a sadness that spoke volumes about the tangled mess we found ourselves in.
“It’s complicated,” Rachel began, her voice weary. “Harrison’s family is traditional, and the pressure on him to marry and produce an heir is immense. Adrianne is beautiful, cunning, and comes from a family with a powerful reputation. They see it as a perfect match.”
Her words painted a grim picture, but I knew Rachel wasn’t one to give up without a fight. “We need evidence,” I said, my mind racing. “Something concrete that we can show him, something that will make him see the truth.”
Rachel nodded, her eyes lighting up. “I’ve been gathering it,” she whispered, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small USB drive. “Everything’s on here. Photos, messages, recordings… it’s all there. Enough to make him realize what she’s really like.”
I took the USB, my hand shaking as the weight of our plan settled on me. “What do we do now?”
Rachel looked around the small cell, her eyes darting to the door before turning back to me. “You need to stay here,” she said firmly. “Until the wedding day. I’ll take care of Ethan, I promise.”
My heart ached at the thought of being separated from my son, but Rachel’s voice was filled with such conviction that I couldn’t help but trust her. “But how will I get out?” I asked, fear lacing my words.
“I’ll come back for you,” Rachel promised. “But first, I need to make sure Ethan’s safe. Once I’ve got him out of the mansion, I’ll find a way to get you both out. Just be patient, okay?”
I nodded and hugged her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, the solidness of her promise. Rachel had always been a beacon of strength, and now, in this dank, cold space, she was my lifeline. Her arms wrapped around me, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to believe that we could actually pull this off. That we could expose Adrianne’s true colors to Harrison and stop this sham of a wedding before it was too late.
After what felt like an eternity, Rachel pulled away, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Remember, no matter what happens, keep fighting,” she whispered. “For Ethan.” With that, she turned and disappeared up the stairs, the door closing behind her with a heavy finality that sent a shiver down my spine.
I slumped back against the wall, clutching the USB drive in my trembling hand. The darkness of the basement enveloped me once more, but Rachel’s words kept my hope alive. I had to hold onto that, had to believe that there was a way out of this nightmare.
Days turned into nights, and nights into days in that suffocating space. The only solace was the occasional whisper of Rachel’s voice from the vent, reassuring me that she was still fighting. Her words were my lifeline, the only thing keeping me tethered to the world outside.
The wedding day arrived like a storm on the horizon, heavy and ominous. I could hear the faint murmur of voices from upstairs, the rustle of fabric, the clink of glasses. My heart hammered in my chest as I imagined Harrison dressed in his tuxedo, looking every inch the dashing groom, while I sat trapped in this damp cell, a prisoner to Adrianne’s deceit.
Rachel had visited me every night, her whispered updates fueling my hope. She had managed to smuggle Ethan out of the mansion, ensuring he was safe with someone she trusted implicitly. Now, it was just a matter of time before she could free me and together we would expose Adrianne’s lies. I had to be ready.
The day of the wedding was a whirlwind of nerves and anticipation. I listened to the distant sounds of the ceremony, my heart racing as Rachel’s voice grew closer. “Emma, it’s time,” she whispered urgently through the vent. “I have a plan. You need to trust me.”
Her words were like a cool breeze on a sweltering day, bringing relief and hope. I nodded, and moments later, the door to my cell creaked open. Rachel’s silhouette was framed by the flickering candlelight from the corridor. She handed me a dress, the fabric softer than anything I’d ever felt. “Put this on,” she instructed, her voice steady. “You’re going to play the part of a lifetime.”
I slipped into the elegant gown, feeling a strange mix of excitement and dread. Rachel had told me her plan – to sneak me into the wedding as an anonymous guest, and also she’ll bring Ethan. We had to be careful, though. One wrong move and everything could fall apart.
My heart raced as Rachel led me through the labyrinth of the mansion’s basement corridors. The wedding was in full swing above us, the sound of laughter and music filtering down like a taunting reminder of the freedom I was denied. Rachel’s hand was cold and damp in mine as we made our way upstairs. I knew she was just as scared as I was, but her determination was unwavering.
Finally, we reached the kitchen, the last bastion before the grand ballroom where the wedding was being held. Rachel paused, her eyes searching the shadows. “We need to be quick,” she murmured. “And quiet.”.
We slipped through the kitchen, my heart pounding with every step. The aroma of roasting meats and baked goods filled the air, a stark contrast to the cold dread coiling in my stomach. Rachel gestured to a side door, and we tiptoed through it, finding ourselves in a narrow service hallway. The muffled sounds of the wedding grew louder, the anticipation building with each beat of my racing heart.
Rachel stopped at the entrance to the ballroom, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Remember, act natural,” she hissed. “We’re just two guests who arrived late.” Now I’ll go get Ethan, you stop Adrianne before she can marry Harrison.”
My stomach knotted as she disappeared into the throng of people. “How do I do that?” I whispered to myself, my palms slick with sweat. But Rachel’s words echoed in my head: “You’re stronger than you think.” I took a deep breath and stepped into the fray.
The ballroom was a sea of glitz and glamour, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and the buzz of hushed whispers. I blended in as best I could, my heart hammering against my ribs as I searched for Adrianne. She was standing at the altar, a vision in white, her eyes gleaming with a triumph that made me sick.
I had to act fast. Rachel had said she’d bring Ethan, but when? And what if we were caught? The fear was a living thing in my chest, but I pushed it down. For my son, for myself, I had to be brave.
I saw Mr. Luca watching the proceedings with a smug smile, his eyes scanning the room, no doubt looking for any signs of trouble. I had to get to Harrison before Rachel returned with Ethan. Before it was too late.
I edged closer to the altar, my heart thundering in my chest. Adrianne was speaking her vows, her voice a serene lie that made my skin crawl. I had to interrupt her, to tell everyone the truth, but my legs felt like lead. Just as I was about to make a move, Rachel appeared at my side, a bundle of squirming warmth in her arms. Ethan’s eyes widened when he saw me, and he let out a soft cry of joy that was music to my ears.
Rachel passed him to me, and I held him tightly, feeling the warmth of his little body melt my fear away. “It’s time,” she whispered. “Let’s go.
I took a deep breath, feeling Ethan’s warmth against my chest, and marched up the aisle, my heels clicking against the marble floor. The murmur of the guests grew louder as we approached the altar, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was stopping this farce before it was too late.
Harrison’s eyes widened when he saw me, his jaw dropping. For a moment, the room seemed to still, the only sound the rapid beating of my heart. “Emma?” he choked out, his gaze darting between Adrianne and me.
I stepped closer, the fabric of my dress whispering against the floor. “I can’t let you do this,” I told him, my voice shaking but firm. “You don’t love her.” And you’re mine, I added in my thoughts, feeling the weight of the USB drive in the hidden pocket of my dress.
Adrianne’s smile faltered, her eyes flicking to Rachel, who was now standing at the back of the room, watching everything unfold with a mix of terror and hope. “What is the meaning of this?” she hissed, her voice like a serpent’s.
But Harrison didn’t seem to hear her. His eyes were locked on me, on Ethan. And as he looked at my son, I saw the recognition dawn in his eyes, the same blue that stared back at him from Ethan’s tiny face. His gaze snapped to me, and I watched as the realization hit him like a sledgehammer.
at this point I knew the usb drive wasn’t even needed. The truth was written all over Ethan’s face,” Rachel murmured as she watched the scene unfold from the back of the ballroom. Her eyes were filled with a mix of pride and fear as she saw the shock in Adrianne’s face. Harrison rushed towards me, his eyes full of questions and accusations.
“Is this true?” he demanded, his voice thundering in the sudden silence. I nodded, my throat too tight to speak. “Is he… is he mine?”