I tore through my drawers, my hands shaking as I pulled out files, clothes, anything that could hide it. My passport. It had to be here. It was my only way out, my only proof that I still had the right to choose where I could go. But the drawer was empty, the lock box broken.
“No…” I whispered, panic rising in my throat. I searched again, scattering papers across the floor, but it wasn’t there.
A strange smell drifted in through the window, acrid and bitter. Burning. My chest tightened as I ran to the glass, pushing it open. Down in the yard, flames licked at the air, curling around something too familiar. Fabric. Dresses. My mother’s.
I bolted down the stairs, my heart in my ears, and stumbled into the yard. The sight stole the air from my lungs. My mother’s clothes—her favorite shawl, her nightgowns, the ones I had folded carefully every week—were nothing but ashes.
And beside the fire stood Kyline, her arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“What are you doing?!” I screamed, running forward, but a maid caught my wrist, holding me back.
“Ma’am, it was Kyline’s order,” the maid whispered quickly, eyes darting nervously. “She said this room will be hers now. She doesn’t want any of your things left. She… said you wouldn’t care cause you’re useless.”
My knees nearly gave way.
I turned on Kyline, fury ripping through me. “You had no right! Those were my mother’s things! How dare you—”
Kyline shrugged, tilting her head as if amused by my desperation. “Relax. The house needs renovation. And your mess only clutters it. You should be thanking me. Don’t worry—once this is my room, everything will look perfect.”
Before I could speak, her fingers tangled in my hair, yanking hard until I cried out.
“You think you can still stand against me?” she hissed, her breath hot against my ear. “You should’ve died the moment your mother fell into that coma. At least then Brendon wouldn’t have wasted years pretending with you.”
Rage burned in my chest, but before I could strike her back, a shadow fell across us. Brendon.
His eyes were fire, but not for her. For me. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“She—she started it—” I tried, but he didn’t listen. His hand clamped around my arm, shoving me so hard I stumbled against the wall.
“You never learn,” he growled, dragging me into the house. He slammed the bedroom door shut, locking it with a sharp click. Then his palm cracked across my face, sharp enough that my cheek burned.
“You will not leave this room unless I tell you so,” he spat. “And you will finish the designs for tomorrow. If you try anything stupid—your family dies. Do you hear me? Your mother. Your brother. Gone.”
Tears blurred my vision as I sank against the wall, my cheek stinging, my pride bleeding. I hugged myself, shaking. He left me there, the echo of the lock like a prison bell.
Hours passed before my phone lit up, vibrating against the floor where it had fallen. My heart lurched when I saw the caller ID. Unknown number. I hesitated, then answered.
“Stephanie.”
I froze. “Paul?” My voice cracked.
“Yes. It’s me.” His voice was hurried, but steady. “I got out. Inigo helped. We’re moving Mother tonight, she’ll be safe.”
Relief crashed over me like a wave. “Thank God… Paul, please, get me out of here. I can’t—”
“I will. Tomorrow. Hang in there. Just… survive.”
I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “I’ll wait.”
The line went dead. My tears fell silently this time, not of despair, but of hope.
I wiped my face and dragged myself to the desk. If Brendon wanted designs, I’d give them. But not to him. No. I copied everything into a flash drive, every sketch, every proof of his theft, his illegal transactions, his betrayal. I sent it all to Inigo. Along with a message: Expose him. End him.
Then I called the investors myself, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “Cancel tomorrow’s signing. You’ll receive proof of everything soon.”
The rest of the night blurred into exhaustion. My stomach growled, but when I slipped out quietly to the hallway, voices stopped me cold. Moaning. Laughter. I didn’t need to peek to know. Kyline. Brendon. Their sounds made bile rise in my throat.
I stumbled back to the room, clutched the flash drive, and prayed for midnight.
When Brendon returned, his tie loose, his smirk cruel, he found me at the desk. “Who told you to get out? Are you done?”
I forced myself to meet his eyes, steady. “Yes. Here.” I handed him the flash drive, a copy of what I had already sent away.
“Good,” he said, smug. “Tomorrow, you’ll present it yourself. Convince the investors. If you fail, everything falls apart.”
The next morning, I woke before dawn hoping that I could leave peacefully. I didn’t expect to be in the same car as Brendon as he usually leave without me.
“There’s a private meeting before the investors’ signing tonight. Some of the top shareholders are throwing a party, and you’re coming.”
My chest tightened. “Can’t you handle it alone? I—”
“No.” His voice snapped like a whip. “We’re leaving together so I know you wouldn’t run from me. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
The line went dead.
I lowered the phone, my hands trembling. For a moment, despair washed over me like a tide, but then I remembered Paul. I quickly typed a message: Change of plans. They’re taking me on the yacht first. Please… help.
The yacht gleamed under the sun. I stood near the railing, my hands gripping the polished steel. The sea stretched endlessly before me, so vast, so free. I closed my eyes, the salty wind whipping against my face, whispering temptation.
“Thinking of jumping?”
My eyes snapped open. Kyline stood beside me.
“What do you need?” I asked, my voice tight.
“Just wanted to remind you… after today, make sure you disappear. Do you understand?”
I turned to her, my chest burning. “Why? Why do you need me gone so badly? You already have everything—my mother, my father’s dead, my brother in jail, even Brendon. You’ve destroyed everything I loved. What more do you want? My life? Is that it? Do you want me dead so this can finally end?”
Kyline tilted her head, her eyes glinting with cruel amusement. “Now that you mention it… that’s not such a bad idea.”
My blood turned to ice.
“I’m the one he’s loved since we were kids, Stephanie. You were just a placeholder. A distraction. No matter what happens, Brendon will always protect me. Always. I’ll never lose to you. It’s time to say goodbye.”
Her smile widened. And before I could even gasp—she shoved me. The railing slipped from my grip. My body lurched forward, the world tilting, the sea rising up to meet me.
Now I had finally achieved my goal as I closed my eyes and let myself sink deep into the sea.
Then, I sent out the emergency signal.
I smiled, knowing I had succeeded.
Soon, I would be able to completely escape from this place full of darkness, control, and betrayal.
