Chapter 5
Later that night, Ava lay in bed, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Escaping from Ethan’s clutches wouldn’t be easy, but she clung to the hope Claire offered.
“Miss Ava, time for breakfast,” the maid called out softly.
Ava ignored her, burying her head under the covers, pretending to be asleep. She had no appetite, not with the weight of the upcoming escape plan pressing down on her.
“Miss Ava, please. Mr. Ethan gave strict instructions,” the maid pleaded.
The door creaked open, and Ava’s heart sank. It was Ethan.
“Get up and eat,” he commanded, his voice brooking no argument.
Ava remained motionless, her eyes squeezed shut, willing him to leave. His next words, however, sent a jolt of fear through her.
“Fine. Have it your way.
Before she could react, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her towards the walk–in
closet.
“Ethan! What are you doing? Put me down!” she protested, pounding her fists against his
chest.
He chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. “Helping you get dressed for the day.”
“I can do it myself! Just… just leave!”
He placed her gently on her feet and leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. “Alright, I’ll leave. But promise me you won’t try to run again. Please, Ava. Stay with me.”
The vulnerability in his voice surprised her. It was the first time she’d heard him sound anything less than in control. She swallowed, her throat dry. “Fine,” she whispered, hating the way relief flooded his eyes at her words.
The moment he was gone, Ava began to pace, her mind racing. There was no way she was
Chapter 5
staying. She had to find a way out, and she had to find out what truly happened to her
parents.
Taking advantage of the relaxed security, Ava made her way to the sixth floor, drawn by a hunch. She found herself in front of a room that screamed ‘Ethan‘ all sleek lines, dark
wood, and an air of quiet power, This had to be his study. If she was going to find a about her parents, it would be here.
any clues
For minutes, she searched, her heart sinking with every drawer she opened, every file she
read. Just when she was about to give up, her fingers brushed against a small, unassuming
flash drive tucked away in the back of a drawer.
She plugged it into the computer and clicked on the audio file, her breath catching in her
throat as she recognized the voices.
“Father–in–law, Mother–in–law,” Ethan’s voice, smooth and dangerous.
“Don’t you dare call us that,” her father spat back. “I built my empire on honesty and hard work, not by selling my daughter to the likes of you.”
“Are you sure about that, sir? Are you absolutely certain you won’t reconsider giving Ava to
me?”
“Never. My daughter will marry for love, not for some twisted business deal.”
A cold laugh echoed from the speakers. Then we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?”
–
The recording ended abruptly, leaving Ava with a chilling certainty Ethan had killed her parents. He’d orchestrated their ‘accident‘ all to get to her.
Fury, cold and sharp, coursed through her veins. She would make him pay. She vowed to avenge her parents and escape his clutches, no matter the cost.
Carefully placing the flash drive back in its hiding place, Ava made her way back to her room, her mind buzzing with a plan. She would pretend to go along with Claire’s plan, but once she was free, she would disappear. And then, she would dedicate her life to making Ethan pay for what he had done.
That afternoon, Claire arrived, her eyes bright with barely concealed triumph. “It’s done. The staff is… indisposed, and the security cameras are offline for the next hour. I got your
Chapter 5
things. Now let’s go.”
Ava grabbed her things and followed Claire out of the house, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and trepidation. As they made their way to the waiting car, Ava turned back to look at the imposing structure that had been her prison for the past few days.
“This isn’t over, Ethan,” she whispered, her voice firm with newfound resolve. “This is just
the beginning.”
She got
got into the car, leaving behind the gilded cage that had held her captive, but also the man who, despite his twisted methods, had awakened a desire within her she never knew she possessed.
As the car sped away, Ethan’s words echoed in her ears: “Stay with me.”
She had refused his request then, but a small, insidious part of her wondered, what if she
had said yes?
