Chapter 13 Chapter 13
Valerie POV
It had been days since I last saw Luciano.
Too many days.
At first, the silence felt like relief. I could breathe again. I could think without feeling his presence everywhere. But as time passed, that relief turned into fear. Silence in this house was never a good thing. It meant plans were being made without me.
I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.
If I wanted to escape—if I wanted to leave this country alive—I had to act now. Quietly. Carefully. No mistakes.
I pulled on my hoodie, keeping my head low, my heart beating fast. Every step I took felt heavy, like the walls themselves were watching me. I moved toward the stairs, forcing myself to stay calm.
Just get out, Valerie, I told myself. Just get out, I reached the front door,Then “Going somewhere, madam?”
My body froze, I turned slowly and saw Damien standing behind me. His face was calm, unreadable, but his eyes missed nothing. Fear crawled up my spine. I had been careless. Too hopeful.
I swallowed hard and forced my voice to work.“Yes… yes,” I said. “I’m going to see a friend.”
My eyes stayed locked on the entrance, as if staring at it hard enough could make me disappear through it.
Damien studied me for a moment, his silence stretching. Then he nodded slightly.
“No problem,” he said. “I’ll ask two of the bodyguards to accompany you.”Panic hit me like cold water.
“No!” I said too quickly,He looked at me again.
I softened my tone, forcing a weak smile. “There’s no need for that, Damien. I know my way around. I’ll be back on time.”
I didn’t wait for his reply. I turned and started toward the door, my steps fast but controlled. My heart was racing now. I was so close. Just a few more steps.
“Madam.”His voice stopped me.
I froze again, my fingers tightening into fists. Slowly, I turned back to face him.
“Yes?” I asked, trying to sound calm.
Damien walked closer. Every step he took felt like a countdown. I could feel sweat forming on my palms.
“You haven’t been allowed to leave the mansion alone,” he said gently. “Not anymore.”
My chest tightened.“Luciano didn’t say that to me,” I replied.
Damien’s expression changed, just slightly. That was all I needed to see.
“He doesn’t need to,” he said. “These are his orders.”
The truth settled heavily inside me.
Luciano hadn’t disappeared,He had tightened his grip.
I nodded slowly, hiding the storm inside me. “I understand.”
Damien stepped aside, giving me space to breathe. “I’ll arrange a car and guards for you,” he added.
“No,” I said quietly. “Another time.”
I turned and walked back toward the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The mansion felt smaller now. Like a cage closing in.
As I reached my room, I shut the door behind me and leaned against it, my breath shaking. My escape plan was falling apart. Every move I made was being watched.
Luciano was always one step ahead.
I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my racing heart.
“No, madam,” Damien said calmly. “The boss gave strict orders. You are not allowed to leave the mansion without the guards assigned to you.”
The moment the words left his mouth, irritation burned through me.
All I wanted was one peaceful moment outside these walls. One moment where no one watched my steps or counted my breaths. Was that too much to ask? Why did every move I made have to be controlled?
I clenched my hands at my sides and walked closer to him, closing the distance between us. I stopped when my face was only inches from his. I could feel my anger shaking inside me, begging to be released.
“I’m going to see a friend,” I said slowly. “I don’t need a guard. I’ll be back soon. Are we clear?”
I forced myself to stay calm, even though my chest felt tight. One wrong move and I knew I would lose everything.
Damien didn’t flinch,“Yes, madam,” he replied, his voice respectful but firm. “I still insist on assigning guards. There have been threats recently. We don’t want anyone getting hurt. These are my boss’s instructions.”
His boss,Luciano,the name alone made my stomach twist.
We argued back and forth for several minutes. Every excuse I gave, Damien calmly shut down. Every reason I tried to use fell apart in front of his patience. I could see it in his eyes—this was not a fight I could win.
Finally, I gave up.“Fine,” I muttered, turning away, defeat tasted bitter.
I walked out of the mansion, my shoulders tense, my heart heavy. Two bodyguards were already waiting by the car. Of course they were. I didn’t even bother looking at them as I climbed inside.
The ride felt endless, when we finally arrived at Lauren’s workplace, I stepped out of the car quickly, desperate for air. The guards followed immediately, their footsteps close behind mine.
That was when I snapped.I spun around to face them, my patience completely gone.
“Do you have to follow me everywhere?” I shouted. “Go stay in the car. I’ll come back when I’m done.”
They looked at each other, unsure. For a moment, fear gripped me. What if they refused? What if they dragged me back?
Then they bowed their heads and returned to the car.
Relief washed over me so fast my knees almost gave out.
I let out a shaky breath and hurried into the building. My heart was racing again, but this time it was different. This time, it was hope mixed with fear.
Lauren had already told me where to find her.
As I walked through the halls, my thoughts spiraled. Every second counted. I didn’t know how long I had before Luciano tightened his control even more. I didn’t know how much longer I could pretend to be calm and obedient.
This life wasn’t mine,These walls weren’t my home.
I needed help. I needed a way out. And Lauren was the only person I trusted enough to hear the truth.
When I reached her office door, I paused and took a deep breath,Pull yourself together, Valerie,I raised my hand and knocked, Whatever happened next could change everything.