Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty Six

"Wow… it's so beautiful here," Xena murmured, a small, genuine smile curving her lips as she stepped into the vast garden. The scent of fresh roses and lavender lingered in the air, the breeze carrying a sense of tranquility she hadn’t felt in a long time. Her eyes wandered over the breathtaking scenery—meticulously arranged flower beds, the towering fountain in the center, and the stone pathways leading to different secluded corners of the estate.

Alina and Zoya trailed behind her, letting her soak in the moment, but even as she admired the garden, a strange unease settled in her chest.

Something was… off.

Her gaze flitted to the guards positioned around the perimeter. They were everywhere—more than she remembered. Standing stiff and unmoving, their eyes remained lowered, as if trained to avoid her entirely. She noticed it immediately, and though she didn’t react outwardly, a frown tugged at her lips.

*Did Viktor increase security?*

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. It could only mean one thing—he was making sure she couldn’t escape.

She clenched her fists, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. *How the hell am I supposed to find a way out now?*

"Are you okay, Xena?" Alina’s soft voice broke her train of thought.

Snapping out of her daze, Xena quickly forced a small, unconvincing smile. "Yeah, of course. Just… thinking."

Alina didn’t look convinced, nor did Zoya, but neither pushed her. Instead, they continued their walk through the garden, admiring the vibrant blooms.

As they neared the heart of the garden, Xena’s attention was drawn to a wooden swing nestled beneath a canopy of wisteria. The sight was enchanting, the delicate lilac-colored flowers draping over the swing like nature’s own curtain.

Without a second thought, she sat down, her fingers brushing over the soft petals that had fallen onto the seat. The book she had been holding slipped from her grasp, landing beside her as she gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

"You look stressed, Xena," Zoya said gently. "What’s wrong?"

Xena let out a light giggle, masking her emotions. "I'm fine, really," she lied, her voice airy and unbothered.

Zoya didn’t look convinced, but she let it slide.

Xena’s fingers absentmindedly traced patterns on the wooden armrest of the swing, her mind still turning over the unsettling sight of the guards. *Why are there so many?*

Her curiosity got the best of her. She needed answers—no, she needed information.

"So… um," she started casually, tilting her head slightly, "why are there so many guards today?"

Alina giggled, glancing at her with a knowing look. "I guess that must be what’s been bothering you."

Xena let out a small laugh, nodding. "Yeah… it’s just weird. I don’t remember ever seeing this many before."

Zoya and Alina exchanged a quick glance, but neither answered immediately. Xena’s heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickening with a mix of unease and frustration.

*What the hell is Viktor up to?*

"We don’t really know either," Alina admitted, a small shrug lifting her shoulders. "We asked Miss Svetlana, but all she said was that Sir needed to secure the house."

Xena’s frown deepened, her grip tightening slightly on the swing’s wooden armrest. *Secure the house?* That didn’t sit right with her.

"Um… secure it from what exactly?" she asked, hesitant but trying to keep her voice casual. Then, after a moment of contemplation, she added, "Do… do you guys know where Viktor is?"

Alina and Zoya exchanged a glance before giggling, their reaction making Xena instantly wary.

"Why?" Zoya teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "You miss Sir?"

Xena’s eyes widened in shock, her cheeks heating up at the ridiculous implication. She scowled at them instantly. "What? No! That’s not—" She cut herself off, exhaling sharply as she folded her arms.

"Okay, okay, sorry," Zoya laughed, raising her hands in mock surrender. "But weirdly enough, Sir went out yesterday night and hasn’t come back since."

Xena’s entire body tensed.

"What?" Her voice was sharper than she intended. "Does… does he do this all the time?"

Alina hummed in thought before answering. "Well, Boss does travel when necessary, but we’re never told much, so we don’t really know the details."

Xena’s mind spun with possibilities. Viktor had been acting strange, well, *stranger than usual*, before he left. The increased guards, the eerie silence surrounding his absence… *What the hell is he up to?*

"You know, you can always call him," Zoya offered lightly. "If—"

"No!" Xena cut in, the word leaving her lips far too quickly, far too harshly.

Both girls blinked at her in surprise.

Realizing how defensive she sounded, Xena quickly plastered on a sheepish grin, trying to play it off. "I mean… nah," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "He’s probably busy. Why bother him, right?" She forced out a laugh, but inside, her nerves were on edge.

The last thing she needed was to call Viktor and give him any reason to think she *cared* about his whereabouts. He’d get ideas—twisted, possessive ideas that she wasn’t ready to deal with.

Desperate to shift the conversation, she turned toward Alina.

"So… um, Alina, you once said you’ve been here for three years, right?"

Alina smiled and nodded. "Yes."

Xena turned to Zoya next. "And you?"

"Oh, I think it’s been about four years now," Zoya said with a bright smile.

Xena nearly choked. "*Four years?*" Her eyes widened in shock.

Both girls giggled at her reaction, but Xena was too stunned to care. "Wait… how old are you guys exactly?"

"I’ll be twenty-one next month." Alina answered, her voice light with excitement.

"I just turned twenty-two." Zoya added, her smile unwavering.

Xena’s stomach twisted. "Wait, so you’ve both been here since your teenage years?"

Alina and Zoya exchanged a quick glance before nodding in unison.

"Yes." they said simply.

Xena’s chest tightened. "But… why? Don’t you want to leave? Are you even safe here? Isn’t it *dangerous*?" Her words came out in a frantic rush, laced with disbelief.

She had been trapped in this place for only a few *weeks*, and she already felt suffocated, desperate for an escape. The thought of spending *years* here—of growing up in this place—felt unimaginable.

Zoya let out a small giggle, shaking her head. "Xena, we *are* safe. In fact, if anything, this place is safer than the outside for us."

Xena stared at her in utter confusion. "*What?*"

"Ah, Xena," Alina sighed, her tone filled with something close to fondness. "Our boss is keeping us safe."

Xena’s brows furrowed. "Viktor?" She almost laughed at how ridiculous that sounded. "*Safe*?"

"Yes," Alina affirmed. "Like we’ve told you before, Viktor saved us."

Xena’s heart pounded as she tried to process their words.

*Saved them?*

Were they even talking about the same man? The Viktor she knew was ruthless, cold, and *dangerous*. He was the same man who had kidnapped her, the same man who had looked her dead in the eye and told her she *belonged* to him.

How could they say he *saved* them?

It didn’t make sense. None of this made sense.