Chapter 173 Please Help Me
Seeing Olivia act so cold, Jason's eyes darkened. He set down his utensils and walked right out.
Once Jason was gone, Olivia finally let out a breath. The night dragged on forever; she barely closed her eyes.
She stayed by Leo's side, tensing up at the slightest sound outside.
Leo slept fitfully, whimpering softly now and then and curling into her arms.
Early the next morning, the cabin door creaked open just enough for the caretaker to leave breakfast at the doorstep before turning and leaving.
Olivia froze for a second, then went to the door and tested it. It was locked from the outside.
Her heart sank, and a bad feeling spread through her.
For the next two full days, Jason didn't show up at all.
The cabin held only her and Leo, plus the caretaker who brought meals on time.
All doors and windows were locked tight. No phone signal, no way to contact the outside world.
It was like they were cut off completely in these deep mountains, cries for help falling on deaf ears.
Olivia watched the time tick by with no sign of Luca coming, growing more and more anxious.
She paced the room, unable to sit still, her palms covered in cold sweat.
On the third day at noon, the caretaker showed up right on time with the food.
Olivia saw him set down the tray and turn to leave, so she rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
"Sir, please help me," she whispered, pleading. "Jason forced my son and me here. This is illegal kidnapping."
The caretaker stiffened and tried to shake off her hand.
"Ma'am, don't make this hard for me," he said, head down, avoiding her eyes. "I'm just doing what Mr. Compson pays me for. I can't betray him."
"I know you're following his orders, but think about it—helping him with this is against the law," Olivia said urgently. "My son and I did nothing to him. He locked us up just because I turned him down. The kid's so young; staying here longer will scare him sick." Her eyes reddened, her voice full of desperation. "Please pass a message for me, or let us go quietly. I'll repay you someday."
The caretaker stayed silent, fingers curling slightly—he was clearly struggling.
Olivia could tell he wasn't a total bad guy; he still had a conscience.
She softened her voice, appealing to his emotions: "I know you're scared of Jason's revenge, but what about the consequences? If this gets out, you'll be in legal trouble as an accomplice. I just want to get my child home safe. I don't want to drag anyone down. Let us go, and Jason might not even find out it was you. If he does, I'll testify you were forced."
The caretaker looked up and glanced at Leo, hiding timidly behind Olivia.
The little boy was curled up small, looking truly pitiful.
He let out a long sigh, his resolve tipping.
He was just a mountain caretaker who wanted a quiet life, not to get mixed up in crimes.
"I can help you," he finally said, voice barely a whisper. "But you have to follow my lead exactly—no noise, move at midnight."
Olivia's eyes lit up, a weight lifting off her chest.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" she said, voice shaking with excitement. "We'll do whatever you say."
"No more talk now; someone might hear," the caretaker warned. "Midnight, 2 a.m., I'll unlock the side door."
With that, he pulled free, acting like nothing happened, and left the cabin.
Olivia stood there, stunned for a long moment.
They really had a chance to escape—she nearly burst into tears of joy.
She knelt down and hugged Leo gently, soothing him quietly: "Baby, don't be scared. We'll be home soon."
Leo nodded, not fully understanding, and hugged her tight: "Mommy, I want to go home. I want Uncle Lo."
"We'll see Uncle Lo soon," Olivia said, kissing his forehead, her heart full of guilt.
She hadn't protected him well; he'd suffered so much because of her.
In the hours that followed, Olivia didn't dare relax, waiting quietly for midnight.
She packed their few things carefully, making no noise.
Leo leaned against her and whispered, "Mommy, can we really escape?"
"Yes, we can—for sure," Olivia said firmly, though she felt uneasy inside.
She worried about accidents, the caretaker changing his mind, or Jason's men showing up.
Time crawled by until it hit 2 a.m.
A faint footstep sounded outside—just one, the signal.
Olivia held her breath, picked up the sleeping Leo, and tiptoed to the side door.
The door cracked open quietly. The caretaker poked his head in and put a finger to his lips.
"Follow me. Light steps, no talking," he whispered, almost inaudible.
Olivia nodded, held Leo close, and followed tight behind.
The night was pitch black, with only faint moonlight on the rough mountain path.
The caretaker knew the terrain like the back of his hand, leading them around the guards' patrols, moving carefully downhill.
Olivia's heart pounded in her throat; she took each step with extreme care.
All she heard was wind in the leaves and her own racing heartbeat.
Just a bit longer, and they'd leave this nightmare behind.
After about half an hour, they reached a plain car parked by the roadside.
"Get in quick," the caretaker said, opening the door.
"It's my car. Drive it down this side road straight to the city.
Stay off the main road—Jason's men are watching it. You'll get caught."
Olivia's eyes welled up. "Thank you so much, sir. I'll remember this favor forever."
"Go now, don't waste time," he said, waving her off urgently. "Hurry, be careful on the road. Protect the kid."
Olivia said no more, got in with Leo, and started the engine.
She waved at the caretaker and floored the gas, speeding toward the city.
The car bumped along the side road. Olivia gripped the wheel hard, not daring to relax.
The mountains faded behind them, but she didn't stop, desperate to reach safety.
Her only thought: Faster, faster—go find Luca.
Meanwhile, back in the mountain cabin, Jason returned.
He walked in and saw the place empty—Olivia and Leo gone.
Rage exploded through him. His face turned ashen, eyes wild with fury.
"Where are they?!" he roared, his voice shaking the whole cabin.