Chapter 58

I couldn’t stay in the mansion. Not with Alyssa grinning like a vulture at every corner and Marina acting as if she belonged here. Every room of my house felt like a trap with no oxygen. My chest was tight, stomach twisting with a mix of rage and fear I couldn’t shake.

My mind travelled back to the night I saw Anna, or someone who strongly resembled her. I am saying this because saying I saw her doesn't make sense. I saw her die trying to save my life.

I should have buried her in my mind along with the rest of the pain. But I hadn’t. And now that fleeting image haunted me, sharper than any memory I have. I need to confirm if that was really her. I wouldn't live with myself if she were still alive and I didn't do anything to help her. What if she is in real trouble with dangerous people?

I grabbed my coat and shoved my feet into boots, my hands trembling. My stomach tightened, and a wave of nausea rolled through me. Pregnancy hormones or fear, probably both. I need answers, and I won't get them sitting in the comfort of my own house.

Luca was in the living room, flicking through channels on the TV. I paused, considering asking him to come. But I decided against it; this is my problem, and I don't need his judgment or his input.

I slipped out the door quietly, my breath visible in the cold air. The night still clung to the edges of the streetlights as I drove toward the petrol station again, gripping the wheel so tightly my knuckles went white. My pulse thundered in my ears. I couldn’t breathe through it, couldn’t slow it down.

The station was empty except for the night clerk, a skinny kid with oversized glasses and a nervous expression. “Evening,” I said, my voice tight, almost a hiss. “I… I need to ask if a woman came here recently. Blonde hair, petite… maybe around my age?” The boy hesitated, his eyes flicking over me.

“Uh… yeah. There was someone who matched that description, a few nights ago. Looked lost and scared. She didn’t buy anything.” I leaned forward.

“Which way did she go?” He swallowed, as if he wasn't sure he should be telling me this. “Towards the old industrial block. The warehouses near the river.” My stomach dropped, taking all this information in. Why is she wandering around and not going home? She must've had a life other than being our house helper.

I drove through the dark streets, every shadow stretching like a hand across my windshield. My mind raced. What if it’s not her? What if someone’s playing a trick on me?

The warehouses loomed like forgotten monsters. Rusted corrugated metal, broken windows, graffiti scrawled in rage or boredom. My pulse quickened. The engine hummed beneath me, and my hands shook as I parked at the edge of the lot. Why am I turning off the engine? I need to keep it on in case anything needs me to speed away quickly.

I stepped out, the cold biting through my coat. The smell of oil and decay made my stomach churn, but I forced myself forward. Footsteps crunching against gravel, I moved slowly, cautiously, scanning for any movement.

A shadow flitted behind one of the smaller buildings. I froze, my heart hammering. My mind screamed, That’s her. “Anna?” I called softly, my voice almost a whisper.

The shadow paused. I could just make out a figure huddled in the corner. She was thinner than I remembered, ragged clothes hanging off her like she had been living in the streets. Hair was tangled, pale face, and eyes wide like she hadn't slept for days.

“Emerald?” Her voice cracked, trembling. I rushed forward. My arms wrapped around her instantly. “Anna! Oh my god, you’re alive!” She flinched, her body stiff, as if expecting me to strike. “I can’t, you need to leave. They’re watching me.”

“Who’s watching you? Who did this?” I pulled back, gripping her shoulders. My hands burned in frustration. “Why didn’t you come back sooner? Why didn’t you tell me?” She shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

“I couldn’t. They said if I came back, something would happen to you. To the baby. I didn’t know who to trust.” I swallowed hard, my chest tight. Would something happen to me? To the baby? My fingers dug into her arms.

“Anna, I should have protected you. I failed.”

“You didn’t fail,” she whispered. “I ran because I wanted to survive. And… I was scared. I didn’t know if anyone could help me. But now I have to disappear again, Emerald. I can’t stay.” I felt rage ignite in my chest. Every emotion I’d kept bottled up, fear, grief, guilt, all exploded.

“You’re not disappearing. You saved me, Anna. You owe me nothing except staying here right now, letting me make sure you’re safe.” Her eyes flickered, fear and relief mixing.

"They’ll come for me. They are tracking your every move.” I grabbed her hand, the fire in my chest surging, almost matching the baby kicking within me.

“Then we’ll face them. I don’t care who they are. I don’t care how many. You’re not alone anymore.” We moved to my car, and I drove us to a safer location; the mansion would be too exposed. Every turn, every shadow made my skin prickle. Every sound made my heart jump.

Anna finally spoke after a long silence. “Emerald… how did you find me?”

“I wouldn't say how exactly,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “I saw you once and knew you were alive. Something in me wouldn’t let go.”

She looked at me with wide eyes. “I thought I was gone for good. That everyone forgot me.”

“No one forgets you,” I said firmly, squeezing her hand. “Not me." She leaned back, letting herself relax in the car seat for the first time this evening. But the tension didn’t leave me.

I glanced at her. “We have to figure out who did this. Who wants to keep you hidden? And why?” Anna nodded, her eyes bright but wary. “I know. But I don’t have long. They’ll come looking.”

I clenched the steering wheel, knuckles white. “You keep repeating the same phrase, Anna. I need names, I can't let you fight this alone, but I need you to tell me what I need to know."

She gave me a small, grateful smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Fear lingered there like smoke waiting for her to tell me the truth.