Chapter 48

Chapter 48 (Eleanor’s POV)

I didn’t look back.

The moment Rick took a step toward me, I bolted from the study. My heart was hammering so hard it felt like it would burst through my chest. Fear and panic surged through my veins, pushing me faster.

Behind me, Rick called my name, his voice filled with urgency and confusion. But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t trust him—not anymore. He’d lied to me. He’d hidden his connection with Dr. Cross. I didn’t know who he was or what he really wanted from me.

All I knew was that I needed to get out of here. Now.

The mansion was enormous, hallways branching off in every direction, all identical in their expensive furnishings and endless luxury. My head spun as I raced past countless rooms, my breaths coming in sharp, painful gasps.

I turned a corner sharply, nearly crashing into an antique table decorated with porcelain vases. My body was still weak, exhaustion pulling at every step I took, but adrenaline kept me moving forward. It was survival now.

"Nell! Wait!" Rick’s voice echoed behind me again, closer this time.

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the throbbing in my muscles, searching desperately for an exit, any way out. I saw a large wooden door at the end of the hall, ornate and heavy. It had to be a way out—maybe the main door, leading to the outside. Freedom.

I stumbled forward, reaching for the ornate handle.

Suddenly, Rick appeared in front of me, his breath ragged from chasing me. He quickly stepped between me and the door, blocking my path, his hands raised to show he meant no harm.

"Please, Nell, stop," he said, his voice pleading and gentle despite the tension. "You don’t have to run. Just let me explain."

"Explain what?" I snapped, my voice shaking with anger and fear. "How you know Dr. Cross? How you were lying to me all along? Why should I trust anything you say?"

Rick’s expression fell, genuine hurt and regret flashing across his face. "I never wanted to lie to you. I swear it. Yes, I know Dr. Cross, but it’s not what you think."

"Then what is it?" My voice cracked, desperation clear in my tone. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks exactly like you're working with the people who want to hurt me."

Rick shook his head quickly, frustration and worry clear on his face. "It’s complicated, Nell. My family had business deals with her, with her associates. That’s all. I swear I never knew about the experiments or what they were doing to you."

My chest tightened painfully. "You expect me to believe that?"

His eyes softened, filled with genuine distress. "I know it’s hard. But think, Nell—if I really wanted to hurt you, would I have saved you after the crash? Would I have protected you? You’re safe here."

I shook my head, my breathing uneven, panic clawing at me again. "I don’t feel safe, Rick. I feel trapped."

Rick took a cautious step closer, careful not to frighten me further. "You're not trapped. But you're not safe out there, either. Reed’s men are still looking for you. They’ve probably tracked us here by now."

"Tracked us?" My blood ran cold. "You mean they know I'm here?"

Rick hesitated, worry clear on his face. "I think they do, yes. I’ve seen their cars around the property. That’s why I need you to trust me. Just until we can figure this out."

I shook my head desperately. "I can't trust anyone. Not now."

Rick looked genuinely hurt, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Nell, please. You’re exhausted. You're hurt. Just rest for a little while. I'll prove to you I'm not your enemy."

"How?" I whispered, my voice shaking. "How can you possibly prove that?"

He sighed softly, running a hand through his hair, clearly conflicted. "I don’t know yet. But running into their hands won’t help you. They want you back, and they won’t stop until they have you."

I stared at him, confusion and distrust swirling inside me. "Why do they want me so badly?"

Rick hesitated again, looking away briefly. "I don't have all the answers. Dr. Cross does. And she's coming here soon. If you stay just a little longer, maybe you'll finally get the truth."

"The truth?" My voice broke, frustration boiling over. "I've been lied to by everyone. Why would Dr. Cross tell me anything?"

Rick’s eyes locked onto mine, his voice steady but gentle. "Because she wants to meet you herself. She told me she regrets what happened to you. She says she wants to help."

"Help?" I laughed bitterly. "Is that what she calls it? She took my memories. She destroyed my life."

Rick stepped closer carefully, his voice softening even more. "I know. But she's the only one who can explain why it happened, why they chose you. If you run now, you'll never get those answers."

I closed my eyes, my heart pounding painfully. Everything felt impossible, suffocating. Every choice felt dangerous. Trust Rick, stay and risk being trapped—or run and risk falling right back into Reed’s hands?

Before I could speak, a phone buzzed sharply on a nearby side table, cutting through our tense silence.

Rick turned sharply, staring at the vibrating phone. I followed his gaze, my heart skipping painfully as I saw the screen light up.

The name was clear:

E. Cross Incoming Call.

My heart dropped into my stomach, ice-cold fear gripping me tightly. Rick glanced back at me, his expression suddenly tense, nervous.

I stared at the phone, panic and suspicion rising again. "Answer it," I demanded quietly.

He hesitated, reaching slowly toward the phone. His fingers hovered just above it, unsure. "Are you sure you want to hear this, Nell?"

I nodded sharply, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. Answer it."

He exhaled slowly, then picked up the phone, pressing the button to accept the call. He held it carefully to his ear, his eyes fixed intensely on mine.

"Hello?" Rick answered cautiously.

There was a pause as he listened, his face tense and guarded. His gaze never left mine, watching my reaction closely.

"Yes," he said quietly after a moment, his tone careful. "She's here. She’s safe. But we have a problem."

I stared at him, heart racing. His eyes flicked away briefly, clearly nervous about what he was hearing. Then his eyes returned to me, filled with a complex mix of emotions—fear, guilt, determination.

"I understand," Rick said finally, voice strained. "We'll be ready."

He ended the call abruptly, lowering the phone slowly. His face was pale, tense. I stepped closer, voice shaking.

"What did she say, Rick? What's going on?"

He swallowed hard, clearly torn. "She’s coming here soon. But… she's not coming alone."

Fear spiked sharply in my chest. "What does that mean?"

Rick hesitated, looking deeply troubled. "She said Reed’s men are already on the move. They're closer than we thought. We have to leave—now."

Panic surged again, stronger this time. "You said I couldn’t leave, that it was too dangerous!"

"It was," he admitted, voice tense and strained. "But it's too late now. They know where we are."

I stared at him, desperate and afraid. "What do we do now?"

He looked around quickly, mind clearly racing for a plan. "My car's in the garage. We can slip out through the back and try to reach somewhere safe."

"You just said nowhere is safe," I argued, voice rising again with panic. "Rick, what aren't you telling me?"

His eyes met mine, expression suddenly serious and intense. "Dr. Cross is bringing something with her. Something she says you need to see."

"Something?" My voice trembled, confusion overwhelming me. "What is it?"

Rick’s voice lowered, almost a whisper. "She said it’s about Alex. Something that could change everything you think you know."

My heart skipped painfully again, confusion and desperation flooding through me. Alex. Again. Always Alex.

Before I could respond, a sharp, loud knocking echoed through the mansion, startling both of us.

Rick’s face went pale. He looked toward the front door, fear clear in his eyes.

"They’re already here," he whispered sharply, grabbing my wrist tightly. "We have to move. Now."

But I didn't budge. My body froze, panic rooting me to the spot. The knocking came again, louder this time, insistent and demanding.

Rick stared at me urgently, eyes desperate. "Nell, please. If you run now, you might not make it."