Chapter 19

~Natalie~

I had the same dream again.

In it, I was standing beside my father’s hospital bed, holding a knife. He looked peaceful, like he was just sleeping. But something inside me boiled. I lifted the knife and stabbed him. Over and over but his eyes never opened. He just lay there, taking it, and I didn’t stop.

I woke up with my heart racing. My hands were sweaty, and my face was damp with tears I hadn’t noticed. The light from the window hit against my face, informing me it was morning. I sat up, reaching for my phone, hoping to see a message from Freya, but there was nothing.

Still no reply.

I texted her two nights ago. We had agreed on a backup plan in case things went wrong. Now the silence made my chest tighten with worry. What if she had been caught? What if Lucien had found out about her part in helping me?

I got out of bed slowly, my legs weak. I walked to the mirror and stared at my face. I barely recognized myself anymore, my eyes looked tired, and my lips were dry and cracked.

Then it all came rushing back, the day my father fell into a coma,Lucien's lies, this forced marriage,that night at lord Verin's party.

The night he touched me, he took what he had no right to take. The most disgusting part was that a part of me wanted it so badly.

My blood boiled just thinking about it. I could still feel the weight of him, the cold way he looked at me like I was a prize he already owned. I had wanted to scream, but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

And to make things worse, I didn’t even get the chance to meet the stranger on the rooftop like we had planned. That was the one night I needed answers, and everything fell apart.

I grabbed my phone and opened the unknown number again. My hands shook a little as I typed a message.

___

Can we still meet? I’m ready. Please reply.

____

I stared at the screen, waiting. I didn’t expect an answer, but it came. Just a few minutes later.

___

Meet me at the restaurant near the gate. One hour. Don’t be followed.

___

I stood still for a moment, reading the message over and over. My heart thudded loudly in my chest.

I knew the maids would never let me leave, Lucien had probably given strict orders to keep me locked inside. But I wasn’t staying here for another second. I needed answers. I needed help.

I put on a plain black dress and tied my hair in a loose ponytail. Then I moved quietly through the hall and snuck into Lucien’s room. His scent was everywhere, and I hated that I noticed it.

His keys were on the table by the window. I picked them up fast and slipped out the back door before anyone could see me.

I didn’t stop until I reached the gates and waved down a passing cab.

By the time I got to the restaurant, my hands were cold. I sat at a small table in the corner, near the window, and waited.

Minutes passed. I kept checking the door, my stomach twisted with fear and nerves. Wasn't he going to show up?

He was making me wait. I knew it was on purpose. He wanted to test me. Test my patience.

The waiter walked over and smiled. “Miss, please follow me.”

I blinked. “What? Why?”

“You’ve been invited to the VIP section.”

My heart skipped. I stood up slowly and followed him. We walked past the regular tables and through a set of doors. There, in the far corner of the room, sat a man dressed in black. He wore a silver mask that covered half his face, giving him a kind of mysterious vibe. He didn’t stand, he didn’t even speak at first,he just looked at me like I was someone familiar.

I swallowed hard. “Are you the one who’s been messaging me?”

He nodded, then he finally spoke.

“You look like your mother.”

His voice was low and calm. Too calm.

I froze. My mother? No one ever talked about her, not even Leon. “You knew my mother?”

“Yes. I did.”

My chest rose and fell faster now, I felt like my legs would give out. I sat down across from him, maintaining my aura. “Why are you helping me?” I asked.

He didn’t answer right away. He pulled a small box from his coat pocket and placed it on the table.

“What is that?” I whispered.

“Something she wanted you to have.”

I stared at it. I didn’t move. My mother left something for me? It felt kind of weird. My father never mentioned her leaving anything.

He continued. “Your mother knew this day would come. She knew there would be danger. She left this behind before she died.”

My fingers trembled as I reached out and touched the box.  I looked up. “Who are you?”

He spoke too familiarly about her. Were they like lovers or something?

His eyes behind the mask looked tired. “I was someone she trusted once. That’s all you need to know for now.”

“This doesn’t make sense,” I said. “You came out of nowhere. You talk like you know me. Why now?”

“Because Ryan is losing control. And Lucien is not who you think he is.”

My throat tightened. “I already know who Lucien is.”

The man shook his head slowly. “No, you only know what he wants you to see. The truth is worse.”

He reached into his coat again and pulled out a photo. Gently, he slid it across the table. I picked it up with shaking hands.

It was a picture of Lucien. He was younger and he was standing beside my father and my mother. I suddenly felt dizzy in the head, my vision slightly blurring. “What is this?” I asked.

“They were all part of something bigger. Your mother tried to leave it. That’s why she died. Lucien’s family… your father… they were in it together.”

I stared at him, unable to speak.

“You’re not safe,” he said. “Lucien doesn’t want to protect you,he wants to own you.”

I pushed the photo away. “Why should I trust you?”

He leaned closer. “Because if you don’t, you’ll end up just like her.”

I gulped down saliva.