Chapter 68 Hiding
Hiding
"Listen, child," Sveta gently stroked my hand, "no one in this world is perfect! Everyone makes mistakes. It happens... It's good when a person recognizes their guilt and is ready to correct it. They learn from their mistakes. It's an experience.
Yes, even if it's harsh, it's an experience. I understand you perfectly! I understand all your feelings... You've seen nothing in this life, and then suddenly he appeared and turned the life of a poor person into paradise! How can you not reach out to such a 'benefactor' after all this?"
Sniffing, I listened to the words of a wise woman who had seen life. "Shawn is a scoundrel! It's mostly his fault! Sarah, don't worry, just hang in there! Be strong and move on. I'm sure such a determined, strong girl will be fine!"
Move on?
But where?
If he catches me, I'm finished. Shawn was so angry that he could have killed him on the spot, without even realizing what was going on.
As if reading his mind, she said softly, "Stay with me if you want. You probably have nowhere to go, right?"
"Yes," a short nod. "Nowhere."
"Shawn is a very influential man; he won't let this go so easily!" I worried.
"You believe me? You believe me that I didn't steal anything, that I'm not a spy or a traitor!" she determined.
My heart clenches so tightly in my chest with resentment and injustice that my vision darkens. I never wished harm on anyone... Truly. But for some reason, now it's as if the whole world has turned against me.
"Of course, my dear, I believe you! I've known you since infancy, like my own daughter! You stood out from the others, even though the doctors predicted you would have severe developmental defects..."
"What?" A chill ran through my body.
"Oh, I never told you about this, and was it really necessary? Everything changed with time and got better. Like I said, everyone makes mistakes, doctors are no exception,” she shrugged. “
I prayed for you, little one; I took a special liking to you, unlike other children. You became my favorite… I wish you health and happiness more than anyone else. Perhaps thanks to my faith and my prayers, you made a full recovery.”
This unexpected confession made me think seriously and turn pale.
So that’s it!
I think I’m starting to understand something…
“Sarah, you’re sad again. You shouldn’t have told you that! You old fool!”
“No, no,” I snapped out of my thoughts, waving my hands. “Everything’s fine. It’s good that you told me!” After all, an important thought had just occurred to me about my parents.
I took a deep breath to express this thought when suddenly I heard a noise.
Bang!
A deafening roar echoed, making me jump and cower in fear.
Yes, the weather is a "fairytale." It perfectly matches what's going on inside me. And what surrounds me outside.
After the clap of thunder, my heart sank! Because I thought it was... those same terrifying faces with terrifying faces I saw in Shawn's house when I decided to escape, who had come for me and were terrifyingly pounding on the door.
Thank God, it was just the weather! And the dog! Which, frightened by the thunder and lightning, began throwing itself at the door, seeking comfort in its owner's arms.
Sveta cursed. Our conversation was interrupted when she ran to the porch to let Zhulya in, who had practically chewed the door open with his teeth and claws, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
It's a dog...
Just a dog.
And not a gang of embittered thugs, the servants of a heartless billionaire. Yeah, it looks like my life is going to be a minefield now. One step left, one step right. I could explode.
Am I really going to be afraid of every rustle now? Every strange sound? Because I know he's looking for me. And with every passing minute, his anger grows as he realizes he can't get what he craves, what demands terrible punishment and retribution.
The door creaked, and a blast of frosty, fresh air washed over me for a few seconds. I heard the click of claws on the old wooden floor and a quiet whine.
"Okay, okay! Come in. Just don't make a mess here and be quiet. Zhulya! In the corner! Place!" A shaggy, red-haired creature scurried into the house, tail between its legs. Terrified and trembling like a wasp leaf.
Curled up in the corner, Zhulya blinked at me contentedly, but I still gave her a weak smile. Sveta left me for a moment to return with a hot teapot. My cup was empty, so she poured some more strong tea.
Sensing my agitated state, Sveta continued our difficult conversation and tried to calm me down a bit.
"He'll be looking for you. He'll catch you quickly if you slip up. Our village is quiet and, you could say, abandoned to its fate. It's unlikely Shawn would set foot here. How did you even get here?" She asked.
"Hitchhiked. A woman gave me a ride." I said.
"Smart girl! Good thing it wasn't the bus." I also told Sveta about how I'd met another good woman along the way, Raisa.
The clouds thickened outside. A sudden gust of wind blew the window open, letting in a cool breeze. Aunt Sveta gasped and rushed to close the creaking doors, especially when she heard Zhulya barking.
"The weather's been raging, as if it meant you should stay." She is right.
"I'm so grateful to you for everything! I'll try my best, I promise. Just ask, and I'll do anything!" I declared enthusiastically, rising to my feet. "I'll help around the house, I'll take any job! Just to be away from him..."
The dangerously mesmerizing image of Shawn flashed through my mind again, and I shook my head in horror.
From now on, Shawn Romano became my personal nightmare and my number one fear.
"Good. I'll even be glad of the company! Otherwise, I was already preparing to die alone in my old age... How well you've come, Sarah! I won't let anyone hurt you! And we'll find you a job."