Chapter 41 Betraying Everyone

Chapter 41 Betraying Everyone
"Okay, let's agree on this. I'll pay off all the reporters to keep them from talking and asking about your whereabouts. But you have to forget that man completely." Andrew's index finger pointed at my face, his words clear and not wanting to be questioned.
"Actually, I have one more request."
"What else?" Andrew asked angrily.
"If you agree to this one too, I won't cause any more trouble in the future."
"Alright, tell me!"
"Please don't disturb the villagers. Take back all your statements that have caused their business to collapse." My words immediately made Andrew angry again.
"Are you still in touch with any of them?" Andrew was surprised, his eyes reddening with anger. He probably didn't expect Anthony to come here secretly several times.
"Please don't be angry. I won't contact them again; I won't have anything to do with anyone anymore. Instead, please don't hurt them; let them live peacefully like before.
"Andrew was still so angry, but he nodded his head and just left my room, even slamming my door. I'm not sure he'll keep this promise, but I hope his nod means he'll keep everything.

Without realizing it, a month passed without any more commotion. It seems Andrew not only paid the people who suspected me of still being alive but also silenced the media about Lucy's arrival at Sarah Olsen's house to apologize. All previous news reports were clarified to state that Lucy only wanted to apologize and end the feud, not to admit guilt. And all the news just disappeared now.
Sarah Olsen hasn't dropped her lawsuit; she's still angry, and they're still waiting for the next hearing. However, so far everything is calm, so calm that I feel a void beginning to envelop me.
Have Anthony and Collin forgotten me too? Or did Andrew also force them to forget all about me?
I hoped they were living peacefully, but realizing they weren't looking for me anymore and trying to help me felt a little sad. But if I think about it, this is indeed the best path.
And my problem with Lucy? We haven't met this month; according to the maids, they say Lucy is being held captive in her room on Andrew's orders, and it's unclear when she'll be allowed to leave.
Sometimes I hear her screams from the room, as well as the sound of breaking glass and ceramics. It seems Lucy is rebelling and wants her freedom back, but Andrew is really punishing her this time. There was only a maid who delivered food and drinks to Lucy every day.

That day it was raining heavily, and I watched the street from my room's balcony while doing my new hobby, knitting. I'm making a coat with my knitting yarn, and it's not even half done yet.
If this coat is finished, I hope by then I'll have managed to get out of this house, gain my freedom, and have the chance to meet the villagers again. And I will give this coat to Aunt Rose, who treated me like her own daughter while I was there.
Imagining the possibility of it coming or not, I cried without feeling. The free life in the village with Collin is the life I've been searching for all my life. But after marrying Andrew, my entire life belonged to him. And I finally had to come back here.
I sobbed, wetting my knitted coat with a few falling tears. Then suddenly, a loud noise was heard from downstairs. I rushed toward the iron on my balcony even though the rain would soak my body. And down there I saw some men fighting with Andrew's men.
I squinted; my vision felt blurry because the rainwater kept dripping down heavily. But when I wiped my eyes, I thought I saw Collin among the men.
I repeated myself, looking at the other men and finding Anthony among them. I shook my head, and it turned out those men were also residents of our village. I gasped, my heart pounding fast, but I remembered one sacred thing I had recited in front of Andrew. That I must forget them.
This time I looked back at them, letting my body get soaked in the rain, because down there they were also fighting in the rain. It felt good to see Collin among the villagers and also Anthony; it meant they had reunited, and Collin's life was truly safe out there.
But I couldn't do anything, even though I wanted to run toward them and take shelter behind them. I have sworn to forget them and stay away from them; only then will Andrew let them live and roam peacefully like humans in general.
My tears mixed with the rain, and in my heart, I said I was sorry. I was going to betray them after everything they had fought for today.
And at that moment, a maid knocked on my door before entering. "Madam, Mr. Andrew asks you to come." The maid's words made me turn around. Andrew must have wanted to test me to see if I would really keep my promise or if I would run away with them.
"Emmm... ma'am needs to get off in ten minutes." The maid warned me one last time before finally leaving my room.
I was silent for a moment, and when I looked down, there were no villagers left, nor were Anthony and Collin down there. It seems they've been allowed to enter.
I walked calmly toward the door to lock it before going to the bathroom; rather than rushing, it was better to stall. I'll use my time to clean myself up first before going down.
Fifteen minutes passed, and the maid was already knocking on the door I had locked earlier. But I'm still this calm while applying my makeup. Andrew definitely wants me to act perfectly, and I'm going to make that happen.
Half an hour passed, and I opened my bedroom door. The hurried-looking maids didn't dare to scold me, even though I could tell from their expressions that Andrew had scolded them to bring me to them quickly.
"Madam, you've been gone for too long." A maid warned me, but I ignored her and strolled away, leaving them behind.
My heart was pounding, and both my hands were trembling as I watched from afar how the villagers, along with Anthony and Collin, were standing there soaking wet just waiting for me to arrive, while Andrew was sitting on his large sofa. How could I be so heartless as to let them wait in the cold without even being offered a seat?
I almost faltered seeing them, but Andrew cleared his throat and asked me to stand beside him. At that moment, I remembered my promise.
"They're coming to take you. Because I don't want any more fights, I asked them to come in and talk to you directly. Do you want to go with them?" Andrew asked.I paused for a moment, all their gazes fixed on me with hope. But I'm sorry, I have to break all your hearts.