CHAPTER 38-A Step To Freedom

***Varick’s POV***

The night dragged on like an unyielding stretch of darkness, and sleep eluded me completely. My mind was consumed with thoughts I couldn’t escape—thoughts of freedom, of Azura, of what lay ahead. I had been trapped in this place for God knows how long, each day blending into the next, a blur of monotony. My only solace was the idea of escaping, but it felt so far out of reach. I kept wondering: would Lulu and I ever make it to Azura? The thought of being free from Star’s clutches, from the constant manipulation, filled me with a sense of both hope and dread.

I sat up in the bed, my legs crossed beneath me, deep in thought. Lulu didn’t know the way to Azura, nor did I, but there was one thing I was sure of—Lulu was skilled with maps, and if anyone could get us out of here, it was him. The idea of running again, of fleeing with him, was both thrilling and terrifying. Was it the right choice? My mind kept spinning in circles, and the more I thought, the more doubts crept in. 

Should I just run away without him? I thought for a moment. But the very idea made me feel sick. No, I couldn’t do that. I was not a man who abandoned others, especially not someone like Lulu. I was a man of my word, a noble man who kept his promises. I couldn’t betray the boy like my brother had betrayed me. Leaving without Lulu would put him in danger, and there was no way I could live with myself if I did that. 

The thought of Star and her father finding out that Lulu was the one who helped me escape filled me with dread. They would come for him, and Lulu might not survive the consequences. I couldn't let that happen.

As the hours crawled by, I stared at the ceiling, unable to shut off the constant flood of thoughts. Eventually, the sky began to lighten, the sun inching its way into the sky, signaling the arrival of the day. And with it, came the ceremony. 

“It’s time,” I muttered to myself, feeling a strange sense of resignation as I lay back down on the bed, my hands resting on my stomach. I stayed still, my body rigid, waiting for the inevitable knock on the door. Just as I had anticipated, the sound came—soft but insistent. It was Star, and her brother, of course. I could feel her energy through the door. She was buzzing with excitement, practically vibrating with it.

The door creaked open, and I heard her voice, light and almost frantic. "Are you sure this is a good idea? The bride isn’t allowed to see the groom on their wedding day until they meet at the altar. It’s bad luck."

"You believe a lot of stupid things," came her brother's voice, laced with a touch of annoyance. "Nothing of that sort is going to happen." 

I heard Star gasp in excitement, her voice rising with each word. “Oh my god! He’s still sleeping! You did such a good job with the haircut. He’s so cute! I can’t believe I’ll be marrying the man of my dreams. I’ll bear him children, and we’ll live happily ever after."

My heart sank. The thought of her calling me her "dream man" made my skin crawl. I didn’t belong here. I wasn’t hers to claim.

Her brother’s voice interrupted her gushing. “What happens when he starts to regain his memory? What if he remembers everything?”

Star’s response came quickly, her voice hardening. “That’s why we’ll keep giving him the pills. The only thing he’ll remember is me and the kids.” There was a coldness in her words, a calculated ruthlessness that sent a chill down my spine.

A slight tension hung in the air as Star’s brother responded, his voice laced with concern. “But don’t you think these medications have side effects? What if they affect his health? Or worse—what if he dies? What will you do then?”

Star’s impatience was palpable. "Don’t be negative. We’re not here to talk about that. Today is my happy day, and I’m going to enjoy it. We’ll deal with everything else later." 

I faked my breathing, trying to make it sound as if I were still asleep. My chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, hoping it would fool them into thinking I was still unconscious. I could feel her gaze on me as she spoke. Her words were too bright, too full of false optimism, and I could sense the darkness behind her smile.

Star’s brother sighed, clearly not convinced by her reasoning. "Fine. But I’m not comfortable with this. You’re playing a dangerous game, Star."

“Get up. We have to prepare you for your wedding,” he said calmly, interrupting any further discussion. His tone was gentle, but I could sense the weight of his words. For the first time in months, he led me out of the room. It was only then that I realized how long I had been kept in the basement, hidden away like a prisoner. The mansion was vast, far grander than I had ever imagined, and the stark contrast between my former cell and the luxurious space around me was overwhelming.

I wanted to turn back, to look one last time at the rat hole they’d confined me to, but I didn’t. I kept my focus on the task at hand, following him through the winding halls, determined to get through this day without making a scene.

We reached a room where my clothes for the ceremony were neatly laid out on the bed. The shoes, the suit—they all seemed foreign to me, a symbol of the life I never asked for. I was told to shower, and I obeyed, too tired to protest. When I emerged, Lulu and the rest of Star’s family started dressing me up. Every movement felt mechanical, as if I were a puppet and they were the ones pulling the strings.

As I stood there, ready for the ceremony, I overheard the murmurs of Star’s family. The first-born son whispered to the second. 

“Oh my god, he’s so cute,” he said. “I can see why Star refuses to let him go. No other man in this clan comes close to being as good-looking as him.”

“I agree,” the second son replied, his voice full of awe. “Star’s made a smart choice.”

Lulu’s voice interrupted them. "I still don’t think this is a good idea. What if he regains his memory and remembers everything? He could turn on all of us."

“Yeah, you’re right, Lulu,” the first-born said. “But what can we do? Star’s made her decision, and it’s not like we can change it. She’s been stubborn about this for months. We’ve been advising her, but it hasn’t worked. This isn’t going to be any different.”

The second son spoke up, his voice tinged with resignation. "We have to get going. We don’t want to keep the bride waiting. You know how Star is—if things don’t go her way, she can turn on all of us."

I stood silently, listening to their words, feeling more and more trapped with each passing moment. But Lulu was by my side, and every time I glanced at him, he gave me a subtle signal, a flicker of hope.

As we all filed into the car, the air outside felt different—fresher, like I was finally breathing again after months of suffocating silence. Lulu leaned in, whispering so only I could hear.

"The rogues will be here in fifteen minutes," he said, his voice low. "We’ll be out of here in no time. I’ve got the keys. We’ll drive away and finally be free."

My heart leapt in my chest. Freedom. I hadn’t dared to imagine it so clearly until now. It felt real, just within reach. 

Each step I took toward the aisle seemed heavier than the last. The closer I got to the altar, the more the weight of my decision bore down on me. I couldn’t help but wonder: would I ever be free from this life? Would I make it out with Lulu, or would Star and her family find a way to trap me forever?

The ceremony had already started, and I could hear the whispers of the crowd, the anticipation building. I felt like a stranger in my own life, but I couldn’t back out now. The path ahead was uncertain, but it was the only one I had.