Chapter 92 Olivia, You Are Free
"Did you take my ID and bank cards?" I demanded, my voice shaking with rage.
"Yes." His voice was maddeningly calm, as if he were confirming he'd picked up dry cleaning.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Why would you take my ID?" I nearly shouted.
"To keep you from wandering off," he replied casually. "I can't have you being disobedient."
I closed my eyes, trying to control my breathing. "You took all my cards—everything. Even my meal card. You transferred all my money except five dollars. How am I supposed to eat?"
"Eat at home. We have plenty of food. If you need lunch at school, Walter can bring it to you."
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. "Ethan..."
"Anything else?" His tone was dismissive, like I was wasting his time.
"If something happened to you right now, I wouldn't shed a single tear." The words came out cold and final.
There was a brief silence on the line. Then he chuckled, the sound sending ice down my spine. "Sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart, but I'm pretty hard to kill. Even Death's afraid to take me."
His voice suddenly hardened, each word like a knife. "You'd better hope nothing happens to me, Olivia. Have you thought about what would happen to you if I wasn't around?"
The question hit me like a slap. But I knew he was right.
Since I'd been with Ethan, I'd made enemies in his world. Ashley hated me. Mia had tried to have me kidnapped. Without Ethan's protection, I'd be vulnerable. Even if his family didn't come after me directly, there were plenty of people who would take advantage of his absence.
My anger gave way to fear, cold and overwhelming. The thought of Ethan gone—truly gone—filled me with dread.
"Ethan," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please be careful. Come back safe. I'll go to church tomorrow and pray for your safety, I swear. For your health and long life."
I meant every word. Whatever happened between us, I needed him alive—at least until we could safely part ways.
Ethan's laugh was softer now, almost tender. "I'll be fine. I'll come back to you."
I sniffed, wiping away tears I hadn't realized were falling. "Okay. I won't go anywhere. I'm in school anyway—where would I go?"
"Good girl," he murmured. "Don't cry. Your ID and cards are with Walter. If you need anything, he'll take you shopping and the security team will keep you safe."
"Okay," I agreed, suddenly exhausted. "I understand."
His voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll try to get back soon."
After hanging up, I wandered into the garden, feeling hollow. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the manicured lawn. The beauty of Oakwood Estate suddenly felt like mockery—a beautiful prison was still a prison.
"Miss Reed? Would you like some tea?"
I turned to see Sarah, the younger of my two maids, carrying a tray. Her smile was genuine, lacking the practiced polish of the rest of the staff.
"That would be nice," I said, forcing a smile. "Join me?"
Sarah looked surprised but pleased. "If you don't mind, Miss."
We sat at the small wrought iron table near the rose garden. The early autumn breeze carried the scent of flowers and earth.
"Sarah, do you like working here?" I asked suddenly.
She nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes, Miss Reed. It's the best job I've ever had." She looked around, then leaned closer. "Honestly, I feel lucky Mr. Bennett chose me to care for you. The work is easy, and the pay is amazing. I've only been here a year, and I've already saved enough for a down payment on a house in my hometown. Another two years, and I could buy it outright."
I raised my eyebrows. "That good? Then why did Kate leave?"
Sarah's smile faltered. She glanced around again, then lowered her voice. "She didn't exactly leave voluntarily, Miss. Mr. Bennett dismissed her."
"Dismissed her? Why?"
Sarah looked uncomfortable. "It was last winter, when you went home for Christmas break. Mr. Bennett gave us all extended leave, but I stayed—didn't want to go home. Kate stayed too."
She took a sip of tea, eyes downcast. "On New Year's Eve, Mr. Bennett came home after drinking. He sat in the dark living room, alone. Kate brought him water and..." she hesitated, "deliberately spilled it on his pants. Then she got all flustered, trying to wipe his legs."
My stomach tightened. "What happened?"
"I was behind the tea room screen. I saw him kick her away—hard. He called her a filthy name and told her to get out. The next day, Walter fired her." Sarah shrugged. "I thought I'd be fired too, for witnessing it. But Mr. Bennett kept me on."
I remembered what Ethan had told me in the car yesterday. Unless I allow it, no woman could force herself on me. Apparently, he hadn't been exaggerating.
My phone rang suddenly, startling us both. I checked the screen—international number, no caller ID. Thinking it might be Ethan calling from a different phone, I answered.
"Hello?" I said softly.
"Olivia, you're free." Blake's voice sent a chill through me.
I sat up straight, my body suddenly tense. "What are you talking about?"
Blake laughed, the sound hollow and strange. "Ethan's most likely dead."
My heart stopped. The world around me seemed to slow down, colors fading at the edges of my vision. "What... what did you say?"