Chapter 38 38

Chapter 38 38
Nora’s POV

I couldn’t move for a moment. All I could do was lie on the floor and cry my eyes out because my little world was back in shambles.

Silas ruined me not only once but twice. He gave me a reason to believe I was not worthless after all. He gave me a reason to believe I could escape the claws of Julian, but now I can see it was all a feeble lie. It was a scheme to make me realize just how naive I am. He made me believe I wasn’t a lost cause. He gave me hope again, but it was all a lie, an act he has mastered so well that he does it effortlessly.

At some point, I couldn’t bear to hear their merry laughter anymore, so I got off the floor and began to wander the streets.

What do I do now? Was Julian looking for me?

As night drew nearer and the air grew colder, I knew I had to look for a place to spend the night. Sadly, I didn’t have anywhere to go. So, I continued walking aimlessly around, wondering why I was so unlucky in everything I did.

Soon, a car pulled up in front of me and when I checked, I realized it was Julian’s assistant. I got on edge immediately as I was ready to run away. How did they find me so quickly?

“Hey, hey, hold on. Please, I am not here to forcefully drag you back,” he called out to me when he saw my stance.

“Go away!” I yelled, not trusting him one bit.

“Everyone is looking for you and the boss is worried.”

I burst into a bitter laugh.

“Do you even believe your words? Please, I don’t want any trouble. Leave me alone,” I warned, using a cold tone. I tried to take a look at the back seats to see if he was alone, but I couldn’t see a thing. The windows were tinted.

“What are your plans?”

“Huh?”

“What are your plans for the night? Do you want to freeze to death? I can see you shivering so bad,” he said.

It was true, but I wasn't going to back down so soon.

“Just leave me alone,” I repeated, but he didn’t budge.

“The boss wants to see you. Come on.”

“Never. I will not return to that house only to be locked up like an animal.” I already had enough of his words, so I began to walk away from him. I heard the sound of the car door opening and when I turned around to check, two guards came out from the back seat.

Oh, hell no.

I started running immediately, but I could hear heavy footsteps behind me. Due to the fact that I was already tired and drained from walking and crying, it didn’t take long for them to catch up with me.

“Leave me alone!” I yelled, but it was too late. One guard got a hold of me and threw me over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes. I yelled as I pounded my fists into his back to make him drop me, but it was all in vain.

How did they find me!

As I screamed my lungs out and asked them to let me go, I could see Silas from the corner of my eye. Since I was still in his neighborhood wandering around aimlessly, I hoped he would come help me. But when I saw the smile on his face and his phone in his hand, it all clicked.

I don’t know how he got in contact with Julian, but he did. And he sold me out.

Every ounce of strength that was remaining in me melted away instantly. Silas struck again. As the guard pushed me into the car with them, I stopped struggling. Painfully but slowly, I accepted defeat. No one was coming to save me.

As the journey began back to Julian’s mansion, I broke down. Silas’s betrayal was shattering, but there was an even bigger issue. The mere thought of being locked up had my mind and body going against each other. I thought I could fight, but it was all a lie. I thought that maybe I could find my way out, but there was no way out. The dark place I once swore never to return to slowly began to widen and swallow me whole.

I cried bitterly throughout the ride. Julian always wanted to break me and now he didn’t even have to try much in order to accomplish that. My very soul was shattered.

When we got to the mansion, I was taken out of the car and into the house, but even then, I couldn’t stop crying bitterly. My whole body shook violently as I wept for the pitiful life I have lived. I was dragged to Julian’s wing, but I didn’t even bother fighting. I didn’t have a cause to live for anymore, so what’s the use?

When we got to the door, the guards knocked before opening it. They dragged me inside the room and there he was, the almighty Julian.

“Finally,” he said as I crumbled to the floor.

There was a moment of silence as he waited for me to say something, but when I only continued crying, he continued speaking.

“How does it feel, knowing you’re all alone in this painful world? Do you still think you can go against me?” I heard him ask, his tone dripping with pride and victory. Still, I didn’t say a word.

“Come on now, give me some fire. The almighty Nora isn’t breaking down so soon, is she?” he taunted.

“Can you please go ahead and get it all done with?” I finally said, my voice trembling.

“Excuse me?” He sounded surprised.

“I know I wronged you and I am sorry. It was wrong of me to think I could ever stand a chance against you. It was wrong of me to ever hope for something better. Kindly put an end to my misery by ending my life, but I know you’re not that merciful, so please, lock me up,” I urged.

“So you’re not going to fight me?” he asked, his tone still filled with arrogance.

“What’s the use? You’ve constantly told me fighting against you is worthless and now I agree. Do whatever you wish with me.”

I expected him to beat his chest and laugh out loud in glee. I expected him to laugh in my very face and remind me just how worthless and unwanted I am. I expected him to ask the guards to throw me into my cell like the submissive animal he wants me to be, but as I looked into his eyes, I didn’t see such satisfaction.

All I saw was confusion.