I sat on the edge of the king-sized bed, my shoulder stiff, sinking into the soft duvet. My knuckles turned white from how long I had been gripping the blanket, the only thing holding me from panicking. My eyes darted to the large black wooden door across the room.
I had to do something, anything.
I couldn't let them. I just couldn't...
I pushed myself off the bed, my feet clicking against the marble floor, throbbing with every step. Hesitantly, I moved towards the glass window. With a trembling hand, I moved the curtain aside. I looked below. Expensive cars spread out; a large seven-foot perimeter fence, security stations at every corner, guards everywhere. A wave of dread hit me, my heart sinking into my stomach.
Everything looked confined, making it impossible to escape.
I crumpled to my knees, the strength leaving my legs, the cold marble floor seeping through my dress, my throat closed up.
I was tired. Tired of being a pawn, tired of enduring a fate that wasn't even meant to be mine, for goodness sake...
My blurred vision darted around the room until it landed on the fireplace. A thought, a dark, terrifying one, filled my head.
Maybe I could...
"No," I whispered to myself, my shoulders trembling but the truth hissed in my head
Anything was better than this.
Better than being used...
A knock on the door snapped me out of thought. I flinched, my gaze snapping towards the door.
Two maids entered, dressed in black and white uniforms. One similar to my age, her blond hair tied into a neat ponytail, held a tray with diamond jewelry. The other, a bit older, stared intensely at me, a worried smile playing on her lips, holding silk dress over her arm.
I watched as they walked towards me hesitantly, their eyes moving from the window to me huddled near it. I backed away, my back hitting the stone wall.
The older maid reached out without touching. My gaze snapped to her extended hand. I leaned further away. She stepped closer, grabbing my elbow. I flinched as she brought me to my feet gently.
Noticing my tear-stained cheeks, her hand lifted towards my cheek, I jerked back.
She dropped her hand quickly. "I'm not gonna hurt you," she said softly.
The other maid watched the exchange, her brows drawn together. "We don't have all day, Rose," she snapped, slamming the jewelry tray on the dresser. "They expect her to be ready in an hour." She moved past Rose, grabbing my elbow, her hold firm compared to Rose's. Rose shot her a sharp look.
The younger maid pulled me away firmly, guiding me to the edge of the bed. "Sit here, miss." She turned back to the dresser.
Rose moved towards me, kneeling down beside me, her voice barely audible. "Listen. I know you're scared. Anyone in your place would be." I stared blankly at her. "Learn to act like a queen and not a scared little servant," she held my gaze for a second before continuing. "The sooner the better. " Her cold hands squeezed my mine. "A golden ticket, child. Embrace it."
A golden ticket...
I didn't care about a golden ticket. Or being above anyone else. I didn't care at all. All I wanted was a normal life away from all this...
Rose sighed as if reading the expression on my face, her hand moved to my cheek, gently brushing a tear. "You'll understand one day."
Rose pulled me to my feet, guiding me. I moved, my mind miles away. She moved behind me, tugging at the zipper, lowering it. I stood still, my gaze fixed on the wall. The dress flowed down to my feet, followed by my undergarments. I stood naked, my chest heavy with dread.
She guided me towards the bathtub. My feet sank into the hot water. I hissed, the rush of warmth hitting me. I took in a sharp inhale, my toes curling as i sank deeper into the water, settling into the bathtub, the warmth loosening the tension in my muscles; my eyes fluttered shut.
A cloth brushed against my back. My eyes shot open. Rose was scrubbing my skin. Adrenaline shot up; I grabbed her wrist, stopping her movements. "I can do it myself," I muttered.
She eased my hand off, then moved the cloth back to my skin. "We need to make sure everything is perfect," she murmured, scrubbing my arms.
Fingers yanked my hair back. "Lower your head," Eveline mumbled, tilting my head back, gently tugging the pins from my hair, causing a sharp pricking pain. I winced.
"Careful, Eveline! Rose hissed.
Eveline just hummed, paying no mind to Rose, her touch gentler, washing my hair thoroughly, being careful of the tender spot where Stacie had ripped my veil off.
"Stupid bitches," she muttered, her focus on my long strands. "After tonight, they won't even lift a finger to touch you." She poured water over my hair. "All done." She moved away, grabbing the scented oils. Her voice echoed across the bathtub.
"You can get them all back for every bruise..." My gaze tracked her movements through the steamy mirror. She moved back towards the bathtub with jars of scented oils. She met my stare in the mirror. Her voice dropped low, a playful smile on her lips. "Satisfy them tonight. Use what's between your-"
"I can't!"
A scream ripped from my throat. I jolted upwards, moving towards the edge of the bathtub. Water splashed everywhere.
I had to get out of here. I had to....
Rose's arms shot out, shoving me back into the water. "Calm down!"
"Please help me," I pleaded, tilting my head upwards, holding her gaze. Tears slipped slowly down my cheeks. "Please," I whispered, my voice shaky.
"I under-
An impatient snort cut her off. "It's already eight; we need to hurry," eveline spat.
Rose sighed, giving me a half-clenched smile, grasping my shoulders firmly and pulling me up. Water splashed around us. I had to try; she was the only one who seemed like she cared, the only one who could help me find a way out.
I tried to catch her eye again, but she barely glanced my way, her focus on steadying me as I stepped over the edge. My feet touched the cold marble floor.
"Pleas-
"Cooperate, or I'll let the guards get you ready," Rose snapped, cutting me off. I blinked at her, trying to process what I had just heard.
Guards.
The word sinks through the pit of my stomach. Everything was fake; she was just playing her part, and I, like a perfect fool, fell for it. Fell for her good cop act.
The last shred of hope I was clinging to evaporated. A strange numbness washed over me. The sooner I realize there's no ally in this room or the mansion, the better.
The towel moved against my skin as Rose quickly dried me off. Her movements rushed as she reached for the jar of scented oil. She poured the oil into her palm, working the warm oil into my skin, jasmine filling the air. Every inch of my skin was covered, making my skin glow under the bright bathroom lights.
While Eveline dragged the flat iron through my hair in an attempt to straighten it, no matter how much she dragged it through my curls, they sprang back against the intense heat. Eveline cursed under her breath, dragging the flat iron against my hair again, this time with unnecessary force, jolting my entire head forward. A stinging, scorching heat hit my scalp.
"Arms up," Eveline muttered numbly. I obeyed, the threat echoing in my head. The red dress slid over my head. Rose tugged it down roughly, straightening it. The neckline cut down far between my breasts. I tried to shrink away but there was nowhere to go. They pulled me back. Their hands everywhere, pulling, tugging until finally Rose grasped my shoulders firmly, spinning me to face the mirror.
A stranger stared back at me. Pink blush colored my cheekbones sharp above my red lips. My hazel eyes looked larger. My wild curls framed my face, heavy and thick, moving past my waist. I'd always loved how long my hair was, but today, looking at it felt different, like it wasn't mine anymore, like I wasn't mine.
The dress was worse.
It hugged my curves like a second skin, so tight it made it hard to breathe, then flowed down to my feet. My cleavage was exposed; I might as well have been flashing everyone at this point. Nausea clawed up my throat.
I looked like a whore.
"Enough looking," Eveline muttered. "Time to go."
Before I could even take in a breath, Rose and Eveline held both my arms, their grip tight as they marched me towards the bedroom door, my dress trailing behind me. Rose pushed the door open
I took a sharp breath.
What the-
My gaze scanned the room in an attempt to absorb everything. Candles stood at every corner, the scent of roses filling the air. Rose petals lined the carpet leading to the bed where they were scattered. Several maids moved around, making sure everything was perfect.
I swallowed hard. Perfect for my nightmare.
Rose and Eveline pushed me directly towards the edge of the mattress, the sleek sheets slippery beneath me. Then they turned to leave. I lunged forward, shooting out to grab Rose's wrist, my grip tight as I held onto her, desperation clawing at my throat.
"Rose! Please!" The words tore from my throat, thick with tears. "Help me! Don't leave me here! Please!"
Rose paused.
For a split second, I saw it-the pained expression that settled on her face. I thought maybe she had changed her mind, maybe she might help, maybe her heart twisted at my plea.
But I was wrong.
Because as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Her face went blank, and she reached up with her free hand and patted my cheek gently. The gesture was almost robotic.
Then, with a sharp tug, she yanked her arm from my grip, walking away. Eveline followed, barely looking back. The door clicked shut. I sat frozen at the edge of the bed, the sheets brushing against my thighs where my dress had ridden up. Instinctively, I tugged my dress back down, covering my thighs.
Hours stretched. My thoughts raced in circles, images of the hall, the screams, the fire.
Them...
I wanted to rip my hair off. It didn't help that they were having a full-blown celebration downstairs. Music pulsed through the floor, vibrating the wall. I could hear their laughter, their shouts. I clenched the sheet.
My chest tightened. I have to do something. Anything.
A cold realization hit me
There were no more options. No more hoping for a rescue that would never come. The thing I had been desperately avoiding, the unthinkable act I had recoiled from, was now the only choice I had left. I took in a sharp inhale.
No more thinking.
I just had to do this.
I slid off the bed, the dress trailing behind me, moving towards the fireplace. I paused, my gaze fixed on the flames. My hands trembled as I reached out, hovering inches away from the wood, the instant heat prickling my skin.
I can do this.
I can do this.
It isn't that hard, Amelia, I scolded myself. Just jump into it, then whoosh, you're gone.
Wait a second. I'd probably scream after that. I smacked my forehead. A really loud scream at that.
I jerked my hand back. Okay, maybe not a good idea. My gaze lifted to the window. Now there's an option.
I took jerky steps forward, my breaths shallow. The music below seemed louder now, cutting through my thoughts. "At least one of us is having a good time," I murmured sarcastically.
I reached the curtain; with a trembling hand, I moved it aside. The sky outside was dark. I looked below, swallowing hard. A brief, one-way down, then I'm free.
Taking a deep, calming breath, I turned to the window. It was too high above. Jumping straight out would be impossible.
My gaze moved to the dressing table near the wall. That would work.
I gripped the edge of the table, my palms pressed against the surface. I shoved the heavy wood forward; it scraped across the floor, the loud screech echoing across the room. I flinched, my heart pounding against my chest.
What if someone overhears...
No, no, no, that won't happen.
I adjusted my grip, pressing forward slowly this time, my muscles tight, easing the table inch by inch until it stood directly in front of the large window.
There. That was it, no turning back now.
I gathered the fabric of my dress in one hand. With a deep inhale, my fingers curled underneath the table, pulling myself forward as I hoisted one knee up. The table creaked beneath me. I froze, my gaze darting around.
I had to be careful.
I crouched, adjusted my feet, then slowly stood upright. My fingers curled around the window frame, reaching forward, fumbling with the latch. My hands trembled, fingers hovering over the handle before sliding over the lock. I pressed my forehead to the cool window; a weight settled against my chest.
I had to do this. I just had to...
It was this or them.
I opened the window slowly, the breeze rushing in, blowing the curtains, tangling my hair and sending my dress rippling around me. The sky nearly black, I took in a sharp breath.
Just jump! The thought tore through my skull.
Do it!
I closed my eyes, taking shallow breaths, my fingers tightening against the window frame.
I have to do this before I think, before I feel. I have to.
Jump!
My eyes grew wet, my vision blurry, my heart racing against my chest. I braced myself, taking in a deep breath, and before I could even think twice, my body moved-
Then, like a bolt of lightning, a tight grip clamped around my arm, sinking deep into the skin just above my elbow. It yanked me backward with brutal force. A cry tore from my throat. I stumbled backward. Instead of landing on the hard floor, I got caught and hauled roughly against a solid chest.
My eyes flew open, meeting furious, cold green ones inches away from mine.
Ace.
His scarred face was hardened, his body rigid against mine as he held me against his chest. I held my breath, feeling the tension vibrating through him; he was holding something back, something I knew I would be on the receiving end of. The scent of leather with a hint of something similar to smoked wood clung to his suit. My eyes slowly fluttered shut, the fear that flushed beneath my skin evaporating.
All I could smell was him.
A scent that brought you back to the forest. A surprising flutter filled my stomach; his presence stirred something deep, something that scared me.
His gaze dragged over my features, nothing going unnoticed-the trails of mascara down my cheeks, my wild curls that spilled over his shoulder brushing his neck. Then his gaze dropped. I took in a sharp inhale, the sound of my heartbeat thrashing against my ears as he took in every inch of my dress, every detail, leaving a tingling sensation against my skin. His jaw clenched; my eyebrows drew together in confusion, following his line of sight,
which was locked onto the exposed swell of my cleavage.
My shoulders tensed, chills running down my spine. His gaze narrowed, snapping back to mine. I swallowed hard.
I was in trouble.
*****
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