Chapter 5
1261 Words
Selena's Pov
I couldn’t breathe properly. The moment he stepped into the room, the air changed completely. There was something about him that just seemed off, like a warning sign flashing in my face.
I took a step back, my eyes fixed on him as I tried to process what was happening. Suddenly, all the terrible memories from that night in the garage came flooding back.
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
The door shut behind him. Lee walked further into the room with slow steps, his eyes staying on me the entire time. Like he was studying me. Trying to figure something out.
He looked even worse in the dark but there was something dangerous about the calmness in his face. Like violence followed him naturally.
“I asked you a question,” I said again when he remained silent.
Anger slowly mixed with my fear.
“You can’t just kidnap people and lock them inside your house!”
He stopped near the large window before speaking. “You witnessed something you shouldn’t have.”
His voice stayed cold and controlled.
I stared at him in disbelief. “You murdered someone!”
“He betrayed me.”
“You keep saying that like it makes murder normal!”
For the first time, something almost moved in his expression.
“You speak too much.”
I laughed bitterly. “And you kill too much.”
The room became silent and I wondered if I had pushed too far.
“I need to leave,” I said firmly. “My mother is sick.”
“She’s in the hospital.” My voice cracked slightly. “She has cancer.”
He walked toward a small table near the fireplace and poured himself a drink.
“You’re listening to me, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me go.”
“No.”
The answer came so simply it stunned me for a second.
I stared at him. “No?”
“You cannot leave this mansion.”
Cold panic spread through my chest again. “You’re insane.”
He ignored the insult and took a slow sip from his glass.
“You will stay here until I decide otherwise.”
My fear finally exploded into anger.
“I have a life outside this place!” I shouted. “I have a mother waiting for me!”
His eyes lifted toward mine again.
“I need to call the hospital,” I continued desperately. “Please.”
“Please.”
For a moment, I thought he would refuse again.
Then He reached into his pocket and placed a phone onto the table beside him.
“You have two minutes.”
Relief crashed through me so hard my knees almost weakened. I rushed toward the phone immediately and grabbed it with shaking hands.
The moment the hospital answered, tears burned behind my eyes.
“Saint Mary’s Hospital,” the nurse said.
“This is Selena Russell,” I said quickly. “I’m calling about my mother, Olivia Russell.”
Then the nurse spoke again. “Miss Russell, where have you been?”
Fear tightened inside my chest instantly. “What happened?”
“Your mother’s condition worsened this morning.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“She kept asking for you.”
Tears filled my eyes immediately. “Can I speak to her?”
“I’m sorry, she’s asleep after receiving medication.”
Pain twisted painfully through my chest.
“I’ll come tomorrow,” I whispered emotionally. “Please tell her I called.”
The call ended seconds later. I lowered the phone slowly while trying not to cry in front of him.
“You’re scared,” he said calmly.
I looked at him with disbelief. “Really? I wonder why.”
He remained silent. Like he built walls around himself years ago and never let anyone inside again.
I wiped my tears angrily before placing the phone back onto the table. “Thank you.”
He leaned slightly against the fireplace while studying me again.
“What’s your name?” I asked suddenly.
“You already know it.”
I frowned. “No, I heard someone say Derevoux. I don’t know your first name.”
“Lee.”
The name somehow suited him perfectly.
“Well, Lee,” I snapped, “you’re completely insane.”
One corner of his mouth almost moved. Almost.
“You have courage.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’m terrified.”
That time, his expression changed slightly.
The silence stretched between us again before he spoke. “Your surname.”
I frowned. “What about it?”
“Russell.”
The moment the word left my mouth, the atmosphere inside the room changed completely. His eyes darkened while something sharp entered his expression for the first time since entering the room.
My heartbeat slowed uneasily. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Lee placed the glass down carefully. “Say it again.”
Confusion filled me. “What?”
“Your surname.”
Fear crawled slowly through my chest.
“Russell,” I repeated quietly.
Then Lee let out a low breath while staring at me differently now. Like pieces inside his head were finally connecting. Suddenly, everything about tonight felt even worse.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Lee walked toward me slowly. Every instinct inside me screamed to move backward, but my legs refused to cooperate.
“How old are you?” he asked.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“How old?”
“Twenty two.”
His jaw tightened slightly.
Lee stopped directly in front of me. Too close.
The height difference suddenly felt unfair. Intimidating.
Dark eyes locked onto mine while tension filled the room like smoke.
“What was his name?” he asked.
I swallowed hard. “Daniel Russell.”
Fear settled deeper inside my chest. “Why are you asking about my father?”
Hearing my father’s name awakened something ugly inside him.
“What did he do?” I asked nervously.
Lee stared at me for several long seconds before answering.
“wait..did you have anything to do with the missing photo?” I asked.
He replied instantly “What photo?”
“You’re lying.”
Lee laughed softly. “You know nothing about your father.”
Anger rushed through me again. “And you do?”
His expression hardened instantly. “More than you ever will.”
I shook my head. “No. My father wasn’t a criminal.”
“He destroyed lives before he vanished.”
My chest tightened painfully. “Stop talking about him like that.”
Lee stepped even closer.
“You think your father disappeared because he wanted freedom?” His voice lowered dangerously. “ He ran because people wanted him dead.”
Lee’s gaze stayed locked onto mine. “And now those same people know exactly who you are.”
“You’re lying,” I whispered again, but this time my voice sounded weaker.
Lee’s expression remained cold. “Am I?”
The room suddenly felt too small. Everything inside my head spun violently while fear, confusion, and anger crashed together all at once.
“What do you want from me?” I asked shakily.
Lee’s eyes darkened again. Then he said the words that made true terror settle inside my chest.
“Your father destroyed lives before he disappeared.”
Then he looked directly into my eyes and said
“Now his daughter belongs to me.”
- Writer
