Chapter 13
1108 Words
The door to Lucas's room opened slightly...
A small figure slipped in, trying earnestly to climb the bed.
Lucas turned on his bedside lamp.
"Sophia?" he whispered.
"Hmm," Sophia replied, smiling shyly like someone caught in the act.
Lucas pointed to the little step stool beside the bed.
"Use that," he said gently.
Sophia climbed up, her tiny chubby body rolling over the mattress.
She lay beside her brother, bigger, taller, and her little shield in the world. Lucas pulled her into his arms, wrapping her securely.
"What's wrong, Soph?" he asked, brushing his fingers through her hair.
"I miss Mama....I was scared," Sophia confessed softly.
"It's fine," Lucas said firmly, the certainty of a boy trying to sound like a man. "I have a plan. We'll see Mama tomorrow afternoon."
"Serious?" Sophia asked, her big, clear eyes searching Lucas's face for any sign of mischief.
Lucas smiled and patted her head, then kissed her forehead.
"Goodnight," he whispered.
He switched off the light, and the two of them drifted together into dreamland, safe, hopeful, and wrapped in each other's warmth.
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In Camila's Residence
Camila lay on her bed, rolling from side to side, her thoughts refusing to let her rest.
Sleep seemed like a luxury far from her reach.
Every memory, every word, every silence from Alex replayed in her mind until it became unbearable.
She sat up, running her hands over her face. She was tired, tired of trying to sleep, tired of trying to stay alive in a world that no longer comforted her.
Was Alex really slipping away from her?
But he told her she was his.
Was it all just an illusion coming to an end?
Maybe it was time to give up what never truly belonged to her.
"No," she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "I won't leave him."
She rose from the bed and walked to the small table, pouring herself a glass of water. The cool liquid steadied her nerves.
Afterward, she began checking the things she'd packed for the children, clothes, little gifts, their favorite snacks.
Tomorrow, she'd see them again.
She was determined to win their hearts over completely.
It was the only comfort left for her… especially in her condition.
After a while, she glanced at the clock, 3 a.m. already.
Time had slipped by unnoticed.
Just like that, she thought bitterly. I only hope Alex's love for me doesn't fade the same way.
The Next Morning
As Camila finally drifted off to sleep around 4 a.m., Isabella was already awake.
Her mind was unsettled by what Ana had told her the previous day, Helena was going to come for her.
Now, it was only her and young Ana assigned to a kitchen where five people usually worked. The sudden change didn't feel right.
She'd also heard that Camila would be visiting, and Alex had ordered her and Ana to prepare the best meal possible.
Was this Alex's way of getting back at her? Or just another test of her patience?
Maybe I could sneak out to see my children, Isabella thought, her heart tightening at the idea.
Knowing she couldn't go back to sleep, she began her morning rituals, quietly, methodically. When she was done, she sat by the window and picked up a book.
Sometimes she wished her life were like the characters in novels, where after twenty chapters of pain, things finally began to turn around.
But she was already in the twenty-first chapter of her own story... and nothing had changed.
Is my life a sad ending story? she wondered.
Isabella shook her head quickly, pushing the thought away. No. I'll make it work... one way or another.
————
A faint silhouette moved quietly through the backyard of the staff quarters.
It tiptoed along the familiar path, its rhythm steady, as if this wasn't the first time.
It stopped at the entrance of a small staff room and knocked gently.
Knock. Knock.
The sound was barely audible, yet in the heavy silence of dawn, it felt like the beginning of something dangerous.
The door creaked open after a quiet word was exchanged from outside.
Though the faces weren't entirely visible in the dim light, one could easily recognize Clara's among the two figures.
"You're always efficient," Clara said softly, a faint smile curving her lips.
The other person grinned. "It's my duty."
"How's my baby doing?" the person asked, voice lowering affectionately.
Clara rubbed her belly gently. "He's fine. Very soon, we'll be out of here," she said, a small laugh escaping her.
"I just hope you don't abandon me when that time comes," Clara added, her voice trembling slightly. "I've helped you a lot… because I love you."
"No, darling," the person said, stepping closer. "I love you too, I could never leave you or our child."
The low tone revealed the voice belonged to a man.
After a short exchange, they shared a brief, tender kiss before he slipped away into the early morning darkness.
Clara stood there for a while, clutching a small bottle tightly against her chest. Her life, her future, depended on the success of this one task.
This would be the last time she worked for Helena. She was only doing this because she needed the money, enough to finally leave this country with her lover and start a quiet, simple life somewhere far away.
She sighed deeply, brushing away the tears that threatened to spill.
She didn't understand why Helena was so obsessed with hurting poor Isabella. Everyone in the house knew Isabella was kind-hearted and hardworking.
Even without spending much time together, Clara had heard the stories, how Isabella had transformed an abandoned room into a warm, safe space.
I'll make sure to see that room before I leave, Clara thought, a flicker of determination lighting in her eyes.
If she hadn't been stuck serving Helena, maybe she would've befriended Isabella… just like Ana had.
With one last glance at the drawer where she hid the bottle, Clara lay down.
The task was set for 7 a.m., and she needed rest.
She closed her eyes, unaware that dawn was bringing more than just light, it was bringing chaos.
The morning broke softly...
The light crept in gently, a sharp contrast to the darkness that had already been planned for the day.
The clock ticked loudly, a cold reminder of how time served everyone's purpose differently:
Isabella had to cook.
Camila had to reach the children.
And Helena with her loyal minions, had to set her wicked plan in motion.
When the clock struck 7 a.m., chaos began.
- Writer
