Chapter Nine – The False Escape
Sometimes the cruelest cage is the one that looks open.
It began with a knock at the door.
Julia was in the kitchen, her injured hand wrapped in fresh bandages, when she heard it.
A knock.
Her body froze. Her ears strained.
It came again.
Three sharp raps.
Her pulse thundered in her ears. No one ever came here. No neighbors. No deliveries. No chance encounters.
This house was Daniel’s fortress.
Yet someone was outside.
Julia’s breath quickened. Could it be real? A stranger? A chance at help?
She turned toward the living room.
Daniel was already there, standing by the door, perfectly calm.
He glanced back at her, eyes gleaming.
“Go ahead,” he said softly. “Answer it.”
Her chest tightened.
“Me?”
“Yes. Let’s see what you do.”
Her stomach drop
