I think I’ll play along with Damien — for now. Just until I find a way out. I must get to my parents and hear the truth from them. Did they really steal me? Is that why they sold me into slavery? No real parent would do such a thing.
“I need you right now,” Damien said, his hand tightening on my shoulder, “but I don’t think it will be good here.”
His tone changed too quickly, like he remembered something urgent. He pulled his hand back and walked out of the room, muttering something under his breath.
The moment he stepped out, I sprang to my feet and grabbed the box. My hands trembled as I sifted through the old keys. One by one, I tried them on the door. The first didn’t work. The second failed too. Please, God... The third key clicked.
I didn’t wait.
With the box clutched tightly in
