lyca wong

chapter five

Months had passed since Lyca's forced marriage to Zhenyi. Her days blended into a monotonous cycle of submission and fear. The bruises on her back and arms were constant reminders of Zhenyi’s dominance.

Yet, despite her shattered spirit, Lyca's mind remained alert, always on the lookout for a chance to escape or uncover Zhenyi's secrets. One day, she noticed a flicker of hope: Zhenyi's study door was slightly open, unlocked.

Her heart raced as she pushed the door open and slipped inside. The drawers creaked as she rummaged through files, her eyes scanning names: Anna, Emma, Sarah. And what about her?

She opened Anna's file, gasping at what she found: explicit photos, memorandums, and personal writings. Zhenyi’s twisted games made her stomach churn. Lyca flipped through the pages, desperate to find her name.

"Looking for yours?" Zhenyi's voice startled her, his presence looming.

"You're home," she said,

"I never left, b***h. Just a little test. You thought I didn’t notice your fake moans and kisses? You’re a fool. Don’t worry, your pictures are safe with me."

Lyca felt a chill run through her. Had she misjudged Zhenyi?

Lyca pleaded, dropping to her knees. "Please, Zhenyi, forgive me. I’ll do anything."

But Zhenyi's face darkened, irritation flashing in his eyes.

"Enough!" he shouted.

Guards rushed in, seizing Lyca's arms and dragging her away. She fought back, kicking and screaming.

"Throw her in the cage," Zhenyi ordered.

A blindfold covered Lyca's eyes. She stumbled, led by the guards. The air was thick and damp, heavy with the scent of mold and decay.

When the blindfold was finally removed, Lyca found herself in a dimly lit cell. Cold, gray stone walls surrounded her, and the ground was damp with earth.

No windows.

Only a large gate.

In the corner, a plate of spoiled food lay, maggots crawling over the rotting meat.

Lyca noticed blood smeared on the walls.

She shivered.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

For ten minutes, she wept.

Then, unexpectedly, laughter erupted from her.

"I'll die from hunger," she murmured.

"I'm already dead inside."

"What's it matter to die again?"

Lyca's laughter bounced off the cold walls.

The sound faded, leaving only silence.

Exhausted, Lyca collapsed onto the ground.

Oh, I guess I have a neighbor now," the voice said, echoing off the cold walls.

"I guess you do," Lyca replied.

The voice chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound.

"Welcome to the luxury suite," it said.

Lyca strained to see into the darkness, but the voice seemed to come from an invisible presence.

"Who are you?" Lyca asked.

"No one," the voice replied.

Lyca hesitated. "How long have you been here?"

"Couple of years," the voice said.

"What happened?" Lyca probed gently.

"I got pregnant for him," the voice whispered.

"For Zhenyi?" Lyca's skepticism was palpable.

"No, of course not. For his bodyguard."

Lyca's curiosity grew. "Where's his bodyguard? Why can't he save you?"

The voice remained flat. "He's dead."

Lyca shivered.

"His body is here, though," the voice added, its tone unchanged.

Lyca's heart sank. "What do you mean?"

"I can still stare at him," the voice replied.

Lyca's imagination recoiled at the thought.

"What about your baby?" she asked gently.

"I lost her," the voice whispered, a hint of sorrow seeping through. "It was a girl... a beautiful one."

"Oh, I guess I have a neighbor now," the voice said.

"I guess you do," Lyca replied.

The voice chuckled, a dry, mirthless sound.

"Welcome to the luxury suite," it said.

"What did Lyca do?"

"I went into his study," she replied.

"Oh, guess you failed his test."

"Yeah," Lyca chuckled dryly.

"You are pretty dumb, huh?" the voice mocked.

"What? Why would you say that? I mean, I am, but how did you know?"

"Who would enter his study the first day you met? It was unlocked."

The voice laughed. "It's been so long since I laughed like this."

"I was desperate, okay? I should have just taken the first set of pictures."

"Pictures?" Lyca asked.

"Of a girl named Anna. He had pictures of them doing the deed and video tapes."

"Oh, you took them?"

"Of course not. I was looking for mine."

"Oh, still, you are stupid."

"I just need to make a phone call; I'd escape," Lyca said.

"A phone call to who?" the voice asked.

"An executive I trust. They think I'm dead. I just have to say I'm not."

"How many percent sure are you that the executive would help?" the voice asked.

"40."

"That's good.”