The Designer's Daughter

Chapter 5: Taken From the Darkness

Lucia’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the tense standoff between William and Annabelle.

Annabelle’s lips curled into a sneer. “You think you can just take her? She’s mine! I raised her, fed her, clothed her—”

“You abused her,” William cut in coldly. His blue eyes darkened with fury. “I know everything, Annabelle. How you stole from her, beat her, treated her like a servant.” He took a step closer. “You have no right to call yourself her guardian.”

Annabelle’s expression flickered—just for a moment—but she quickly masked it with false outrage. “Lies! She belongs here!”

Lucia flinched at the word belongs. As if she were an object. A possession.

William turned to her, his voice softening. “Lucia, you don’t have to stay here anymore. Come with me.”

Lucia’s heart pounded. This was real. He was offering her freedom. A new life.

But fear still gripped her. What if he’s lying? What if I’m just trading one cage for another?

Annabelle grabbed Lucia’s wrist, her grip tight like a vice. “She’s not going anywhere,” she spat.

Lucia winced, pain shooting up her arm. Annabelle had always been stronger. Always in control.

But this time, she wasn’t.

A strong, firm hand pulled Lucia away. William.

“Let go of my daughter,” he said in a voice that sent chills down Lucia’s spine.

Annabelle’s grip tightened, but William’s was stronger. With one swift movement, he pulled Lucia into his arms, lifting her effortlessly.

Lucia gasped, her body tensing. She had never been held like this before. Never protected.

Annabelle shrieked. “You can’t take her!”

William shot her a glare so sharp it silenced her. “Try and stop me,” he said darkly.

Without another word, he turned and carried Lucia toward his waiting carriage. She barely had time to process what was happening as he stepped inside and the door slammed shut behind them.

The carriage lurched forward, leaving Annabelle behind, her screams fading into the distance.

For the first time in fourteen years, Lucia was free.

—

The ride was silent at first. Lucia sat across from William, still shaken, still unsure. She stared at her hands, struggling to believe this was real.

William watched her carefully. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore.”

Lucia clenched her fists. “I’m not afraid.”

He sighed. “Lucia… I know I don’t deserve your trust. But I promise, I will never let anyone hurt you again.”

Lucia hesitated. A part of her wanted to believe him. A part of her was still angry, still hurt.

“Why did you wait so long?” she whispered.

William’s face darkened with regret. “I didn’t know. If I had—” He stopped himself, taking a deep breath. “I failed you once. I won’t fail you again.”

Lucia looked out the window. The streets she had walked every day, the place she had known all her life, was disappearing behind her.

Ahead lay a world she had never known.

And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.

—

To Be Continued...