Bound By Revenge Redeemed By Love

Chapter Three: The Escape

"Isabella… what brought you this place, ma'am?"

I had ensured none of his staff addressed me as Mrs Knight, but by my name. The voice stopped me from moving further. I was actually heading to Alexanders study after everything I heard in the night yesterday. I wanted to find out by myself what he and Victoria buried. Maybe, the study might give me a clue, and the next step to take.

On turning, I saw Matteo standing before me. Funny enough, it still baffles me how he could be so committed to someone as arrogant and controlling as Alexander. He's one of the guards who drives so much pleasure in carrying out all of his commands without looking back.

"I… I was just strolling and looking for… the guest list," I stammered, not even sounding reasonable in my own ears. He needed not to be told that I was actually heading to the study room to cause havoc.

He took a step closer, lantern in hand, eyes sharp. "This room you are targeting is off limits. You know that but still wants to try.."

"I… I just have the thought maybe…" My head could not finish again. I didn't know what to tell him, anything to distract him, as my brain refused to cooperate with me. "There might be something I have been dying to get answers to."

His gaze softened, something I wasn't expecting, as he's more like his boss. I didn't know if it was sympathy or just his nature, but at least, he's better than his boss who never sees reason to pity anyone. "You shouldn’t be close to this place, please. It's for your own good, as there are things in this house that might end up destroying you if you dared pry."

"What things are you talking about?" I demanded, voice low but urgent. "Tell me everything you know, Matteo. Please."

He hesitated like he wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing. The lantern was burning in his hand, and with the breeze around, he still held it firmly. "Alexander… he’s nothing close to who he portrays himself to be. He appears arrogant and controlling, but he's more than ruthless. In order to survive, I suggest you leave this house as soon as you can. There's a secret file he never lets one get close to, because he guides it more than his empire, and if you are lucky to lay your hands on it, you will definitely understand the reason he married."

"I can’t possibly leave," I whispered, wishing there might be a way for me to see the light outside. If there might be a way to finally regain my lost freedom.

Matteo’s eyes narrowed as if he was more in pain than me. "You need to make arrangements and leave before he comes back, tonight."

"I can’t stay here of there's a way out for me, Matteo. Not with everything surrounding my marriage."

He shook his head out of pity, then sighing, he said. "If you go, you must vanish without trace. There’s no coming back to this prison. Are you sure you won't get tired of running and return back?"

I swallowed hard, already seeing the possibility of my escape. "I’m very sure."

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That same day, I waited patiently until the house had fallen into a deep sleep. I was careful enough to set my alarm 3 hours before his return. I dressed myself in dark clothes to blend with the darkness. My hair carefully tucked under a scarf to hide my identity, even if seen from behind.

I started the journey with the help of Matteo, but careful not to put him in trouble, or alert the others.

I slipped pass the first hallway, but while in the process, I heard an approaching footsteps, making me to freeze. A nearby guard's lantern swung dangerously close like he had noticed weird movement. I pressed hard against the wall, my heart hammering. I would be discovered any second if care isn't taken. But luckily for me, Matteo distracted him away with a cough.

"If I mistakenly get caught… if Alexander comes home this minute…"

My mind was just a whirlwind of my negative thoughts, but I managed to suppress all of them. I will never allow my life to be in somebody's hand. I'm done being trapped against my will, of being tossed around, of being his s*x toy any time, any day, and however he wants it.

I continued moving silently, memories of the torture I endured in his Manson, quietky crawling in to me. I slipped past some if the sleeping guards, as Matteo had helped drug them before I finalized my plan. And finally, I found myself at the estates rear gate.

A carriage awaited me the moment I popped my head, just the exact point Matteo had told me. I quickly climbed in, this was the least he could arrange for me at the moment, owing to how urgent my escape was, and a second spent in the house screams danger of being caught. The driver moved with just a nod as he was moving according to the direction Matteo had given him.

Every passing second in the carriage felt like forever. What if someone recognizes me, and report to him for a reward? I clutched my bag tighter, with the motivation that it's better that I'm caught running away, than doing nothing to set myself free.

"I can’t believe I’m finally doing this after all the suffering, especially turning me into a s*x toy every night." I whispered, as I clutched my bag to my chest. I didn't take much for easy movement, less my condition become worse than it was before.

As we moved past the city, the lights gradually fading away, and of course replaced by darkness, as we headed toward the timid part that no one would ever imagine I would be in. But I was still scared, afraid that my freedom might come with its own consequences, even worst than my former life.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Days later, I settled down by finding a small apartment in London, the one hidden deep in the quieter streets, very far away from the gossiping society, the ones not busy with their lives, but gossiping about the “vanishing billionaire bride.” Some labelled it madness, but I cared less of everything they were alm saying.

And just when I thought I was finally free, a bre reality hit me...

I was pregnant.

For hours, I convinced myself that I would enventully wake up from my dream, but days passed, but nothing changed. Then I realized I must adjust to my new reality, to do everything possible to protect my baby from Alexander's shadow.

"I will raise you very far from him, he will never come near you," I whispered, tears flowing freely from my eyes. "Far from his coldness and control, far from his dangerous world."

Few days later, I left the streets of London to Italy.

"I will survive all of these," I vowed, gripping the passport firmly in my hand like it would disappear. "I will survive, not just for myself, but for you… and so will you, little one."