Chapter 8:
887 Words
Meanwhile, Chantel was preparing for her plan. She dressed in a seductive gown and got into the Anderson family’s luxury car to head to their mansion. In her mind, she imagined Ricard welcoming her with admiration and desire. But things didn’t go as Chantel had hoped.
When Chantel appeared before Ricard, he didn’t even spare her a glance.
“I think you’re mistaken,” Ricard said, pushing Chantel away. “I have no interest in these games.”
Hearing this, Chantel’s face turned crimson with rage. She stomped her foot. What did she lack compared to Coco? Coco was just a plain and ugly country girl!
Meanwhile, Coco’s voice was hoarse from shouting. As before, no one answered her.
“I have to do something! They definitely won’t let me go!” Coco told herself. The people who had planned this so meticulously would never let her out. She had hoped the father she loved would have a moment of compassion to save her. But if he truly loved her, he wouldn’t have participated in such a despicable act with the others.
Coco started to observe her surroundings. Above her was a ventilation duct. The door was locked from the outside, so the only way out was through there. Thinking this, Coco quickly took off her shoes and slowly climbed up using the door handle. After many attempts, she finally managed to escape the dark room.
However, her ordeal wasn’t over. She was on the second floor, and the only way down was blocked by her parents. They had planned this carefully. Even if she escaped the room, it would be hard for her to leave! They wanted her to stay here forever so that the daughter they cherished could take her place as the Luna of Red Moon Pack. Faced with their self-interest, familial bonds meant nothing.
Coco looked down at her bruised and scratched feet. The pain gripped her heart tightly. Since her mother’s death, she had felt like an outsider in this house. That’s why, no matter how financially difficult it was, she insisted on renting an apartment to live alone. This house never belonged to her! The people she called parents didn’t see her as their child!
Coco wiped away her tears. This wasn’t the time for weakness! She had to escape!
Coco evaluated her surroundings again. Her parents had used a large iron gate to block the room from the stairs. To go up or down, one needed a key to open that gate. They were deliberately isolating her here.
“There’s only one way left!” Coco took a deep breath. Without hesitation, she ran toward the second-floor railing. Yes, to escape, she had to take a risk!
With a loud crash, Coco, barefoot, jumped from the second floor!
Her entire body ached, and shards of glass cut into her skin. She looked down at her feet, which were now covered in blood. Coco lay on the ground, groaning in pain. She felt as if she had just taken a step into the underworld. Her head spun, and everything around her swirled.
“You can’t just die like this!” Coco gritted her teeth, telling herself.
“No, you can’t die! Your new path has only just begun!”
At the brink of despair, a familiar voice suddenly spoke beside her.
“Coco, what’s happening to you?”
It was Ricard. He had come.
“Am I seeing things because I’m dying?” Coco doubted herself, the pain making her less coherent.
Seeing Coco’s condition made Ricard panic. He quickly checked her injuries.
“Thank goodness! They’re just superficial wounds!” Ricard sighed in relief.
Coco’s injuries were not as severe as he had feared. Her pain was due to the numerous glass shards embedded in her feet. However, the shards hadn’t penetrated deeply and could be treated.
“I’m sorry I was late.”
Ricard gently lifted her bloodied feet and carried her limp body on his back.
“You’ve dislocated your ankle; let me carry you!”
“No, it’s fine, Ricard!” Coco tried to reassure him despite the pain.
In less than thirty minutes, they were back at Ricard’s mansion. He immediately had his doctor check and treat Coco’s injuries. Only when the doctor confirmed she was fine did Ricard feel at ease. If he hadn’t arrived in time, who knows what could have happened. Coco was now his wife, part of his family, and he wouldn’t let anyone bully her again!
Ricard returned to his bedroom, the dim light casting a soft glow on Coco’s face. She was resting on his bed. As soon as she saw Ricard enter, she instinctively sat up.
“Sorry, I...I shouldn’t be lying here!” Coco said shyly, knowing Ricard disliked others lying on his bed.
Seeing her defensive posture, Ricard frowned slightly.
“It’s fine, you should rest! I’ll take care of you!” Ricard said, gently lifting her small feet to check them.
“You deserve good things!” Ricard suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting by chance.
In that quiet moment, they both felt a deeper connection forming, one built not just on duty but on mutual care and understanding. The seeds of affection began to sprout in their hearts, two people who had once been strangers.
- Writer
