CROWN OF SCARS

TRAPPED WITH THE DEVIL

The moment Desmond stepped into the room, Annabelle realized something terrifying, death was no longer the worst thing that could happen to her.

The instant Annabelle heard the guard announced from outside the room that the police had arrived and were asking for her, hope exploded inside her chest.

"They're here!" She screamed, struggling against the bed. "I'm here! Please help me!"

Desmond face darkened instantly. Panic flickered across his eyes for the first time since she had met him.

He yanked the door open. The guard bowed respectfully. "Sir, the police and media are outside the mansion."

Annabelle seized the opportunity. She rushed toward the door barefoot, her heart pounding wildly.

But before she could escape, the guard grabbed her violently. "Let me go?" She cried.

He slammed her against the wall and dragged her back into the room. "I don't want to stay here."

Within seconds, the guard tied her wrist to ankles tightly with a rope.

"You think this will save you?" She shouted. The law will catch all of you! My parents will get justice."

The guard ignored her. She glared at him with hatred. "And you're no better! Helping a monster destroy innocent lives!"

Without warning, she spat directly on his face. The guard face tightened. "You little....."

"I hate all of you," she snapped. "You're all evil." His expression turned dark. He tied a cloth around her mouth, he stood beside her.

Tears burned her eyes. Not from fear but from helpless rage.

A few minutes later, there was a knock. The guard stiffened. "Who's there?"

"It's juliet" a woman answered softly. "What do you want?"

"I want to attend to the girl." After a brief hesitation, he opened the door.

Juliet walked in carrying a tray of food. Her face looked calm, but her eyes held years of pain.

"Feed her," the guard ordered. "When the police leave, she'll take a bath. Juliet nodded silently.

The moment he left the room, the atmosphere in the room changed. Annabelle stared at the woman bitterly.

The second Juliet removed the cloth from her mouth, Annabelle spoke.

"So you work for him too?" Juliet froze. "I thought women were supposed to protect each other." She continued painfully. "Not work for bad people."

Something flickered across Juliet face. Then she sighed.

" Hey, you think I want this life? She said softly, sitting beside her.

Annabelle stayed quiet. Juliet lowered her eyes "I was brought into the house exactly the same way you were."

Anna blinked. " What?" "It was Desmond father, Kelvin." Her voice trembled slightly. "After he killed my parents and siblings, he kept me here?

Juliet swallowed hard before continuing. " I became his personal toy and victim."

The words hit Anna like ice water. Fear crawled through her entire body. Suddenly, Juliet felt like a glimpse into her own future.

Her breathing became uneven. No...no... She had always dreamed of giving herself to someone she truly loved someday.

Not like this. Not to a monster. Not to Desmond.

"How long have you been here?" She asked weakly.

"Twenty years," Annabelle eyes widened in horror.

Juliet gave a bitter smile. "I prayed for Justice every single day, but nobody came. Eventually.... I stopped hoping."

The room became unbearably heavy. Then Juliet gently touched Anna's hair. "But you're different," she whispered. "I can see fire in fire in your eyes."

Annabelle looked at her silently. "Eat something" Juliet said kindly. "You'll need strength." After a long hesitation, Anna finally nodded.

"What's your name?" She asked softly. "Annabelle." "I'm juliet."

For the first time since arriving in the mansion Annabelle managed a weak smile. "Nice to meet you."

Juliet smiled back sadly. But deep down, both women knew there was nothing nice about where they had met.

Outside the mansion, chaos had completely erupted.

Police vehicles surrounded the estate while reporters pushed against the gates with cameras flashing nonstop.

The giant doors opened. Desmond stepped outside in a black suit, his expression was cold and unreadable.

The reporters immediately rush toward him. "Mr Desmond!"

"What do you have to say about Mr. Clinton's death?" "Did you threaten him before he died?" "Sir! Is it true he publicly accused you before his death?"

Security guards struggled to hold the crowd back. One police officer finally stepped forward.

"Good afternoon, sir, he said firmly. " You need to come with us for questioning ." Desmond adjusted his cufflinks calmly.

"I can't today," he replied. "But I'll present myself tomorrow." The officer stared at him with clear irritation. "You're already causing enough public outrage. Don't make this worse."

Desmond smirked faintly. "I said I'll come." After a tense silence, the officer nodded reluctantly. "Tomorrow. No excuses."

The media continued shouting questions as Desmond walked back inside the mansion. At that moment a black car sped into the compound.

Michael stepped out. The moment he entered the sitting room, he grabbed Desmond's arm angrily.

"What the hell is going on? He demanded Desmond pulled his hand away lazily. "What are you talking about?"

Michael stared at him in disbelief. "The news, Desmond! Mr Clinton and wife are dead! His children disappeared! Somehow your name is everywhere!"

Desmond shrugged carelessly. "You already know the answer." Michael looked disgusted. "You don't even sound human anymore."

Desmond jaw tightened. "And suddenly you care?" He snapped. "My father destroyed your family too , remember?"

The words triggered something inside Michael, before Desmond could react. Michael punched him hard across the face.

Desmond staggered backward. The two men began fighting violently across the living room until Desmond finally raised his hands.

"Enough," he muttered. "You win."

Michael shoved him hard, "where are Clinton's children?" Desmond looked away. Michael eyes widened. "You have them, don't you?

Silence.

Desmond!

"I can't tell you right now." Michael grabbed his suit aggressively. "You've completely lost your mind."

Desmond wiped blood from his lip slowly. "I just need time."

"You need help," Michael hissed . Then he pushed him away and stormed out of the room furiously.

Then he slowly turned toward the staircase. Toward Annabelle's room. The door burst open violently. Juliet immediately stepped back in fear.

Desmond's cold eyes landed on Annabelle. Dark, dangerous and unreadable.

Juliet hurried out of the room nervously leaving them alone. Annabelle's heart pounded violently inside her chest as Desmond walked closer.

At that moment, Juliet's story replayed in her mind. Twenty years trapped. Twenty years abused. Twenty years forgotten.

Annabelle's breathing became shaky would that become her fate too? Would her parents ever get justice?

Or was she about to enter a nightmare far worse than death itself. Desmond stopped directly in front of her.

Then suddenly. He loosened the tie around his neck. He crouched in front of her and grabbed her chin tightly.

"Now" he said darkly, "it's finally just the two of us."