His sin, Her salvation

Chapter nineteen

Serena ran until her legs could no longer carry her. She had no idea how far she had gone, how much time had passed, or even where she was. The only thing that mattered was that she had escaped. The night air was cold against her skin, but the thrill of freedom was enough to keep her moving.

Her body, however, had different plans. Weak from exhaustion, dehydration, and the lingering effects of her illness, Serena’s vision blurred. The edges of the world darkened, and before she could take another step, she collapsed onto the hard pavement of a small, quiet town.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached. “Oh dear, are you alright?” A gentle but concerned voice broke through the haze of Serena’s consciousness.

She struggled to open her eyes. A woman, perhaps in her late thirties, knelt beside her. Her brown eyes were filled with worry as she carefully helped Serena up. “Come, let’s get you inside,” the woman said, wrapping an arm around Serena’s frail frame.

Too weak to protest, Serena allowed herself to be led into a modest but cozy home. The warmth inside was a stark contrast to the cold emptiness she had felt in Alessio’s mansion. The woman helped her onto a couch and covered her with a blanket.

“Drink this,” she urged, handing Serena a glass of warm tea. “My name is Evelyn. You don’t have to tell me what happened, but I can see you’ve been through hell. You’re safe here.”

Serena hesitated. Could she trust this woman? But right now, she had no choice. Taking the cup with trembling hands, she whispered, “Thank you.”

Evelyn smiled kindly. “I don’t know who you’re running from, but if you need a fresh start, I can help.”

A fresh start. The idea seemed impossible, yet it was all she wanted.

That night, Serena Carter ceased to exist.

The next morning, with a new identity and a deep resolve to never be found, she looked at herself in the mirror.

She was no longer the broken girl who had been trapped in Alessio’s world.

She was someone new.

And Alessio DeLuca would never find her again.

Serena woke up to the soft scent of chamomile tea and the sound of quiet humming. For a moment, she forgot where she was. The bed beneath her was warm, the sheets smelled like lavender, and there was no heavy chain around her ankle. No cold marble floors, no guards lurking in the hallways.

She blinked, her body aching as she sat up. Sunlight streamed through the lace curtains, casting a golden glow across the modest bedroom. Her fingers clenched the blanket, trying to ground herself in reality.

It wasn’t a dream.

She was free.

The realization sent a shudder through her, relief and fear battling within her chest.

A knock on the door made her stiffen.

“Sweetheart?” Evelyn’s voice was gentle, but Serena still flinched at the sound. “I brought you some soup. You should eat something.”

Serena hesitated before answering. “Okay.”

The door creaked open, and Evelyn walked in, carrying a tray with steaming broth, bread, and a cup of tea. She placed it carefully on the nightstand before sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You don’t have to tell me anything yet,” she said, her voice warm with understanding. “But I can see the pain in your eyes. Whoever hurt you… you don’t have to go back.”

Serena’s throat tightened.

If only she knew.

Evelyn reached out but stopped herself, respecting Serena’s space. “Eat first. We’ll figure out everything else later.”

Serena stared at the food. How long had it been since someone cared for her like this? Since she had a moment of kindness without ulterior motives?

Tears burned in her eyes, but she swallowed them down.

She wasn’t Serena Carter anymore.

She had to be stronger than that.

Picking up the spoon with trembling fingers, she forced herself to take the first bite.

It was the first step toward reclaiming her life.

Serena sat across from Evelyn in the cozy little kitchen, her hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows across the wooden table, creating an atmosphere of warmth and safety.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn’t afraid of the next moment.

Evelyn studied her carefully, her sharp yet kind eyes full of quiet patience. “You don’t have to tell me everything, dear. But I can see it in your eyes—you’ve been running from something. Or someone.”

Serena hesitated, staring down at her tea. “It’s… complicated.”

“I have time.” Evelyn gave her a small smile. “And from the looks of it, you need someone to listen.”

Something in Serena broke at those words.

She took a shaky breath. “I was taken… by a man. A powerful man.” She swallowed. “He kept me prisoner for months. I tried to escape before, but he always caught me. Until now.”

Evelyn’s expression darkened with quiet anger. “Did he hurt you?”

Serena’s fingers tightened around the cup. “In every way possible.”

Evelyn’s breath hitched, her hand coming to rest over Serena’s in a comforting gesture. “You don’t have to say more.”

Serena shook her head. “I don’t know where to go from here. If he finds me…” A shudder ran through her. “I don’t even want to think about what he’ll do.”

Evelyn nodded, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “Then you’ll stay here. At least for a few weeks.”

Serena’s head snapped up. “But—”

“No buts,” Evelyn cut in firmly. “You need time to heal and plan your next move. Right now, if you keep running blindly, you’ll end up in danger again. Give it a few weeks. By then, the heat of his search will die down, and you’ll be stronger.”

Serena felt a lump rise in her throat. “Why are you helping me?”

Evelyn sighed. “Because I know what it’s like to run from a monster.”

Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.

For the first time in months, Serena felt a sliver of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, she had found a place where she could breathe again.