Chapter 4 : A beautiful prison
1100 Words
Carissa couldn't remember how her legs carried her out of the conference room.
The world around her had become a blur.
The elegant chandeliers, the polished marble floors, the expensive paintings hanging on the walls—none of them registered in her mind.
All she could hear was Mrs. Williams' final words.
"Take care of yourself."
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Take care of yourself?
After selling her to a complete stranger?
Her vision blurred with tears once again.
She quickly wiped them away before the men around her could notice.
"Miss Carissa."
Anton slowed his pace and looked at her.
"This way."
She nodded absentmindedly and continued following him through the endless corridors.
Every few steps, guards bowed respectfully to Anton before returning to their positions.
No one looked directly at her.
No one whispered.
No one laughed.
The silence felt strangely unsettling.
After several minutes, they stopped in front of two large mahogany doors.
Anton pushed them open.
"You'll be staying here."
Carissa slowly stepped inside.
She froze.
The room was breathtaking.
Cream-colored walls were decorated with elegant artwork. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the spacious suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the glittering Moscow skyline, where snow continued to fall softly. A king-sized bed stood neatly made in the center of the room, while a fireplace crackled gently nearby.
There was even a grand piano in one corner.
For a long moment, she simply stared.
Then she whispered,
"It's beautiful..."
Anton gave a small nod.
"It was prepared for you."
She smiled sadly.
"...But it isn't mine."
The words were barely audible.
Anton looked at her for a moment before lowering his gaze.
"If you need anything, press the bell beside the bed. Someone will come immediately."
Carissa turned to him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"If I can answer it."
"Why did Mr. Solkov... buy me?"
The question lingered between them.
Anton sighed quietly.
"I don't know."
"You were there."
"I was."
"Then why won't anyone tell me what's happening?"
His expression softened.
"Because I truly don't know."
He paused before adding,
"I've worked for Mr. Solkov for many years."
Carissa listened carefully.
"This is the first time I've ever seen him make a deal like this."
She frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Anton hesitated.
"Our boss doesn't involve himself in matters like..."
He stopped himself.
"...Never mind."
Carissa's heart sank.
"So... I really was sold."
Anton couldn't bring himself to answer.
Instead, he bowed respectfully.
"Please try to get some rest."
The doors closed quietly behind him.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Carissa remained standing in the middle of the luxurious room.
Then, without warning, her knees gave way.
She collapsed onto the soft carpet.
The tears she had been holding back all evening poured freely down her cheeks.
She covered her mouth to stop herself from crying aloud.
"Why...?"
Her voice trembled.
"Why would you do this to me?"
She wasn't asking Dimitri.
She wasn't even asking Mrs. Williams anymore.
She was asking fate itself.
For four years she had endured every insult.
Every lonely birthday.
Every cold stare.
She had convinced herself that if she remained patient...
If she remained kind...
Things would eventually get better.
Yesterday had given her hope.
The cake.
The gift.
The gentle smile.
The apology.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
"It wasn't real..."
A painful sob escaped her lips.
"It was all a lie."
Mrs. Williams had never changed.
She had simply been saying goodbye.
Carissa reached into her handbag with trembling hands.
She carefully removed the old photograph she carried everywhere.
The picture had begun to fade from years of being held.
Her father stood proudly behind her.
Her mother smiled as she wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
It had been taken on her fifteenth birthday.
The last birthday they celebrated together.
Carissa traced their faces with her fingertips.
"I'm sorry..."
A tear landed on the photograph.
"I'm so sorry."
She hugged it tightly against her chest.
"I thought... if I behaved... if I was patient... everything would be okay."
Another sob escaped.
"I couldn't even protect what you left for me."
"I couldn't protect your company..."
"I couldn't even protect myself."
She buried her face in the photograph.
"I miss you so much."
Outside her room, a soft knock sounded.
Carissa quickly wiped her tears.
"Come in."
A young maid entered, pushing a trolley filled with warm food.
She smiled politely.
"Good evening, Miss Carissa. My name is Elena."
Carissa forced a weak smile.
"Good evening."
"I've brought your dinner."
The aroma of freshly baked bread and hot soup filled the room.
Normally, Carissa would have thanked her and eaten immediately.
Tonight...
The smell only made her stomach twist.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head gently.
"I'm not hungry."
Elena looked concerned.
"You haven't eaten since this morning."
"I know."
"Please eat a little."
"I can't."
Elena hesitated.
"The Boss specifically instructed us to make sure you were comfortable."
Carissa looked up in confusion.
"The Boss?"
"Mr. Solkov."
She blinked.
"He... said that?"
Elena nodded.
"He doesn't usually repeat himself."
Carissa looked away.
She couldn't understand him.
If he had truly bought her...
Why would he care whether she ate or not?
Elena realized she wouldn't change her mind.
"I'll leave the tray here."
She offered a gentle smile before quietly leaving.
Once again, the room became silent.
Carissa climbed onto the bed but couldn't bring herself to lie down.
Instead, she walked toward the window.
Snowflakes drifted lazily through the night sky.
Somewhere beneath those lights...
The life she knew had ended.
She pressed her forehead against the cold glass.
"Happy birthday to me..."
she whispered bitterly.
"I guess this is what twenty feels like."
Eventually, exhaustion won.
Still clutching the photograph to her chest, she curled up on the thick rug beside the window instead of the luxurious bed.
The bed was too unfamiliar.
Too empty.
Too lonely.
Outside the room, a guard noticed the untouched dinner tray.
He quietly informed Anton.
Anton opened the door just enough to look inside.
Carissa had fallen asleep on the floor.
Even in her sleep, tears stained her cheeks.
The photograph remained clutched tightly in her hands, as though letting go of it meant losing her parents all over again.
Anton silently picked up the blanket from the armchair and gently draped it over her.
He stood there for a moment before quietly shaking his head.
"What exactly did Mrs. Williams drag this young woman into?"
Without another word, he switched off the lights and softly closed the door behind him.
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