Into the Fire

Lila spent the following days on edge, carefully playing her part. She didn’t fight when Ethan came to her room, and she no longer flinched at his touch. Instead, she tried to be calm, measured—just like the maid had advised. Her heart would race when he was near, but she forced herself to smile, to nod at his words, to show him the version of herself he wanted.

It wasn’t easy. Ethan was constantly watching her, analyzing her every move. Sometimes, she could feel his eyes on her when she was alone in the room, and it made her skin prickle with discomfort. But she knew she had to endure it. If she faltered, he would sense the truth.

Her body was in one place, but her mind was already calculating her next steps. The lockdown on the estate was still in effect, and security had been tightened. Every time she looked out the window, she could see the guards patrolling the grounds. Escape wasn’t going to be easy, but Lila had hope that if she played her cards right, she could manipulate Ethan into granting her more freedom.

Ethan, for his part, seemed to be easing up, as if he were beginning to believe that his obsessive tactics were working. He would come to her room each evening, talking about his day as though everything were normal, as though Lila were a willing participant in this twisted relationship.

“Do you like it here?” Ethan asked one evening as they sat in the room, the fire crackling in the hearth. His voice was soft, but there was an intensity behind his eyes, as if her answer would determine everything.

Lila hesitated for a split second before forcing a small smile. “It’s beautiful here,” she said carefully, keeping her voice steady. “The house, the gardens… everything is lovely.”

Ethan studied her, his gaze piercing, but after a long moment, he seemed satisfied. “I’m glad,” he murmured, moving closer to her. “I want you to be happy here, Lila. I want this to be your home.”

The word "home" sent a chill down her spine. This place was the furthest thing from home—it was a prison, no matter how luxurious it appeared. But Lila nodded slowly, knowing she couldn’t afford to break character now.

---

The next morning, Lila woke up to the sound of a key turning in the lock. Ethan had started unlocking her door every now and then, allowing her small moments of freedom inside the house, though always under supervision. It was a step forward, but Lila knew it wasn’t nearly enough. She needed more time, more opportunities to plan her escape.

As she got dressed, she noticed a folded note on the edge of the vanity. It hadn’t been there the night before. Her heart skipped a beat as she glanced toward the door, ensuring she was still alone, before quickly unfolding the note.

**"Tonight. Midnight. Be ready."**

The words were written in a rushed hand, but Lila recognized the writing—it was from the maid. Her pulse quickened, and for a brief moment, she allowed herself to feel the slightest flicker of hope. Was this it? Was the maid planning another escape attempt?

She carefully tucked the note into her pocket, her mind racing with possibilities. She would have to be prepared for anything.

The day passed in a blur. Lila did her best to act normal, engaging with Ethan when he visited, smiling when he asked about her well-being. But inside, she was buzzing with nervous energy, counting down the hours until midnight.

---

The night was still when the clock struck twelve. Lila stood by the window, staring out at the darkened grounds. The estate was quiet, with only the occasional shadow of a guard passing by in the distance. Her heart raced in anticipation as she listened for any sound of movement.

A soft knock came at the door, and Lila’s breath caught in her throat. She quickly moved to unlock the door, and the maid slipped inside, her face pale with urgency.

“Is everything ready?” Lila whispered, her voice barely audible.

The maid nodded, her eyes wide. “We don’t have much time. There’s a small gap in the patrols near the back gate, but we have to move quickly.”

Lila’s stomach twisted with fear and hope. This was it—her chance at freedom. She had no idea what would happen if they got caught, but she couldn’t afford to think about that now. She had to trust that the maid’s plan would work.

They slipped out of the room and down the hall, moving as quietly as possible. Lila’s heart pounded in her chest with every step, her ears straining for any sign of Ethan or the guards. Every shadow seemed to loom larger, every creak of the floorboards sending a jolt of fear through her.

As they approached the back of the house, the maid paused, peeking around the corner to check the guards’ positions. She motioned for Lila to follow, and they crept out of the door, slipping into the cool night air.

The grounds were vast and sprawling, but the darkness worked in their favor, hiding them from view as they moved through the shadows. Lila’s heart raced as they neared the back gate, her mind spinning with the possibilities of what might come next.

Freedom was so close—she could almost taste it. But just as they reached the gate, a voice cut through the darkness, sharp and furious.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Lila froze, her blood turning to ice. She turned slowly, her heart plummeting as she saw Ethan standing behind them, his face a mask of cold fury.

The maid gasped, stepping back in fear, but Ethan’s eyes were locked on Lila. His expression was terrifyingly calm, but his voice was laced with a quiet rage that sent shivers down her spine.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?” Ethan asked, his voice low and dangerous. “Did you really think you could escape me?”

Lila’s body trembled as she took a step back, her mind scrambling for a way out. But the gate was locked, and Ethan was blocking their path.

“Ethan, please—” Lila began, but he cut her off with a sharp glare.

“No more lies,” he snapped. “I gave you a chance, Lila. I trusted you. And this is how you repay me?”

Lila’s heart raced as she tried to think of something, anything, that might calm him down, but she knew she was trapped. Ethan had caught them, and there was no way out.

Ethan’s gaze shifted to the maid, and his expression darkened. “Go back to the house,” he ordered, his voice cold and final. “Now.”

The maid hesitated for a moment before nodding quickly, her face pale with fear as she hurried away, leaving Lila alone with Ethan.

Once the maid was gone, Ethan turned his attention back to Lila, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and hurt. He took a step toward her, and Lila’s body tensed, every muscle poised to run, though she knew it was futile.

“You’re not leaving,” Ethan said softly, his voice low and menacing. “Not ever.”

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