Chapter 16 – Escape, Again

Chapter 16 – Escape, Again

The paper in my hands crumpled as I clutched it tightly, my breath uneven.

I wasn’t supposed to exist.

That’s what Alexander said.

That’s what the paper in my trembling fingers seemed to confirm.

The name on it didn’t belong to me—not the name I had been forced to live with, the one my so-called family had given me.

My stomach twisted.

Everything I thought I knew about myself… was a lie.

I looked up at Alexander, my voice raw. “Why are you showing me this?”

His sharp blue eyes didn’t waver. “Because you need to know the truth before it’s too late.”

My pulse pounded. “Too late for what?”

Alexander didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “You’re running out of time, Evelyn. The moment you stepped into my world, there was no turning back.”

I hated the way he said my name.

Like he knew something I didn’t.

Like he owned me.

I felt sick.

I needed to get out of here.

I didn’t care about the truth anymore.

I didn’t care about what this meant.

All I knew was that I couldn’t stay in this room, with him, any longer.

My fingers loosened around the paper, letting it slip to the floor as I took a shaky step back.

Alexander’s gaze darkened. “Don’t.”

I ignored him.

My body moved before my brain could catch up.

I turned and ran.

The Escape

The door wasn’t locked.

That was my first mistake.

Because it meant Alexander wanted me to run.

But I didn’t care.

I bolted down the long hallway, my bare feet slapping against the cold marble floor. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else.

Don’t stop. Don’t think. Just run.

The mansion was a labyrinth of endless doors and dark corridors, but I didn’t hesitate. I had memorized the layout days ago, searching for an escape route in case I ever got the chance.

And now, I had it.

I rounded a corner, my breath ragged.

The grand staircase loomed ahead.

If I could just make it down—

A sharp voice cut through the silence.

“Going somewhere?”

I skidded to a stop.

No. No, no, no—

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

Damien.

Alexander’s right-hand man.

I froze, my chest heaving.

His dark eyes swept over me, his lips curling into something almost amused. “Did you really think it would be that easy?”

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I spun around—

And crashed straight into Alexander.

A scream caught in my throat as he grabbed my arm, yanking me back. His grip was firm, not bruising, but strong enough to remind me that I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Didn’t I warn you, Evelyn?” His voice was calm, almost bored.

I struggled, twisting in his grasp, but it was useless. He didn’t even flinch.

“You never listen,” he murmured, shaking his head. “And now you’ve forced my hand.”

Panic surged through me.

No.

I couldn’t let him win.

I refused to be his prisoner forever.

Summoning every ounce of strength I had left, I lashed out.

I stomped hard on his foot, elbowing him in the ribs at the same time.

It wasn’t much—but it was enough.

His grip loosened just enough for me to rip free.

I didn’t hesitate.

I ran.

Straight for the staircase.

Straight for freedom.

The Fall

I barely made it three steps before something slammed into me from behind.

The force sent me flying.

My foot missed a step.

And suddenly, I was falling.

The world tilted.

Pain exploded through me as I tumbled down the stairs, my body hitting the hard marble over and over again.

The breath was knocked from my lungs.

And then—

Darkness.

The Aftermath

When I came to, everything hurt.

My head pounded, my limbs throbbed, and my vision was a blur.

I groaned, trying to move—only to realize I couldn’t.

Something cool pressed against my forehead. A hand.

A voice followed, deep and sharp.

“You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck.”

My heart stopped.

Alexander.

I forced my heavy eyelids open.

He was sitting beside the bed, his expression unreadable.

I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my ribs, stealing my breath.

“Don’t,” he ordered. “You cracked a rib. Possibly more.”

I swallowed hard, my throat dry.

I was back in my room.

Back in his world.

The escape had failed.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

Alexander sighed, rubbing his temples. “Do you understand now, Evelyn?”

I stared at him, my body trembling.

“Understand what?” I choked out.

His eyes darkened.

“That you can’t leave.”

A cold shiver ran through me.

I clenched the sheets beneath me, my breath shaky.

I had tried everything.

I had fought. I had run.

And I had lost.

I was trapped.

And I had no idea how I was going to survive.

-----

A Cage with No Way Out

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind spinning. The pain in my ribs was sharp, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

I had failed.

Again.

No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I planned, Alexander was always one step ahead. It was like he knew every move I would make before I even made it.

My fingers curled into the blanket.

How long was I supposed to live like this?

Trapped. Helpless.

Alexander's voice echoed in my head.

"You can't leave."

The worst part was… I was starting to believe him.

A soft knock on the door made me tense.

I turned my head just as the door creaked open.

It wasn’t Alexander.

It was Anna.

She stepped inside cautiously, her usual confident expression replaced with something hesitant. Almost… guilty.

I narrowed my eyes.

“What do you want?” My voice was hoarse.

Anna sighed, setting down a tray of food on the bedside table. “You need to eat.”

I scoffed, turning my head away. “I’m not hungry.”

"You always say that," she muttered, sitting down on the edge of the bed.

Silence stretched between us.

Anna had been working for Alexander for as long as I could remember. I never knew how much she actually cared about me—or if she was just following orders.

But tonight, she looked… conflicted.

“You tried to run again.” It wasn’t a question.

I let out a dry laugh. “Obviously.”

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “You should stop trying.”

I snapped my head toward her, glaring. “Excuse me?”

Anna met my gaze, her expression unreadable. “You keep hurting yourself. He’s never going to let you go, Evelyn.”

My stomach twisted. “So what? I’m supposed to just accept this? Let him control my life forever?”

Her jaw tightened. “I didn’t say that.”

“Then what are you saying?” My voice cracked.

Anna looked away. “I’m saying… pick your battles.”

My hands trembled. I didn’t know what hurt more—the fact that she was right, or the fact that a part of me had already given up.

Alexander wasn’t just some captor I could outsmart.

He was something else entirely.

And I was starting to realize I had no idea who I was really dealing with.

The Monster Behind the Mask

Anna left after making me drink some water, and I lay there in silence, my mind racing.

Alexander had given me just enough freedom to think I had a chance. But he was always watching. Always waiting.

My eyes burned with frustration.

I wanted to hate him.

I did hate him.

But I couldn’t deny that part of me was afraid of him, too.

Not because he hurt me.

But because he hadn’t.

He could have let me break my neck falling down those stairs. He could have punished me in ways worse than I could imagine.

But he didn’t.

And that terrified me.

Because it meant he had a reason to keep me alive.

I just didn’t know what it was.

And I was running out of time to find out.

Midnight Shadows

Sleep didn’t come easily.

I kept tossing and turning, wincing at the dull pain in my ribs. My mind refused to shut off.

Then, just as I was drifting into unconsciousness—

I felt it.

A presence.

My heart stopped.

I wasn’t alone.

My breath caught in my throat as I turned my head toward the shadows near the door.

And there he was.

Alexander.

Standing in the dark, watching me.

My pulse pounded. “How long have you been there?”

He didn’t answer.

I swallowed hard, gripping the blanket tighter. “Are you here to gloat?”

Still, silence.

Then—

“I told you not to run.”

His voice was quiet. Almost… tired.

I shivered. “And I told you I’ll never stop trying.”

A slow exhale.

He took a step closer, his figure illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the window. His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes cold.

I braced myself for anger. For punishment.

But it never came.

Instead, he just stood there, watching me.

Like he was waiting for me to say something.

Like he was waiting for me to break.

I lifted my chin, refusing to look away.

“I hate you.”

The words felt like acid on my tongue.

Alexander didn’t flinch.

He simply tilted his head, studying me.

Then—

“Good.”

And just like that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.

Leaving me with nothing but my own shattered thoughts.

To Be Continued…

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