32. Chapter 32
The diamond chandelier glints coldly as Gerald strides through the cavernous foyer, his polished Oxfords clicking sharply on the marble floor. I freeze as his icy gaze fixes on me. Oh god, what have I done now to enrage the beast?
”Care to explain this?” His voice is lethally soft as he holds up the business card between two fingers.
My heart stutters. Morello”s card. How could I have been so careless?
”Oh, that?”
I force an airy laugh as my mind scrambles to come up with a plausible, acceptable reason I would have this in my possession.
”Yara probably picked it up at the immigration office. You know how kids are, collecting little souvenirs everywhere they go.”
Gerald”s eyes narrow, but his smile remains, like a snake baring its fangs. He steps closer, backing me against the paneled wall. The scent of his spicy cologne overwhelms me.
”Don”t take me for a fool, Alina,” he murmurs, his breath hot on my cheek. ”You”ve been making some very interesting...connections.”
I meet his gaze evenly, refusing to show weakness. ”I don”t know what you mean.”
His hand shoots out, gripping my jaw. ”It would be a shame if you lost your place here.”
I wrench away, heart hammering. He wants to control me, but I won”t break.
Gerald”s smile widened. ”Changes are coming, Alina. I expect your full cooperation. Yara”s livelihood is counting on it.”
There is no warmth in those once-kind eyes. Only threats and dark promises.
Alone in our room, I gather Yara in my arms, holding her tight as fear and determination war within me.
”We won”t let him win,” I whisper, stroking her hair.
I will keep her safe, whatever it takes.
Yara clings to me, her body trembling. My brave girl. Gerald has no idea of the strength in this small heart.
”I”m scared, Mama.” Her voice is muffled against my shoulder.
”I know, my love. But we”re together.”
I kiss the top of her head.
”Remember what Agent Morello said? There are good people who want to help us.”
At the mention of Morello, Yara looks up, her eyes shining with fragile hope.
My own hopes rest on him now too. His card, though it raised Gerald”s suspicions, reminds me we aren”t alone.
As the mansion settled into uneasy sleep, I lay awake plotting our escape.
The risks are greater than ever, but so is my determination. I will outmaneuver Gerald.
Moonlight filters through the curtains as I gaze at Yara”s sleeping form. My brave, beautiful girl. I will set her free. For real this time.
”Whatever it takes,” I whisper. As long as we”re together, there is hope.
Yara”s breath slows to the steady rhythm of sleep. I gently brush a stray curl from her face, my heart swelling with love and fear. She looks so small and vulnerable in the massive four-poster bed.
I have to be strong for her. Strong enough to defy Gerald and escape this gilded prison.
Quietly, I creep to the window and peer out at the moonlit grounds below. The mansion is eerily still, the only movement the swaying of trees in the night breeze.
Somewhere out there, Morello waits. I cling to the belief that he can help us get away safely.
But I can”t rely solely on him. When the opening comes, I have to be ready.
My mind races, calculating risks, plotting diversions. Gerald”s men are everywhere, vigilant. Slipping away unnoticed will take luck and nerve.
I glance back at Yara, looking so tiny amid the brocade pillows. My heart constricts. No risk is too great to protect my child.
”Sleep well, little one,” I murmur. ”This will all be over soon.”
I will not let Gerald extinguish the light in those bright eyes. The love swelling in my heart hardens into steely resolve. We will be free.