Your point, exactly?
You didn’t escape. He gave you a free pass.
Those words cut through me like a knife, especially because I was starting to see the sense in that.
You don’t find it suspicious that the front door was left unlocked, that you started the engine and the sound didn’t alert the guards?The voice paused, then continued,Speaking of guards. How many did you spot tonight? That’s right. None.
My expression began darkening by the second.
Even the estate gates weren’t locked. Come on, Celine, put the pieces together!
I hit the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt. Just like that, my joy was cut short—stolen by what seemed like the truth.
But why?
Why would he let me go?
Was he tired of me? Did he do this to get rid of me after taking what he wanted?
And how did he know I was going to attempt an escape tonight? Because I never planned it. I only acted on impulse.
Pissed, I sat in the car, wondering what game Artur was playing. I thought about what to do; should I keep going, or should I turn back toward the mansion?
My scowl deepened. “Fuck it.” I revved the car’s engine and then stepped on the accelerator.
Since he wanted me gone, there was no point staying back. Besides, this was the freedom I’d been craving for the longest time.
I drove on.
One hour later, I was still driving through the dense forest with no sign of civilization in sight. Fatigue started setting in as I traveled from dawn to sunrise, unsure of where I was or where I was headed.
To make matters worse, my tank was running low, so I could run out of gas any moment and be stranded on a lonely road. At this point, I was starting to sweat on my forehead because it was clear I was lost.
Then the worst happened.
I ran out of gas.
“You gotta be shitting me,” I mumbled, slamming the back of my head into the headrest. “Fuck!” I yelled out in frustration.
You should’ve listened to me and just stayed back.
Seething in silence, my grip tightened around the steering wheel, my jaw locked in anger. Confused, I remained in the car with the windows wound down, thinking of my next move.
That’s when it dawned on me why I wasn’t chased; they knew I wasn’t going to escape.
I sat there, waiting for someone to find me and come pick me up. It was clear now that this was the end of the road for my little escape plan. So, I waited.
The sun had risen by now, its golden rays filtering through the trees. My heart skipped a beat when I heard the sound of an approaching vehicle behind. I looked through the rearview and realized it was one of Artur’s black SUVs.
He pulled over by the sidewalk, gravel crunching beneath his tires. The engine died, the driver’s door opened, and he stepped out of the car.
I was right. It was him.
Dressed in his signature black suit, he walked toward my parked vehicle, shoes scuffing against the pavement. I sat there with my arms across my chest, fuming silently.
Artur halted outside my door. “What happened? Are you lost?” The mockery in his tone couldn’t be any more glaring.
“I’m not speaking to you.” I shot a stern glare at him, opened the door, and stepped out.