CHAPTER 19

She was busy making her escape plans when she heard the door open, and for a split second she was perplexed. She didn't see anyone enter, but she could tell there was another person in the room. What in the world was going on? Was there a joke or a ghost in the damn room?

"Show yourself!" she muttered, unable to summon the courage to say it aloud. What if the cops arrived and found nothing? She didn't want to end up in a mental institution for seeing things that others couldn't.

While she was shivering in terror, the door opened again, and she saw a familiar face. It was the detective who had been paying her visits to get her statements.

"You don't look well today; perhaps I can share some good news with you and cheer you up," the man said as he sat in the chair.

"Is it even possible for me to receive good news in this state?"

"Of course, there is," he said as he handed her a note.

Diana took the note and began reading it. Her heart sank as if someone were pulling a big prank on her.

"What exactly does this mean?" She inquired of the detective.

'That doesn't need any explanation?"

"Are you also working for her?"

"What if I'm not, and what if I am? Are you going to do it?"

"If it means that I will live, I will do it. Please give it to me!" She nodded her head. She couldn't believe what Aurelia was doing to her. How could she torture her like this, every day?

The detective took a small box from his pocket and opened it. He took a small white pill from his pocket and handed it to her.

"I should warn you that if you do not take it, you will find yourself in front of juries and harsh judges who will make your life miserable and end up in prison. Of course, on the inside, you'll suffer so much more that you won't be able to commit suicide," the detective warned her, practically threatening her.

"All I have to do is swallow it and I'll be unconscious. What more could I want? It's better than having to go to my first trial. Can I get it after I sign my divorce papers?" she asked.

"Of course, but don't make her wait. I'm not sure what else she'll do, and you probably don't want to find out. Tell me when you're ready, and don't try to play games," the detective said as he rose to his feet.

"I'm not going to play such games with my life. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"All right, then. I'll take my leave," the detective said as he walked away.

She wanted to bite her tongue and die, but she couldn't. There was no way she was going to die and let the people who had sent her here get away with it.

She reread the note and wanted to strangle Aurelia to death.

"If you want to live, do it without hesitation."

What kind of monster had she unleashed? How powerful was she to play with other people's lives as if they weren't important? She'd learned her lesson, and she'd never look down on anyone again. She was never going to believe those angelic faces because those people were devils at heart.

She could only deal with one devil at a time. She planned to wait for her father to bring the divorce papers so she could get this over with. If she was going to live after taking the damn pill, she had no choice but to eat it, even if the consequences were unknown to her.

Life was cruel, but who could she blame? She was the one who had brought this on herself. She would not be in this situation if she had not lusted after someone who was not hers at the time.

***

Lia smiled as she opened her eyes; it had been another hectic day. She stretched her arms, and the tension in her body dissipated. She motioned for Julius to enter by looking behind the curtain.

Julius entered, holding her robe, and stood up from the square bath tub in which she was meditating. She emerged from the tub looking like a goddess in a white bikini. Julius assisted her in putting on the robe, and she wiped her face with a towel she retrieved from the stool.

"The food is ready, and I have some news about our captives," Julius said, and she smiled.

"That's what I want to hear," she said as she returned to her house.

Her bath tub was built outside in the gazebo she had built for resting, but it was ideal for the new purpose. She loved being on the island because she felt at peace and at home. It's as if she was meant to be here from the start.

She took a seat at the table where a variety of dishes were being served. She'd been eating like a giant since she started this meditation thing. She had to expend a lot of energy in order to become strong. She didn't care what she became as long as she finished the job and was two steps ahead of it.

She smiled as she looked at her reflection in the table. She was glowing and flawless. The medications had a significant impact on her, but something had changed, and it was her eyes. For a split second, she saw the eyes turn crimson red, and it was stunning. She had goosebumps all over her body the last time she read something like that.

If you asked her what she thought about it now, she would say it didn't matter. She was now a part of it, and there was no turning back.

She cut the steak with her sharp knife and popped it into her mouth. It was as delicious as it always is. This chef knew how to cook, and she was determined to keep this woman and never let her go.

The nurse entered the dining room, where she was eating her lunch. She gave the young lady a friendly smile. She fell in love with her the moment she saw how shy she was. She was aware that she was being bullied. How could they belittle such a gentle soul?

So, when she asked for a nurse to look after her while she recovered, she suggested bringing her along. She wanted the girl to work for her because she thought she'd make a good soldier. She required a large number of people from various professions, the more the merrier.

"How are you doing this afternoon, Mrs. King?" the young girl asked, smiling. She had warned her numerous times not to be formal, but she never learned.

"I think I feel great," she said, smiling at her again.

"Shall we double-check that?"

The young nurse performed her examinations while eating because that was the only time, she would be free, and after a few minutes of checking, the young nurse put her gadgets away.

"You're doing well, and I'll be honest with you. You don't appear sick at all, but I'll keep checking on you," she said.

"Are you familiar with the drill?"

"I do, indeed. I'll jot down something that isn't here," she said, smiling.

"That's my girl. You'll make an excellent nurse, if not something even better. Have you given it any thought?" She inquired of the young lady.

"Give me two days and I will give you a firm answer," she said.

"All right, then. We can forget about it once the deadline has passed. I'd like to work with someone who is confident in himself or herself. Remember, I approached you because I believe you are worthy," she said as she stood up.

Something had been stirred in her, and it wasn't good. She needed to get out of here and find a place where she could breathe and relax.

"Are you all right?"

"I will be once I hear the news about the captives," she said, closing her eyes.

Julius wasted no time in leading her to her study. She sat in that comfortable chair, watching the live broadcast of the spies who had been following her for years.

She smiled as she considered how she would dispose of them.

"What did you discover?" she queried as she observed the children torturing the spies.

"The oldest is suspicious about the loaning business and has sent people to investigate," Julius said, frowning. How dare he meddle with her primary source of income?

"Is there anything else?"

"There is someone who knows the truth about the issue from three years ago, and that person is currently in a mental institution," Julius explained, and she smiled.

"This is starting to get interesting. This person, whoever he or she is, should meet with me. Get it ready as soon as possible," she advised.

"I already had someone handle it."

"That's why I like you Julius; since you've given me such good news, I have yours as well," she said as she looked at him.

"What could it be?"

"Your kids genuinely love you. They are eager to meet you," she explained.

"Is that true?"