I won’t let anyone exploit me anymore.

In the farmhouse…

Lara watched helplessly as Silas snatched the phone from her grasp and snapped it off instantly. "Can I make a call to Bruno? He must be worried about me," she pleaded, her voice thick with hurt.

But Silas remained firm. "You can't talk to him," he asserted. "The fewer people know about our plan, the better."

Lara's defiance flickered briefly. "I won't tell him anything," she insisted. "Just a call. A moment."

Silas's response was harsh, reminding her of the precarious position they were in. "Don't forget you will put him in danger if you entangle with him." His gaze held hers, unwavering. "Do as I say."

Tears brimmed in Lara's eyes. "How long? How long are you going to keep me here?" she choked out, a mix of hurt and defiance in her voice.