Chapter 15: Echoes of Lost Freedom

The moon's reflection filtered through the tall windows of the mansion, casting ghostly shadows on the marble floor. Anne sat on the edge of her small bed in the maids' room, hugging her knees to her chest. Outside, life in the mansion continued in its false splendor: the laughter of the guests, the soft music floating in the air, the clinking of crystal glasses toasting to pleasures she would never know.

But inside her, all was in ruins.

The discovery of Lucian's marriage had opened a wound that never closed. How could she have been so naive? Since her arrival at the mansion, she had been swept along by the current of events without question. Lucian had reached out his hand, and she had taken it believing it to be her only salvation. Now she realized that her refuge was just another cage, more luxurious, but just as oppressive.

She closed her eyes and let her mind take her away from there. To Zane.

She could see him clearly, as if he were standing in front of her. His rebellious smile, his gaze that always seemed to defy the world. Zane, who promised her that someday they would see the ocean together.

She remembered the nights under the stars, the laughter stolen among the shadows of the school, the sound of her name on his lips like a melody only they knew. Her Zane. Her only real happiness. Where was he now?

The thought choked her. There was no way of knowing. As far as he was concerned, Ana must be dead. Perhaps he had even forgotten her.

A tear slipped down her cheek. When had she stopped dreaming of escape? When had she accepted her fate without a fight? She had gone from one prison to another, from her father's hands to Lucian's, and in the process, she had forgotten the most important promise she made to herself: to be free.

She hugged herself tighter. She had no way to escape. She didn't know where to go, she had no money, no soul waiting for her outside those walls. The Vasilievs were powerful, and she was just one more among the threads of their web of control.

The night wind blew in through the half-open window, causing the curtains to sway gently. Ana closed her eyes and pretended, for a moment, that it was the wind from the forest where she used to run with Zane. She pretended she still had a chance.

But when Lucian's footsteps echoed down the hallway, the illusion vanished. He was there. He was always there.

And she was still his prisoner.