CHAPTER NINE: THE BETRAYAL UNMASKED

I knew I didn't have much time.

Elena was getting bolder. Leon was keeping me drugged. And if I didn't act soon, I might never get the chance.

I needed to escape.

But I had to be smart.

That night, I stayed awake, waiting until Leon left our bedroom. He had been disappearing more often lately, always leaving after he thought I was asleep.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I got to work.

I grabbed a bag and stuffed it with essentials—clothes, money, anything I could find. My hands trembled as I tiptoed toward the window. If I could just make it outside, I could run, hide, find help.

I reached for the latch—

"Going somewhere?"

I froze.

The voice was smooth, amused.

Slowly, I turned.

Elena stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, her lips curled into a smirk.

My blood turned to ice.

"Tsk, tsk. Trying to leave already? But we were just starting to have fun."

She took a step forward, and my heart pounded against my ribs.

I had been caught.

And now, I had no idea what she was going to do to me.

Elena's smirk widened as she stepped closer.

"You really thought you could leave?" she whispered, tilting her head. "That's adorable."

Before I could react, the door swung open.

Leon stood there, his face unreadable. Behind him, his parents and sister loomed, their eyes dark with something I couldn't quite place.

Cold fear settled in my bones.

"What's going on?" I choked out.

Leon sighed, shaking his head. "You disappoint me, my love. After everything we've done to keep you safe."

"Safe?" My voice cracked. "You've been drugging me, lying to me! Who is she?!" I pointed at Elena, my hands shaking.

Elena chuckled, stepping closer to Leon, sliding her arm around his. "Oh, darling," she purred. "I'm his wife. The real one."

My stomach dropped.

"No," I whispered. "No, that's not true."

Leon sighed dramatically. "It's time you knew the truth."

He glanced at his father, who nodded before stepping forward.

"We created a perfect illusion for you," his father explained. "You see, Elena was supposed to stay hidden. But then, you came along. You were so...useful. And we couldn't let you go just yet."

I shook my head, backing away.

"Useful? For what?"

Elena grinned. "A scapegoat, my dear. The perfect, innocent little wife who will take the fall for everything."

My breath hitched. "Take the fall for what?"

Leon's eyes darkened. "The murders, of course. The serial killings across town? They all point to you now, my love. And soon, the police will come looking."

The room spun.

"You... you set me up," I whispered.

Elena clapped her hands mockingly. "And you finally figured it out."

Tears burned my eyes as I looked at Leon—the man I had loved, the man who had held me in his arms and whispered promises.

"Why?" I breathed.

He smirked, his fingers brushing Elena's. "Because I never loved you. I only needed you."

A sob escaped my throat.

I was trapped.

And now, I knew the truth.

They never planned to let me go.

I couldn't breathe.

My heart pounded as their laughter echoed in my ears.

Leon's smirk. Elena's mocking gaze. His family watching like I was nothing more than entertainment.

I refused to let them win.

With every ounce of strength, I bolted toward the door.

I barely made it two steps before hands grabbed me—strong, merciless.

"Where do you think you're going?" Elena sneered.

Leon's fist slammed into my stomach. Pain exploded inside me. I gasped, my knees buckling, but I refused to fall.

Then another hit.

And another.

I collapsed, coughing, choking on the agony.

Tears blurred my vision as they dragged me across the cold floor. My wrists burned as they tied me up, my body aching from the blows.

"You just don't learn, do you?" Leon whispered, crouching beside me. His voice was soft, almost tender.

I shuddered.

His fingers brushed my cheek, wiping a tear away. "You could've had a beautiful life. But now… now you'll rot in this room until we decide what to do with you."

They shoved me inside a dark, windowless room. The door slammed shut. A lock clicked.

Silence.

I curled up, my body throbbing with pain.

I had been betrayed. Beaten. Trapped.

Tears streamed down my face as I thought of everything—Maria's warnings, Brown's death, the lies, the deception.

I had no one.

No one… except one name that slipped from my lips in a broken whisper.

"Chris..."

I never thought I'd want him back.

But now, in this darkness, he was the only person I had left to hold on to.