A Decade of Confinement

"Who are you?"

The mere three words from Kevin Hemsworth made my whole body tremble uncontrollably.

Six months ago, after he fell from a horse and lost his memory, he asked me the same question.

Back then, I gathered my courage and told him I was only a maid. That very night, I booked flights and fled with my family to a remote island no one knew about.

But the moment I opened the courtyard gate, I was met with his cold blue eyes.

"Anna, it's been ten whole years, and you still haven't learned your lesson."

He was smiling, but the look in his eyes sent chills down my spine.

I instantly understood that he only pretended to have amnesia. It was to test if I had learned to behave.

His consigliere, George, broke my dad's leg right in front of me.

"That's just a small punishment. Next time, it won't be a leg. It'll be his head."

This time, facing the same question, I didn't dare lie. I didn't dare scheme.

My dad, Frank Keller, was old. His leg hadn't even healed from what happened six months ago.

I stared into Kevin's cold eyes.

"I'm your–

"Mistress."

He had never given me any real title.

Kevin scoffed. "You?"

Disgust flickered in his eyes as he looked me up and down and took in my ruined figure.

"You look more like a nun from a church. Why would I ever make you my mistress?"

Right after he finished speaking, Laura Powell's eyes lit up. She stood in front of him and shoved me aside.

"You scheming woman! Just because you look a little like me, you barged into Kevin's life and became his personal maid. I never expected you to try to seduce him while he's injured!"

I was pushed to the ground. I landed hard on my tailbone, and I winced from the pain.

Kevin frowned and stared coldly at me.

"Personal maid?"

I looked at him in shock. I was unsure if he had truly lost his memory.

If I played along with what Laura said and admitted I was just a maid, maybe I could finally escape.

My heart pounded wildly. My whole body trembled with excitement.

But in Kevin's eyes, it looked like guilt.

Seeing that all affection had vanished from his gaze, Laura immediately called for the guards.

"How dare a maid act so boldly? Drag her away!"

I looked up at Kevin in disbelief. Memories of all the people he had ordered dragged away before flashed through my mind.

They either died or were crippled.

If I died, what would happen to my parents?

I clenched my fists tightly and looked at him with determination.

"Kevin, I'll say this one last time. You begged and forced me to come back with you! If you let her keep hurting me, you'll regret it!"

Kevin stared at me suspiciously.

Suddenly, fragments of unfamiliar memories flashed through his mind.

Laura's heart pounded. She was afraid he might remember the past between us.

"Kevin, what's wrong? Just endure it. I'll have the family doctor give you something to help you sleep. You'll feel better after resting.

"What are the rest of you waiting for? Drag this wretch away!"

Laura turned around and pointed at me. The guards hesitated. Laura prepared to push me out herself.

Kevin held his forehead with one hand. He then slowly raised the other and pointed at me.

"You! I remember you!"