Keeping Her Locked Down

DAVINA

I reached the manicured lawn, lining the walkway, carefully put together by the Miles, a show of their wealth. The cold air hit and I shivered, the pain hitting me as well.

Tears started to fall again, but I wiped them off, determined to get out already. I worked so hard to have something of my own, to be accepted by family. Always seeking approval.

But were they family?

I laughed, as I staggered, carefully walking so I wouldn't walk on my cuts. The answer to that was sharp, reminding me that I had done well. I did well by throwing everything away. They constantly pushed me into paying them for taking me in ten years ago.

Maybe I was the sacrificial lamb for their daughter. A clear reminder for Adeline not to be as pathetic as me.

But then practiced footsteps echoed behind me.

“Sister…” Adeline called out, a word I now detested. It held no weight.

“What do you want?” I barked, snapping to look at her.

“Are you angry?” She held her belly, her brows downturned. Eyes misty. “My offer still stands. I am worried since you have no one out there. I can’t watch you suffer while we can work together–”

“You mean work together by becoming you and Semion’s personal slave?”

“No–”

“Cut this crap, Adeline!” I snapped. “You don’t care about me as you portray. If you did, you wouldn't warm his bed the moment he got healed.”

“You watched me labor day and night, only to swoop in and take the fruits. Aren't you too wicked? You are an evil witch carefully hidden away under that innocent mask of yours.”

“A mask I believed for years.” I sighed, heavily at my ignorance.

But even with my stinging words, Adeline didn't break, still maintaining the perfect stance, “Please, forgive me. If you stay a little while, I can explain what happened.”

“Explain what?”

“How you gave me marriage advice, telling me to be the good woman by being subtle. Yet, you were spreading your legs, definitely screaming like a banshee while he fucked you.” I pointed my fingers at her as if to drill those words into her head.

But Adeline looked even more upset, her tears threatening to fall, “Aren’t you being too harsh, sister?”

“You know two people bound by fate cannot be torn apart. You have always believed in fate and destiny. It brought Semion and me together, something that should have happened and we love each other.”

“Love?” I uttered, in disgust as if that word was distant. I had never felt it after all. “Love, you say? Or your manipulation.”

“What?”

“Yes, you manipulated Semion into loving you. Did you forget how you detested him when he was sick? Did you forget how you manipulated our parents into making me the bride?”

“The Miles family wanted you instead but Semion disgusted you so much, you pushed me to him. Yet, I thought it was for the best. All of a sudden, you love him.”

“But that is all in the past, Davina…” Adeline cried, perfectly portraying the misunderstood one. “We are now in the present. Let’s move on with our lives and not cause any pain to each other, huh?”

“You don’t get it, do you?” I sighed, clearly distressed. “You ruined everything. While I was in pain, you and Stefan told me there was nothing wrong, you told me to take care of my husband and even made me run errands for you. Yet, I was rotting away inside.”

“Don’t be delusional, Davina. Who would have thought your pain would result in your damaged womb? After all, such cases are rare in women.” She stepped closer, her expression very concerning.

“You know you are my only sister, I can’t let you be seen as one far away from reality.”

She reached out to me, I eyed her hand and in the next second, I slapped it away.

Adeline was never going to learn — rather she was never going to admit she was at fault. Years of me taking the blame for her. Taking her place, when it wasn't suitable. She couldn't get into the role of the faulty one.

She was already trying to paint me crazy, something they would believe right off the bat if she said it.

I needed to leave…

“Thank you, Adeline,” I whispered, a resolve shining in my eyes.

“For letting me see that I have been stupid. For letting me know that I would never be worthy in your eyes or the eyes of our parents.”

“I have paid for the “love” they provided over the years. You can take it all since you are their real daughter.”

“Davina, wait–”

I turned around sharply, closing off my ears to her cries. But I could feel her burning gaze on the back of my neck. Why wouldn't she just let me be? She took what she wanted already, I had nothing left to give.

Minutes later, I finally got out of the Miles mansion. The streets of the high-end estate were deserted, with everyone locked in the comfort of their loved ones.

Yet, here I was, silently maneuvering my way out. Walking on heels I couldn't handle, hoping my wounds wouldn't fester.

I got a cab, taking me straight to the mini apartment I had on the outskirts of Staten Island, so I could crash the night. After years of saving and scrumping, I bought a small lot, a place my family didn't know about because their betrayal came so suddenly.

Now, it was about to become my sanctuary. I reached the parking lot, thanking the heavens I didn't sign the papers for the lease a week ago.

“Going somewhere, miss?” I heard a catcall, an obvious disrespect I never thought would happen in such a place.

I ignored him, moving faster but my shoes impaired me. I bent down to take them off when I got a hit from behind.

Pak!

My butt cheeks throbbed in pain, the impact making me stumble forward. I fell flat on my face, bruising my forehead.

“How dare you!” I struggled to sit up, absorbing the pain. “Who the fuck are you–”

I froze, realizing it wasn't just one person. Not two but three men, standing over me like towers. Alarm bells rang in my head, knowing I was in danger.

I felt around, looking for a weapon, at least a pin I could use to defend myself but none. However, my shoe came in handy, so I clutched it.

“Come with us and we will make this fast. Our employer would like feedback from us soon.”

Employer? Adeline, she sent them. Again, she was never letting me go. How did she know where I was?!

“Tell your employer to go hell!” I screamed, dragging my butt on the floor.

“Die!!!” I shot up sharply and swung the pointed end of my shoe, straight at one of them.

Even though I missed, it was enough to distract them. So, I sprinted down the rows of cars. I was fast and a considerable distance away from them, close to the elevator. My heart swirled, thinking I had lost them. But then…bang!

My body flung to the side, banging against a car window, I rolled a few meters before finally coming to a stop. I groaned, feeling a warm liquid flowing down my head.

The three men, approached me, feeling like incoming doom.

“Get away…please…”

“Not anytime soon.” They grabbed my legs and started to drag me, closer to their car parked at the end of the lot. “We just need one of your legs, that’s all. Then you won’t be able to run anymore…”

No…This was an attempt to keep me locked in place. Adeline couldn't do it mentally anymore, she wanted to do it physically.

She had already succeeded. I tasted my own blood. I was weak, I couldn't fight back.

“But first, let’s keep you in line…” The evil grin that was plastered on the men’s faces was the last thing I saw before I felt a blunt force on the side of my head.

“Ahhh…hmm…” My cries were muffled when they forced a thick cloth into my mouth. I was slowly slipping away, losing control of the situation. But no, I couldn't just go down. I wiggled my legs and struggled to stay awake, so they could delay. So, someone could come–

“That’s enough!”

A cold voice caused them to freeze, one that echoed continuously in the silent parking lot. They let me go, my legs falling back to the floor.

“Who is that?”

Multiple steps resounded, by now, I could only hear and feel things. My eyes were half-closed, almost dead.

“Boss Nathan!” They gasped, fear and reverence evident in their voices, a stark contrast to the evil that reeked out of them.

“Let her go.” The same commanding voice came again, one that caused me to turn, wanting to see who it was. But I couldn't, my muscles didn't even cooperate.

To my surprise, the men quickly stepped away from me.

“We are sorry, boss. We didn't know she was acquainted with you.”

“Ignorance doesn't absolve you of your crime. Report yourself to your appropriate head.” His words were sharp as knives, dismissing them.

Receding footsteps echoed, the men scurrying around and leaving in their car. I was left with this unknown man. Hushed words made me realize he had a companion.

Were they sent by Adeline too? Powerful forces here to finish me up? But what did I do?

“Take her in.”

My body moved, not voluntarily but because strong hands wrapped around me. I was pulled into a car and as the door closed, my consciousness snapped.