Chapter 4

There you are, Emily! we've been looking all over for you," she said, her voice laced with a mischievous tone.

Victor's expression turned cautious, and he stood up, his eyes warning me to be careful. "Claire, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Claire's gaze darted between Victor and me, her eyes sparkling with curiosity”.

Oh, nothing much, just that Daniel's getting anxious. He's wondering where his lovely wife has disappeared to.

"Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and I sensed she was up to something.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Claire's sudden interest in my whereabouts.

Claire's smile grew wider, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. 

"Let's just say I have my reasons for wanting to keep an eye on you, Emily. Reasons that might just align with yours."

Victor cleared his throat, excusing himself. "I'll leave you two to chat. Emily, we'll catch-up later."

"Oh, really?" I said, my voice laced with skepticism. "And what reasons might those be, Claire?”

Claire's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Let's just say I have a certain... distaste for Daniel's antics. And I think you might feel the same way.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Claire's boldness. "And what makes you think I am?" I shot back, my voice equally sly.

Claire's smile grew wider. "Let's just say I know a thing or two about playing games with Daniel. And I think we could help each other out.”

“Ummm… you know this would be our little secret”.

"My brother's a greedy bastard," Claire said, her voice low and venomous.

 "We should be allies, not enemies."

I stared at her, disgust and surprise warring on my face. 

"You're willing to betray your own brother?" I spat, my voice laced with incredulity.

Claire's smile never wavered. "When it benefits me, absolutely."

The air was thick with tension as I weighed my options. Could I trust Claire, or was this just another game?

"I'll never stoop to your level," I said, my voice dripping with disgust. "Betraying your own brother? You're unbelievable."

Claire clapped, a slow, mocking applause. "Bravo, Emily. You're as predictable as I thought you'd be.”

"Predictable?" I repeated, my voice rising in anger. 

"At least I'm not a snake in the grass, betraying my own family for personal gain."

Claire's smile faltered, and her eyes flashed with fury. Before I could react, her hand shot out, and she slapped me hard across the face.

"You think you're better than me?" Claire spat, her voice venomous.

 "You have no idea what it's like to be trapped in this world, to have to fight for every scrap of respect and attention."

I held my stinging cheek, my eyes blazing with anger. 

"I'd rather die than become like you," I shot back, my voice cold.

Claire's laughter was like a slap. "You don't have a choice, Emily. You're already in this world, whether you like it or not.”

I turned to walk away, but Claire's voice stopped me. "You go running to Daniel with this, and you'll regret it," she sneered.

I spun around, my eyes flashing with defiance. "Oh, I'll spill everything. Let's see how you like being on the receiving end of his wrath."

Claire's face twisted in rage, and she shoved me hard, sending me crashing to the ground.

Pain shot through my head and ankle as I hit the floor. 

But it was nothing compared to the sting of Claire's betrayal. I felt a lump form in my throat as I struggled to get up, my eyes welling up with tears. Why did it hurt so much?

Claire loomed over me, her eyes cold and unforgiving. "You're not as tough as you think you are, Emily," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

I tried to stand up, but a sharp pain shot through my ankle, making me cry out. 

Before I could even process what was happening, Claire dragged me back inside the room, her grip like a vice. 

She slammed the door shut and locked it, the sound echoing through the room like a prison sentence.

I screamed and pounded on the door, my voice hoarse from shouting.

 "Claire, open the door! Let me out!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face.

"Daniel...does he know...?" I mumbled, my voice shaking with sobs. "Is he looking for me...? Does he know I'm trapped...?"

I cried out again, my voice hoarse from shouting. "Daniel, help me!" I screamed, pounding on the door with my fists.

But my words were lost in the darkness, and my cries went unanswered. The only response was the echo of my own despairing voice.

I limped around the room, searching for a way out, but the windows were barred, and the door was solid. I was trapped.

"Claire, please!" I begged, my voice cracking with desperation. "Don't do this to me!"

But there was only silence. The music and laughter from the party continued to drift through the walls, a mocking reminder that I was alone and helpless.

I collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably, my body wracked with pain and fear. The room seemed to spin around me, and my vision blurred with tears.

Just as I thought I'd lose hope, the door creaked open, and strong arms swept me up. I tried to struggle, but my body felt heavy, and my eyes were too blurry to see my rescuer's face.

He cradled me in his arms, holding me close as he strode out of the room. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, but it was short-lived. My head spun, and my eyelids drooped.

As he laid me on a soft bed in his own room, I felt my consciousness slipping away. The last thing I remembered was the sound of his gentle voice whispering, 

"You're safe now," before I passed out.