CHAPTER 5: The repeat of history

BELLATRIX...

I raced away from the villa, but soon felt lost. I didn’t know where to run. I didn’t want to go back to the countryside; life there was horrible. But living with my family meant willingly throwing myself into a pool of boiling lava. Either way, I would be sacrificed.

Tears burned at the thought of the monster I nearly got engaged to. I was nothing but property to him.

No, I wouldn’t go back to that hell. I wouldn’t let them take me. So I just kept running.

A pink flash of lightening lit up the night sky, tearing the heart out of it. Droplets of water touched my bare skin, a warning of heavy rain. I still had no idea where to go. Only moments later, rain poured and soon drenched me. My tears dissolved in the water, and I prayed for a little help along the way.

As I took a turn, a black car appeared out of the rain-drenched darkness. It stopped in front of me, so close that I stumbled backward, my heart hammering.

The window slid down, revealing chauffeur Smith’s face, one of the most family’s most loyal workers. At least, that’s what I had heard. He was in his early thirties and good looking with blond hair. He looked at me with concern in his eyes. “Young miss, do you need any help?”

I eyed him with suspicion. For my family, Florence always came first. It was the same for those who worked for them. No exception with Smith, either. He was always biased toward the second young miss. Sometimes it felt like he was somewhat bothered, having to call me the first young miss.

Still, I was drenched and running aimlessly. So, although suspicious about his sudden kindness, I hastily entered the car. “Yes, thank you, Smith,” I said. “Please, drive me to the nearest bus stop.” I rubbed my wet arms, trying to spread some warmth through my chilled body.

Surprisingly, Smith didn’t ask any questions, though he peered at me through the rearview mirror. “There’s a fresh towel in the back. Please dry yourself, miss.”

“Uh, thanks, Smith.” I reached to grab the towel. Once I turned, I caught a faint glimpse of a black car behind us. My chest shuddered violently. I strained to see. The car didn’t belong to Niel or my family. It felt like a mountain lifted off my chest.

I sighed in relief, then wrapped the towel around my shoulders and leaned against the seat. Rain battered the windshield, making it difficult to see. It made me glad Smith had found me. All I needed now was to reach the station and then get far away.

The car’s clock said 8:30. However, it seemed like midnight already. The sky was so dark and rain so heavy, the streets were bare, everyone snuggled up at home.

Home. That one word was enough to trouble my heart. I envied people who had a home to return to.

Sigh…

Droplets of water glided over the car’s glass smoothly, as my mind drifted back to Neil’s mysterious brother. How could it be possible that he had a brother, and I never knew? I had clearly heard him say, “Get out of my way, brother.” So there was no doubt. I just didn’t understand it.

I was aware of his sister Natasha, a young woman the same age as Neil, who naturally got along well with Florence. But I knew of no other siblings, and the Ryder and Valdez families had been long-time friends and business associates. In Neil, I had met the only heir of the Ryders. Or so I had thought. So who is this “brother?”

An abrupt jerk interrupted my thoughts. “What happened?” I asked Smith, my brow furrowing in confusion.

“Not sure, miss. Let me check.”

I sat anxiously as Smith got out to check the car.

A few minutes later, he returned. “It seems whatever is wrong is beyond my capabilities, miss. Please, wait here, and don’t go anywhere. I have to go get help.”

“Please, come back quickly,” I said, my heart twisting with worry.

“I will.” Smith assured me and left.

---

I sat, peering out the window, hoping Smith would return soon. The rain petered to a stop, and I checked the time. Only ten minutes had passed since Smith left, but it felt like an eternity. It felt so suffocating inside that cramped vehicle, too. I got out and peered down the narrow, dark road. There was no trace of life, and the area didn’t look familiar. I knew the route to the bus stop, and this road wasn’t on the way.

Where did he bring me?

I swallowed hard. Panic slowly writhed through me. I stumbled, my wounded arm hitting the car door. Blinding pain rushed through my veins. I pulled the door open and dragged myself toward the driver's seat, searching for anything that would help me contact Smith. I didn’t know what I was searching for, but fear had taken over, and I could barely even see straight.

“Smith,” I called, “where are you?” Tears burned my eyes. I didn’t want to be there alone; the solitude scared me.

I swallowed hard, telling myself to breathe. You’ve got this. I bit my trembling lips, taking another shuddering breath. Finally, I worked up the courage to follow Smith. But as I turned, a menacing honk almost deafened me. I yelped and jumped back into the car’s grill.

A dark sedan skidded to a stop in front of me, its headlights blinding me. I put my hands up to block the light, then hear two car doors open. I strained to see who emerged. Then everything happened so fast. Three masked men raced toward me and grabbed me.

“No!” I shouted, using all my might to fend them off. “Let me go!” An agonizing scream left me, and my heart beat violently as I struggled to free myself. “L—let me go!”

“Shut up, Valdez!”

My head snapped in the direction of the voice, trying to see who he was. If he knew my name, I might know him. But his masks covered nearly everything except his eyes and lips, so I couldn’t tell.

A different man roughly pushed a piece of cloth in my mouth, choking me. My head started pounding, and tears streamed down my cheeks. Flashes of blurred memories glared before my eyes, haunting me: blood... jokers... screams... darkness. I cried out in cruel anguish. No! Not again! God, please don’t let me be kidnapped again.