Chapter 6

Lenka's POV

I stared at the woman. She looked confident, waiting for me to answer positively, but I had other interests.

She did manage to guess my wishes. She was not blind in this situation.

I exhaled as I stood and walked to get a pen and a torn-looking book. I patted the book. The paper was already wrinkled, and one side was almost split.

What I was doing seemed to annoy Ava, especially because I seemed to be ignoring her words.

I could hear her chattering but didn't look at her, choosing to write first.

[Why do you want to help me, Ms. Ava? It's so sudden.]

I realized that we had never been close to each other. In fact, the woman's attitude was closer to hating me than liking me.

I wasn't much different, either.

Michael was always by her side. Their mafia family was supportive and would become even more significant.

She was considered perfect, while I was just an incomplete woman.

I felt uncomfortable and sick.

Her shoe marks were still visible on my scarf, as was the pain in my body if I moved wrong.

She did various unpleasant things to me but then said she wanted to help me.

I don't quite understand, but everything feels like a bush rubbing against my skin. It hurts...

Like now.

Ava sat back with a haughty attitude, with the servant still standing by her side, watching me as I returned to my seat.

"Isn't it obvious? I don't want to see you here."

The woman snorted loudly, but her eyes were sharp. "You're just a burden. Useless. I don't want you here, trash should be grouped with trash immediately."

My hands clenched tightly at her words. Pain...

"You are completely useless to defend."

I held the book and pen tightly, feeling a stab in my chest.

Her voice pierced, and her words had a direct effect on me. I was hurt again just because of the disability I have.

Because I couldn't talk, they told me to speak as a joke. Over and over again, I forced myself to; I couldn't make a sound.

I didn't want it anymore, either.

During my two years of marriage to Michael, I did not receive any treatment as a hostess.

I was only here in the room or in places where not many people could see me, with a lot of ridicule that I could hear, either in front of my eyes or in passing.

Like a display that just happened to be able to breathe and move.

Unique but not functional.

I sighed again, not wanting to lose the calm I had maintained since earlier.

Ava stared at me coldly, speaking again. "I will help you get out of here. Don't you want to be free?"

Of course, I want it.

I had already asked Michael for my departure from this house, but the man threatened me. Now, the woman is making the opposite statement.

I feel doubtful.

My request to Michael did not only happen once. This pain was enough. Our relationship was beyond saving.

I was not allowed to step outside the house at all. Not even once.

I had been trapped in this house since I married that man and was always under his supervision.

My life is not much different from that of animals in a zoo, but alone, not with anyone.

"Just accept my offer." Ava clapped her hands impatiently.

I looked at her, seeing her fold her arms across her chest, her irritated gaze directed at me.

"I will not be kind enough to help you again. This is your first and last chance, which I am giving you specifically."

She stared at me. "You should be grateful."

I relaxed my grip on my pen and book, staring at her, who was also looking at me, then rolled her eyes.

She looked like she wanted to stand up. I immediately reached for the woman's hand, but she brushed it away quickly.

Her face looked wrinkled, displeased. "Don't ever touch me. You're disgusting."

I swallowed and picked up my writing equipment.

Even though I'm unsure, I can't pass up any opportunity. Even if it comes from Ava.

She certainly has the freedom that I don't have and the power that is almost equal to that of the man in this house.

I know that very well.

My hand went up to show my writing.

[Okay. I will accept your offer, Miss Ava.]

[So, how can I escape from here?]

I looked at Ava. She didn't give me an answer.

The woman just smiled thinly and was full of hidden intentions in front of me.

And that was it.

A few days passed quickly, and in the evening, which felt different from a typical day, I held a ticket.

The date indicated showed my exact departure time for the next day.

My freedom and departure from this house and that man were within sight.

I wasn't expecting anything. Primarily when the woman who would be Michael's companion intended to help me get free.

I can't count how many times I've been deceived, either by my hopes or anyone else's persuasion, but so far, she has kept her word.

This ticket is proof of that.

I gently ran my fingers over the ticket's surface, feeling its texture and rereading the writing on it.

This was the right choice.

For now, I would trust what the woman said.

My departure was not just planned out.

At the same time, Ava and Michael would be going somewhere together, I don't know what for, but it was clearly my best chance to leave.

Whenever the man went out, most bodyguards would be deployed to accompany him, so rarely were any bodyguards left to watch me.

After all, what could a woman who couldn't speak and had nothing in the lair of a mobster and his subordinates do?

They wouldn't waste time and prefer to do other, more important things.

Including the servants.

The servants hadn't paid attention to me for long, so it didn't matter.

The woman also told me that someone would guide me away from there.

Whoever that person is, he will come to me and be able to take me away from this house. I still don't know, but I don't care either.

I looked back at the ticket in my hand, feeling hope shine again in the recesses of my usually empty heart.

I had almost given up, but the woman's offer changed me.

There was no one around me. I took a long breath.

"Finally. I can really be free," I said to myself.