Freedom taste bitter

IRINA POV 

Should I delete it or not?

I stood in front of the table, staring at the phone in my hand. My fingers shook a little. The video was right there, the one that could destroy me. The one Lorenzo used to trap me here.

If I deleted it, maybe I could finally be free. Maybe I could walk away and never see him again.

My palms turned sweaty as my thumb hovered over the delete button.

Then I pressed it, the screen blinked and the  video was gone.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My heart still beat fast. My hands were cold. “It’s gone,” I whispered quietly. “It’s really gone.”

Before I could calm down, the door opened.

Lorenzo walked in with a little boy beside him. The boy looked about four years old. He had soft brown hair, big eyes, and tiny hands that held Lorenzo’s. He looked too innocent to be in a place like this.

Lorenzo stopped near the bed. His eyes stayed on me. “Matteo, I told you your mom would come back.”

The boy’s eyes lit up. “Mama!” he shouted and ran straight to me.

I blinked, my whole body went numb from not knowing what to do, but he wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tight, i could feel his little heartbeat.

“I missed you,” he said in a small voice.

My lips parted, but no words came out. My hands slowly went up to hold him, he was warm and light. It felt strange, someone calling me “Mama.”

Lorenzo just stood there, watching. His face gave nothing away.

After a while, he said, “Matteo, it’s time to go. Let your mom rest, you'll play with her later.”

The boy nodded but looked back at me. “Don’t go again, Mama.”

I forced a small smile. “I won’t.”

He grinned and held Lorenzo’s hand again.

Lorenzo glanced at me one more time before turning around. “Welcome to your new life, Isabella.”

Then he walked out with Matteo, the door closed behind them.

I sat there on the bed, staring at nothing. “Isabella.” The name didn’t feel like mine. I looked down at the phone again, the video was gone. I should be happy, i should feel free.

But deep down, I knew Lorenzo wasn’t the kind of man to let go easily. But, this was my only chance, I have to leave tonight. 

When night came, the mansion went quiet. I waited until everything was still, then got up from the bed. My bare feet touched the cold floor as I walked to the door, it wasn’t locked.

I opened it slowly and peeked outside. The hall was dark, there was no one there.

I stepped out and moved quietly, my heart pounding in my chest. Every creak of the floor made me stop and listen, I could hear my own breathing.

I made my way to the kitchen. It smelled like bread and soup. My stomach growled, I hadn’t eaten since morning.

I grabbed a piece of bread from the counter, then found a small towel and wrapped it. My hands shook a little as I opened a drawer and took two apples. I found a bottle of water and slipped it into the towel too.

Then I looked around for clothes. The laundry room was next to the kitchen. I went inside and saw folded clothes on a table. I picked a black hoodie and jeans that looked like my size. I changed quickly, my body cold under the light.

I put the towel with food inside my hoodie pocket and looked toward the back door.

My hand touched the handle, and I turned it slowly. The door opened with a small sound, the cold wind brushed my face

The grass was wet, and my shoes got soaked, but I didn’t stop. I passed the tall gates and found a small gap at the side where the metal was bent. I squeezed through it and dropped to the other side, breathing hard, I finally got out.

I didn’t know where I was going, but I didn’t care. I just ran until I reached the main road. The air smelled like smoke and dust, and the streets looked dirty. It was the same old place I used to know, the streets that raised me for the past twenty three years.

I slowed down and leaned against a wall. My legs felt weak. My chest rose and fell fast.

“I’m free,” I said softly. The words felt strange. “I’m really free.”

I looked around. The streets were almost empty, just a few lights flickering in the distance. I started walking again, heading toward the alley where I used to sleep. It wasn’t safe, but it was all I had.

Each step felt heavier. I kept thinking about the boy, Matteo. About the way he hugged me. And about Lorenzo, his cold eyes watching everything. But I shook the thought off. He couldn’t find me now. I made sure of it.

When I reached the alley, I stopped to catch my breath. I looked around to make sure no one was there.

I heard footsteps approaching, i stopped in my tracks. 

“You’ve made a big mistake, Irina.”

My eyes widened, I felt chills run down my spine. I turned around slowly and saw Lorenzo behind me.