Chapter 1

Eva's POV

"Now is your chance Eva, you have to run now. The guards aren't watching here" Matteo said to me in a desperate voice. My eyes widened at his words and I shook my head.

"No, I'm not leaving you, you have to come with me!" I said to him back but he pushed me away, looking even more desperate.

"Get out of here now! I'll hold the guards back. We can't both leave here. We'll be caught. Please, Eva leave now" He said and tears welled in my eyes.

"But if I leave you behind you'll be punished. Matteo please-"

"I believe you'll come back for me. Go on and prove us both innocent" He interrupted me with a small smile. I wiped my tears and nodded, I was being emotional and he was right. If we both try to escape together, we would be caught.

"I promise I'll be back for you. I'll prove you innocent and get you out of this hell hole" I promised and he nodded.

"Leave Eva! I can hear their footsteps! Leave now" he yelled and I started to run. I turned back one last time to take a look at Matteo before running.

I ran like my feet were on fire, I couldn't stop to catch my breath. I didn't dare to. Tears fell freely down my face but I didn't stop moving. I heard loud sirens from behind me and I guessed they must have noticed that I was gone.

I couldn't let myself get caught. Matteo and I had planned this escape for years. I couldn't let all of our efforts go to waste now.

Eight years ago, I had been thrown into this hell hole that people called prison. It was more of a torture dungeon than a prison. Eight years of my life was wasted here. I had been wrongfully convicted of murdering a high profile person. I was thrown into prison without even getting a chance to defend myself properly.

While in jail, I had hopes that my family would fight for me. That they would get a good lawyer to get me out of this hell hole. Everyday I was on my best behaviour, waiting for better news but I got none. After five years, my hopes were completely dashed. I then realized the reality of things, no one was coming to save me.

That was until I met Matteo. We were both on kitchen duty that day and we clicked like old friends. Matteo told me his story as well. Just like me, he had been wrongly accused and convicted of raping a little girl. I was a bit doubtful and skeptical of him. But then, we were already in prison, there was no reason for anyone to lie about the crime they committed or act innocent, everyone was boastful of what they had done to deserve their sentence.

Everyone but Matteo and I, then I started to believe him. He was in the same situation as I was. Matteo slapped me back to reality, making me understand that only I could save myself. No one was coming from me. And so three years ago we decided to plan our escape. 

We acted on our best behaviour to gain favor of the guards so they would be more free around us and allow us access into restricted areas. Our plan was drafted out carefully and today, it was carried out.

We finally found freedom but Matteo was not willing to come with me. My heart squeezed in pain as I imagine the punishment and torture he would be put through for planning an escape with me.

"I promise I'll be back, I'll get you out of there" I whispered to myself.

After running for what felt like hours, I collapsed on the ground, breathing like a dog. My lungs felt like they were on fire and I desperately searched for water. Luckily I found a quiet lake nearby, there was no one around thankfully.

I drank the water and stripped my clothes to wash up. The cold water on my body calmed me down a lot and helped me clear my head so I could think better. I soon got out and started asking for directions to go home. I avoided crowded areas so I wouldn't run into cops who had probably been alerted about my escape. People stared at me like I was crazy but I couldn't care less.

After almost four hours of walking, I finally arrived at my family mansion. The sight of the huge building brought back memories. I swallowed bitterly and squeezed my palm. It had been over eight years since I saw any of my family and I didn't know if I was ready to face them. I wanted to know why none of them fought for me. Why none of them even bothered to pay me a visit. Did they really think I committed the murder I was accused of?

I made my way into Grayson garden, the place hadn't changed much. However, my steps slowed down when I heard voices. I stilled as I recognized those voices. I pushed forward to see two people sitting together. A man whose back was turned to me and a woman rested on him. She had curly blonde hair and bright green eyes that I would never forget.

It was none other than my sister, Livia and she was sitting on my fiance Adrian. My eyes widened in shock when I saw how intimate they were being and I felt even more confused. What were they doing?

They both seemed happy and fine, had they really forgotten about me. I was about to take a step forward to approach them but I paused when I heard Livia speak.

"I can't believe it's been a year already, my love" she said in her usual high pitched voice and I froze.

My love? Was she referring to Adrian as her love?

"I also cannot believe it, our wedding was the biggest and most lavish I had ever seen. And you were the prettiest bride ever" Adrian replied with a chuckle and I felt my whole world crashing down.

Wedding? Bride? My love? What in the world was going on here?