Chapter Eight: The Escape

The sun shone brightly, warming the street as Ellen walked aimlessly.

“Haa, this feels nice.”

She raised her hands in the air and smiled in satisfaction.

That dickhead thought he could actually control her, hmph… He was dreaming.

A smug smile played on her lips and for the first time in days, Ellen felt free.

Her stomach rumbled and she placed a hand over it and frowned.

She hadn't eaten anything since waking up, and she needed food if she wanted enough strength to stay away from Ivan.

She quickly checked herself and realized she didn't even have her purse.

“I will survive on my own.” She pouted as she thought about what to do.

If she should contact her Dad, Ivan might trace her. She shook her head. No. She'd rather work than live with that bastard. 

She curled her fingers into fists and raised them slightly in determination.

As she walked down the street, a notice caught her attention.

“Workers needed?” Ellen rubbed her eyes to make sure she had read it correctly. 

Everything seems to be working in her favor since she left Ivan. Maybe she was truly not meant to be with him.

With renewed excitement, she walked into the mini restaurant. As soon as she entered, she noticed people staring at her.

Ellen looked down at herself.

Her eyes widened.

“I’m still wearing this.”

She looked down at the hospital gown.

Embarrassed, she hurried toward the manager and explained her situation with a saddened face. The manager took pity on her and even gave her money to buy some clothes from a nearby store.

“Go and change. You can't work here dressed like that.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Ellen hurried away.

The manger looked behind her as she rushed off to buy clothes at the store nearby not noticing the triumphant smile on her face.

“Such a beautiful girl, who knows she’s forced to marry a man she didn’t love? And the man ended up beating her until she landed in the hospital.” She sighed as she vowed to protect her.

Not long after, Ellen returned wearing black trousers that accentuated her curves and a grey top. She paired the outfit with a black cap and pulled it low over her face to avoid unnecessary attention.

She walked back into the restaurant and approached the manager.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

She clutched the side of her top nervously.

“H…he might come looking for me, can y..you.” She stopped, unable to finish her words.

The manager understood immediately and held her hands.

“You don’t need to worry, I’ll protect you.”

Ellen's stomach rumbled right after the manager's words, making her embarrassed. She looked down awkwardly.

The manager smiled as she saw her red face. 

“Come and eat first.”

She ushered Ellen toward a table.

When the food arrived, Ellen stared at the plate.  She picked up a piece and took a bite.

Her eyes widened.

It tasted like the best food she had ever eaten.

She quickly began eating, almost forgetting where she was.

A few minutes later, she stared at the empty plate in disbelief.

She had finished everything.

She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her stomach.

Then she suddenly remembered her main purpose for being here. Ellen jumped to her feet hurriedly, making a few customers look at her.

She quickly bowed her head.

“Sorry.”

Then she hurried toward the manager.

“You want to work here?” the manager asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Ellen hesitated before adding, “I actually don't have a place to stay.”

“Don't worry. The restaurant provides accommodation for its workers.”

The manager smiled.

“You can start right away.”

Ellen's face brightened.

For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe again.

***

Royal First Hospital.

Ivan arrived at the hospital and went straight to Ellen's private room. The moment he entered, his expression turned grim. His gaze landed on the bed. It was empty.

"What happened here?” His oceanic eyes pierced through the people in the ward.

Sarah lowered her head.

“Master, Miss complained not liking the hospital’s food, so I went back to the mansion to bring some food for her.”

She whispered with her head down, not daring to look up.

She pointed toward the food flask sitting on the table.

“When I returned, the bed was empty.”

Ivan's fingers slowly curled into fists.

He understood immediately.

Ellen ran away.

She might have been able to fool Sarah, but she wouldn't fool him.

“She thinks she can escape from me?”

His jaw tightened.

He turned toward his guards.

“Search the hospital vicinity. She wouldn’t have gone far.”

The guards took to their heels as they ran out of the hospital searching for Ellen.

Liam soon walked into the ward and placed a hand on Ivan's shoulder.

“Don’t worry. She'll be found.”

Ivan didn't respond.

His eyes remained fixed on the empty bed.

“She dares to run away from me?" His voice was dangerously calm. "It seems I have been lenient towards her." He turned and walked out of the ward. "She will pay heavily for this.”

Hours passed before the guards came back with information about Ellen's whereabouts. 

They had found where she was staying and working.

But Ivan didn't go after her. Instead, he sat back and thought for a moment.

A slow smirk appeared on his face. “I'll let her be for a few days.”

He raised a goblet of wine to his lips.

“I'll catch her off guard.”

His eyes gleamed.

“She seems to like this cat-and-mouse game.”

He took a slow sip.

“Let the game begin.”

The skull ring on his finger caught the moonlight and seemed to glow.

***

It’s been two days Ellen escaped from Ivan’s clutches, and he still hadn't found her.

At least, that was what she believed.

She felt smugged as she continued working at the restaurant.

“He can’t even find me. I have been away for two days now.”

She smiled to herself.

For now, she pushed Ivan to the back of her mind and enjoyed her freedom but she didn't know the storm waiting for her.

At the front of the mini restaurant, a young boy suddenly cried out.

“Wow! This black car looks cool.”

He turned to his mother, “Mom, I want to get this car.” 

The mother bent down to his level and grabbed his cheek gently. “You can only do that when you are an adult. Right now, focus on reading.”

The boy nodded to his mother’s words but his eyes remian fixed on the rows of expensive cars parked outside.

His mother followed his gaze and her  expression changed when she saw the vehicles.

“Who is this person?”

She immediately grabbed her son's hand.

“He must be someone powerful. Let's get out of here.”

Inside the restaurant, Ellen noticed that everyone had suddenly gathered by the windows and their faces were pressed against the glass as they watched the cars outside.

Curious, Ellen walked over.

“What is going on?”

She looked through the window.

Rows of expensive cars lined the street.

Ellen frowned.

She had no idea what was happening, but she decided to take a closer look.

Then her eyes landed on a familiar black SUV.

Her entire body froze and the smile disappeared from her face.

Her heart dropped.

She staggered backward as color drained from her face.

“No…”

She knew that car.

Ivan had found her.