Chapter 5
561words
She repeated, more urgently this time.
Those three simple words dropped like a stone into the dead pool of my heart, sending ripples across its surface.
"Why?"
"That's what you want, isn't it?"
"You work for him."
"He pays my salary, yes. But I signed an employment contract, not sold him my soul."
"Why help me?"
"He hired me to control you better. I have extensive psychiatric experience—nursing, yes, but also hypnosis techniques. Or," she paused meaningfully, "brainwashing, as some might call it. That's what he wants me to do to you."
"Why would you—"
"Damn, you're full of questions," she said with a soft laugh.
"Your grandmother—I knew her. She helped me once when nobody else would. I came here specifically to get you out. She's gone now, so consider this my way of repaying her kindness."
"Grandma..."
At the mention of my grandmother, the dam broke and tears flooded my eyes.
Such a good woman who loved me so deeply—murdered by that monster.
"I know your story—she told me everything. If not for her illness, you'd never have entered this predator's den. She blamed herself until the end. It's an old trick, but effective—especially for men with Lawrence's resources."
"How could she blame herself? I'm the one who invited the wolf into our home. If not for me, Grandma would still be..."
"Save the guilt trip for later. If you want out, I can help you. That's why I'm here."
"But he'll come after you too. You must know what he's capable of."
"Your grandmother saved my life once. If something happens to me, I'm just settling an old debt. I'll tell you the whole story later. Now, are you in or out?"
"Yes! God, yes!"
"Good. At least I didn't risk my neck for nothing. But look at you—you can barely stand, let alone run. We need to get you stronger first."
"What should I do? Is there some kind of fake death potion we could use?"
She let out a sharp laugh.
"This isn't a damn soap opera. If that psycho thought you were dead, he'd probably preserve your corpse and keep it in his bedroom. No, you need to heal first. That's priority one."
"But I'm watched constantly. Aren't you worried someone will overhear us?"
"Relax," she said, patting my hand reassuringly. "I convinced him that 'mental conditioning' requires complete privacy. Everyone else is downstairs."
"And he bought that?"
"His ego is too massive to imagine one middle-aged nurse could cause any trouble. He's investigated me thoroughly, I'm sure. It's not that he trusts me—he just trusts his own power too much."
"I'll do whatever you say... Wait! The water you gave me earlier—I passed out right after drinking it."
"Just figuring that out now? After years with that snake, you should be more suspicious. Relax—it was just a mild sedative with some anti-inflammatories. You needed the rest. Your body's fighting a war. Now leave the planning to me and focus on healing."
"Thank you. Can I call you Olivia?"
"Call me whatever you want—I'm not the sentimental type. Get some rest now. I need to make arrangements, and it looks like we've got the house to ourselves today. Remember, no matter how tough it gets, don't give up. Not just for your grandmother's sake, but for your own."
"I won't."
