"Just... ancient history. It's finished." I smiled bitterly, unwilling to elaborate, changing subjects. "What about you? Why sell the company? Business was thriving, wasn't it?"
"Someone made an irresistible offer." Lucas laughed, the sound somehow off. "You know, Ella—with enough money..."
He paused.
"I'd sell anything."
That made me open my eyes.
"Anything?"
"Anything," Lucas repeated, glancing over. "Conscience, morals, friendships... with enough money, nothing matters."
His casualness was excessive, excessive enough to raise an alarm.
"You're joking, surely?" I attempted a laugh that stuck awkwardly.
"Perhaps," Lucas said, something dark lurking in his gaze.
The car turned onto an increasingly narrow road.
I looked outside.
The surroundings had transformed. No longer the prosperous commercial district, but derelict warehouses. Peeling paint exposed mottled brick. Streetlights grew sparse, illumination dimming.
"Is this the route to the restaurant?" I asked, wariness creeping into my voice. "I recall the seaside restaurant being—"
"Shortcut," Lucas said lightly. "Faster this way."
I straightened, hand slowly reaching for my bag.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
I'd never seen this road.
Completely deserted.
Several streetlights were broken, plunging everything into eerie darkness.
My fingers found the phone, quietly extracting it, concealing it in my palm beneath my sleeve. I moved my hand behind me, hiding the device, finding the side button by touch.
Long press. Emergency dial would automatically connect to the most recent contact.
Please, please connect...
I maintained a blank expression, eyes forward, feigning normalcy.
Lucas continued driving, humming an unfamiliar tune.
Just hold until someone answers—
"Ella," Lucas spoke suddenly. His voice was calm, chillingly calm.
My breathing stopped.
"Yes?" I fought to sound natural. "I..."
The car stopped abruptly. Lucas turned toward me. The warmth vanished from his eyes, replaced by cruel amusement.
