And any man who has the potential to harm such a frail, helpless old woman wouldn’t think twice about turning me into his punching bag one day.
That’s why I have to go.
It’s not safe for me to be here anymore.
It’s not safe for my baby.
This time, I’m going to save myself—and more importantly, the innocent child growing inside me—before he even has a chance to cross that line.
My bag is packed in less than five minutes—with only the bare essentials: the money I kept tucked away in my sock drawer,waiting for the opportunity to escape Pyotr, a single change of clothes, and a simple bag of toiletries.
I leave my phone behind. No doubt Miko could find a way to track me with it—and it’s not like I have anyone to call for help.
I don’t linger to allow for any doubt to creep in. Padding softly to the bedroom door in my most comfortable pair of sneakers, I twist the handle.
The door flies open, and I bite back a screech as someone nearly slams into me on my way out.
“Gasphoza!” Chastity gasps. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you were in here…” Her words trail off as she spots the state of my tear-stained face, then the small bag slung over my shoulder. “Are you leaving?” she asks.
Glancing nervously down the hall, I pull my faithful maid into the room and close the door. “Please, Chastity, you can’t tell him.”
“Gospodin Chiaroscuro? But… why?” she asks, dumbfounded.
I shake my head. “There isn’t time to explain, but I’m not safe here. Please, please, just buy me as much time as you can.”
“He’ll kill me if I let you go,” she breathes, echoing the threat he gave her on that first day when the Chiaroscuros descended upon our house.
My chest tightens. I have no right to put her in that kind of danger. But for my child’s sake, I have to ask it of her. “Pretend you never saw me then,” I suggest.
“He’ll know if I’m lying,” she insists, her brown eyes growing round.
Anxiety courses through me as I feel my timer ticking down before Miko comes to find me. “Then tell him you couldn’t stop me,” I say. “Tell him you tried but I overpowered you or something. Because you can’t make me stay. I have to go, Chastity. I have to go now. I’m sorry.”
She nods, a single tear tracking down her cheek, and I pull her in for a quick hug. Then I rush from the room, taking the back stairs to exit through the servant’s entrance.
I’ve learned a lot about whatnotto do when trying to escape Miko these past few months.
For starters, don’t give him any hint that I intend to run. And when I do, pick the least obvious path—even if it’s the most dangerous one.
That’s why I head toward the tree line at the back of the property—where high walls surround the towering trees, and on the other side is a sharp drop straight into a small lake.
It makes the far side of the estate nearly impenetrable, which is why Miko’s guards only make the occasional rounds to check the perimeter.
Most of his force is located near the main gates.
Usually, I wouldn’t dare risk what I’m about to do. But if it will save my baby, then I’m going to take it.
The wall itself is a formidable obstacle.
It takes time to scale it using only rough patches in the stones as hand and footholds.
By the time I reach the top of its towering twelve feet, I’m breathing heavily, perspiration making my hair cling wetly to my brow.
I pause for just a moment to catch my breath, and as I do, I scan for the best-looking landing spot.
Several points along the lake edge look shallow enough to be dangerous, but in one particular section, the water is dark enough, it almost looks black.
Hopefully, that means it’s deep enough to cushion my fall.
