I was still on the agonizing phone call with Adrian when I felt a shiver run up my spineb, /bas if someone was watching me. There bwas /bbonly /bone person who could give me such chills.

Lucian

I spun around so fast, only to see that no one was behind me. The door was opened slightly, however, and when I nced into the hallway, it was empty.

“bAm /bI just imagining things?” bI /basked myself.

“What was thatb?/b” Adrian cut in from the other end of the line, reminding me he hasn’t hung up yet.

“Nothing. I bhave /bto go, bAdrian/b. Lucian ising,” I lied quickly. “I’lle see you bsoon/b.” I rushed out before hanging bup/b.

“Good riddance.” I muttered under my breath.

Based on the conversation I just had with Adrian, Lucian really did a number on him. I would’ve bpaid /banything to see bhim /bgetting beat!--

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“Well, him being in the hospital would at least keep him out of my way for ba /bwhile.” My voice was light as I made my way to the bathroom to get ready, determined to make this a productive day.

There was bone /bperson I’d been dying to see since my rebirth. In my quest to bchange /bmy fate and make things right, I owed this person ba /blot

After my shower, I dressed and made my way downstairs. I had just managed to cross the mansion’s double doors when I was stopped.

“bWhat’s /bgoing on?” I basked /bthe two stern–faced guards in pristine suits.

*You are not allowed to leave, Mrs. ckwood.” One of the bguards /bsaid, without even ncing in my direction

“Why the hell not?” My tore rose slightly as my bpatience /bwore thin.

“It is the boss’s order, madame.” The other guard added, his gaze was hidden behind his shades but I could tell he wasn’t looking at me either.

“Lucian asked you not to let me go out?” I was shocked.

I didn’t understand. We were fine just an hour ago, nothing seemed out of the bordinary/b. He hadn’t even told me I wasn’t allowed to leave. So what the hell was this?

“Call him.” I ordered.

“Ma-

“bI /bbsaid /bcall him.” I repeated, cutting him off. “I want to be sure he was the one who gave the order.”

“I’m bsorry/b, bmadame/b, but we bcan’t /bdo that. The boss specifically said he should not be disturbed before he left,” guard one said. His tone was anything but sorry.

“Well, then get out of my way. I don’t bhave /btime for this.”

myway.

I moved forward a step, only to be restrained by the arm by guard two,

Big mistake.

I red at him. He had to be new. Clearly, he bdidn’t /bknow bthat /bno guard was ever to ce their hand on me.

bGuard /bone leaned in and whispered something to him, band /bguard btwo /blet go of my hand so fast, one would think I burnt him or something

“bMy /bapologies, madame.” He said bquickly/b, bowing his head.

“Get out of my way.” I gritted out, but neither of them moved.

b1/2 /b

1 pulled my phone angrily from my purse and dialed Lucian’s number. It rang, but he didn’t pick up.

I tried again and again. Same result.

I got that he didn’t trust me, but seriously, I really didn’t have time for this. If I was to change my fate. I had to leave the house today.

I noticed guard one speaking into his wireless earpiece. bMy /bears perked up as I realized he bwas /btalking to Lucian.

“Yes, boss. Noted, boss.” Was all he muttered stiffly before tapping the earpiece with his index finger.

“So?” I asked impatiently.

“The boss said you are not allowed to leave the premises.” His tone was even stiffer than before.

I didn’t me him. Lucian had that effect on everyone. But still, that didn’t make me any less irritated

bWith /bonest re at the guards, I veered around and stormed back into the mansion, heading straight upstairs to my room, my mind bracing /bbas /bI tried to think bof /bba /bway to escape the estate.

I dashed to my room balcony. It was on the other side of the mansion–fewer guards there but…

Absolutely not.” I shivered, staring at the four–story drop below.” I would definitely break something if I fell from that height.” I shook that idea out of my head.

“I need to find ba /bway of getting out of here, and soon. I told myself.

As I paced my room in frustration, I suddenly had a sh from

“Why didn’t I think of bthat/b?” I almost screamed in excitement.

my past life.

I darted straight to Lucian’s study and made a beeline for the bookshelf bbehind /bhis desk. My fingers moved quickly, feeling for something behind the rows of books. Just when I thought all hope was lost, my fingertip touched a tiny, barely noticeable button and I pushed it.

There bwas /ba soft rumbling noise before the whole shelf shifted to the side, revealing ba /bsecret passage behind it.

“Yes!” I whispered in pure bjoy/b.

Without waiting for an invitation, I rushed through the opening. The bookshelf slid back into ce behind me, sealing the passage in darkness.

I quickly pulled my phone from my purse and turned on the shlight.

The passage wasn’t dusty or cerie like one might envision. It was actually qube clean. In my past life, Lucian bhad /bshown me this secret exit in case of emergencies and boy am I d I remembered.

1 walked for about ten minutes before finally pushing open the exit door. It led to the woods at the far opposite end of Lucian’s estate.

“Freedom atst.” I breathed out in relief.

It didn’t take long to breach /bthe road. As I waited for the ride I’d ordered, I silently prayed that Lucian wouldn’t return to the estate just yet–because if he bdid/b, I bknow /bfor a fact that he’d turn the whole city inside out in search of me

A car horn snapped me qui

bof /b

my thoughts. Without dy, I got in.

“Whereto, madame?” The cab driver inquired.

“Thi

He e