Chapter 8
His voice was soft.
But it hit me like a jolt of icy electricity, straight to my heart.
I felt a chill run through my whole body.
I knew this was a blatant threat.
He wasn't warning Emily.
He was warning me.
He was telling me that if I dared to make a move, this would be my fate.
My stomach churned.
I fought the urge to throw up.
I forced myself to keep a calm expression.
"You're right, Victor. Loyalty really is important," I said.
I smiled, meeting his gaze head-on.
"Emily's been married to you for twelve years. She must be the most loyal wife you've ever had."
Victor's expression shifted, something complicated flickering in his eyes.
There was a hint of amusement, a trace of scrutiny, and a glimmer of satisfaction.
He loved being challenged, just so he could crush it and take control.
"Charlie, you really are a smart kid," he said.
He patted my shoulder. "Come on, it's time for dinner."
I followed him out of the basement.
At that moment, it felt like I was escaping from the depths of hell.
I realized this estate was Emily's true cage.
All his crimes were buried here.
And this was the fortress I had to tear down.
I couldn't sleep a wink on my first night at the estate.
That basement scene kept replaying in my mind, impossible to shake off.
Those cold, gleaming instruments and Victor's twisted smile kept haunting me.
And just thinking about the way he turned loyalty into something so warped and sick sent chills down my spine.
I realized Victor was even crazier than I'd thought.
His obsession with control was downright pathological.
I had to be even more careful.
The next day, Victor was off doing his own thing.
He told Emily to make sure I was taken care of.
With Victor out of the way, Emily dragged me out to the garden.
This garden wasn't nearly as fancy as the one at the villa.
It felt more like an untamed forest that had been trimmed just enough to look presentable.
As we walked along the path, Emily's face was shadowed with worry.
"Charlie, did you sleep well last night?" Emily asked.
"Not really," I replied.
I looked at her.
"Emily, Victor took me down to the basement last night," I said.
Emily froze.
Her face went pale all of a sudden.
"What what did he say to you?" Emily stammered, her voice shaking.
"He said it was the wine cellar," I replied.
I locked eyes with her. "He also said that's where they deal with anyone who isn't loyal."
Emily's tears burst out all of a sudden.
She didn't say a word.
She just pressed her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back her sobs.
Her shoulders shook violently.
I pulled her into my arms.
"Emily, don't be afraid. I know now. I know everything." I kept comforting her in a gentle voice.
Her body quivered in my arms, like a leaf caught in the wind.
It took a long time before she finally calmed down.
She wiped away her tears.
For the first time, there was a clear, determined light in her eyes.
It wasn't despair.
It was the look of someone still struggling, refusing to give up.
"Charlie, I'm so sorry," Emily choked out.
"I never should've let you come here."
She could barely get the words out, her voice trembling.
"I was scared you'd get caught up in all this because of me."
"Don't be silly, Emily," I said, squeezing her hand.
"You're my only sister.
"I'm not leaving you here by yourself.
"So, what are you planning to do?" I pressed.
Emily's gaze drifted toward the distant forest.
She said, "I've thought about running away so many times.
"But every single time, he caught me and dragged me back.
"And every time, the punishment got even worse."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
But it felt like a dull knife, slowly slicing through my heart.
She continued, "He took my passport, my ID, everything.
"I have no money, no identity. I'm completely stuck. I can't even take a single step.
"And there are his eyes and ears everywhere.
"The butler and the servants are all his people.
"Even my own children..."
She trailed off, unable to finish.
But I knew exactly what she meant.
Those kids, so quiet and lifeless, like puppets were just another tool Victor used to control her.
"Emily, I've got a plan," I said, trying to sound confident.
"I brought my phone and a little cash.
"Maybe we can contact the embassy."
Emily shook her head.
"It's no use," she muttered.
"He's been here for years, and his connections run deep.
"The embassy would just let him sweet-talk me into coming back.
"And he'd say I'm crazy.
"He'd claim I'm delusional, that I'm trying to run off with his money.
"He could twist the truth and have me locked up in a mental hospital with zero effort."
Her voice was dripping with despair.
"Charlie, you saw those things in the basement.
"You know what he's capable of.
"I'm scared.
"I'm really, really scared."
I looked at her frail body.
Her eyes were filled with helplessness and fear.
My heart clenched with pain.
"Emily, don't be afraid," I said, pulling her into a tight hug.
"I won't let him hurt you.
"We'll find a way out, I promise."
"By the way, did you see those meds in the study drawer?" I asked Emily quietly.
Emily's body trembled again.
She whispered, "Those are sedatives.
"He gives me regular injections.
"To make sure I stay obedient.
"Sometimes, he uses them on servants who step out of line."
My heart sank.
Victor's cruelty wasn't limited to just physical abuse.
He was using drugs to mess with her mind, keeping her under his control.
That was the scariest part of all.
"Emily, can you still keep your mind clear?" I asked.
Emily's gaze turned resolute.
"Yes," she replied.
"I'm used to the injections he gives me.
"They make me tired, but they can't take over my mind completely.
"I have to stay lucid.
"Because I know you're here now."
A faint glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes.
"I've been waiting for you," she whispered.
I squeezed her hand.
"Emily, we've got a common goal now.
"You keep him busy.
"I'll figure out our escape route.
"We'll get out of here together."
Emily looked at me and gave a determined nod.
"Okay," she said.
"Together," she echoed.
At that moment, I saw a glimmer of hope.
I saw a tiny flame flicker back to life in her eyes.