Steam curled around Lila as she sat in the warm bath, her skin pricking with heat. The water lapped gently at her body, offering a momentary escape from the pain and confusion that had clouded her mind since she had woken up in the unfamiliar palace. But today, something was different—something that felt both terrifying and inevitable.
As she closed her eyes, letting the warmth soak into her weary muscles, a sudden, sharp pain seared through her head. It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck her mind, splitting it open with a force that left her gasping. Her hands flew to her temples, fingers digging into her scalp as if she could physically hold her head together.
Images flashed before her eyes, disjointed and overwhelming. A familiar forest, the cold night air, the sound of laughter—cruel and menacing. A voice, low and venomous, whispering threats in her ear. Blood. The memory of a jagged stone and the dull thud as her head struck it. The sensation of being carried, of arms that held her too tightly, of fear so palpable it consumed her.
And then, more—an elegant garden, Axel's face, his eyes filled with love, and later, a chilling detachment that pierced her heart. The memory of his touch, his voice, his promises, and then the agonizing realization that he had forgotten her. But had he? The question gnawed at her even as more memories crowded her mind, each one driving her deeper into the truth she had been denied.
The pain intensified, and Lila's body convulsed with the force of it. She tried to stand, but her legs gave way, and she collapsed back into the water, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The memories crashed over her like a tidal wave, each one more vivid and unbearable than the last.
Mateo's face appeared in her mind, his twisted smile, his cold hands on her body, his words echoing in her ears. "You're mine, Lila. You've always been mine."
"No!" Lila's voice broke the silence of the bath chamber, the word torn from her throat in a raw, desperate cry. She pressed her hands harder against her head, trying to stop the flood of memories that were now undeniable.
She remembered everything.
Every lie, every betrayal, every moment of agony that had been forced upon her. She remembered who she was, who she had loved, and who had taken everything from her. The man who had claimed to be her husband was nothing more than a monster, a captor who had stolen her life twice and twisted it to suit his own desires.
Tears mingled with the water, but they were not tears of sorrow—they were tears of rage. The fear that had once gripped her was replaced by a burning hatred, a determination that coursed through her veins like fire.
Lila gritted her teeth, forcing herself to sit up despite the searing pain in her head. She wouldn't let Mateo break her. Not now, not ever. She had been lost in the darkness for too long, but now she could see the light—a faint, distant glimmer that she would fight to reach, no matter the cost.
She had to escape, to find Axel, to make him remember what they had lost. But first, she had to survive. She had to outwit Mateo, to play the role he expected of her until the moment was right to strike back.
Her mind raced as the memories continued to settle into place, each one sharpening her resolve. She was no longer the broken, helpless woman Mateo had tried to mold her into. She was Lila Montgrave, and she would reclaim her life, no matter what it took.
With a deep, steadying breath, Lila pushed herself out of the bath, her limbs trembling but her resolve unshaken. She reached for a towel, wrapping it around herself as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
The woman who stared back at her was not the same one who had woken up in this palace. She was stronger, wiser, and filled with a fierce determination to survive. Mateo thought he had won, but he had no idea what was coming.
Lila would make sure of that.
Lila sat in her room, her eyes still sharp with the clarity that had returned to her. Every movement, every breath she took, was measured and deliberate. She had remembered everything, and now, she needed to act.
Mateo had visited earlier, his demeanor alternating between cold indifference and possessive warmth. He had brushed off her inquiries about the maid, telling her casually, "She's in the dungeon where she belongs. Filthy servants need to be taught their place."
But Lila's thoughts were already far ahead. She knew that the maid, despite her cruelty, could be useful to her. The maid was desperate, and desperation made people malleable. As soon as Mateo left her alone, Lila called for a guard, demanding to see the maid. After some reluctance, the request was granted.
When the maid was brought to her room, Lila could see the fear in her eyes. The woman was bruised, her clothes dirty and torn from the harsh conditions of the dungeon. But Lila didn't feel pity—only the cold calculation of someone who knew how to survive.
Lila stood tall, her voice steady as she addressed the maid. "I'll give you one chance to save yourself. You deliver a letter to my father, Lord Montgrave, and you may yet live. Refuse, or betray me, and I'll ensure you never see daylight again."
The maid looked at her with a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Why would I help you? You're the prince's woman, aren't you?"
Lila's eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You and I both know that whatever title he's given me, it's nothing more than a lie. You've seen how he treats me. Do you think I'm here willingly?"
The maid hesitated, the fight visibly draining from her. "What… what do you want me to do?"
Lila reached into a small drawer and pulled out a piece of parchment. She had written the letter in the privacy of her bath chamber, carefully wording it to convey her situation without alerting Mateo's spies. She handed it to the maid, her gaze piercing. "Take this letter to my father, Noah Montgrave. He's likely on his way back from his business trip, but if he's not, find him. Tell him everything you've seen and heard here. If you succeed, I'll ensure your freedom and a safe passage out of this empire."
The maid's hands trembled as she took the letter. "And if I fail?"
Lila's expression hardened. "Then we both die in this palace, but I'd rather die fighting. What about you?"
The maid swallowed hard, her resolve seemingly solidifying. She nodded, clutching the letter tightly. "I'll do it."
"Good," Lila replied, her voice low but commanding. "Now go. And remember, if you betray me, there won't be a place far enough where Mateo's wrath—or mine—won't reach you."
The maid, now visibly shaken, turned to leave, her steps quickening as she made her way out of the room. Lila watched her go, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a risk, but one she had to take. Mateo had made his move, and now it was her turn. She wasn't going to sit idly by and let him control her fate.
As the door closed behind the maid, Lila exhaled slowly, her mind already racing with the next steps. She had planted the seed—now she just had to wait and hope it would grow into something that could save her.