Panic set in as Isadora's mind raced to identify the unknown hand clamped over her mouth. Her thoughts spiraled back to the terror she had endured before, and she braced herself for the worst, assuming she had been caught again. Maxwell's cruel face flashed before her eyes, and she envisioned herself being dragged back into his clutches.
But then her gaze fell upon her father, his body writhing in agony under Maxwell's torture. Isadora's thoughts swirled with confusion - why would her father betray someone as ruthless as Maxwell? Her heart went out to him, but the memories of her own suffering at their hands came flooding back, and her pity turned to bitter resentment.
Isadora's eyes fluttered closed, unable to bear the brutal sight before her. The torture was too much to witness, especially when it involved her own family. When she finally opened her eyes again, she saw one of Maxwell's henchmen approaching, signaling her time was up.
But before she could react, the hand covering her mouth spun her around, revealing Antonio's determined expression. In a swift, silent motion, he guided her back to the bathroom, their footsteps light and urgent.
No words were exchanged; there was no time. Antonio swiftly hoisted Isadora back into the ceiling crawl space, following close behind. Just as he closed the opening, the toilet door creaked open, and Maxwell's man stepped inside, none the wiser.
They held their breath, waiting for the toilet door to creak open again, a signal that the man has exited the toilet. As the sound echoed through the air, they assumed the henchman had exited.
Isadora began to inch her way back through the ceiling crawl space, retracing her steps to her room. Antonio followed closely behind, his movements silent and deliberate. When they reached the opening to her room, Isadora carefully lowered herself down, using the same chair she had used in climbing earlier.
She dropped down gracefully, her feet touching the floor with a soft thud. Antonio followed suit, his movements mirrored to hers, until they both stood safely inside her room, the tension momentarily lifted.
"What were you doing there?" Antonio asked, his curiosity aroused.
"I could ask you the same question," Isadora retorted, her eyes sparkling with defiance.
"I was surprised to see you there, after hearing you just returned from the hospital. I didn't think you'd be putting yourself in harm's way so soon," Antonio said, his tone laced with concern.
"You know me, Antonio. You know I can't resist a mystery," Isadora replied, her voice hinting at a deeper truth.
"Your curiosity is going to get you into trouble," Antonio warned, his expression serious.
"Maybe so, but I couldn't help myself. What about you? What were you doing there?" Isadora asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"I saw your father being dragged inside and I had to know what was going on. I wanted to uncover the truth," Antonio explained, his voice laced with empathy.
"I overheard Maxwell mentioning a betrayal. I had to see who it was," Isadora said, her voice detached.
"I'm so sorry about your father, Isadora. That must have been terrifying for you," Antonio said, his eyes filled with compassion.
"I'm fine, Antonio. My father made his choices, and now he's facing the consequences. I have no sympathy for him," Isadora replied, her eyes cold and hard.
"Isadora, are you sure you're okay? Do you have a good relationship with your family?" Antonio asked, his voice gentle and probing.
Isadora settled onto her bed, her eyes cast downward. "Let's just say my family and I are not on good terms right now," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Antonio's expression softened as he stood before her. "What happened, Isadora? You can trust me," he urged, his tone gentle.
Isadora's gaze remained downcast. "It's complicated, Antonio. Let's just say everything will work itself out in time."
Antonio nodded understandingly. "I won't push you further, but know that I'm here for you when you're ready to talk. How are you feeling after what happened? I was terrified when I saw you unconscious, being driven out of the mansion."
Isadora's eyes flickered with a hint of pain. "I'm managing, thanks to the medication. An electric lamp fell on my head, but I'm strong, like you always thought."
Antonio's brow furrowed in concern. "What were you doing to be so careless?"
Isadora's voice was laced with a hint of uncertainty. "I was searching for something."
Antonio's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm so sorry, Isadora. So I believe you got a new phone."
Isadora's gaze drifted to her new phone on the bed. "I got a replacement phone."
Antonio's eyes lit up with a suggestion. "Let me save my number in your phone, so you can reach out if you ever need help." He took the phone from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers as he saved his contact information. "Now you can call me anytime, day or night."
Isadora's voice was laced with playfulness. "Okay, sir."
Antonio's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Look who's cheerful."
Isadora's expression turned serious, her eyes probing. "Antonio, I need to ask you something. What are you really doing here? I know you're not just a staff member, are you on a mission?"
Antonio's gaze was intense as he sat beside her. "I'm searching for the truth, but don't worry about it, it's my burden to bear."
Isadora's voice was laced with concern. "Be careful, Antonio. You know the risks."
Antonio's eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and husky. "I miss us, Isadora. I miss the way we used to be. I want us to go back to that."
Tears pricked at the corners of Isadora's eyes as she struggled to find the words. "I...I don't know, Antonio."
Before she could continue, Antonio's lips claimed hers in a tender, yet passionate kiss. Isadora resisted at first, but eventually surrendered to the moment. When they broke apart, Antonio's eyes searched hers. "What's wrong?"
Isadora's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry...for everything."
Antonio's expression softened. "I forgave you long ago, Isadora. We can move forward...unless there's something you're not telling me."
Isadora's voice was hesitant. "No...there's nothing."
Antonio's lips claimed hers once more, the kiss deepening in intensity. Just as they were lost in the moment, a knock at the door interrupted them.
"You need to leave," Isadora whispered urgently, her eyes darting towards the door.
Antonio nodded, his lips brushing against her forehead. "Goodbye, my love," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
With a swift and silent motion, Antonio climbed back into the ceiling, disappearing from view. Isadora quickly restored the room to its original state, her heart racing with apprehension.
The knocking persisted, growing louder and more insistent. "I'm coming," Isadora called out, her voice steady.
She swiftly changed into a fresh outfit, her mind racing with possibilities. She approached the door with caution, her hand hesitating on the handle.
When she finally opened the door, Marcus stood before her, his expression unreadable.
"Master said..." Marcus began, but Isadora didn't let . She slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the room, and locked it firmly in place.
Undeterred, Marcus continued to knock, his persistent rapping a annoying drumbeat in Isadora's ears. But she was resolute, her mind made up. She sought refuge in her bed, pulling the covers up to her chin, and willfully shut her eyes, determined to forget all of her sorrow.
Finally, Marcus exhausted himself and left, his footsteps fading into silence. And in the stillness, Isadora found tranquility, her weary body and mind surrendering to the sweet release of sleep.
Isadora's eyes fluttered open, and she found herself in a decrepit room, the ceiling leaking like a tearful eye. A flickering light hung precariously, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The creaking floorboards beneath her bare feet seemed to groan in protest as she moved deeper into the room. The air was heavy with the scent of decay, and the sound of sniffling drew her attention to a huddled figure in the corner.
As she approached, the sobbing grew louder, and Isadora's heart raced with dread. She reached out a tentative hand, her fingers brushing against the person's back. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
But the response was not what she expected. The figure spun around, its face contorted in anguish, blood streaming down its features like tears. "Avenge me!" the figure shrieked, its eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. Isadora's ears rang from the force of its cry, and she stumbled backward, her heart racing.
"Avenge me!!" The figure's voice grew louder, more menacing, as it crawled closer to Isadora, who retreated backward, her eyes wide with terror.
"Avenge me!!" The cry echoed through the room, growing in intensity, and Isadora clamped her hands over her ears, trying to block out the haunting plea.
"Avenge me!!!" The figure shrieked, its voice reaching a fever pitch, and Isadora's scream tore through the air, a desperate response to the horror that confronted her.