Sister Beatrice set a generous slice of pie and a steaming cup of coffee on the table in front of Adele. The rich aroma of cinnamon and apples wafted through the air, but Adele barely noticed as she sank into the chair, weary from her journey. Beatrice sat opposite her, folding her hands in front of her as she studied Adele's face with concern.
"Eat, child. You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days," Beatrice said softly.
Adele picked up the fork with trembling fingers. She hesitated for a moment before taking a small bite, chewing without enthusiasm. The pie was warm and sweet, a comfort she couldn't fully embrace.
Beatrice waited as she watched Adele eat until she had taken a few more bites before breaking the silence. "Would you tell me what's going on? Why did you run away?"
I don't think I want that anymore, not with the person that was chosen for me." Adele said dropping her hands from the table to her thighs.
" Adele." Sister Beatrice said reaching out to take her hands. " I know it's hard but Adele you should not abandon your life like this. Talk to your parents, tell them you don't want it. They would understand."
Adele stopped chewing, her fork poised mid-air. Her eyes darted away from her plate to sister Beatrice's face and then fixed on a distant point on the table.
"I know I should let you eat first before the questions," Beatrice said quickly, "but I can't help but worry."
Adele swallowed hard, setting the fork down with a soft clink. "They were going to get me married off," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers subconsciously moved to trace the rim of the coffee cup before her hand absently went to hold the cup, seeking solace in its warmth.
Beatrice's brow furrowed. "Married? That's not necessarily a bad thing, Adele. You've always longed for a family of your own. This could be a chance to have that."
"I don't want it sister, not anymore. Not like this. Not with him," Adele said, her voice trembling. She dropped her hands from the cup to her lap, gripping the fabric of her pants tightly.
Beatrice reached across the table, taking Adele's hands in her own. Her touch was warm and steady, like a tether to something familiar. "I know it's hard, but running away isn't the answer. Talk to your parents, Adele. Tell them how you feel. They'll understand."
"They won't." Adele's voice cracked, and she pulled her hands away. "They never listen to me."
"Of course, they will. They're your parents."
"They're not my parents," Adele snapped, her tone sharp. "They're my foster parents."
Beatrice's expression tightened. "Adele, don't say that. Biological or not, they've cared for you, loved you like their own. That makes them your parents, no matter what."
"No, it doesn't. You don't understand. I don't have a voice in that house. I never did. I never for once felt the warmth of a home with those parents."
Beatrice leaned forward, her voice firm but kind. "Do not refer to your parents like that Adele. Talk to them. You won't know that unless you try. You need to….."
"Sister, please stop," Adele interrupted, her voice breaking.
Beatrice sighed, her tone softening. "You've always told me how kind Elena is to you."
"She was. But it was just that one day," Adele muttered, lowering her gaze.
Beatrice clasped her hands tightly. "Adele listen to me, Elena and Zach are the Lord's plan for you, child. Listen to them. Whatever it is they ask, I'm sure is for your good."
"You don't know that."
"Of course I do. They were chosen to guide you, to give you a family. You must listen to them. Disobeying them is disobeying the Lord's will. This is what you've always been taught, how can you forget?"
Adele shook her head, her frustration mounting. "You don't know what you're talking about."
Beatrice straightened in her chair. "You've been a bad child, Adele. You need to go back to your parents and make things right."
"I won't." Adele's voice rose, her chair screeching against the floor as she abruptly stood up. Her knees hit the table, sending the coffee cup spilling its contents across the surface. "I refuse to go back there."
As she grabbed her bag from the floor and made to exit the room, she froze. Through the window, she saw three black cars parked outside. Several men stood near them, their stances rigid, their expressions unreadable.
"What…. What are they going here?" Adele asked panic evident in her voice. "How did they find me here?"
Beatrice had followed her to the doorway. "I called your parents to inform them about your whereabout as soon as you arrived," she said quietly. "Go home."
Adele's heart sank. She turned to Beatrice, her voice trembling with betrayal. "I thought this place was my safe haven."
"It is. It has always been and it will remain that way but we will not house your sin Adele."
"My sin? What sin? Leaving a place that only suffocates me is what you call a sin?" Adele queried, her vision blurred as tears clouded her eyes.
"I'm doing what's best for you," Beatrice said, her voice laced with a bit regret. "You don't understand how dangerous the world can be. You need to stay with your family where you're safe. We were relieved of the burden of keeping you safe immediately you were adopted so go back."
"You don't know what's best for me!" Adele shouted, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes. "None of you do. Why? Are you a slave to the Reids too, because they donate to the church?" Her cheek wet with the salty liquid.
Beatrice's face hardened. "Watch your tongue, Adele. You are also a Reid."
"I'm not," Adele whispered, shaking her head. "I never was. They do not own me."
"You ungrateful child. Anyone would trade an arm to be where you are."
"And I will happily trade it. I don't own my life anymore, I don't."
Beatrice's expression didn't waver, but there was a flicker of pain in her eyes. Before she could respond, Adele stormed past her, shoving the door open. She made it only a few steps before the men outside surrounded her.
"Let me go!" Adele screamed, thrashing as one of the men grabbed her arm. She kicked and clawed, but it was no use. A second man lifted her effortlessly, throwing her over his shoulder.
"No! Please, let me go!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face as they carried her to one of the cars.
"Damn you all." She whispered losing her voice as she was dragged into the awaiting car. "To hell and back."
Beatrice stood in the doorway, her hands clasped tightly together, her lips moving silently in prayer.
The car door slammed shut, cutting off Adele's cries. She struggled against the seatbelt as the engine roared to life. Her breathing was ragged, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Don't take me back."
Her captors remained silent, their faces cold and unyielding. One of them reached into his pocket, pulling out a small syringe.
"No! Don't!" Adele screamed, struggling harder.
The man grabbed her arm, his grip like iron. She felt the sharp prick of the needle, and within moments, the world around her began to blur. Her limbs grew heavy, her screams fading into incoherent murmurs.
Darkness enveloped her.
---
When Adele opened her eyes again, she found herself on a bed, the world hazy. Her head throbbed, a dull ache that made it hard to focus. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The soft light filtering through the curtains, the ornate furniture, the faint scent of lavender, it all felt painfully familiar.
"No," she whispered, sitting up abruptly. Pain shot through her skull, but she ignored it, her eyes darting around the room.
She was back at her room in the Reids' estate.
Her breath quickened, her chest tightening as the events of the day came rushing back. The betrayal, the fight, the cold indifference of the men who had dragged her here, it all played in her mind like a nightmare she couldn't escape.
No. No. It can't be. She screamed in her head as her mind recounted what had happened. The only place she had ever felt safe, the only person she thought had truly understood her ended up hurting her too. Adele sank her face between her palms as she cried.
"No," she said again, her voice louder this time. She stumbled out of bed, her legs weak beneath her. She ran to the door, her hands fumbling with the knob. It wouldn't budge.
Locked.
Adele sank to the floor, pressing her forehead against the cool wood of the door. Tears streamed down her face as sobs wracked her body.
Hours passed. The sun had began to set and soon it was dusk, casting long shadows across the room. The darkness outside seemed to mock her, the moon bright and the stars twinkling as though the sky was happy. As though the universe was celebrating her despair, her misfortune.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway, drawing closer. Adele wiped her face hastily, her body tense as the sound of keys jingling reached her ears. She scrambled back to the bed, lying down and closing her eyes tightly, feigning sleep.
The door creaked open.
She heard the soft rustle of fabric, the faint scent of perfume mingling with the air. A familiar presence loomed over her.
Her heart raced, but she didn't move.