The morning sunlight streamed through the heavy curtains, casting long shadows on the floor. Lia sat at the edge of a luxurious king-sized bed, her fingers gripping the delicate fabric of her dress. The room, though breathtaking with its floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic view of the city below, felt suffocating in its silence. Adrian's absence had left an uneasy stillness in the air—an absence that threatened to consume her.
She had done it. She had taken the money and vanished, just like she'd promised herself. The weight of the briefcase filled her thoughts every time she let herself dwell on it—the cold, metallic promise of her freedom. Yet, now that the money was hers, now that she was free, something within her was unsettled. Something that clung to the back of her mind, nagging at her, urging her to ask questions she had long ignored.
Why had she never questioned the voice in her head? The one that had guided her every step, led her into this life of servitude, and then out again, so easily. It had spoken of rewards and freedom, but never of consequences. Now, as the city below seemed to pulse with life, she felt alone in a way she couldn't explain. She could hear nothing but the faint echo of her thoughts.
Then came the knock.
Lia's heart skipped a beat. She froze, unsure whether it was the knock of destiny or just another visitor who had somehow found her. Slowly, she stood and walked toward the door, her heart racing in her chest. She wasn't expecting anyone. Her address, her whereabouts—they were supposed to be a secret. She'd gone to great lengths to ensure her safety, to ensure her privacy.
She opened the door cautiously.
Standing in the hallway, with his tall frame casting a shadow, was none other than Adrian Blackwell.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"Lia," he said, his voice steady, but with an edge that sent a chill through her. "You didn't think you could just disappear, did you?"
His words were like ice, cutting through the layers of warmth she had built around herself. Adrian Blackwell, the man who had treated her like a mere servant, now stood before her as though nothing had changed. His expensive suit, crisp and impeccable, made her feel small and insignificant. And yet, she stood her ground, her resolve stronger than it had ever been.
"Why are you here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, though she fought to keep her composure.
His lips twisted into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "You think you can just walk away from me after all these years?" he asked. "You think that money will give you the life you want? That it can erase everything we've been through?"
Lia stepped back, her mind racing. "I did what I was supposed to do. I've earned it."
"Earning it wasn't the point," Adrian said, his voice low, his eyes burning with something unreadable. "You were supposed to stay with me. You were supposed to obey me until the end. And now, you think you can just vanish without facing the consequences?"
Lia swallowed hard, her mind spinning. She hadn't expected this. She had assumed that once she had her reward, she would disappear into the shadows, out of his reach. But here he was, standing before her, demanding answers she wasn't ready to give.
"Why do you care?" she asked, her voice tinged with anger. "You were cruel to me. You made me your servant, treated me like a tool. Why would you care what I do now?"
His eyes softened for a moment, and for the briefest instant, Lia thought she saw a flicker of regret. But it was gone in a flash, replaced by the cold, calculating billionaire she had grown to despise.
"Because," he said, stepping closer, his voice a whisper now, "I know what you don't. You think the money is all you need. But that's not why you're here. It's never been about the money."
Lia's pulse quickened. What did he mean by that? Was there something more to her mission? Was the voice in her head more than just a guide? She had trusted it without question, but now doubt began to gnaw at her insides.
"You're not making sense," she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Adrian tilted his head slightly, as though considering her words. "Maybe not. But you'll understand soon enough. It's not just about following orders, Lia. It's about the consequences of what happens when you do."
The words felt like a warning, heavy and ominous. Her instincts screamed at her to back away, to slam the door in his face, but something about his presence held her in place.
"Why are you telling me this?" she whispered. "What's really going on, Adrian?"
For a moment, he didn't answer. Instead, his gaze flickered behind her, toward the open room. There was a strange, unsettling tension in the air, as though something was on the verge of breaking—something Lia couldn't quite comprehend. Then, without warning, Adrian stepped past her, into the room, his eyes scanning it like a predator.
"Do you really think you can outrun your past?" he asked, his voice growing colder.
Before Lia could respond, a voice called from the hallway.
"Adrian, she's here."
Lia's blood ran cold.
The voice was unfamiliar. Yet, it was unmistakable. The tone, the timbre—it was hauntingly familiar. She turned quickly, her heart thudding in her chest. Standing in the doorway was a man she had never seen before. His features were striking, with sharp cheekbones and piercing eyes that seemed to look right through her. But it was the voice—the voice that seemed to echo in her mind, that was unmistakable.
This man, standing before her, looked too much like someone she knew.
Adrian glanced between them, a knowing look in his eyes. "Lia," he said softly, almost as if to himself. "You've finally met him."
Lia's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
The man stepped forward, his eyes never leaving her. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice smooth and reassuring, yet filled with an undercurrent of mystery. "I should have introduced myself sooner. But it seems fate had other plans for us."
"Who are you?" Lia whispered, taking a step back.
"My name is Michael," the man said. "And I've been waiting for you."
Lia's mind spun as she struggled to process the moment. Michael's words felt like a dagger in her chest. "Waiting for me? But… why?"
Michael's smile was soft, almost pitying. "Because you've been a part of something much bigger than you know. Your mission was never just about serving Adrian. It was about bringing you to me."
Adrian watched the exchange with a grim expression, his jaw clenched. "Don't listen to him," he warned. "He's been manipulating you from the start. He's not who you think he is."
Lia's head throbbed as the pieces began to fall into place. The strange, guiding voice she had heard all these years—had always seemed familiar. And now, standing before her, Michael's presence confirmed it. This was the same voice that had led her every step of the way. The same voice she thought had been a mere echo in her mind.
But the truth was far more twisted.
"Michael…" she began, her voice trembling. "What do you want from me?"
Michael stepped closer, his eyes intense. "You've been a part of a game much larger than you realize, Lia. And now, it's time for you to make your choice."
Before Lia could ask another question, Adrian's hand shot out, grabbing her arm. "You don't know him, Lia! Don't trust him!"
But it was too late. The voice she had trusted, which had guided her for three years, had now taken form—through the man standing before her.
And in that moment, Lia realized with chilling certainty: that she had never truly been free.