Chapter 6
Chapter 6: The Poker Face
The boys were completely in the dark. I was carrying a secret, a tiny, growing life confirmed by the doctor, and it was the only thing that belonged solely to me.
They wanted to ruin my life, to use me as a piece on their board. Fine. But they wouldn't get their hands on this.
Victor arrived at the hospital straight from his event, still smelling of expensive cologne and artificial success. He stood over my bed, a strange light in his eyes.
“Hey. How are you doing? Are you feeling any better?” he asked.
I stared at him, my expression unreadable. “I’m feeling quite good. Is that a problem for you?”
“Of course not,” he said, flashing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “I’m lucky to have you in this world, Elena. Your type is rare.”
In the past, those words might have made my heart flutter Now? They felt like a script from a bad movie. I wasn't paying attention to his tone or his practised expressions anymore.
To me, every word out of Victor’s or Julian’s mouth was a lie. A fairytale meant to keep me trapped.
“Why are you in such a good mood today, Victor?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. “Smiling, acting like the world is perfect... what's wrong?”
He laughed, a dry, hollow sound. “Elena, you worry too much about things that shouldn't bother you. Is it a crime to smile? I’m just a happy man.”
My gut twisted. I knew that look. It was the look of a man who had just won a bet I didn't know I was playing. I felt the panic rising, and before I could stop myself, I snapped.
“If you don’t tell me what you’re hiding, I’m not leaving this bed,” I hissed.
My hand darted to the bedside table, grabbing a discarded syringe. I held it toward my own throat, the needle glinting under the harsh hospital lights. I didn't care if it was crazy. I needed him to crack.
“Elena! What is wrong with you?” Victor’s face went pale. He took a frantic step back, his hands raised in the air. “Put it down. Please, Elena... you don’t want to do this.”
“Then tell me!” I screamed, my voice echoing in the small room. “Why are you so happy all of a sudden? What did you do?”
“Okay, okay! Just take it easy,” he begged, his voice trembling. “I still need you, Elena. Please.”
“Need me for what, Victor?” I pressed the tip of the needle closer to my skin. The scene felt surreal, as if I were watching myself from above.
Victor sat down heavily in the plastic chair, all his confidence vanishing. He looked small for the first time.
“If you kill yourself, what do you think you’ll gain?” he whispered, looking at the floor. “Do you know how many people look up to you? You have a family, Elena. For their sake... spare your life.”
“Why do you care so much?” I spat. “I don’t want this life anymore. You and Julian ruined it the moment I stepped into your world. Let me die so this all ends. Let me be free of you.”
“Elena, you aren’t yourself,” he said, his voice cracking. “Please... put it down. I know I’ve caused you pain. I know what I did... It gives me PTSD every time I look at you. Can you forgive me? I promise to make it up to you. I’ll change everything.”
I lowered the syringe slightly, my chest heaving. "You'll change? You don't even know how to be honest, Victor."
He looked up at me, his eyes red. "I'm serious. The event today... It wasn't just a party. I closed the deal that sets us both free.
We don't have to play the game for the cameras anymore. I was happy because I thought I was finally giving you what you wanted."
I stared at him, my heart freezing. He thought he was "setting me free," but he had no idea I was already planning my escape with his child.
"You're too late, Victor," I whispered, the syringe clattering to the floor. "You're a year too late."
He went to reach for my hand, but I pulled away, turning my back to him.
He didn't know it yet, but the "forgiveness" he was begging for was never going to come. I was going to let him believe he had fixed everything, right up until the moment I vanished.
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