“If they think they can just force me into marriage, they’ve got another thing coming,” I mutter under my breath, tying the last knot in the bedsheet. “They’ve picked the wrong girl. I’m not giving up that easily.”
There, the makeshift rope from the bed linens is ready. It should be long enough to lower myself from the attic, though I’m not entirely sure. But doubts won’t stop me. I need to get out of here, and fast.
I’ve been locked up here since last night. They took my phone and wallet. My dear old dad thinks he can control my life, but he doesn’t know me at all.
I push open the small round window, and a blast of cold air hits my face. It’s March outside, and patches of snow still linger on the ground. It’ll be tough with no money or supplies, but I’ll manage somehow.
I tie one end of the rope to the radiator and toss the other out the window. Peering down, I see the improvised line reaches the first floor. Good enough. If I have to, I’ll jump the rest of the way.
“Well, Dad, didn’t see this coming, did you?” I smirk, climbing over the windowsill and gripping the sheet tightly.
The icy wind cuts through me, and my fingers stiffen almost instantly, barely responding. I’ve layered up with two sweaters and two pairs of pants, but I couldn’t find anything for my hands. At least I had sneakers in the room—perfect for stunts like this.
Step by step, I lower myself down, clinging to the knots I tied along the rope. My gym teacher taught me this trick years ago. Back then, I had no idea how carefree my life really was.
I pass the second floor and glance into the window. It’s the guest bedroom, empty as usual. This is the perfect time to escape. It’s midday, and no one’s home. Dad’s at work, and my stepmother’s at the spa getting pampered. Only the cook and the maid are in the house, but they’re no match for me. I’ll throw a punch if they dare try to stop me.
“Guess I’ll have to jump,” I whisper, feeling the rope run out beneath my feet. “Hope I don’t break a leg, or running away will be a real pain.”
I chuckle to myself, picturing them dragging me to the altar with a busted leg. Not that the groom would care—he’s only in it for the deal.
Alright, I’m hanging on the last knot. I brace myself and leap.
I land hard on my feet, nearly toppling over but managing to stay upright. I glance around, throw one last look at the house, and bolt.
Luckily, Dad’s estate isn’t fenced in. It’s like a palace perched on a hill, surrounded by ancient trees. When I first arrived here, I thought it was the most beautiful place on earth. Now, it’s nothing but a prison to me.
Thankfully, no one stops me as I sprint down the driveway until I reach the main road. I know the area a little—six months of living here has taught me that much—so I head toward the city.
The street is deserted. Everyone in this ritzy neighborhood is at work. You’d never see a pedestrian around here, no one to ask for help. Occasionally, a fancy car or a taxi might pass by, but I’m not so lucky. I walk for ages, turning right, then left, constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure no one’s chasing me.
“Why did I even come here in the first place?” I scold myself.
Too late for regrets now.
I’m not sure how much time passes before I finally reach the first public transit stop. Problem is, I’ve got no money. Maybe I can sneak on. Just then, a trolley pulls up—my chance.
As I stand there debating, I spot a familiar car on the road. It’s my stepmother, back from her spa day. The fear of being seen pushes me to act fast. The trolley’s about to leave, and I jump on at the last second.
I press myself against the door, trying to stay unnoticed. The ticket inspector is slowly making his way through the front of the trolley, and I pray he stays there a while longer.
What am I doing? Where do I even go from here? I need money to get out of this city. Without help, I’m stuck.
I decide to head to the only friend I trust in this place. Luckily, he doesn’t live too far, and I can walk to his place.
The trolley stops, and people start getting off. Out of nowhere, the inspector appears nearby and locks eyes with me. I hold my breath, then dart through the open doors. He shouts something after me, but I don’t listen. I run as fast as I can, relieved to have slipped away.
I arrive at Gene’s building exhausted. I’ve been to his place a few times. We met at my dad’s house—he came to fix the air conditioning. We hit it off right away, and lately, we’ve grown closer. I’ve noticed he’s interested in me, maybe even has a crush. I could play on that and ask for help.
I climb to the fourth floor and ring the bell at his apartment, but no one answers. Of course, I’m an idiot—he’s still at work. Fine, I’ll wait. I’ve got nowhere else to go.
I lean against the wall and slide down to sit on the floor, crouching. My legs ache; I haven’t walked this much in forever. Since moving in with Dad, my life’s turned into that of a pampered house cat.
As I sit waiting for Gene, I think about my next move. I can’t go back to my hometown right now—they’d look for me there first. Maybe if they see I’ve run away, they’ll give up and leave me alone? I don’t even get why they’re forcing me to marry the son of Dad’s business partner and friend.
“What are you doing here, Dina?”
Hearing Gene’s voice, I jump to my feet and throw myself into his arms. He’s holding a grocery bag and hesitantly hugs me back.
“Gene, help me,” I pull away, looking into his warm gray eyes.
“Did something happen? Why are you sitting outside my door?” he frowns.
“Let’s go inside. I’ll tell you everything there.”
He nods and unlocks the door, letting me in first before stepping inside and locking it behind us.
Here, I finally feel safe, and I let out a sigh of relief.
I pull off my hood, flick on the hallway light, and kick off my shoes. Only now, in the warmth of his apartment, do I realize how frozen I am. I rub my hands together and blow on them.
“Why aren’t you dressed properly? Where’s your coat?” Gene’s confusion grows.
He takes off his hat, and his light hair sticks out in all directions. I’m tempted to reach out and smooth down the messy strands.
“I ran away from home,” I confess. “All my stuff is still there, but I’m not going back for it.”
“Come to the kitchen. Tell me everything,” he says with a furrowed brow, taking my elbow and leading me deeper into the apartment.
Soon, a mug of hot tea sits in front of me on the table. I wrap my hands around the ceramic, burning my skin, but I keep holding on to warm up.
“Maybe you can start talking now. Why did you run away from your dad?” He sits across from me with his own mug, watching me closely. “I thought you had it good there.”
“I did, until the moment my dad decided to marry me off,” I say, trembling at the memory and grinding my teeth in anger. “Can you believe it? Yesterday, they called me in for a ‘talk’—him and his darling wife,” I grimace. “And they announce that I’m supposed to marry Cold-Hearted Ethan.”
“And what did you say?” I notice Gene’s shoulders tense.
“Of course I refused,” I jump to my feet, pacing the kitchen. I can’t calm down; the whole situation infuriates me. “I barely know the guy. I’ve only seen him a few times. It’s complete nonsense. Why should I marry him?”
I ask as if Gene would know the answer. Of course, he doesn’t, so he just shrugs, staring thoughtfully into his mug before taking a sip of the hot drink.
“And how did your dad take it?”
“He locked me in the attic, took my phone, all my personal stuff. That’s why I’m just in a sweater. I didn’t even have money for the trolley to get here,” I step closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Gene, help me get out of here. Dad’s dead serious about marrying me off, and I really don’t want this. I’m only twenty-three. I haven’t even seen the world yet. When I moved in with him, I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Here’s the dad I’d waited for so long, and he’d help me build a bright future as his daughter. Instead, in these six months, I’ve seen nothing, and now he wants to chain me down for good.”
Gene looks up at me with a heavy gaze. In that moment, I’m not sure if I made the right choice coming to him. He works for my dad’s company. What if he doesn’t want to go against his boss?
“Wasn’t Ethan supposed to marry your sister?”
“Why would you think that?” I ask, surprised. “You know Lara joined a convent.”
Yes, my sister became a nun about six months ago. I didn’t even get to meet her in person when I arrived; I’ve only seen her in photos. She’s stunning—a blonde with long, straight hair, looking a lot like Margot, her mother. I still can’t believe she made that choice.
As for her possibly marrying Ethan, I hadn’t heard a thing. I haven’t been with this family long, so there’s a lot I don’t know.
“There were rumors before you got here,” Gene says.
He stands up, and now I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. Tall and broad-shouldered, he once told me he played sports in high school. Now, work takes up all his time.
“Strange, then why did she join a convent?” I frown. “Though, I guess it’s not that surprising. Anyone would run from Ethan. He’s an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. His nickname fits him perfectly.”
Gene laughs, which calms me a little. I smile too, but I’m still on edge because he hasn’t said if he’ll help me.
“So, can I count on you?” I muster the courage to ask again. “I don’t need much. Just lend me some money and let me crash here for the night.”
“And then you’ll leave me?” He touches my hand, a faint smile on his lips.
His question feels loaded.
“If I stay, they’ll force me into marriage. Would you let that happen?”
I intertwine our fingers, and his eyes light up. Gene leans in, and for a moment, it seems like he might kiss me. I hold my breath, unsure how I’d react if he does.
“I don’t want that, and I’ll help you escape from this unwanted fiancé,” he whispers, then steps back.
He doesn’t go for it, which isn’t surprising. Gene always keeps his distance, even though he acts like he wants more than friendship. Maybe it’s because I’m his boss’s daughter? Or maybe I’m just imagining things?
“Thank you,” I exhale with relief.
“Just don’t forget, I’ve only got a one-bedroom place, and there’s just one bed,” he says with a grin, showing all thirty-two teeth, and I feel my cheeks flush.
“That’s fine. I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“I’m not letting a guest sleep on the floor,” he says seriously.
And he means it. Gene tucks me into his bed while he makes a spot for himself on the floor. I’m grateful for that.
Wearing one of his shirts, I drift off, feeling calm and happy to have a friend like him. Gene’s from a small town too, and he rents this place. Maybe that’s why we get along so well and understand each other?
I’m jolted awake by voices—male, rough. I bolt upright just as the room floods with light, and several large figures appear in the doorway.
I recognize the first one who steps in, and I wish I’d never have to see him again. Tall and thin, with a sharp jawline and a small goatee. His eyes are always cold, and his lips rarely curve into a smile. I don’t know if that’s who he really is or if he’s just playing the part of a stern boss. I’m just glad I don’t take after him—I’m all my mother’s daughter.
“Dina, get ready. We’re going home,” my dad says in a harsh tone.
“That’s not my home. It’s a prison,” I shout, though I know he won’t even listen.
“Either you come willingly, or my men will drag you out of this apartment by force,” he nods to the subordinate behind him.
Of course, he brought backup. Can’t handle a fragile girl on his own.
That’s it. I’ve got nowhere to go. I realize that, and fighting back is pointless.
“Give me ten minutes.”
“I’ll wait outside,” he says curtly and leaves.
As soon as the men disappear, a frantic Gene bursts into the room.
“I’m sorry, Dina. I can’t fight your father,” he pleads.
I don’t look at him. It hurts that the only friend I had in this city betrayed me. He promised he’d help.
“I don’t want to see you again,” I hiss, starting to get dressed without giving him another glance.