"I need to get out of here," Kristen muttered as she regained consciousness.
Her eyes darted around, her chest heaving as panic set in. She threw the blanket aside and jumped out of the bed, her bare feet hitting the cold floor.
Without hesitation, she bolted to the door and twisted the knob frantically. It wouldn't budge. She pulled harder, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. "No, no, no!" she exclaimed while using all her strength to yank it open.
Desperation took over. Kristen slammed her fists against the wooden surface, pounding repeatedly as tears streamed down her face. "Let me out! Please, someone, let me out!" she screamed, her voice cracking.
When no response came, she stepped back and threw her shoulder into the door, hoping to force it open. The impact sent pain shooting through her arm, but she tried again, gritting her teeth as she leaned her entire weight into each hit.
Minutes felt like hours as she struggled, sweat beading on her forehead. Just when she thought she couldn't do it anymore, the lock gave a soft click and the door creaked open slightly.
Kristen froze for a moment as she was stunned. Then, with her heart hammering, she pushed the door open wider and stepped cautiously into the hallway. As she approached the next door, she noticed the handle twist, as if someone was about to open it.
The door creaked, and Mrs. Sophia entered, holding several bags in her hands.
Kristen gasped, startled. She instinctively took a step back, her movements jittery like someone caught in the act of running away.
"Gracious Lord! Where have you been since yesterday?" Mrs. Sophia exclaimed dropping the bags down, her voice laced with worry as she hurried toward Kristen.
Kristen forced a nervous smile and stepped aside awkwardly, rubbing her arms. "I... I just—" she stammered.
Mrs. Sophia cut her off.
"You had everyone so worried! Come, sit down. You look pale," Mrs. Sophia said as she gently guided her toward the sofa. "For a moment, I thought you'd gone missing in that big hotel," she added with a laugh as she led Kristen to sit.
Kristen lowered herself onto the sofa, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I couldn't return to the mansion yesterday because Mr. Ethan arranged a room for me to rest," she explained with a sigh. "It was such a long, beautiful day."
Mrs. Sophia nodded and headed to the kitchen to prepare some tea. A few minutes later, she returned, holding a steaming cup. "Here, drink this," she said warmly, offering the cup to Kristen, who still sat quietly.
"Thank you," Kristen muttered softly as she took a small sip.
Mrs. Sophia sat down beside her, her concern evident. "So, where were you?" she asked again, studying Kristen's face closely.
Kristen hesitated...her fingers tightening around the teacup. "I was at the..." she began and her voice trailed off.
"Yes, you were at the what?" Mrs. Sophia pressed, leaning in with curiosity. "I was so worried when I couldn't find you. Where did you go?"
Before Kristen could answer, Max and Lena entered quietly, their presence unnoticed at first. They stopped abruptly, overhearing the conversation. Lena's face stiffened as her eyes widened slightly with unease as she glanced at Max.
"You didn't show up again. Were you tired and needed to rest?" Mrs. Sophia asked as she fixed her eyes on Kristen.
"I... I was..." Kristen stammered but before she could continue, Lena cut in sharply.
"What are you two doing here?" Lena demanded, walking briskly toward them.
Kristen immediately stood up, looking uncomfortable.
"Are you supposed to be sitting here without doing anything?" Lena snapped, her piercing gaze fixed on Kristen.
"I was just asking her some questions," Mrs. Sophia interjected firmly. "She seemed a little off when I saw her. Wait... what happened to your neck? There's a bruise," she asked, stepping closer to Kristen with concern.
Kristen instinctively stepped back, avoiding Mrs. Sophia's touch. Her eyes darted nervously toward Max before she quickly replied, "I fell at the wedding yesterday and my neck hit something. That's why I left early... I'm sorry about that," she said in a low voice, giving a slight bow. "I'll be in the kitchen."
Without waiting for a response, Kristen hurried out of the room, leaving an awkward silence behind.
…........
The man gripped the phone tightly and added, "Yes, sir, this is all I've got about her." "She just moved here about two weeks ago and spent a quarter of her life in the Philippines."
There was a long pause on the other end.
"Hmm…" Mr. Creed finally murmured, his tone contemplative. "I see…" Another brief silence followed before his voice turned sharp. "How about you bring her to me? She might just be in the same boat as I am."
The man froze. "You mean… you want me to kidnap her?"
"Did you not hear me the first time?" Mr. Creed snapped. "I said I want to see her."
"But, sir, that could be too—"
"Too what?" Creed cut him off, his tone menacing. "I didn't hire you to hesitate or second-guess me. Just get it done, and if anyone tries to stop you, you end them."
The man swallowed hard, his throat dry as he nodded, even though Creed couldn't see him. "Yes, sir," he said reluctantly, his voice barely steady, just before the line went dead.
….........
Dinner time
Kristen carefully carried the platter of roasted vegetables into the dining room where a heavy silence hung in the air.
"Here, Kristen put it here," Mrs. Sophia instructed, pointing to a spot on the table close to Lena as she broke the silence...then walked back to the kitchen.
Kristen set the platter down gently. Before she could straighten up, Lena raised her head, her sharp voice slicing through the stillness.
"What's this?" Lena asked, her gaze narrowing as it fixed on Kristen.
"Roasted vegetables, ma'am," Kristen replied politely.
Lena's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Well, they're certainly not for me," she said with a snide tone.
Kristen hesitated but mustered the courage to respond. "They're even not for you," she said softly, her voice steady despite the tension.
Lena's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Kristen. Without breaking eye contact, she glanced down at her plate and deliberately pushed her steaming bowl of soup forward.
The hot liquid sloshed over the edge, splashing onto Kristen's arm as she reached for the jar of juice on the table to refill their glass.
Kristen flinched, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as the scalding liquid seared her skin. She instinctively pulled her arm back, cradling it against her chest as felt a sharp pain,
"Oh, aren't you watching what you're doing?" Lena said, her tone dripping with feigned innocence.
Max, who had been silently eating, dropped his napkin onto the table and shot to his feet.
"Kristen," he said quickly as he moved to her side. He grabbed a napkin and began dabbing at her arm, his actions swift but careful.
Kristen winced, her breathing uneven from the lingering sting. "I'm fine," she whispered, though tears brimmed in her eyes.
"Stay still," Max said firmly as he leaned closer. He blew gently on her reddened skin, his touch soothing and precise.
Lena, watching the scene with growing fury, stood frozen for a moment. Her chest heaved with a mix of anger and disbelief. Then, without a word, she spun on her heels and stormed out, the sharp clicks of her heels echoing through the room.
Kristen glanced up at Max, her eyes wide with gratitude and something unspoken. For a fleeting moment, their gazes locked and the tension in the room seemed to dissolve, leaving only the two of them in the quiet stillness.
The quiet was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps. Mrs. Sophia rushed into the room, her face etched with worry. "What happened? I heard a scream!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting between Max and Kristen.
Kristen quickly stepped back, pulling her arm away from Max's grasp. "It's nothing, Mrs. Sophia. I...I'll be fine," she said, her voice shaky as she turned and rushed toward the kitchen with her head lowered.
Max stood still for a moment, his jaw tightening as he watched her go. "Help her soothe the pain," he said, his voice low but firm, before turning on his heel and walking away without another word.
Mrs. Sophia hurried after Kristen, calling out to her. Kristen didn't stop, disappearing into the kitchen with her burning arm clutched tightly against her chest.
Hours after dinner
"I didn't know I'd find you here," Lena said, her tone smug as she leaned casually against the doorframe in her elegant gown.
Kristen didn't look up. Her focus stayed on what she was doing.
Lena's gaze landed on Kristen's bandaged hands, and a sly smirk crossed her face. "Oops, was it that deep of a burn?" she asked, feigning concern.
Kristen froze for a moment, then turned to face her. "I know you did that on purpose," she said. "What exactly do you want from me?"
Lena smirked. "Oh, you're smarter than you look. My main goal was to burn those hands of yours... those hands that dared to wear my ring."
Kristen's eyes flared with anger. "Are you scared I might expose the truth? That it was me on the altar and not you?"
Lena's expression darkened. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You wouldn't even live to see that day. I'll make sure of it. I'll drive you out of this house before you get the chance."
Kristen stood her ground. "Who has the right to throw who out of this house? I'm the real wife of Max Ethan Anderson, and I'll expose you for the fraud you are before I leave, you spoiled brat!"
Fury flashed in Lena's eyes. She raised her hand to slap Kristen, but Kristen caught her wrist mid-air and gripped it tightly.
"Don't you dare raise your hand at me," Kristen said. With a forceful tug, she pushed Lena's hand away.
Lena stumbled back, her shock evident as she glared at Kristen.
Just then, Mrs. Sophia walked into the kitchen, her eyes flicking between the two women. "Mrs. Anderson, do you need something?"
Both Kristen and Lena spoke at the same time. "No!"
Mrs. Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
Lena quickly composed herself and flashed a sweet smile. "I came to check on her hands. I was so worried about her injury."
Mrs. Sophia beamed. "Oh, that's so sweet of you, I've always known you had a heart of gold."
Lena's lips curled into a tight smile, but her eyes darted to Kristen with a deadly glare. "Good night," Lena said as she strode out of the kitchen, her gaze lingering on Kristen until she disappeared from sight.