Chapter 6

Olivia Grace's hands trembled as she tried to move her wrists, rubbing the coarse rope that bound her to the leg of the chair. Her skin was raw, stinging with every scrape. Her breathing was ragged, filling the empty, damp, and foul-smelling room.

"I can escape from this place," she whispered with fierce determination, though fear gnawed relentlessly at her mind.

With every desperate rub, the rope slowly began to loosen. Tiny cuts tore into her skin, but Olivia didn't care. She had to get out. She had to return to her husband—to the life that had been stolen from her.

With one hard yank, the rope finally snapped. Olivia nearly collapsed to the floor, her knees weak, but survival instincts kicked in. She forced herself up, steadying her trembling body. Her eyes scanned the room wildly, searching for an exit.

There were no doors she could reach without making noise. The only way out was an old window in the corner, its glass cracked, the frame rotting.

Without a second thought, Olivia bolted toward it. Her bloodied hands worked frantically to unlatch the rusted lock. Dust exploded into the air as she shoved the window open with all her strength.

Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway.

"Hurry, Olivia!" she urged herself in a panic.

In a swift motion, she climbed through the window. Her body hit the rocky ground hard, pain shooting through her limbs. But Olivia didn't cry out. Without glancing back, she ran into the suffocating darkness of the night, leaving behind that nightmare place, leaving behind the furious shouts of her captors as they realized she had escaped.

But fate wasn't done with her yet.

Suddenly, a loud horn blared, tearing through the night air.

Olivia turned, only to be blinded by the headlights of a speeding car. She raised her hands instinctively, trying to shield herself.

Too late.

The impact slammed into her, sending her body flying before crashing violently onto the asphalt.

Everything went black.

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Five Years Later

Olivia stood before the mirror, staring at her reflection. A faint scar still marked her forehead, but her eyes now burned with fierce determination. After years of therapy, her memories had slowly returned—memories of who she was, of the life she had lost... and the betrayal that had shattered her heart.

She looked down at the small four-year-old child clutching her hand tightly. The child's innocent eyes gazed up at her, oblivious to the darkness they were about to face.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go home," she whispered.

With heavy but steady steps, Olivia made her way toward the grand house she once called home. Each step carried the weight of longing, memories, and dread. Her hand shook as she reached for the doorknob.

With one push, the door creaked open.

And her world collapsed.

In the living room, once filled with love and laughter, stood Hunter Jackson—her husband—holding tightly to a beautiful blonde woman: Shopia Joy, Hunter’s former lover.

Their bright laughter pierced the air like a dagger, until they turned and froze, seeing Olivia standing at the door.

"Olivia?!" Shopia gasped, her face draining of color.

Hunter stepped forward. His expression wasn’t shock or guilt—it was rage.

"What the hell is this?! You were supposed to be dead five years ago, Olivia!" Hunter snarled, his voice thick with fury.

Olivia froze. His words struck harder than the car crash had five years ago.

"What did you say, Jackson?" she asked, her voice trembling in disbelief.

"Yeah! You were supposed to die!" Hunter growled. "We even made peace with it."

Olivia nodded slowly, swallowing the rising tide of tears. Her body trembled, not from fear—but from the fury boiling within her.

"I thought you would look for me, Jackson. I thought... you would fight for me," her voice broke with pain. "But I was wrong."

Hunter let out a short, cruel laugh. "Look for you? I was disgusted by you, Olivia. Why would I bother? Honestly, I wished you had just died that night."

Each word crushed her chest, but Olivia stood her ground. She gripped her daughter's hand tighter, grounding herself against the tremors shaking her soul.

Shopia smirked and slithered closer to Hunter, flaunting her victory.

"Hunter has been with me for a long time, Liv. You're just a bad memory we were lucky to finally erase."

Olivia drew a long, steadying breath, swallowing her anger and heartbreak. She hadn't survived this long to collapse now.

"I just want to come back to my own home. Is that so wrong?" Olivia asked, her voice calm but firm.

"Your home?" Shopia scoffed cruelly. "Wake up, Olivia! This is Jackson's house. Don’t even dream of staying here."

Olivia turned her gaze toward Hunter, searching for any trace of the man she once loved.

"Is that true, Jackson?" she asked quietly. "Is this no longer my home?"