Chapter 4

As the months went by, Adelaide became more and more entrenched in Lucas's world. She had convinced herself that she could change him, that she could make him a better person. But the truth was, Lucas was never going to change. He was a master manipulator, and he had Adelaide right where he wanted her.

Adelaide's friends and family had given up on her. They had tried to reach out, to warn her about Lucas's true nature, but she had refused to listen. She was convinced that she was in love with him, that he was the only one who truly understood her.

But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months, Adelaide began to see Lucas for what he truly was. She saw the way he controlled her, the way he manipulated her into doing what he wanted. She saw the way he would get angry, the way he would lash out at her when she didn't do what he wanted.

And yet, despite all of this, Adelaide couldn't seem to escape. She was trapped in a cycle of abuse, and she didn't know how to get out.

One day, Adelaide's phone rang. It was Sarah, her friend who had tried to rescue her all those months ago.

"Adelaide, I've been trying to reach you for months," Sarah said, her voice urgent. "I know what's going on. I know what Lucas is doing to you. You have to get out, Adelaide. You have to get out before it's too late."

Adelaide hesitated, unsure of what to do. A part of her knew that Sarah was right, that she had to get out of the situation before it was too late. But another part of her was scared, scared of what Lucas would do if she tried to leave.

"Sarah, I don't know if I can," Adelaide said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm scared of what he'll do."

Sarah's voice was firm. "Adelaide, you have to be brave. You have to get out of there. I'll help you, I promise. Just meet me at the coffee shop downtown at 5pm tomorrow. We'll get you out of there, together."

Adelaide hesitated, unsure of what to do. But as she looked around the room, she knew that she had to take a chance. She had to try to escape, no matter how scared she was.

"Okay," Adelaide said, her voice firm. "I'll be there."

As Adelaide hung up the phone, she felt a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to escape, no matter what it took. She was going to take back control of her life, and she was going to make sure that Lucas never hurt her again.

But as she looked around the room, Adelaide realized that she wasn't alone. Lucas was standing in the doorway, a look of anger on his face.

"Who was that on the phone?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing.

Adelaide tried to stay calm, but she could feel her heart racing. She knew that she had to think fast, or else Lucas would discover her plan.

"It was just my mom," Adelaide said, trying to sound casual. "She was just checking in."

Lucas's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to Adelaide.

"I don't believe you," he said, his voice dripping with menace. "You're lying to me, Adelaide. And if you're lying to me, that means you're planning something. Something that could get you into a lot of trouble."

Adelaide tried to stay calm, but she could feel her heart racing. She knew that she had to think fast, or else Lucas would discover her plan.

"I'm not planning anything," Adelaide said, trying to sound convincing. "I swear, Lucas. I'm just trying to live my life."

Lucas's eyes seemed to bore into her soul, and Adelaide could feel his anger radiating off of him.

"I don't believe you," he said, his voice low and menacing. "And if I find out that you're lying to me, there will be consequences. Do you understand?"

Adelaide nodded, trying to appear submissive. But inside, she was seething with anger and determination. She was going to escape, no matter what it took. And she was going to make sure that Lucas never hurt her again.

As the days went by, Adelaide became more and more desperate to escape. She knew that she had to be careful, that Lucas was watching her every move. But she also knew that she couldn't stay trapped forever.

One night, Adelaide decided to make her move. She waited until Lucas was asleep, then she crept out of the bedroom and made her way to the front door. She opened it slowly, trying not to make a sound.

As she stepped out into the night air, Adelaide felt a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in months. She took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill her lungs. Then she started to run.

Adelaide ran as fast as she could, her feet pounding the pavement. She didn't dare look back, fearing what she might see. She just kept running, her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Adelaide saw a light in the distance. It was the coffee shop where she was supposed to meet Sarah. She burst through the door, gasping for breath.

Sarah was sitting at a table, a look of relief on her face. "Adelaide, I'm so glad you made it," she said, jumping up to hug her friend.

Adelaide hugged her back, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief. "I'm so glad I made it too," she said, tears streaming down her face.

Sarah pulled back and looked at Adelaide, concern etched on her face. "We have to get you out of here," she said. "We have to get you somewhere safe."

Adelaide nodded, feeling a sense of determination. "I'm ready," she said. "I'm ready to start my new life."

Sarah smiled and took Adelaide's hand. "Then let's do it," she said. "Let's get you out of here and start fresh."

Together, the two friends walked out of the coffee shop and into a new beginning. They knew that it wouldn't be easy, that there would be challenges ahead. But they also knew that they had each other, and that together, they could face anything.

As they walked, Adelaide felt a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in months. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but she also knew that she was on the right path. She was finally free, and she was finally starting to heal.

But as they turned the corner, Adelaide saw something that made her heart skip a beat. It was Lucas, standing on the sidewalk, a look of anger on his face.

"You think you can escape me?" he spat, his eyes blazing with fury. "You think you can just walk away?"

Adelaide felt a surge of fear, but she stood her ground. "I'm not afraid of you," she said, her voice steady.

Lucas sneered, taking a step closer to her. "We'll see about that," he said, his eyes glinting with malice.

And with that, he reached out and grabbed Adelaide's arm, pulling her back into the darkness.

Adelaide tried to struggle, but Lucas's grip was too strong. He pulled her back into the shadows, away from the safety of the coffee shop.

Sarah tried to intervene, but Lucas pushed her away. "Stay out of this," he snarled, his eyes flashing with anger.

Adelaide felt a surge of fear as Lucas dragged her away from the safety of the coffee shop. She knew that she had to think fast, or else she would be trapped again.

As Lucas pulled her through the streets, Adelaide tried to think of a plan. She knew that she couldn't outrun Lucas, but she might be able to outsmart him.

She pretended to stumble, falling to the ground. Lucas stopped, looking down at her with a mixture of anger and concern.

As he reached down to help her up, Adelaide saw her chance. She grabbed Lucas's arm, using all her strength to twist it behind his back.

Lucas yelped in pain as Adelaide used her momentum to push him to the ground. She stood up, panting, and looked around for Sarah.

Her friend was standing a few feet away, a look of shock on her face. "Adelaide, oh my god," she said, rushing over to her side. "Are you okay?"

Adelaide nodded, still panting. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said. "Let's just get out of here."

Sarah nodded, and together they ran through the streets, leaving Lucas and his anger behind.

As they finally reached the safety of Sarah's car, Adelaide collapsed into the passenger seat, exhausted.

Sarah looked at her, concern etched on her face. "Adelaide, I'm so sorry," she said. "I should have been more careful. I should have protected you better."

Adelaide shook her head, smiling weakly. "It's not your fault, Sarah," she said. "I knew the risks. I knew that Lucas was dangerous."

Sarah nodded, starting the car. "We'll get you to a safe place," she said. "Somewhere Lucas will never find you."

Adelaide nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but for the first time in months, she felt hopeful.

As they drove away from the city, Adelaide looked out the window, watching as the buildings and streets gave way to trees and countryside.

She felt a sense of peace settle over her, a sense of freedom that she hadn't felt in months.

She was finally safe. She was finally free.

But as they drove, Adelaide couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas was still out there, watching her, waiting for his chance to strike.

She knew that she would never be able to go back to her old life, not as long as Lucas was still out there.

But she also knew that she couldn't let fear control her. She had to keep moving forward, no matter what dangers lay ahead.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the countryside, Adelaide felt a sense of determination settle over her.

She would rebuild her life, no matter what it took. She would find a way to be happy again, to live again.

And she would never let Lucas take that away from her again.