cision-I'm going o

. If I can't fight Nolan physically or escape from this

ce, hot creamy soup, and a slice of chocolate cake that looked like it could ma

rvously. They had probably noticed I wasn't eating, and they

to see how he

faster than

r the window, holding a book open to the same page for over an hour. Not because the b

d footsteps in the hallway. Th

walk

No calm smile like usual. Just a sharp, focused

aid. It wasn't a quest

n't a

ould react, his fingers grabbed m

to do?" His voice w

t to look scared. "I jus

ve me. Then, without saying a word, he reach

bite of chocol

suspiciously. "

held the fork a lit

your m

ossed my arms. "

ddenly, he stepped in even closer and place

fr

way too

t me, hmm?" he whispered, h

hard. "And w

ve a sma

, he did something I

on the fork-then leaned in and

s sh

r lips-the taste of melted chocolate mixed wi

opened my mouth. Tha

st of the cake into my mouth, then pulle

ost c

mile and gently patted my head

ly, I grabbed a pillow from

I shoute

he pillow easi

softly. "So if you want to ch

the door. Before leaving, he looked back, his voic

skipping me

eart pounding, fists clenched, fu

s clear: thi

d today was the day I would finally do somet

h one goal in

ncy house like a bird in a golden cage. If Nolan thin

usual. Sunlight streamed through the large bedroom window, a

I had t

urveillance, but after a few days of observation, I noticed a small window of opportunity-ab

es. That's

had already left early that morning, probably back to his secretive company. No one was

took a small knife from the table-not as a weapon, but jus

the drawers-I was sure Nolan wouldn't miss a few bills-a

time came

f the mansion felt

d headed to the small door staff used to come a

st t

blue sky that felt like freedom. I

t b

froze me

my veins stopped flowing

s crossed. His cold eyes were locked on me, expressio

rely breat

. "You really though

and still on the door

ively backed up, but my back was

mn

l him-a mix of cinnamon, fine toba

in my ear, "You're actual

hard. "I'm

ong moment, then gave a

pulled me away from the door easily. I strug

some new rules," he said casually

ut all that came out

ail

ai