Chapter 3 I need to go far away from this monster

CHAPTER 3

ESCAPE

Camille stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the soft fabric of her elegant dress. It was a deep shade of blue, simple yet refined, the kind of dress that made her feel put together despite the turmoil in her heart. She had planned this moment carefully-her one chance at freedom. She couldn't afford to let anything seem off.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her room and made her way downstairs, where she found Luciano in his study. He sat behind his desk, his sharp eyes scanning a document, his presence as effortlessly commanding as always. A glass of whiskey rested beside him, the golden liquid catching the dim light.

She cleared her throat softly, and his gaze lifted to meet hers.

"I want to visit my parents," she announced, her voice firm yet casual. "I haven't seen them since you brought me here. I need to see them."

Luciano didn't hesitate. "Fine," he said simply, setting the document aside.

For a moment, she was caught off guard by his easy agreement. She expected resistance, questions-something. But then again, he was unpredictable, always keeping her on edge.

"There's no need for a driver or guards," she added quickly. "It's just my family. I want to feel free, even for a little while."

That made him pause. His piercing eyes studied her, searching for something beneath her words.

Silence stretched between them.

Then, he leaned back in his chair and exhaled through his nose, considering.

Finally, he nodded. "Alright. You can go."

Relief flooded Camille's chest, but she kept her expression neutral. She gave him a small nod and turned to leave before he could change his mind.

She didn't notice the way his jaw tightened as she walked away.

The moment Camille left the study, Luciano's demeanor changed. He set his glass down with a quiet thud and reached for his phone.

Speaking in Russian, his voice was low but firm. "Follow her. If she tries to run, bring her back to me. But listen carefully-" His tone darkened. "I don't want a single scratch on her. Not even a bruise. If anyone harms her delicate skin, they die. Understood?"

"Yes, boss," came the immediate response.

Luciano ended the call, his fingers tightening around the phone. He knew Camille was lying. She wasn't going to her parents-he could see it in her eyes. But he wanted to know where she was going, and more importantly, who she was meeting.

He didn't have to wait long for his answer.

Camille felt free for the first time in weeks.

Her heart pounded with exhilaration as she drove, believing she had outsmarted Luciano. She hadn't gone to her parents' house-of course not. Instead, she drove straight to the apartment of the man she once loved. The man who had promised to wait for her.

Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly. He loves me. He wouldn't have moved on. He must be looking for me, worried about me.

But as she pulled up outside his building, something felt off.

The front door was unlocked.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of female perfume, which wasn't hers.

Her stomach clenched.

Footsteps. A soft laugh. A whisper.

She followed the sounds, heart hammering until she reached his bedroom. The door was slightly open. Through the crack, she saw him.

Her lover.

In bed. With another woman.

The world shattered around her.

Camille stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. No. This isn't real.

But it was.

The sheets tangled around them. His hands on another woman's body. The way he whispered sweet nothings-the same words he once said to her.

Something inside her broke.

Her vision blurred with tears as she pushed the door open.

The sound startled them.

Her ex-lover's eyes widened in shock as he scrambled up from the bed, pulling the sheets around him. The woman beside him let out a small gasp, but Camille didn't look at her. She couldn't.

"Camille-" he started.

But she turned and ran.

Luciano's men had been watching from a distance.

When they saw Camille enter the building, they stayed back-waiting. Observing.

But then, moments later, she emerged in tears.

And behind her? A half-dressed man, ran after her, calling her name.

The realization clicked immediately.

This was her ex-lover.

One of the men pulled out his phone and dialed Luciano.

"She didn't go to her parents' house," he reported. "She went to meet a man. But-" He hesitated. "Something happened. She ran out crying. The guy tried to stop her."

There was silence on the other end of the call.

Then, Luciano's voice came through, cold and sharp.

"Follow her. Make sure she gets home safely. And do not touch her."

Camille barely saw the road through her tears as she drove back to Luciano's mansion.

Everything she believed had been a lie. She thought she had someone waiting for her. Someone who would fight for her. Someone who loved her.

But in the end, she had no one.

By the time she reached the mansion, her tears had dried, but the pain remained etched in her chest.

She didn't bother acknowledging anyone. She walked inside, head down, and went straight to her room.

Luciano was already waiting in the living room when she entered.

He didn't say a word.

He just watched as she climbed the stairs, her posture stiff, her hands trembling slightly.

When she reached her bedroom door, she hesitated for a fraction of a second-as if expecting him to stop her.

But he didn't.

Instead, he simply studied her. Not with anger. Not with mockery.

Just understanding.

And maybe-just maybe-a hint of something deeper.

Camille stepped inside her room and locked the door.

Luciano exhaled, running a hand down his face.

He had known a day like this would come.

Now, she belonged to no one else.

Not even in her heart.

And whether she accepted it or not, she was his.