Chapter 4 Five Minutes to Freedom

Today, I made a decision-I'm going on a hunger strike.

Not because I lost my appetite, but as a way to protest. If I can't fight Nolan physically or escape from this place, at least I still have control over my own body.

The dining table was full of delicious food-grilled steak with black pepper sauce, hot creamy soup, and a slice of chocolate cake that looked like it could make anyone give in. But I just sat there, staring at the food without touching it.

The servants stood around the room, glancing at each other nervously. They had probably noticed I wasn't eating, and they knew it was only a matter of time before Nolan found out too.

And I wanted to see how he would react.

Night came faster than I expected.

My stomach had already started to complain, but I stayed strong. I sat on the sofa near the window, holding a book open to the same page for over an hour. Not because the book was boring, but because my mind was full of "what ifs" about what might happen next.

And just as I expected, I heard footsteps in the hallway. The door opened without a knock.

Nolan walked in.

His eyes immediately locked onto me. No greeting. No calm smile like usual. Just a sharp, focused stare-like I was doing something incredibly stupid.

"You didn't eat," he said. It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

I didn't answer.

He stepped closer, and before I could react, his fingers grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"What are you trying to do?" His voice was deep and dangerous.

I stared back, trying not to look scared. "I just don't feel like eating."

Nolan raised an eyebrow like he didn't believe me. Then, without saying a word, he reached behind his back and pulled something out.

A fork with a bite of chocolate cake on it.

I looked at it suspiciously. "Are you serious?"

He didn't reply-just held the fork a little closer to my face.

"Open your mouth."

I scoffed and crossed my arms. "I'm not hungry."

He said nothing, just stared at me. Then suddenly, he stepped in even closer and placed one hand gently but firmly behind my neck.

I froze.

He was way too close.

"Do you really want to fight me, hmm?" he whispered, his voice like smooth poison.

I swallowed hard. "And what if I do?"

Nolan gave a small smile.

Then, without warning, he did something I totally didn't expect.

He bit into the end of the cake on the fork-then leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.

I was shocked.

There was something soft and sweet between our lips-the taste of melted chocolate mixed with something far more dangerous than dessert.

Without thinking, I opened my mouth. That was a big mistake.

With one smooth motion, he pushed the rest of the cake into my mouth, then pulled away like nothing strange had happened.

I almost choked.

Nolan gave a small, satisfied smile and gently patted my head like I was a kitten. "Good girl."

My blood boiled. Instinctively, I grabbed a pillow from the sofa and threw it at him.

"Jerk!" I shouted angrily.

Nolan caught the pillow easily, still calm.

"I never play fair," he said softly. "So if you want to challenge me, be ready to lose."

I wanted to argue, but he had already turned toward the door. Before leaving, he looked back, his voice lower but sharp enough to send chills through me.

"Don't try skipping meals again."

Then he left, while I sat there-heart pounding, fists clenched, full of anger with nowhere to put it.

One thing was clear: this isn't over.

The sun had risen, lighting up the world, and today was the day I would finally do something big-after days of watching and planning.

I woke up with one goal in mind-escape.

I've been trapped here long enough, locked in this fancy house like a bird in a golden cage. If Nolan thinks I'll just stay quiet and obedient, he's dead wrong.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my heart pounding faster than usual. Sunlight streamed through the large bedroom window, a reminder that out there, a bigger world was waiting for me.

Today, I had to leave.

I spent the morning watching the guards' movements. Every corner of this mansion was under surveillance, but after a few days of observation, I noticed a small window of opportunity-about five minutes when the hallway behind the mansion was left unguarded during a shift change.

Five minutes. That's all I had.

During lunch, I sat quietly at the table, pretending not to care about anything. Nolan had already left early that morning, probably back to his secretive company. No one was watching me too closely, except for the house staff-and they wouldn't suspect a thing.

I waited until the dining room was calm. Then, carefully, I took a small knife from the table-not as a weapon, but just in case. After that, I went back to my room to get ready.

I packed only the essentials: some cash I found in one of the drawers-I was sure Nolan wouldn't miss a few bills-a simple outfit, and flat shoes so I could run if I had to.

When the time came, I moved.

The back hallway of the mansion felt longer than ever.

My heart pounded as I crept past the kitchen and headed to the small door staff used to come and go. My hands shook as I grabbed the doorknob.

Almost there.

I could see the garden outside, the blue sky that felt like freedom. I only needed to take one more step-

"Not bad."

The voice froze me in place.

It felt like the blood in my veins stopped flowing as I slowly turned around.

Nolan was leaning against the wall near the door, arms crossed. His cold eyes were locked on me, expressionless-like he'd been waiting for this moment all along.

I could barely breathe. "You-"

He raised an eyebrow. "You really thought you could escape?"

I gritted my teeth, hand still on the doorknob. "I had to try."

Nolan stepped closer. I instinctively backed up, but my back was already pressed against the door.

Damn it.

He was too close, and I could smell him-a mix of cinnamon, fine tobacco, and something more dangerous.

He leaned in, whispering in my ear, "You're actually entertaining me, Kelly."

I swallowed hard. "I'm not joking."

He stared at me for a long moment, then gave a crooked smile. "I know."

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the door easily. I struggled, but his strength was far beyond normal.

"I think it's time we talk about some new rules," he said casually, dragging me back into the house.

I wanted to scream, but all that came out was a frustrated growl.

I failed.

Again.