Chapter 5 The failed escape

The thought of being married off to Benjamin Lee who was twice her age and twice as cruel made Naomi's stomach twist.

No. I can't let them do this to me. I have to leave before it's too late.

With trembling hands, Naomi wiped her tears and began to plan.

At first, she glanced around the room, searching for anything she could use. The door was locked from the outside. The windows were bolted. A sinking feeling threatened to drown her hopes, but she pushed it aside. Think.

She moved to the small desk in the corner, rummaging through its drawers. Nothing useful except a hairpin. Her heart leapt, she could try to pick the lock. At least there was a tiny glimmer of hope.

Her hands were slick with sweat as she approached the door and knelt. She inserted the pin carefully into the lock, fingers trembling as she twisted this way and that. Seconds felt like hours as she worked, her ear pressed to the door, listening for any sign of someone outside.

And then a soft click, it was unlocked.

Naomi's held her breath. The door swung open a fraction. Hope surged through her. Without wasting another second, she slipped into the darkened hall, feet bare on the marble floor as she crept toward the back staircase. If she could reach the servants' exit and make it onto the street...

"Going somewhere?"

The voice froze her in place. Naomi turned slowly to see Isabella leaning against the wall at the far end of the hall, arms crossed, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Isabella," Naomi whispered, heart pounding. "Please. Don't do this. Let me go."

Isabella's smile sharpened. "Oh, believe me, dear sister, this is too much fun to ruin. I've been dying to see you trapped like this. Did you really think you could sneak out without me noticing?"

Naomi took a trembling step backward. "You don't understand. Your mum is going to marry me off to Benjamin. You hate me, fine, but do you really want to see me trapped forever with him?"

Isabella feigned a yawn. "Sounds like justice to me."

Naomi felt the burn of humiliation rise up her throat. "I'll do anything. Please, just help me."

Isabella chuckled softly and then raised her voice. "MOM! You'd better come quick. Naomi's trying to run away!"

Panic surged. Naomi spun and ran toward the stairs, but it was too late. Meredith appeared at the landing above like a wrathful queen, her eyes flashing with fury.

"You ungrateful little witch," Meredith hissed, descending with a terrible grace. "I knew you'd try something like this."

Naomi's hands flew up in a useless gesture of defense. "I can't marry him, please...please listen to me!"

But Meredith was beyond reason. She grabbed Naomi's arm and yanked her roughly toward her room. "You'll do as you're told. You have no choice."

Tears spilled over Naomi's cheeks as she struggled against Meredith's grip. "Why are you doing this? What have I ever done to deserve this?"

"Your existence," Meredith snapped, shoving her through the door. "That's reason enough. Jacob will support my decision once he hears you tried to escape like some common thief. You're staying locked in this room until the wedding, and that's final."

Isabella stood in the hall, smirking. "Poor Naomi," she cooed, but there was no sympathy in her eyes. "Guess you'll be Mrs. Benjamin Lee after all."

Naomi rushed to the door as it was slammed shut and locked. She pounded on the wood until her hands were raw. "Let me out! Let me OUT!"

She heard footsteps faded, and Naomi was left alone in the dark, her breath hitching as she crumpled to the floor once more.

Her thoughts whirled. Why am I so powerless?

And then, she thought of an idea. A thought so wild she nearly dismissed it. What if someone could help her? What if someone on the outside could intervene before it was too late?

Her hands brushed over her belly instinctively. This baby deserved better than this nightmare. And whoever had been with her that fateful night, was someone who might listen.

But she still can't recall his face.

Naomi swore to herself that she wouldn't stop trying. Even if the walls of this house were determined to close in on her forever, she'd fight with every breath left in her body.