Chapter 4
Rose’s POV
That night, I was mute, lost in my thoughts. I sat there in the prison cell, staring blankly at the stained walls, numb and hollow inside.
The irony wasn’t lost on me – arrested for passport fraud, when the only crime I’d committed was trusting Gideon Blackwood. The man who’d vowed to protect me had instead delivered the final, calculated blow, disavowing my very existence with the cruel words: “I don’t know her.”
“Do you have anyone you can contact, Miss?” The warden’s voice broke through the heavy silence as he locked the cell door behind me.
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I nodded, my heart empty, tears dried on my cheeks. My throat ached from the screams and pleas I had already let out.
“You’re allowed one call. Don’t waste it.” He handed me a phone, his gaze suspicious.
I dialed the number, my fingers trembling as it rang once.
“Hello? Who’s this?” My mother’s voice crackled over the line, filled with concern.
A wave of relief washed over me.
“Mom, I need your help.”
“Rose? Why number? W frantic.
different
Added to the library
e was
“It’s a long story, but I’ve been arrested,” I
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explained, my voice tight.
“What?!” She nearly screamed. “Who would dare do this to you? Do they have any idea who you are?”
“Mom, just talk to Dad. I need out of here… and a new passport. One in my name,” I pleaded, my words barely holding together.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line.
“Alright, sweetheart. Hang in there. You’ll be out soon.” Her voice softened, offering comfort before the line went dead.
The warden returned a while later, giving me a cold look.
“Your release won’t be processed tonight. You’ll have to stay until morning” he
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informed me bitterly, and then left without another word.
I didn’t respond, my thoughts lost in a haze. I climbed onto the narrow bed, curling up into a ball, but as soon as my eyes shut, the voices came back to haunt me. Gideon’s voice. Serena’s laugh. Nathaniel’s silence. And the cries of their baby.
They’d taken everything from me. In five days, I’d be gone. And when I left… they would regret it.
By midnight, I drifted off into a restless sleep.
Suddenly, I woke to the sound of metal
scraping. My heart lurched as the cell door creaked open.
Seven women stepped inside.
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My breath caught in my throat.
Before I could even scream, a hand covered my mouth.
“Serena sends her warmest regards,” one of them sneered.
Then the beating started.
Fists pummeled my body. Kicks slammed into my ribs. Fingers dug into my skin- one of them even bit my shoulder, another yanked my hair until I screamed in agony.
I fought back, but it was useless. My body was too weak, my energy drained.
When they were done, I could barely breathe. Pain consumed me. Blood soaked the cold floor beneath me. I heard shouts, the sound
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of guards rushing in… and then everything went black.
When I finally regained consciousness, the sterile smell of antiseptic hit my nose. Machines beeped beside me, their rhythm harsh in the quiet room. I was in a hospital.
The pain that coursed through my body was unbearable.
“Don’t sit up,” a familiar voice warned gently.
I turned slowly, my vision blurry. The same doctor who had warned me before stood by my bed.
“How do you feel?” he asked, his expression concerned.
I tried to shrug, but my shoulders screamed in protest.
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“Terrible,” I croaked, my voice barely a whisper.
“You were in critical condition. You’ve been unconscious for days,” he informed me.
“Good,” I whispered, my breath shallow. “Two more days to go.”
The doctor frowned, his expression darkening.
“No, Rose. This isn’t good. I warned you… and now, I’m sorry, but you’ll never be able to carry a child again.”
I froze, staring at him, the words sinking into me like ice. My hands instinctively touched my stomach, and a small whimper escaped my lips.
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“I’m so sorry, Rose,” the doctor said softly. “The bleeding was too much. It was the only way to save your life.”
I didn’t cry. I couldn’t. I was hollow. Heartbroken, yes. Devastated, absolutely. But the tears wouldn’t come. They’d taken everything from me–my dignity, my future, my baby. Now, I would take everything from them.
The doctor handed me my phone.
“It’s been ringing non–stop for three days,” he said gently. “Please… take care of yourself.”
I took the phone, seeing several missed calls from my mother, along with messages and pictures.
“Where are you, Rose? What happened? Your dad got you released, but the warden said
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you had an accident. Please call me.”
“Rose, your father has done what you asked, and you’ve gotten a new passport. I’ve sent a picture and mailed it to you.”
“Rose, I’m worried about you. Your flight has been booked. You leave in two days. Call me!”
I stared at the screen, the words burning into my mind. After a long pause, I typed the only thing I could muster.
“Thank you so much, Mommy. I’m fine. Just tidying things up here. See you soon.”
I hit send, just as the door creaked open.
Serena walked in, pushing a stroller with her baby inside.
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“Oh, Rose, imagine my happiness when the doctor told me you’re awake” she said with a sickly sweet voice.
I glared at her, my eyes dead, emotionless. “What do you want?”
“I brought you lunch,” she said with a fake smile. “The boys were just messing with you by leaving you there. They didn’t know you’d be hurt.”
She set a flask down on the table and pulled out a steaming bowl.
I recoiled instantly. Seafood. She knew I was allergic.
“Leave me alone,” I said through gritted teeth. “Before I strangle you.”
Her smile turned into something sharp,
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malicious.
“But I’m not done yet, love. You’re still breathing,” she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction.
She leaned in closer, pushing the plate toward me. The smell made my stomach churn.
On instinct, I slapped it away, and the bowl shattered against the wall.
Serena screamed, her eyes wide as she looked at the mess, her gaze falling on her baby.
I turned toward the cries. My eyes landed on a small shard of glass embedded in the infant’s hand. Blood stained the baby’s delicate skin.
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I froze, horrified.
The door burst open, and there they were- Gideon and Nathaniel, staring at me like I was a monster.
“What’s going on here?” Gideon demanded, his voice harsh.
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