His Dangerous Embrace

The Plan

Chapter 10

"With the clock ticking down and fear gnawing at her resolve, she knew escape was her only salvation—four days stood between freedom and the life she desperately needed to leave behind."

Esme gazed at the morning sun through the glass wall, its rays casting a golden shimmer over the dark sea, making the waves brushing against the rocks look divine and majestic. Yet, the beauty did nothing to soothe her troubled heart. She had cried the entire night, mourning a fate she desperately wished to change but felt powerless to alter. In mere seconds, her life had shifted from one peril to another, each more lethal than the last.

Her mental state teetered on the brink. She had no idea what horror awaited her next—perhaps another murder, she feared. The previous night's bloodshed had already shaken her to the core, and the thought of enduring more violence was unbearable. Staying in this place another second felt like a path to madness or, worse, a descent into the same cold indifference that gripped everyone around her. People here seemed numb to justice, devoid of sympathy, silently witnessing death without so much as a word of protest.

She believed that nothing could ever justify such wrongdoings. No one had the right to take a life they couldn't give. Deep down, she knew Kai was wrong, and everyone who justified his actions was equally wrong. Yet, she also understood that his power was absolute, capable of crushing anyone who dared to question him—herself included. But she had once dreamed of a life free from nightmares, abuse, violence, and bloodshed. Was a peaceful life too much to ask for? The thought gnawed at her, leaving her questioning whether her simple wish had become an impossible fantasy.

The door to Esme's room creaked open as Elsa entered, carrying a tray laden with a meal. Esme had missed breakfast, and Elsa's sweet smile attempted to mask the concern she felt.

"Is somebody still feeling troubled?" Elsa asked gently, setting the tray on the bed before her. But Esme remained silent, her gaze fixed on the view beyond the glass wall.

Elsa sighed inwardly, understanding that it wasn't easy for Esme to forget and accept everything happening around her. In just a few seconds, her entire life had turned upside down, and Elsa knew it would take time for her to adjust.

"Esme, eat something," Elsa coaxed, trying to lift her spirits. "I made your favorite avocado sandwich and your favorite mint lemon drink."

Esme glanced at the tray, but her expression remained distant.

"I've got good news for you," Elsa continued, her voice laced with hope. "Kai sir won't be here for a week. So, you don't have to hide like this anymore."

Esme finally turned to look at Elsa, her eyes silently asking for confirmation.

"Yes, Esme. He's gone to Russia," Elsa assured her, watching as a subtle relief washed over Esme's features.

"Are you sure he will be gone for a week?" Esme asked after a long pause, her voice finally breaking the silence. Elsa smiled, pleased to see her speaking again. But what Elsa couldn't know was that this was the beginning of Esme's plan for escape.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the garden, Esme and Elsa went about their routine, watering the plants in comfortable silence. The tranquil atmosphere seemed to momentarily ease Esme's troubled mind. But as they began to head back inside, a question lingered on her lips, and she finally voiced it.

"Do the guards always surround the place like this?" Esme asked, trying to sound casual, though her heart raced with a mix of hope and apprehension.

Elsa, unaware of the intent behind the question, answered with a shrug. "No, most of them go for patrolling at night, leaving about half to handle the east wing of the mansion."

Esme nodded, filing away this crucial information. If fewer guards were present during the night, it might be easier to slip away unnoticed. Her mind began to whirl with the possibilities, but she needed more details.

"Is there any place around here that doesn't have fencing?" Esme asked, trying to keep the curiosity in her voice natural.

Elsa frowned, puzzled by the question but still answered after a moment of thought. "Well, most of the place is fenced, in case of any attack. But... there's a section in the southeast part of the property where construction is still ongoing. That area doesn't have fencing yet."

Esme's heart skipped a beat. That information was exactly what she needed. She tried to hide the spark of hope in her eyes as they walked back inside, her mind already racing with plans for her escape.

As the mansion slept in silence, Esme quietly prepared her escape. Her heart raced as she slipped out of her room, careful to avoid any creaking floorboards. She knew every step mattered, especially when everything hinged on her stealth. Taking the stairs instead of the lift, she reached the rooftop, knowing that any noise could betray her.

The rooftop was locked, but she had prepared for this. She had taken the key from Maria, the head maid, under the guise of returning it to its rightful place. But she had kept it for herself, knowing this moment would come. With trembling hands, she unlocked the door and stepped out into the night.

The cold hit her like a wall, the wind slicing through her thin clothes, reminding her just how isolated and exposed this place was, perched between the unforgiving sea and the dense, ominous forest. She shivered but forced herself to focus.

From her vantage point on the roof, she could see the guards patrolling below. Just as Elsa had said, there were fewer of them now, making their rounds. Her eyes scanned the construction site in the southeast. It was clearly visible, but heavily guarded. A sigh escaped her lips as she realized how difficult it would be to create a distraction big enough to draw the guards away.

Lost in her thoughts, she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard a noise behind her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a wave of fear washed over her. Had someone discovered her? She turned slowly, terrified of being caught in the act, her mind racing with possible excuses.

But then, she saw the source of the noise—a black car emerging from behind a row of oil tanks stored on the roof. Relief flooded her as she realized it was just a routine movement, not someone catching her in the midst of her escape preparations.

Still, the close call rattled her. She knew she had to be more careful. Any slip-up could mean the end of her freedom—or worse. She took one last look at the guards and the construction area before retreating back inside. There was much to do, and her window of opportunity was closing fast.

Esme knew her time was limited. Kai would return in just four days, and once he was back, her chances of escape would diminish significantly. Every moment counted, and the pressure weighed heavily on her. She had to be ready, and her plan had to be flawless. There was no room for error, no second chances.

She spent the rest of the night going over every detail in her mind, making sure she knew exactly what she needed to do. The fear of getting caught was ever-present, but the thought of staying here, trapped in this world of violence and danger, was even more terrifying.

As she lay in bed, unable to sleep, she could only hope that when the time came, everything would go according to plan. Four days. That was all she had.

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