STEEL CITY

chapter 24

"Let's go," the prison guard said to Daphne.

She stepped out of her cell clad in black yoga pants and a plain black blouse. Yesterday she was informed that she would be released.

She couldn't get a wink of sleep last night as she anxiously awaited her release.

Daphne stared at the door leading outside what has been her home for a long time. The heavy metal door groaned open and she finally stepped out. She blinked as the harsh sunlight hit her eyes, almost blinding.

A breath of relief escaped her lips as she greedily inhaled the now fresh and clean air around her. She stared at her surroundings slowly, drinking in everything she saw.

Her eyes finally landed on her grandfather who was waiting to welcome her. Daphne wasted no time running into his arms hugging him tightly like her life depended on it, as she feared it was all an illusion.

Arthur gently patted his granddaughter's head as she continued to cling to him.

"Don't you want your grandpa to live a long life,"Arthur asked, laughing at how tightly she was squeezing him.

"Of course I do," Daphne said, sighing softly.

"I told you that I would get you out," Arthur solemnly said.

An hour later, Daphne and Arthur were being ushered by Grey into the manor.

"Go upstairs, take a shower and rest for a while. Grey will bring you something to eat," Arthur said, his expression turning stern as he realized Daphne was about to refute him. One harsh glance from Arthur was enough to send Daphne upstairs.

Daphne Ross was a very stubborn woman, she inherited this troublesome gene from her grandfather which often causes them to buttheads.

Daphne sometimes yields as her grandfather is the most important person in her life.

After spending a good amount of time soaking in the bathtub and another 30 minutes resting but not being able to sleep she decided to visit her grandfather.

He was in his home office hoing through some documents. He immediately dropped everything focusing his attention to his granddaughter immediately she was in his line of sight.

"I think we both have different definitions of rest," Arthur said with a frown.

"I'm ok. I couldn't rest properly without getting answers," she replied.

"What do you want to know," Arthur asked.

"You're aware of what I want to know but if you want me to spell it out I will. Were the Cy's involved?" she asked.

"Yes," Arthur stated simply.

Daphne's expression remained aloof as she processed the information she received. Her mind racing as she cooked up theories and narratives on why they would be involved but couldn't come up with anything.

"Do you know who specifically and why," Daphne asked somberly.

"It's not your little friend so you can relax. Someone else in the family is pulling the strings but I'm still investigating. Edward and his immediate family seem innocent well except for Matt but I'll dig deeper," Arthur responded.

Daphne involuntarily let out a sigh of relief. She didn't know how she would react if she found out that Mira had conspired against her with Imogen.

"I don't understand why everyone is acting like Matt doesn't exist," Daphne said confused.

"Everyone one know he got you kidnapped well everyone except for his pig headed father but he didn't keep you in prison," Arthur said.

"How do you know? The last time we spoke to each other you made it seem like Mira was involved and I forgot about Matt," Daphne said.

"Matt is a member of the Cy family but has been practically exiled. He is the black sheep of the family so he basically has no profound ties with family except in name," Arthur said.

"So he can't go around using the family name. Someone from that pompous family is helping him," he finished.

"I didn't think about it that way, plus I didn't realize the issues Matt had with his family were that fatal. What really happened between Matt and the Cy's," Daphne replied.

"You obviously didn't think at all because if you did I wouldn't have to explain everything I just did. I need you to flush out any unnecessary emotions and bias from your mind"

"Your opponent is a Cy and they are very formidable, well not all but if whomever this is could keep you locked up you have to be on guard. Whatever happened with Matt is not your priority and quite frankly none of your concern," Arthur said, standing up to leave the room.

"Those brain dead netizens won't take the news of your release well so for now you aren't allowed to go outside and remember no one from that family is to be trusted even your little friend," he said.

"But you just said she was clean and why do you keep calling her "my little friend" her name is Mira," Daphne asked with a small frown.

"I know what the brat's name is and I know what I said but it won't hurt to be careful," Arthur responded.

"I'm going to take a rest now, you should too," Arthur said, finally leaving the room.

Daphne sat on the swivel chair in the study slowly rotating in different directions. The weight of her grandfather words sank into her as she stared into space.

Were her emotions and attachment really clouding her ability to think critically?

Was she becoming dull?

After thirty minutes of thinking and not reaching any conclusions she decided to call it a day.

An hour into what was supposed to be a short siesta Daphne shot out of bed with a gut wrenching scream, drenched in sweat even though her room was well air conditioned.

Her breathing ragged and heavy as the remnant of the nightmare clinged to her. Her mind drifting back to when she was trapped by those cold four walls.

The depressing atmosphere and the occasional clangs of the steel bars that echoes through the cells. The whispers of a non existent figure lurking behind her all felt so real but alas it was just her imagination.

Then her eyes fell on her familiar bed post then side table and finally settled on her couch. She was safe......She was home.

Daphne fell back on her bed, her hands covering her face as she chanted soothing words quietly.

It's not real.....

It's just a dream.....

....not real

......in the past

He is not here.

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