Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 46

A woman brings me to the highest part of the house. Men in black uniform suits stand along the sides. By my estimate, they're spaced about five meters apart. They aren't even looking at me, but I already feel suffocated. They're probably assigned to guard me.

There are too many of them for someone like me. They clearly don't want me escape.

We stop at a closed door. One of the men opens it, revealing a large, clean bed.

There are four pillows and a comforter on it. I've missed sleeping in a proper bed like this.

The woman gestures for me to go inside. I look around the whole room. It's spacious for one person-but about the same size as my old bedroom back home.

There's a door leading to a closet and a glass door that opens to a view outside. The curtain is slightly drawn, and I can see the setting sun.

"You'll stay here for now, while my brother gives no orders," the woman says, offering a faint smile. "By the way, I'm Leiara. You can call me Lei."

I nod and smile faintly. "I'm Aphle," I introduce myself.

She nods. "I know your name. Ysmael sent me your information."

She sits on the bed while I remain standing, scanning the room. I check for any cameras. Sometimes I wouldn't even go into the bathroom to change-especially when I know I'm locked in.

I hear her sigh. "Sorry about what my aunt did earlier. I understand her anger, but what she did to you was wrong. You ended up getting hurt."

I give a bitter smile. "It's fine. It didn't really hurt," I lie.

"About the things you brought-do you want me to bring them up later?" she asks.

I nod immediately. "Is my phone included? And... can I call our house?" I ask, hoping, even though I know I've been kidnapped.

She scratches the back of her neck. "Your phone isn't there. And I don't know if you're allowed to use any gadgets either."

I sigh and nod. "I know you'll get bored here," she says. "Later, I'll have a flatscreen TV moved in-at least for some entertainment."

I nod again and thank her. At least she's kind. Even though her parents died tragically, she's not angry at me.

"Is it okay if I ask about your parents?" I say quietly. I really don't know anything.

She nods right away. "How old were you when they died?"

She pauses, but quickly recovers. "I was four years old," she says sadly.

I immediately walk over to her, worried she might cry. "It's okay, you don't have to continue."

She shakes her head and laughs softly. "It's fine. I accepted it a long time ago."

"When I found out, Auntie Sabby said I cried and cried-even though I barely understood what was happening."

"I don't remember anything from when I was four. I kept moving around, living with different people after Mama and Papa died... and your parents took their place."

"The whole clan was afraid I'd be next. That's why I grew up with Auntie Sabby."

"I was eight when I found out I had a sibling. That my sibling survived the massacre."

I nod. I don't say I don't believe in it-I want to respect her beliefs.

"That's why I didn't live with them-to stay out of the way. If I had, maybe I'd be dead too."

It's hard to believe she could've died a long time ago. If she weren't here, who would protect me from her family? No one. They all hate me because I'm a Poniente-the child of a murderer.