Lured into Love (Blossom in Winter #2) - Melanie Martins Page 0,119
up in record time and she will most likely insert that tracking chip under my skin. I can already picture the grotesque scenario: I’d be crying over my fate, kicking everyone as much as I could, but in vain, and she’d give me a little something to put me to sleep, then complete the injection without resistance. A shiver runs down my spine, and I feel like throwing up as I realize how powerless I am. Jeez, I am indeed a rat in a cage. Breathe, Petra… Just breathe…
I take the emergency contraception, put it on my tongue, and swallow. “Done,” I tell her, showing her my empty mouth.
Dr. Nel gives me a sympathetic smile for my compliance. “Good…” Then she returns to her desk, where she takes her notebook and pen, and sitting in her armchair, she says, “Now we can start the session.”
There isn’t a single moment I don’t think about running away. In fact, every time I step outside and onto the street, my heart begs me to ask for help, but my head reminds me how useless it is to do so. Then I see Anthony holding the rear door open and waiting for me to do what I’m supposed to do—get into the car and go home, without protesting about the lack of control I have over my own life. Actually, my parents and their minions expect me to comply at every turn. Otherwise… Jeez, I shiver, picturing what they are capable of doing. As I get into the car, my thoughts go to Dad and how naive I was to have trusted him to go to Rotterdam in order to talk to Mom… The faith and trust I had in my own father is forever gone. He sold his soul to the devil, and I’ll never forget it. Fortunately, in a few hours, Emma will be here, and we will be able to prepare a plan for me to contact Alex and escape this nightmare once and for all. Incredible how a nineteen-year-old is more reliable than the man who’s supposed to be my dad.
“Hey, how was your day?”
Mom’s voice startles me as I step into the house. I’m so tired of her fake, sugary tone, but I prefer not to say a word about it. “I took the pill, in case Dr. Nel didn’t tell you yet.”
Mom doesn’t hide her astonishment upon hearing my blunt answer. “I understand you’re upset. If I were your age, I’d be hating my mom too.” Mom walks closer and tries to reach for me, but I take two steps back. “Petra,” she starts. “I can assure you that your dad and I did it because we have your best interests at heart. Even if you don’t agree with it.”
I can’t help but huff at her pathetic excuse. And before going up the stairs to my atelier, I look her in the eye and say, “One day, I will marry him.”
Three hours later, I thought Mom would have left the house and gotten a life, but alas she is still here, and she’s again knocking on the door of my atelier. Jeez! She’s the most persistent woman I know.
“Petra, Emma is here.” Oh! Finally! The only words that could make me leave my painting in the blink of an eye and open the door wide.
“Emma!” I plunge her in a hug, embracing her as tightly as I can. Then I look at Mom and say, “Thanks, you may leave us now.” But before I bring Emma into my atelier, I wait for Mom to leave the hallway and go down the stairs. Once I hear steps on the marble staircase, I invite Emma to come in, and lock the door behind us.
I put my index finger to my mouth, instructing her to stay quiet. In the silence, I close my eyes, trying to discern any noise coming from the hallway. Since I don’t hear anything, I lead Emma to the other side of the atelier, as far away as possible from the door.
Without saying a word, Emma takes a brand-new iPhone 12 from her purse and gives it to me. What? How did she know I needed a new phone? But before I can ask her, she types in the passcode, which is 1205 and also my birthday, and I smile, immediately figuring everything out—it’s Alex who gave it to her.
Then Emma goes to the Notes app and shows me a text. My heart picks up immediately upon