Chapter 26: The Gate to Freedom
Lilia tossed her phone onto the bed without a second thought as she turned her attention to the wardrobe. She couldn't afford any distractions right now—not even the lingering thought of leaving her phone behind.
She opened the wardrobe doors, her hands trembling slightly as she rummaged through the rows of neatly hung clothes.
Each item seemed more formal than the last: silken nightgowns, dresses adorned with lace, and embroidered robes that screamed wealth but offered no practicality for what she was about to do. Frustration bubbled inside her. She needed something simple—something that wouldn't draw attention.
Her fingers brushed the back panel of the wardrobe, and she paused. The polished wood felt different there, almost hollow. She pushed against it, and to her surprise, the panel gave way, revealing a smaller compartment.
Hidden within was a collection of folded gym outfits, their sleek material starkly contrasting the elaborate clothing she had sifted through earlier.
A black top and leggings lay at the top of the pile, as though waiting for her. Perfect. She slipped into them quickly, their snug fit making her feel lighter and more agile. Her ink-dark hair was another problem; it tumbled down her back in loose waves, too unruly to manage without effort. Grabbing a claw clip from the dresser, she swept her hair up, securing it as best as she could. A tight bun wouldn't hold—it never did.
She glanced at the clock on her phone. It was already 10 p.m. Her chest tightened as reality sank in. Two hours. That's all the time she had to get out of the mansion before midnight.
Slipping out of her room, she was immediately struck by how eerily quiet the hallway was.
The silence amplified every creak of the marble beneath her feet, each sound echoing like a warning. She tiptoed, her steps deliberately light, as if that might somehow keep her hidden. It was a foolish thought—if someone appeared, they'd see her regardless. Still, the muted sound of her footsteps offered an illusion of stealth, and for now, that was enough.
As she moved through the corridor, the flickering shadows cast by the dim wall sconces danced like specters around her. She reached the grand staircase and descended slowly, her heart pounding harder with each step.
The mansion's back entrance came into view—a massive double door that loomed ahead like the gates to freedom. Her hand reached out instinctively, but before she could take another step, a voice shattered the silence.