Lucy didn't know how long she had been standing there.
The place was too quiet.
Too clean.
Too unfamiliar.
The moment she was brought inside, the door closed behind her, and it felt like something in her life had ended.
A woman walked up to her.
Middle-aged. Calm. Dressed neatly.
"Come with me," she said.
Lucy didn't argue.
She followed.
They walked down a long hallway.
Everything looked expensive.
Cold.
Untouched.
"This will be your room," the woman said, opening a door.
Lucy stepped in slowly.
The room was bigger than her entire house.
A large bed. Clean sheets. Soft lighting. A balcony at the side.
Lucy stood there, unsure.
"If you need anything, ask," the woman added.
Lucy turned to her.
"…Where am I?"
The woman paused for a second.
Then said, "You are safe here."
That wasn't an answer.
Lucy swallowed.
"And him?"
The woman looked at her for a moment.
Then simply said, "Rest."
And walked out.
Lucy stood there alone.
She let out a slow breath and sat on the bed.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Everything felt too fast.
Too sudden.
Her family.
Her mother crying.
Ruben shouting.
Her father on his knees.
Lucy covered her face with her hands.
"I'll be fine…" she whispered.
But it didn't sound real.
A knock came.
Lucy looked up quickly.
The door opened.
He walked in.
Lucy stood up immediately.
Her body reacted before her mind could catch up.
He closed the door behind him.
Silence filled the room.
He didn't rush.
Didn't speak immediately.
He just looked at her.
Lucy swallowed.
Her heart beating fast.
"Why am I here?" she asked.
He didn't answer.
"You said I'll be your wife," she continued, her voice shaking slightly.
"What does that even mean?"
Still nothing.
Lucy took a step forward.
"I didn't take anything," she said again.
"I don't even know what those files are. Why are you doing this to me?"
He walked past her.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"Sit," he said.
Lucy didn't move.
"I'm not—"
"Sit."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it stopped her.
Slowly—
She sat.
He remained standing.
Looking down at her.
"You talk too much," he said.
Lucy frowned slightly.
"I'm asking because I deserve answers," she replied.
He watched her for a second.
"You're here because I said so."
Simple.
Lucy let out a small, bitter laugh.
"That's not a reason."
"It is."
Silence.
Lucy looked away.
Trying to stay calm.
"What happens now?" she asked quietly.
"You stay."
"For how long?"
He didn't answer.
Lucy looked back at him.
"And if I refuse?"
A pause.
Then—
"You won't."
Her chest tightened.
"You don't know me," she said.
"I don't need to."
The confidence in his voice made her uneasy.
Lucy looked down at her hands.
Then back at him.
"You threatened my family," she said softly.
"That's not fair."
He didn't respond.
Of course he wouldn't.
Lucy exhaled slowly.
"Then at least tell me what you want from me," she said.
A pause.
Then
"You'll learn."
That answer only made things worse.
Before she could speak again
A knock came.
The door opened slightly.
Jurbe stepped in.
Lucy turned immediately.
Her expression changed.
"You," she said.
He walked in casually.
Like he was used to the place.
"You look settled," he said lightly.
Lucy frowned.
"Does this look like settled to you?"
He didn't answer that.
Instead, his eyes moved between her and Adrian.
"You started already?" he asked.
Adrian didn't respond.
Lucy looked between both of them.
"Wait," she said slowly.
"You two know each other… very well."
No one answered.
Lucy stood up.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"Why are you both acting like this is normal?"
Jurbe looked at her.
Then gave a small shrug.
"Because for us, it is."
Lucy stared at him.
"You could have told me," she said, hurt slipping into her voice.
"Told you what?"
"That you were part of this!" she snapped.
Jurbe remained calm.
"I told you I work," he said.
"That's not the same thing!"
Silence.
Lucy looked between them again.
Her chest rising.
Her patience breaking.
"I'm not a thing you both can just move around," she said.
Adrian finally spoke.
"You are here now."
That ended it.
Lucy looked at him.
Anger. Fear. Frustration.
All mixed together.
But she didn't speak again.
Because deep down
She knew.
Nothing she said would change anything.
Jurbe watched her quietly.
Then he spoke.
"You should rest," he said.
Lucy let out a dry laugh.
"Rest?"
"Yes."
She shook her head.
"This is crazy."
Neither of them disagreed.
That was the worst part.
After a moment
Adrian turned and walked out.
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Jurbe followed.
But paused at the door.
He looked back at Lucy.
For a second
It felt like he wanted to say something.
But he didn't.
He left.
The door closed.
Lucy stood there.
Alone again.
She slowly sat back down.
Her eyes fixed on nothing.
Her life had changed.
Completely.
And she didn't even know
Where to begin.