The ride from the hospital was quiet.
Too quiet.
Elena sat in the passenger seat of the black car, her hands resting nervously in her lap. The seatbelt pressed against her shoulder as the car moved smoothly through the late evening streets.
Outside the window, the city lights blurred into long streaks of gold and white.
Everything felt distant.
Unreal.
Her body still ached from the accident, and every movement reminded her of the fall from the cliff.
But the physical pain was nothing compared to the fear growing slowly inside her chest.
The man driving beside her believed she was someone else.
Sarah.
His wife.
Elena stole a small glance at him.
Luca drove calmly, his eyes focused on the road ahead. His sharp profile looked even more striking under the soft glow of the streetlights passing through the windshield.
He was handsome.
There was no denying that.
But there was something cold about him too.
Something dangerous hidden beneath the calm expression on his face.
The memory of his words from earlier made her stomach twist.
If you run away again… I will lock you up.
Elena's fingers curled slightly against her skirt.
She didn't know what would happen if he discovered the truth.
That she wasn't Sarah.
That she was Elena.
The girl whose life had just been destroyed.
The car slowed suddenly.
Elena looked up.
They had arrived at a large iron gate.
Two tall pillars stood on either side of it, decorated with elegant stone carvings.
A security guard quickly stepped forward as the car approached.
The gates slowly opened with a low mechanical hum.
Elena's eyes widened slightly.
Beyond the gates stretched a long driveway lined with tall trees and perfectly trimmed hedges.
At the end of the road stood an enormous villa.
It looked more like a palace than a home.
The building was illuminated by warm golden lights that reflected softly against the marble exterior.
Large windows stretched across the front, and a beautiful fountain stood in the center of the circular driveway.
Even from a distance, Elena could tell one thing.
Luca was extremely rich.
The car rolled forward slowly.
Elena's heart beat faster with every second.
When the vehicle finally stopped in front of the mansion, the enormous front doors opened automatically.
Several servants were already waiting.
They stood in a neat line near the entrance.
The moment Luca stepped out of the car, they bowed.
"Welcome home, sir."
Luca didn't respond immediately.
He walked around the car and opened Elena's door.
She hesitated.
But his gaze fell on her again.
"Come."
His voice was calm.
But it wasn't a request.
Elena slowly stepped out of the car.
Her legs still felt weak.
The ground shifted slightly beneath her.
Luca noticed immediately.
Before she could lose her balance, his hand caught her arm.
His grip was firm.
Steady.
But careful.
For a moment Elena froze.
His touch was warm.
Unexpectedly gentle.
But the moment passed quickly.
"Walk," Luca said quietly.
Together they moved toward the mansion.
The grand entrance hall was breathtaking.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting soft golden light across the polished marble floor.
Expensive paintings decorated the walls.
Large flower arrangements filled the corners of the room.
Everything about the place screamed wealth.
Power.
Status.
But Elena couldn't appreciate any of it.
Her chest felt tight.
Her mind was racing.
She wasn't supposed to be here.
This wasn't her life.
As soon as they stepped inside, Luca stopped walking.
The servants immediately straightened.
Luca's expression changed.
The calm man from earlier disappeared.
Now his face looked cold.
Commanding.
"Listen carefully," he said.
The maids lowered their heads slightly.
"Yes, sir."
Luca placed a hand lightly on Elena's shoulder.
"This is Madam."
The maids immediately bowed toward her.
"Good evening, Madam."
Elena felt even more uneasy hearing that word.
Madam.
They thought she was Sarah too.
Luca's voice suddenly became colder.
"From now on, none of you will leave her alone."
The maids exchanged quick nervous glances.
"You will keep a close eye on her at all times," Luca continued.
"If she walks somewhere, you follow."
"If she enters a room, someone waits outside."
Elena's stomach tightened.
He was placing guards around her.
Luca's gaze darkened slightly.
"And if she runs away again…"
The room became completely silent.
His voice dropped dangerously low.
"…every one of you will be dead."
The maids immediately bowed deeper.
"Yes, sir!"
Elena felt a chill run down her spine.
The calm way he had said those words made them even more terrifying.
Was he serious?
Would he really kill them?
Luca turned back to her as if nothing unusual had happened.
"Come with me."
He began walking toward the staircase.
Elena followed slowly.
Her mind was spinning.
The mansion was even larger inside.
The staircase curved elegantly toward the second floor.
Soft carpet covered the hallway upstairs, and more paintings lined the walls.
Everything looked luxurious.
But the beauty of the place only made Elena feel more trapped.
I have to leave.
But how?
If the servants were watching her…
If Luca truly meant what he said…
Her thoughts were interrupted when Luca stopped in front of a large wooden door.
He opened it.
"This is our room."
Elena froze.
Our room.
Before she could react, her legs suddenly felt weak again.
The exhaustion from the accident, the hospital, and the emotional shock of the day was finally catching up with her.
Her vision blurred slightly.
Luca noticed immediately.
Without hesitation, he lifted her into his arms.
Elena stiffened.
His arms were strong.
Secure.
But his touch remained careful.
He carried her into the room and placed her gently on the large bed.
The mattress sank softly beneath her.
For a moment Luca simply looked at her.
His expression softened slightly.
He walked to the nearby table and poured a glass of water.
Then he returned and handed it to her.
"Drink."
His voice was quieter now.
Almost gentle.
Elena hesitated before slowly taking the glass.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted it.
The cool water soothed her dry throat.
Luca watched her closely.
When she finished, he took the empty glass from her hand.
"You need rest," he said softly.
His tone was completely different from earlier.
There was no threat in it now.
Only quiet concern.
Elena looked at him with confusion.
This man frightened her.
But at the same time…
He was strangely gentle.
Luca pulled the blanket over her carefully.
His movements were slow.
Deliberate.
"Sleep," he said quietly.
"You're still weak."
Elena's eyelids grew heavy.
The exhaustion from everything that had happened finally overwhelmed her.
Within minutes, her body began to relax.
The room was warm.
Quiet.
Safe.
Before her eyes closed completely, she noticed something unexpected.
Luca hadn't left.
He was still sitting beside the bed.
Watching her.
His earlier cold expression had disappeared.
Instead there was something softer in his eyes.
Something almost protective.
Then the darkness of sleep slowly took over.
And within moments…
Elena fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.