Chapter 33Elena’s POV

I was alone, then suddenly a piece of memory slammed into my mind. I wasn’t in the hospital bed anymore. I was running and my lungs were breathing in pain. My feet were pounding against the pavement. I could feel the desperate need to get away from somewhere.

I suddenly see the sight of a slumped body. Something in my mind tells me his name is Marco. I glance behind me and see a man was coming. But his face was blur. I couldn’t see it clearly.

“Elena!” His voice, a low, guttural roar echoed in my mind.

I draw a sharp breath when I regain myself. I had to go. Whoever was coming wasn’t my savior. My hands were shaking as I ripped the IV needle from my arm. The sting was dull, then I swung my leg over the side of the bed. My legs wobble, but I forced myself to stand, clinging to the edge of the mattress.

My hospital gown was thin, somehow exposing. I spotted my clothes folded neatly on a chair. A loose sweater and jeans, though they were still slightly stained with probably my blood. I pulled them on. I opened the door and entered the long, busy hallway.

I rounded the corner towards the elevators and froze. He was there, standing near the nurse’s station, talking quietly to an administrator. He was dressed in a dark suit. The sight of him brought his name to my lips, “Damian”

I remembered the humiliation I served in the punishment room where he left me to kneel for hours. He was the one who had come for me. I felt panic surge in me. I spun on my heel, ignoring the elevators and ran for the emergency exit sign. The metal door crashed open behind me and I burst out into a fire escape, the harsh afternoon air hitting my face.

I scrambled down the metal stairs until I hit the ground floor and enter the city street. I ran across the busy sidewalk, desperate to put distance between myself and the hospital.

“Elena, stop, damn it! Nico, get her.” The command of Damian’s voice was instantly recognizable. I didn’t look back and sprinted more, forcing myself. A high-pitched horn screamed right next to my ear. I saw a flash of a yellow taxi bearing down on me. The tires squealed as the driver slammed down on the brakes. I was caught, frozen mid-steps. I closed my eyes, waiting for impact.

Suddenly, the air was knocked from my lungs as I was yanked violently backward, off the street and against a firm chest. The car roared past, its wake of wind pushing my hair. Damian’s arms were around me; his breath ragged against my ear. “Are you insane?”

My breath came in broken sobs and suddenly I went slack in his arms as unconsciousness took over me.

I opened my eyes to a very high ceiling. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain hit across my stomach and high, pulling a gasp from my lips. I lifted the silk duvet from my body to look. The cut on my thigh was neatly bandaged. I carefully swung my legs over the massive bed.

The room felt awfully familiar. It screamed of power and possession. My heart started to pound. My chest tightened until I could barely draw breath. I was not safe here. I had run from the hospital, only to wake up in the place I truly feared. I froze, scanning the room for any exit.

And that was when I saw him. He was standing by the door. He hadn’t made any sound.

“That’s enough, Elena.” Damian said, his voice low and steady. “You’re in my house. You’re safe and this ridiculous pursuit is over.”

He moved closer to Elena. He ran a cold touch on her cheek. “I heard you’re sick. A side effect of your accident. The doctor tells me you have memory loss.”

Elena swallowed hard. She forced her shaking hands to clutch the duvet, trying to anchor herself. The amnesia was real, but she knew it was the only shield she had left.

“I don’t know what you want.” I said, my voice shaky. “I can’t help you with anything because I’m confused. You need to let me go.”

“No, you can still help me. You know the doctor told me your amnesia could still be curable in the future. It’s just temporary.” He said, his eyes locking onto hers. “Do you think I brought you all the way here to listen to your excuses, or to send you on your way with a pat on the head and a basket of flowers?”

I drew a deep shaky breath.

“I assure you, Elena. I’ll bring the best specialist money can buy. You will get back your memories. I will make sure of it.” He leaned down just enough for the spice of his cologne to invade her sense of smell.

“You tried to escape my house once. You won’t make that mistake again.”

“Why are you doing this to me? What have I ever done to deserve this?” I stammer, tired of everything even though I can’t remember.

“I won’t say much things. Just be ready for what is come.” Damian concluded, then he leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

I rested my hands on my temple and massaged it gently. This must be where I had escaped from. I can feel it in my guts, and now I am back here. There was a soft knock on the door before it swung open.

A short maid probably in her twenties entered with freshly laundered clothes. I look away, and raise my legs back on the bed. The maid didn’t look at me, keeping her gaze on the area in front of her feet until she reached the bed where she dropped the clothes. She placed the new stack down carefully.

“You’re hurt. I’ll warm the water in the bathroom for you.” The maid murmured. “You need to shower and change into new clothes.”

“I don’t want anything. Please just leave me alone.’ I said firmly. The maid still stood, then I glanced at her. The sympathy in her eyes hardened into a grave expression.

“You tried to escape master Damian. You must not run from him. It will not buy you freedom. It will only make things worse for you.”

She turned away instantly after she spoke, then she left the room, closing the door behind her. I stare at the door intensely. That means there’s only one way to regain my freedom, and that is to regain my memories.