Page 8 of Tormented Hearts

But today was different.

Phoenix had noticed a change in the routine. There had been a meeting earlier in the day, a gathering of Luca’s inner circle that had pulled his men’s attention away from her for the first time in weeks. Gabriel and Miguel, who usually kept a close eye on her, had been called to Luca’s office, leaving a skeleton crew of guards in charge of the penthouse.

It wasn’t much, but it was something. And in a world where Luca’s control was absolute, something was more than she had ever hoped for.

She had dressed simply—jeans and a loose sweater, something that wouldn’t draw attention if she managed to get out. Her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, she didn’t want anything to slow her down, anything that would remind her of the life she was desperately trying to escape.

She had spent hours replaying every detail in her mind—how she would slip past the guards, where she would go once she was outside, who she could trust to help her. But as she stood there, staring at the door that would lead her out of Luca’s grasp, the reality of what she was doing hit her like a wave of ice-cold water.

If she was caught, if Luca found her trying to leave, she knew exactly what would happen. She could see it so clearly in her mind: the fury in his eyes, the cold, unyielding grip of his hands as he pulled her back into the cage, he had built around her. And then there would be no more chances. No more freedom. Just Luca and his suffocating, possessiveness.

The penthouse had always felt like a prison, but now, as she stood on the brink of leaving, it felt more like a tomb. The silence was oppressive, the air thick with the weight of what she was about to do. Her fingers trembled as she reached for the door handle, the cool metal biting into her skin.

What if the guards were waiting for her on the other side? What if this was some kind of test, some cruel game Luca had devised to break her spirit once and for all? Her mind raced with a thousand worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last.

But she couldn’t back down now. She had to do this. She had to try.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, trying to calm the panic that threatened to overwhelm her. She could do this. She had to do this. For herself. For the freedom she had almost forgotten how to want.

Slowly, she pushed the door open, her heart racing as it swung silently on its hinges. The hallway beyond was empty, theshadows long and still. No one was there. No guards, no one to stop her. Just the open door and the freedom that lay beyond it.

But it didn’t make sense. The guards were always here, always watching. Why would they leave the door unguarded now, of all times?

Phoenix hesitated, fear clawing at her insides. It felt too easy, too perfect. A trap, her mind whispered, it’s a trap. But she couldn’t turn back. She couldn’t let fear stop her.

Taking one last, trembling breath, Phoenix stepped through the door, her heart pounding as she moved forward, every step feeling like it could be her last.

Phoenix’s legs felt like lead as she made her way down the hallway, her eyes darting to every corner, every shadow, expecting a guard to step out and block her path at any moment. But the penthouse was eerily quiet, the usual hum of voices and footsteps replaced by a silence that only made her anxiety worse.

She knew she didn’t have much time. Luca would be finishing his meeting soon, and once he realized she was gone, there would be no escape. He would hunt her down, tear the city apart to find her, and when he did...

Phoenix’s breath hitched in her throat, her chest tightening with fear. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if Luca caught her.

But she couldn’t let that stop her. She had to keep moving, had to put as much distance between herself and Luca’s world as possible before he realized she was gone.

Her hands trembled as she reached the elevator, her fingers hovering over the buttons. What if someone was watching? What if they were waiting for her at the bottom, ready to drag her back to Luca, to lock her away where no one could find her?

She glanced back down the hallway, her mind racing. There had to be another way. The stairs. It would take longer, but it was safer. Quieter. Less likely to draw attention.

Taking a deep breath, Phoenix turned away from the elevator, her heart pounding as she made her way to the stairwell. Every step echoed in the silence, the sound of her boots hitting the concrete sending spikes of fear through her. She was so close. So close to getting out.

But just as she reached the door, she froze. A voice, low and familiar, came from around the corner.

“Make sure she stays put. Luca wants eyes on her at all times.”

Phoenix’s blood ran cold. Gabriel.

Her mind went blank with terror. If Gabriel saw her, if he realized what she was trying to do, it would be over. He would take her back to Luca, and she would never get another chance.

She pressed herself against the wall, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps as she tried to control the shaking in her limbs. She couldn’t let him see her. She couldn’t. She was so close.

The voices grew fainter, moving down the hall, and Phoenix felt a rush of relief as Gabriel’s footsteps faded into the distance. He hadn’t seen her. She still had a chance.

Taking one last, trembling breath, Phoenix pushed open the door to the stairwell, her heart racing as she stepped inside. She was shaking so badly she could barely keep her balance, but she forced herself to move, to keep going. Down the stairs, step by agonizing step, her legs weak with fear, her mind screaming at her to go faster, to get out, to run.

She had never been so scared in her life.

By the time she reached the ground floor, Phoenix’s whole body was trembling with exhaustion and fear. She felt like she wasgoing to collapse, her legs barely able to hold her up as she pushed through the final door and out into the cool night air.