Betrayal Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 11 A Stroke of Luck

I stomped my foot in frustration. There wasn't enough time. If the power came back on now, the hallway cameras would start working again, and I'd be exposed.

Frantically, I put everything back in its place, locked the drawer, and double-checked the desk before placing the key back in the hidden compartment of the statue. Then, I dashed out of the study and sprinted back to the master bedroom.

My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst as the taste of blood rose in my throat. Just as I was about to get into bed, I remembered the camera was still soaking in the water.

I rushed into the bathroom, fished out the camera, shook it a few times, and dried it off with a towel before putting it back. I hoped it was damaged enough from its "drowning" to be useless.

Then, I put the chair back in front of the vanity and collapsed onto the bed, gasping for breath like a dying fish.

In that moment, despair washed over me. I stared wide-eyed into the dark room, feeling the weight of hopelessness and helplessness press in from all sides. I couldn't hold it in any longer and broke down in tears.

Even as I cried, I strained to hear any sounds from outside, terrified they might return and catch me in this state of utter despair.

The next morning, I woke up early, driven by hunger. I hadn't eaten dinner the night before, and Cathy hadn't come to give me my usual dose of medicine.

I had no idea what time they came back or when the power was restored. Perhaps I had cried myself out or found some peace after contacting Hailey. Either way, I slept surprisingly well.

When Cathy arrived with my medicine, I asked her casually, "Did I not eat dinner last night? Why am I hungry again?"

She smiled and replied with a knowing look, "You ate too little last night, said you were too full from lunch and couldn't digest!"

I clenched my fist in anger, silently cursing her. One day, she would get what was coming to her!

"Just leave it there. I need to use the bathroom first. Bring me a glass of milk!" I instructed calmly, throwing off the blanket and heading to the bathroom.

I heard her footsteps as she left. Quickly, I soaked a towel, wrung it out, and went back out to pour the medicine into it. To be safe, I pretended to drink the medicine as well.

Back in the bathroom, I washed the towel, thinking I needed to save some of the medicine for Hailey to take out.

Just as I finished and returned to bed, Cathy came back with the milk and glanced at the empty medicine bowl.

I took the milk, sipped it, and asked nonchalantly, "Where's Aidan?"

"He left!" she replied and then yelled at the cat. "Sherlock, get down from there! You're getting more mischievous by the day! Hurry!"

I looked up to see Sherlock perched on top of the cabinet, glaring at Cathy with disdain.

Seeing this, a spark of hope ignited in me.

That cat really was my lucky charm, almost like a divine helper sent from above!

Cathy glanced at it helplessly and muttered to herself, carrying the bowls as she left the room. "Breakfast will be ready soon!"

Maybe it was just my imagination, but her attitude seemed more arrogant today as if she was openly challenging me.

Once she was gone, I called Sherlock and got out of bed, slowly approaching the cabinet. Pretending to talk to the cat to coax it down, I picked up a book and tossed it - not at the cat, but at the hidden camera. The book hit its mark with a series of loud bangs, scaring the cat, which leaped off the cabinet.

I smiled, hugging Sherlock and kissing its head. Overjoyed, I praised it silently. It was truly my hero! But out loud, I scolded, "Don't go up there again!"

But I felt confident, knowing that the room was safe now.

I ate my breakfast absentmindedly, not daring to eat too much to avoid suspicion.

As noon approached, I eagerly awaited Hailey's arrival. But the entire day passed without any sign of her.