Chapter 30 I floated in darkness , trapped in the confines of my own mind and unable to move . The silence was heavy and every sound from the outside world echoed painfully . I heard voices , faint at first , then clearer . Ruby's voice came through , cruel and mocking , and then I heard Mrs. Massaro laugh , her tone sharp and full of venom . " She's still alive ? " Mrs. Massaro giggled , her voice trembling with malice . " Well , not for long . " Ruby hissed , " Let her prince charming come . We will bury them together . " I wanted to scream , to claw my way out , to fight , but I was paralyzed by fear and pain . In my mind , I saw fleeting images of Ephraim's face and I heard Carson calling my name . I made a silent vow , a promise whispered with trembling determination : I am not dying here . Then the blackness lifted . I woke up in agony . My chest felt tight and each breath came in shallow , labored gasps . My eyes fluttered open to a dim , dusty ceiling that swayed slightly with my motion . I tried to sit up , and panic surged as I realized I was lying in a coffin . The interior was lined with black velvet , smooth and oppressive . Ruby and Mrs. Massaro stood before me , each holding a glass of champagne as if celebrating a trophy . Ruby smiled a cold , wicked smile that sent shivers down my spine . " Well , well , sleeping beauty finally woke up , " Ruby purred , her voice laced with false sweetness . My throat was hoarse as I managed to ask , " Where am I ? " Mrs. Massaro tilted her head and smiled like a vulture . " Home . Or at least what is left of it . You are going to rot here . " Ruby stepped closer , eyes glinting with brutal humor . " And don't worry , Ephraim's next . We will let him find your corpse first . You wanted to die with your precious Cleo , didn't you ? " She reached over and pulled at the necklace that held Cleo's ashes and then stomped on it , a display of cruelty that made my blood run cold . " Then soon you will join him in hell . " I tried to speak again , but my voice came out barely more than a whisper . " Please … why am I doing this ? Why … " Mrs. Massaro interrupted , her tone dismissive and scornful . " You are nothing but a traitor to our family . You brought ruin upon us when you dared to choose your soft heart over the power we deserve . Now , you will suffer for your choices . " Ruby's eyes bore into mine as she added , " You always thought you could play the victim and win sympathy . But no one envies you now . You ruined everything , and now it is time for you to pay . " The words slammed into me , and I felt the weight of my regrets bearing down on me . I tried to summon a response to defy them but all I managed was a weak , trembling sound 22:34 Sun , Aug 10 47 % 0 X tried to summon a response , to defy them , but all I managed was a weak , trembling sound that died in the cold air . I closed my eyes , trying to remember a time when I had hope , when I believed I could make a stand . But now everything was dark and brutal , and the echo of their voices promised endless torment . I strained against the confines of the coffin , desperate to move , desperate to live . And though I was weak , I clung to that silent vow : I would not let them have the last word . I would find a way to survive , even in this nightmare , even if I had to fight every moment of every day for the chance to see daylight again . ** I let my head fall back and forced my eyes shut again , slowing my breathing until it was shallow and uneven . I made myself look limp . Useless . As if I was slipping away for good . I heard one of them laugh , but I didn't move . My wrists ached from the heavy chains , both hands cuffed to the metal sides of the coffin , but I didn't dare adjust . Not yet . Ruby started talking again , her voice sharp and careless now that she thought I couldn't hear her . " Everything's ready . Death certificate's already processed under the hospital's ghost file . The press won't question it once they see the photos . We'll dump the body in the marsh , clean and cold , " she said , swirling the champagne in her glass . " He'll be too broken to fight back when he sees her corpse . He'll walk right into it . " Mrs. Massaro scoffed . " Ephraim Lambert always did think with his heart . It's disgusting . " " He'll suffer , " Ruby hissed . " And when he does , I want front - row seats . " They talked a little longer , whispering and chuckling as they walked out . I stayed still , memorizing every word , every detail . My pulse hammered in my ears , but I didn't move until I heard the door click shut . I slowly opened my eyes , testing to make sure I was alone . My body was weak , my muscles sore from days of drugged sleep , but my mind was sharp now . I looked around carefully . The room was dim and cold , the walls cracked and yellowed . Dust covered everything . This wasn't a hospital . It wasn't even a proper hideout . It was a chapel . Abandoned . The stained glass windows were boarded up with rusted metal , and the air smelled of mold and burnt wood . Candles burned low around the altar like someone had tried to make it feel sacred again , but all I felt was rot . On the table beside the bed - my coffin - was a rusted nail . Maybe it was once used for the floorboards or the broken cross in the corner , but now it was mine . I closed my fingers around it , careful not to draw attention from the small surveillance camera blinking red in the corner of the room . I wasn't waiting for anyone to save me . Chapter 30 CA 213 80 0 % 22:34 Sun , Aug 104 X When the nurse came in later , I made my move . I started jerking violently , letting out strained gasps as if I couldn't breathe . My legs kicked weakly and I bit down hard on my lip until I tasted blood . The seizure was fake , but the pain was real . I needed it to look real . He cursed and rushed over . " Shit , not now - stay with me , come on- " he muttered , leaning over me . That was when I drove the nail into his neck . He gurgled , eyes wide , blood spraying across my face and onto the white sheets . I didn't flinch . I didn't stop . I twisted the nail until he stopped moving and then reached for his belt . I grabbed the keys with shaking hands and yanked his coat from his back . It took me three tries to stand . I wrapped the coat around me , pushed the door open , and stepped into the hallway . It was colder outside the room , the stone floors unforgiving under my bare feet . I moved quickly but kept low , heart hammering as I counted the doors . Halfway down the corridor , another guard spotted me . " Hey ! She's out ! " " The bitch escaped ! "