?Chapter 465:


    That afternoon, although Bailee had skipped lunch, Eileen waited until Benjamin had picked up Dalores and brought her to the apartment before going to see her herself.


    Dalores, having not seen them for a few days, looked thinner, which somehow made her appear more stunning.


    Upon Eileen’s arrival, Dalores was lounging on the sofa, engrossed in a TV show, a tter of fruit arranged before her. Two women, both around forty, lingered nearby, clearly hired to look after her.


    “Ms. Curtis,” Dalores called out, giving the two women a subtle nod. They moved a few steps back but kept Dalores within their view.


    They could overhear the exchange between Eileen and Dalores.


    “This ce is quite pleasant, perfect for some rxation,” Eileen remarked as she settled into a chair.


    Dalores gave a sideways nce at the two women, then bit her lip and sighed. “Yes, it’s lovely, much like a bird in a cage—safe, with all the sustenance it needs.”


    After Benjamin dropped Dalores off, he left. Eileen was already perplexed by Dalores’ summons, and as she listened to Dalores’ disjointed musings, her confusion only deepened.


    Having polished off the fruit on the tter, Dalores turned and voiced a new desire. “I’m craving durian. Do we have any?”


    “I don’t keep durian here, but we have other fruits,” one of the women responded, collecting the empty dish.


    Dalores’ brow furrowed. “Then go out and get some.”


    Julio had given the caregivers clear instructions—to fulfill every one of Dalores’ requests. The caregivers exchanged looks, and one of them left to procure the durian.


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    “Go fetch some other fruits,” Dalores instructed the remaining caregiver, sending her off. Now alone with Eileen in the living room, Dalores finally began to open up.


    “Two days ago, I received a strange text message,” Dalores said, handing her phone to Eileen. The message was brief:


    “I can help you escape from here.”


    Julio had blocked her on WhatsApp and all other social media tforms, refusing even to meet with her. Her only option had been to have Benjamin ry messages to Eileen.


    Dalores continued, “I didn’t reply. I’m sure whoever sent this is an enemy of Julio’s. If I were to leave now, it could endanger my unborn child.”


    Eileen quickly wrote down the number and sent it to Julio, along with a snapshot of the message Dalores had received.


    Julio called Eileen within seconds. “What’s this about?”


    “Someone sent Dalores this message,” Eileen exined. She paused before adding, “You haven’t left her any way to contact you directly. Were you hoping someone else would handle themunication?”


    From the other end, Julio asserted, “I’m just trying to keep her safe.”


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