<h4>Chapter 375: Chapter 375 Trapped and Unmasked</h4>


    Cecilia ’s pov


    I sit with Harper on the broken velvet arm of a faded red bench, our wrists and ankles bound tight enough that I can feel worry chafing at bone.


    A low, yellow light seeps through a cracked window. The air smells like oil and rain.


    We don’t say a word.


    I try to keep my face calml. Just another visit.


    The TV mutters in the background, ying some old 90s suspense movie.


    Each sharp note in the soundtrack pulls my nerves tighter.


    The clock on the wall ticks in awkward jerks, and the whole building feels like it’s holding its breath.


    Suddenly, a long creak slices through the quiet.


    The front door opens.


    I hear footsteps. Heels scrape across the floor.


    I turn my head. It’s Daisy.


    She’s standing in the doorway. The light’s behind her. She looks pale. Too calm.


    Daisy closes the door behind her. No rush. No fear. Just that polished, perfect mask.


    I shift, making sure she sees my raw wrists, the thick tape around our ankles.


    I tip my chin. I want her to notice everything.


    Finally, I whisper, my voice tight and fast.


    "Daisy, how did you find us ? Where’s Sebastian ? Did he send you ? Please...get us out of here."


    She doesn’t even look at the tape.


    Just gives me a neat, businesslike smile.


    "The butler called. Said if I brought the money, you’d both be released."


    Her tone’s light, but her eyes scan the room like she’s taking inventory.


    "Where’s your kidnapper ? I’d like a word."


    I flick my eyes toward the bedroom, teeth clenched.


    "Does it matter ? We have to go. Now. Before theye back."


    She sees me shaking. For a moment, her expression changes.


    There’s something in her eyes. Maybe jealousy. Maybe hate.


    She reaches out and brushes a curl off my cheek. Her fingers are cold.


    "Don’t worry," she says softly. "I came to help. I’m not leaving you."


    "Thank you," I whisper.


    Daisy turns away, hiding a tiny smile. She heads toward the bedroom.


    Harper’s voice cuts the air like ss. "Mrs. Daisy."


    Daisy doesn’t stop. Just tilts her chin a little.


    Harper straightens beside me, arms still bound, her whole body rigid.


    "If you’re really here to help," she says, voice icy, "maybe start by untying us ?"


    Daisy smiles politely.


    "I’d love to, but I need scissors. And unless you see a pair lying around..."


    She says it like she’s joking at brunch. Calm. Practiced.


    Harper’s voice rises.


    "How convenient. We’re here because your butler and your family doctor dragged us out of a hotel.


    Not because we felt like going on somete-night adventure. Maybe try doing something useful. Like calling for help ?"


    Daisy finally looks at her. Still no worry in her face.


    "I know exactly why you’re here."


    Harper shifts in her seat. Her chair creaks.


    "You’re in on this," she breathes. usation sharp in her tone.


    Whatever Daisy had nned, it’s falling apart now.


    "Stop making stuff up, Harper. I told you I’m here to take you home."


    "Then why are you here alone ? Why aren’t you calling for help ? And where the hell is Sebastian ?"


    My head snaps between them, heart pounding.


    Daisy’s eyes narrow. Her polite smile is wearing thin.


    "Who says I’m alone ? Or are you still pissed about earlier, and now you’re seeing enemies everywhere ?"


    "Go to hell," Harper spits. Her voice is molten. "You’re stalling. Enough, Daisy. Just stop pretending. We both know no one’sing to save us. So why not drop the act ? This is your show, isn’t it ? Just admit it."


    "Harper, stop. Please don’t say things you’ll regret."


    I keep my tone soft, almost pleading. Just enough to sound real. Just enough to keep Daisy talking.


    "Daisy wouldn’t hurt us. Maybe something went wrong, but she’s on our side."


    Harper turns to me, her face full of disbelief.


    "Cecilia, do you even hear yourself ? Why aren’t you freaking out ? Look at her. She’s acting like this is some tea party, not a kidnapping. Since the second she got here, she’s been calm. Smug. Like she already knows how this ends."


    She jerks her chin toward Daisy.


    "If you still think she’s your friend, fine. Go ahead. But ask yourself something. Why did she walk in here alone ? No backup. No panic. Just like she knew exactly what was going to happen."


    I look at Daisy.


    I let my voice drop, just enough to sound wounded. Not too much. Just enough to bait her in.


    "Why would you do this to me ?" I whisper. "What did I ever do to you ?"


    Daisy sighs and steps closer.


    The smile on her face doesn’t move, but it’s hollow now. Cold. There’s a flicker of something like relief, like she’s been waiting to say this.


    "Because you crossed the wrong people, Cecilia. You were never supposed to show up in Colorado Springs. And you definitely weren’t supposed to walk away."


    I keep my voice steady. "Who did I cross ?"


    She shrugs,zy and unbothered.


    "Why even ask ? You already know. Maggie Locke. She wants you alive. For now. But that’s not kindness. I’m the nice one here. I’d at least make it quick. Maggie ? She’d make it slow. She’d make sure you screamed."


    Her voice is smooth. Too smooth. Like polished ss waiting to crack.


    I don’t flinch. Not yet.


    I tilt my head, calm but curious.


    "So Maggie wants me breathing... and you want me gone ?"


    Daisy gives a small smile. It almost looks kind. Almost.


    "Exactly."


    I nod slowly, like I’m trying to understand. "Why ? What could I have possibly done to you ?"


    She takes her time. She walks a few slow steps across the room, arms loose at her sides. Then she turns back. Her eyes are t. Her voice is stripped of everything but spite.


    "Because you slept with Sebastian," she says. She spits the words like they taste wrong. "And now... you’re carrying his child."


    I raise an eyebrow. Just slightly. Not shocked. Not broken. Just... interested.


    Inside, the pieces are clicking into ce. She’s finally saying what we needed her to say.


    "So that’s what this is about."


    "Do you even get what that means ?" Daisy keeps going. "Sebastian is my cousin. He was never supposed to fall for anyone. Especially not someone like you. He’s always been distant. Cold. Untouchable. But now ? You messed that up. You ruined him. That’s why you need to go."


    I barely find my voice. "That’s not true. You’re lying."


    She lets out a low, bitterugh.


    "I warned him about you. When you vanished, I told him. You know what he did ? Nothing. He barely reacted. He looked... relieved. So don’t kid yourself. He doesn’t care. And don’t me me. I’m still giving you more mercy than Maggie ever would."


    Then Daisy speaks again, and her words buzz in my ears.


    "You’re not special, Cecilia." Her voice is almost kind. "If you’d just left quietly, you’d still be breathing. But no. You had to interfere. You had to y innocent."


    She gives me onest look. Not quite pity. Not quite hate. Just... satisfaction.


    Then she lifts her wrist, checks her watch in the fading light. The room feels colder.


    "Maggie wants you alive."


    "I just want you gone."