The Bride Widow
Chapter 174: Who Hired you? - Part 2

Chapter 174: 174: Who Hired you? - Part 2

The dimly lit room where Lucy was held captive seemed even darker after two days of isolation. The only sound was the occasional drip of water from a leaky pipe somewhere in the building. Lucy, weak and disoriented, had lost track of time. Her body ached from the cold, damp floor, and her mind was clouded by exhaustion and fear.

Suddenly, the heavy door creaked open, and Jackson entered the room, his footsteps echoing ominously. He carried a tray with a small bottle of water and a stale piece of bread. Lucy’s eyes followed him as he approached, her heart pounding in her chest.

Jackson set the tray down beside her and crouched, his face inches from hers. "Miss me, Lucy?" he sneered, his voice laced with contempt.

Lucy didn’t respond. She had learned that any reaction only fueled his sadistic pleasure.

Jackson grinned, enjoying her silence. "You must be wondering why I’ve been so generous, keeping you alive," he said, tilting his head as if pondering his own question. "The truth is, I’ve been waiting for the right moment to offer you a deal."

Lucy’s eyes flickered with a hint of hope, though she remained wary. She had no illusions about Jackson’s kindness.

"See," Jackson continued, standing up and pacing the room, "I’ve got a bit of a problem. Anabella. She’s been a thorn in my side for far too long. And I think you could help me with that."

Lucy frowned, confused. "What... what do you mean?"

Jackson stopped pacing and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Simple. You do something for me, and I’ll let you go. Help me get close to Anabella. Gain her trust, feed me information, whatever it takes."

Lucy’s stomach turned at the thought of betraying Anabella. But the desire to escape this hellhole was overwhelming. She just wanted to be free, to return to her family, to be safe again.

"I... I don’t know," Lucy stammered, her voice trembling. "Why do you need me to do that?"

Jackson’s expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. "Don’t play dumb, Lucy. You know her, you’re close to her. That makes you useful to me."

Lucy bit her lip, her mind racing. Could she really betray Anabella? But what choice did she have? Her survival instinct was screaming at her to take the deal.

Jackson, sensing her hesitation, crouched beside her again. His voice softened, but it was no less menacing. "Think about it, Lucy. Do you really think anyone’s coming for you? You’ve been here for days, and no one’s even close to finding you. But you can change that. Help me, and you’ll walk out of here alive."

Tears welled up in Lucy’s eyes. She felt trapped, with no good options. Finally, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Okay. I’ll do it."

A smug smile spread across Jackson’s face. "Good girl. Now, eat up. You’ll need your strength."

He left the tray of food and water on the floor, turning to leave. "We’ll talk more tomorrow," he called over his shoulder. "Rest up."

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Lucy alone once more. She stared at the meager meal in front of her, her mind heavy with the weight of what she had just agreed to.

She hated herself for the decision but knew that she couldn’t endure this captivity any longer. She had to survive, even if it meant betraying someone she cared about.

______

The air in the bakery was thick with worry as Anabella and her coworkers gathered around the counter, their faces etched with concern. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the room.

The usual hum of activity was absent, replaced by hushed whispers about Lucy’s disappearance. They had been searching and hoping for any news, but the days had stretched on with no sign of her.

Just as the somber atmosphere threatened to suffocate them, the doorbell jingled, and the front door creaked open.

All heads turned simultaneously, eyes widening in shock as Lucy stepped inside. She was a shadow of her former self, her frame frail and gaunt, her eyes sunken and haunted. Her clothes hung loosely on her thin body, and she moved with a tentative, almost ghostly grace.

For a moment, silence reigned. Then a collective gasp echoed through the bakery as everyone rushed toward her. "Lucy! You’re back!" several voices exclaimed, a mixture of relief and disbelief in their tones.

Lucy tried to smile, but it barely reached her lips. "I’m fine," she insisted weakly, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I want to come back to work."

The room fell silent again, the tension palpable. Her condition was alarming, and no one was convinced she was truly ready to return. The manager stepped forward, concern etched deep in her features. "Lucy, maybe you should rest. You’ve been through a lot."

Lucy shook her head stubbornly. "I need to be here. I need to work."

The manager exchanged worried glances with the other employees, unsure of what to do. Finally, she sighed and looked at Anabella. "Anabella, can you keep an eye on her today? Just to make sure she’s okay?"

Anabella nodded immediately, her heart aching for her friend. "Of course," she said softly. She approached Lucy, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "Come on, Lucy. Let’s sit down for a bit."

Lucy’s eyes flicked up to meet Anabella’s, and for a fleeting moment, something dark and unreadable crossed her gaze. Anabella noticed but dismissed it, attributing it to Lucy’s recent trauma. She guided Lucy to a chair in the corner of the bakery, away from the bustle of customers.

Throughout the day, Anabella kept a close watch on Lucy. She noticed how Lucy flinched at sudden noises, how her hands trembled when she tried to hold anything, and how she seemed to avoid direct eye contact with anyone.

Despite Lucy’s insistence that she was fine, it was clear she was anything but.

Yet, Anabella’s compassionate nature compelled her to help. She brought Lucy tea and small bites of food, encouraging her to eat and regain her strength. "You don’t have to rush back into everything," Anabella said gently. "We’ll take it one step at a time."

Lucy nodded, her fingers wrapping tightly around the cup of tea. "Thank you, Anabella," she murmured, her voice shaky. "You’ve always been so kind."

Anabella smiled softly, though concern lingered in her eyes. "We’re all here for you, Lucy. You don’t have to go through this alone."

As the days passed, however, Lucy’s behavior grew increasingly erratic. She would disappear for long stretches, only to reappear with vague excuses.

She began snapping at customers and fellow employees, something entirely out of character for her. The dark glint in her eyes that Anabella had noticed on the first day returned more frequently, unsettling those around her.

One afternoon, while preparing orders in the back, Anabella found Lucy rifling through her personal belongings. "Lucy!" she exclaimed, startled. "What are you doing?"

Lucy looked up, guilt flashing across her face. "I... I thought I left something here," she stammered, quickly retreating.

Anabella’s heart sank. She wanted to believe Lucy’s explanation, but doubt had begun to creep in. Later that day, when a customer complained about missing items from their order, suspicion hung heavily in the air. Though no one said it aloud, many eyes turned toward Lucy.

Determined to help her friend without alienating her further, Anabella decided to confront Lucy gently. After closing time, she found Lucy sitting alone in the back, staring blankly at the wall.

"Lucy, can we talk?" Anabella asked softly, sitting beside her.

Lucy nodded but didn’t look at her.

"I’m worried about you," Anabella began. "I know you’ve been through a lot, but I feel like something else is going on. You can tell me. We can figure this out together."

Lucy’s eyes finally met Anabella’s, and for a moment, they softened. But then they hardened again, and she shook her head. "I’m fine, Anabella. Just leave me alone."

Anabella sighed, her heart heavy. She wanted to respect Lucy’s boundaries, but the strange behavior and the growing tension were impossible to ignore. As much as she wanted to trust her friend, Anabella couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.

Anabella hesitated for a moment, the words catching in her throat before she could speak them. Finally, she gathered the courage to ask, "Lucy, did I... did I do something to cause you any trouble?"

Lucy’s eyes widened in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the question. For a brief second, her expression softened, but she quickly composed herself. Shaking her head, she offered a small, forced smile. "No, Anabella. You didn’t do anything. I’m fine. Really."

Anabella didn’t seem convinced, but before she could press further, Lucy added, "I don’t need anyone’s help. I just need some time."

Lucy did not sound convincing, but Anabella also knew that pushing her was not an option. She needed to let Lucy come around and speak on her own terms.