THE BOSS'S RUTHLESSNESS / A DESPERATE DECISION
Days blurred into an endless loop of despair. Anna's body weakened with every passing hour, but it was the emptiness inside her that felt lethal. She refused to eat, to cooperate, to bow to the cruel authority of the boss. She had survived Rachel's death, yet the shadow of guilt haunted her relentlessly.
The boss was furious. He had never encountered a girl like Anna—a girl who wouldn't bend, who refused to be broken.
"Victor," he growled, voice low, venomous. "What's going on with Anna? I was told she would be the perfect pawn."
Victor shifted uneasily, his confidence faltering. "I… she's not like the others, sir. She's stubborn. Unbreakable."
"Stubborn?" The boss's eyes darkened, a storm contained behind a mask of calm. "Stubborn can be corrected. Bring her friend Sarah here. If Anna refuses to obey… we'll make sure Sarah pays the price."
Victor's face went pale. "Y-yes, sir."
Anna sat in her room, staring blankly at the wall. The weight of her failed escape pressed down like a concrete slab. Rachel was gone. She had tried, failed, and now survival felt like a cruel joke.
Then came the boss's threat: "If you don't cooperate, we'll kill Sarah."
Fear pierced her chest like a blade. She could not—would not—let that happen. Her mind raced. Her chest tightened. The decision was terrifying, but simple. She would comply… at least for now.
The door creaked open. The boss entered, his presence filling the room with an oppressive aura.
"Ah, Anna," he said smoothly, dripping sarcasm and cruelty. "I see you've decided to cooperate. Excellent choice."
Anna's voice trembled as she forced out the words. "I… I'll do whatever you want."
His smile widened, victory glinting in his eyes. "Excellent. That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
Then he left, promising a "reward" for her obedience.
Minutes later, Anna's heart leapt at faint footsteps outside her door. Could it be Sarah? Could the reward be her friend? Excitement and dread twisted together in her chest.
The door opened, and Sarah was led in, flanked by two burly guards. Anna's chest constricted with relief and terror. Sarah looked pale, eyes wide with fear, but at the sight of Anna, a faint smile flickered across her lips.
"Anna…" Sarah whispered, voice trembling.
Anna rushed forward, clutching her friend in a tight embrace. "Sarah! I'm so sorry!"
The guards stepped back, expressionless. "The boss wants you two to get along. Keep each other company. And make sure Anna doesn't get any ideas about escaping," one growled.
Anna's stomach sank. Sarah was not a reward—she was leverage. A cruel chess piece to ensure obedience.
When the guards left, Anna held Sarah tightly, whispering soft reassurances. "It's okay, Sarah. We'll get through this together."
Tears welled in Sarah's eyes. "I'm so scared, Anna. I don't know what's going to happen to us."
Anna swallowed her own fear, forcing a calm she did not feel. "We'll be okay. We just have to stick together."
For the first time in days, a small warmth stirred in Anna's chest. Consoling Sarah gave her a fragile sense of purpose, even as hopelessness threatened to consume her.
She thought of Rachel. Guilt clawed at her. If only I hadn't tried to escape… Rachel would still be alive.
With a long sigh, Anna pushed the thought aside, surrendering for now to survival. She had to lie low, protect Sarah, and endure. Revenge and escape could wait—life had to come first.
Holding Sarah close, she whispered, barely audible, "Rachel… I'm sorry. I can't avenge you… not yet."
A vow simmered in her chest, silent but fierce. She would survive. She would protect Sarah. And when the time was right, she would make them pay.